Waldorf Inspired Homeschool Expo Giveaway

Donna from The Waldorf Connection approached me about spreading the word about her upcoming Waldorf Homeschool Expo by offering a very generous giveaway. I was honored by the request and am happy to share a little more about Waldorf inspired home learning with all of you.

Our family uses a Waldorf approach to education and our home environment, especially in the children's younger years. For our family that has meant surrounding them by toys and materials of natural fibers, not having television or computer games, using the gentle learning approach by not introducing academics too early, teaching handwork, and using main lessons and incorporating beauty and art into them as much as possible.

Here is my interview with Donna. I have added my own photos throughout the interview.

Tell our readers what Waldorf is and what creating a Waldorf inspired home and/or home school might look like.

Waldorf Education was started in the early 20^th century by Rudolf Steiner, though today, it is one of the fastest growing forms of private education. Waldorf is education for the whole child. There are so many opportunities to let your child unfold into herself, rather than force academics according to a schedule. It is a very nature-based, rhythmic, and creative approach to learning. What I have learned is that is no one “way” to bring this information to your child, but many options depending on the teacher/parent. Most Waldorf-inspired home schools use natural wooden toys, organic wool felt, quality art supplies, and beautiful materials to have available where the child may use them. Play silks and a nature table are frequently found in the schooling area, and there are no text books.

~play silks on a branch hook rack~

~handwork using a drop spindle~

What inspired you to start The Waldorf Connection?

When I found the Waldorf method 4 years ago, I knew it was what I wanted for my family. Slowly I added things to our household, whether it be a wooden toy, set of colorful play silks, or high quality paints & brushes. I gathered as much information as I could find through books and online websites. I had so many questions and wanted specific things explained. Wet-on-wet painting was such an issue with me, that for 2 years I didn’t even try it! I kept wondering, “Was I doing this right?” I couldn’t be the only one wanting more! So, that was how The Waldorf Connection began. I hosted a few workshops last fall and had such an overwhelming response, I decided to keep going!

~a page from our children's form drawing main lesson book~

What does The Waldorf Connection offer? and please share about the upcoming Expo.

I created the Waldorf Connection to be exactly that- a place where homeschooling families can connect to teachers and experts in the Waldorf field. My goal- to bring concrete information to help parents understand the Waldorf concepts and to support the family-run Waldorf entrepreneurs.

The Homeschool Expo was designed after a regular Homeschool expo, but online. I am hosting 15+ workshops on planning, grade overviews, parenting, rhythm, multiple-age homeschooling, rites of passage, music and more! Are you wondering which curriculum to choose for next year? Come listen to your favorite speaker and see what they offer before you buy. Peruse our Vendor Room with online store displaying their books, supplies, curriculums, toys, etc. Registration and all workshops are *free*. Just sign-up at http://thewaldorfconnection.com

Thank you for offering this wonderful giveaway. Please describe what you are offering to the winner of the drawing.

I will giveaway an entire set of the Expo Workshops on MP3. (value $57) You can listen to the workshops again and again, download to your Ipod or burn to CD. An excellent resource to keep for the future, as your children grow.

Thank you for this offer Donna.

Our family will also be offering the winner this wonderful waldorf inspired book - Feasts, Festivals and Food - this is a resource for exploring festivals throughout the year and is filled with recipes, crafts, games, stories, poems and songs. There is also a section on birthdays, teatimes, and rainy days.

Please leave a comment to be entered and if you blog or share it on one of your social networking sites, just leave another comment letting me know and you will be entered again.

The drawing will be Thursday evening at 7:00 pm.

Warm wishes, Tonya