a story of St Nicholas

Posted by Donna Simmons

St Nicholas’ day has passed (6 December) but this is a lovely story to share with your children. It was written by a Christian Community (the church inspired by the work of Steiner) priest. May it be received with love…

My Story is Your Story, Your Story is My Story

Posted by Donna Simmons

Perhaps the most important aspects of anthroposophy, the foundation of Waldorf education, are its universalism on the one hand, and its utter respect for the individual on the other. The weaving between these two can seem like a paradox–but therein…

Children and Computers

Posted by Donna Simmons

Here is a talk–a rather long talk of about 30 minutes–I have recorded on the subject of why computers are not good for children. If one asks ‘is there a need for computers, called for by the universal and therapeutic…

A Goethean ‘Sense-Walk’

Posted by Donna Simmons

Our new self-study course is all about looking at the world from new perspectives; nurturing one’s senses and observations; delving into one’s ‘stuckness’ so one can become the homeschooling parent one wants to be. Through self development exercises, artistic work…

Michaelmas thoughts

Posted by Donna Simmons

Starting on 29 September, Michaelmas Day, we can live into the reality of the four-week period of Michaelmas, a time to gather inner courage as we face the darkening days ahead. In a time when many can feel that life…

Feedback Regarding Computer Use in Waldorf Schools

Posted by Donna Simmons

Last month I wrote an impassioned plea to Waldorf teachers to please stop and consider other ways to work with their classes during this time of shut-down and  distancing regulations. I got quite a lot of feedback, some of which…

A Plea to Waldorf Teachers

Posted by Donna Simmons

a Michael imagination by David Newbatt Dear Waldorf Teachers, I am writing to you as a colleague and friend, a former Waldorf student, teacher and parent, and present Waldorf educator mainly focused on homeschoolers. I write because I am shocked…

The Positive Side of Lockdown!

Posted by Donna Simmons

Well bless my boots–I’m actually going to write about the positive side of the lockdown situation we are in (and not about whether it contributes to containing COVID). What I’m interested in is the fact that a number of folks…

Question Authority

Posted by Donna Simmons

Many years ago there lived an emperor who loved beautiful new clothes so much that he spent all his money on being finely dressed. His only interest was in going to the theater or in riding about in his carriage…

Concerns About Forest Kindergartens

Posted by Donna Simmons

I have worked with children, largely on the land (city farms, youth projects, farm visits–all sorts of outdoor adventures and play) for more than 35 years. Ten years ago, had you asked me if children could be outdoors too much…

Homeschooling in Extraordinary Circumstances

Posted by Donna Simmons

Over the years I have often heard people worry that they cannot homeschool because of extraordinary circumstances–illness or death in the family, a natural disaster, divorce, job loss and so on. Homeschooling is about the reality of human relationships–and to…

Homeschoolers First and Foremost!

Posted by Donna Simmons

I am coming to the end of creating our new (summer 2019) sixth grade curriculum and a few things have happened recently which have helped me recommit to homeschooling as homeschooling–as opposed to trying to create Waldorf school at home….

Geometry in 6th Grade

Posted by Donna Simmons

I am presently (late February 2019) working on the geometry section of our sixth grade syllabus. Thought folks might be interested in a peek…Here is an excerpt from its opening: In a Waldorf school, geometry holds a special place in…

The Wholeness of Waldorf Education

Posted by Donna Simmons

I am currently working on our Christopherus sixth grade syllabus (available mid-July 2019). This is the first new syllabus I have written in years. There are a number of reasons for this and one reason is that the Waldorf middle…

The Beauty of Astronomy

Posted by Donna Simmons

The following is the introduction to the Teacher’s Guide for our new publication, A Year of Astronomy, available to purchase mid January 2019. On the one hand, astronomy is such an obvious and simple subject to study—all one needs to…

Empathy and the teen

Posted by Donna Simmons

Just going through old blog posts and deleting dated or no longer relevant posts…and stumbled upon this goodie. I read it and was pleased to see that I still agree with what I originally wrote below! The following is an…

Candlemas

Posted by Donna Simmons

Here is a rather old post from – yikes!! – 10 years ago about the festival of Candlemas. I have been more focused on videos and talks than on my blog – I save my writing for the creation of…

When Violence Touches Children

Posted by Donna Simmons

Dear friends, I am reprinting part of an article from the wonderful Waldorf Today newsletter about the death of a Waldorf teacher recently in a drive-by shooting in Chicago. Following this I have reprinted an excellent article written by Susan…

Unlined paper, handwriting and the development of inner freedom

Posted by Donna Simmons

By Donna Simmons Waldorf education, because it has been developed out of a profound understanding of how human beings develop, is at essence a healing art of education. We all come to this earth with challenges and flaws—physical, mental, emotional…

The Christopherus Geography Curriculum

Posted by Donna Simmons

by Donna Simmons   From one point of view, you could say that a study of geography is the heart of the Waldorf curriculum—it is the discipline that connects and enlivens much of the rest of the curriculum. History, science…

Art and Crafts as a Foundation to the Healing of the Human Being

Posted by Donna Simmons

An excerpt from our Second Grade Syllabus new second edition by Donna Simmons.    He who works with his hands is a laborer; He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman; He who works with his…

The Tyranny of the Main Lesson Book

Posted by Donna Simmons

by Donna Simmons One characteristic of Waldorf education is its focus on the creation of main lesson books throughout all 12 grades. Every day, in every grade, during the first 2 hours of the morning, each class is focused on…

Five Things Every Waldorf Homeschooler Should Stop and Consider…

Posted by Donna Simmons

By Donna Simmons I think there must be times in every homeschooler’s life when she (or he) wishes that she could just put the children on the couch and freeze them there for a year or two while she catches…

The Goal of Waldorf Education

Posted by Donna Simmons

By Donna Simmons   Greetings All, One of the most important and attractive elements of the Waldorf curriculum is the way children are led through an exploration of subject matter in an ever-deepening way. In accordance with her stage of…