Part of the richness of homeschooling with Waldorf is the philosophy of teaching the whole person - head, heart, and hands. One of the subjects which is taught every year from kindergarten all the way through high school is handwork. Handwork is a key subject, and not just an extra, because it is so
Handwork is a subject area in you’ll find in Waldorf schools. Just like you would find math or science in traditional school settings, handwork is a staple in a Waldorf setting as well as his…
We’re excited to share the second of 3 guest posts from author, educator, and all around amazing human, Elizabeth Seward! Elizabeth brings decades of experience, and will be sharing her insights into Waldorf handwork. (Missed part one? Click here !)
Hey guys! I recently posted a picture of my daughter's latest embroidery project -- a biome map of Africa -- on Instagram and I received a lot of questions about it. So I thought I'd
Here are Montessori-inspired knitting activities from around the blogosphere along with knitting resources that are helpful for preparing Montessori-inspired knitting activities.
When my Gv’s fifth birthday was approaching last year, she wanted nothing more than a sewing machine. Now, it’s true that sewing is programmed into her DNA, as her maternal grandmother, great-grandmother, and all the great-greats before that filled their days with sewing for enjoyment. Even I have lived through…
We’re excited to share the second of 3 guest posts from author, educator, and all around amazing human, Elizabeth Seward! Elizabeth brings decades of experience, and will be sharing her insights into Waldorf handwork. (Missed part one? Click here !)
Here is a great way for your child to learn fine motor skills, basic sewing stitches, and introduce the experience of embroidery. In the photograph you see the following stitches--whip, running, back, zigzag, cross, chain, and blanket. Whether your child uses this as a tool for learning or toy for fun, you're giving them a wonderful place to express creativity and build new talents. Watch our YouTube video for demonstration on how to do basic stitches on the board: https://youtu.be/y_aypAhas-8?si=KncNctkwXjeWAfjg You can download a free PDF of our "Stitches Guide" from here: https://www.treasuresfromjennifer.com/products/pdf-sewing-board-designs-stitches-guide SOLD SEPARATELY is my Sewing Board "Meadow Designs" PDF that you might enjoy with your Sewing Board: https://www.treasuresfromjennifer.com/products/pdf-sewing-board-designs-meadow - - - - - - - DIMENSIONS: 7 inches square x 3/8 inch thick. INCLUDES: 2 blunt-tipped needles and six colors of yarn. MATERIALS: Maple Wood. Finished with lacquer.
One of the weekly handwork crafts we enjoy doing during the day home together is beeswax modeling. Beeswax modeling is a wonderful way to work with your hands and manipulate soft wax, a creative and sensory experience for any age. It is an art form we picked up from our Waldorf…
Are you looking for handwork ideas for your preschooler? We've recently started using a Knitting Fork (Lucet) and French Knitting. My four-year-old prefers the Knitting Fork, he finds it easier. Both are great options that may initially challenge the child but produce results fast, especially if you are using chunky yarn. These knitting ideas are fantastic for developing coordination and fine motor skills but they are also really good for showing children how to use raw materials to make something by hand. If using wool we could start by showing the child how wool is grown, we could do the...
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Teach kids how to sew running stitch by hand using burlap and yarn for an easy beginning sewing lesson for children. Learning how to sew a line using a basic running stitch develops the fine motor muscles of the hand to prepare the hand for writing and more detailed handwork projects.
A sewing activity based on Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons
Make a hands-on seasons activity for kids using rocks or stones, wooden circles, and some stickers! Children can sort the picture stones onto the appropriate wooden circle depicting either spring, summer, winter or fall. Such a great way to encourage discussion about the differences between the four seasons! Follow our Creative Learning Pinterest board! …
Little Bird Learning Newsletter September ~ October In Waldorf early childhood settings, LIFE is the curriculum. The children learn through play and imitation~ daily self-care, baking and cooking, …
For whatever reason, we have this notion that read aloud time should look like a Norman Rockwell painting, with all the little cherub-faced children gathered around the fire sipping cups of cocoa while "Ma" reads from some leather-bound classic. But, that's just a spotted unicorn fantasy, folks. You hear about that kind of read aloud time in legend, but it never actually exists. Simple handwork projects dial back the chaos so that the story can be heard and enjoyed by all.
I swoon every time late August arrives because it signals the return of my favorite plant dye flower. The Goldenrod The yellow it gives in fields and dye pots is by far my favorite. I thought I would lay out a few mordant and after dip combinations I have done. There isn't much a difference in yellows - the ammonia after dip warms it up considerably - but the iron after dip is quite significant. There is a difference in color depending on the wool/yarn you choose. Its always important to do your own tests. When you do your tests make sure you use to correct per portion of dye to weight of yarn. If you make up your "full" dye pot but dip in test yarns remember that the tests will produce a darker color than if you had put in your full amount of yarn. When I make a pot of goldenrod dye I fill my pot full of blossom tips. The tips are fresh and barely open. The older the flower the saddened the color will be, but if your going to add iron anyway to get that great green it would be fine. Plus in November and the last flowers are blooming I grab them anyway. I have two frozen bags of fresh flowers in the freezer and plan on using them this winter - I'll post the results here in an update to see if they produce anything different. I have over dyed goldenrod and indigo and receive the most gorgeous greens you ever have seen. I also have a great time achieving oranges with cochineal. Ill try to post that next. Remember its not the lovely goldenrod that is making you sneeze but the ragweed that grows next to it - so marvel in the beauty of goldenrod and enjoy its splendor of color. I am also happy to report that I am once again the Handwork Teacher for the Ithaca Waldorf School in Ithaca, NY. I start tomorrow and I will hopefully take up this blog to track my comings and goings of teaching this year and future years.
What do you think of when you hear “preschool crafts?” Construction paper and glitter? Cut and paste worksheets? These kinds of crafts quickly find their way to the trash can in our house! I would rather my children spend their time making something worthy and beautiful that we’ll hang onto for awhile. If it doesn’t
Handwork is a fundamental part of the Waldorf curriculum from kindergarten through the grades and high school. It’s so good for children to learn how to make beautiful and useful things with their hands. So how do we teach handwork at home? I have a broad definition of handwork
These cards have been used in my classroom. These come AFTER teaching the rules and expectations. After students have learned the expectations these can be used to hold students accountable for following the rules and routines. Informational Videos To Learn More (Click Here) The cards include: Sitting On The Rug Sitting At Your Seat Raising Hand Work At Desk Work with Teacher/Small Group Table Walking In The Classroom Line Up Putting Items Away Reading Read Aloud Working With Technology Walking in the hallway Safe at lunch Kind words Safe hands Safe on playground Following rules Asking for help Taking a break
Teach kids to sew using burlap and yarn for an easy first lesson in the mechanics of sewing. Learning to sew is a fun way to practice fine motor skills.
In my last post I discussed handwork in kindergarten . Like with most subjects, there’s a big shift as you enter the grades. The seven-year-old still mostly learns through imitation, but it’s time for teaching skills and regular practice. One of the major milestones in first gr
Lacing cards are a great tool for fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, & more! They are also really easy to make at home! These easy DIY Lacing Cards are great for your toddler or preschooler!
Let us do the planning, and you do the fun of teaching with thee free forest preschool lesson plans! Forest activities for preschoolers, woodland animals
Post by Contributing Writer Amy This project puts together two things I love: fall and laminating! Really, there is something so satisfying about
Halloween is a favorite holiday in our house. My daughter is very theatrical and loves to play dress up and, of course, she loves the candy as well. Last year, my daughter was a witch and while she outgrew her costume, she still uses her witch’s broom and hat all of the time. As she […]
In Montessori environments, we pride ourselves on having a culture of self-lead work. We inspire children to be mathematicians, writers, discoverers and researchers. We also teach children the value of the ability to work with our hands. How to Create a Culture of Handwork in Your Montessori Environment By Carol Palmer Handwork, the creative, constructive […]
Keep the kids busy and teach them a skill at the same time! These EASY STITCH Cards teach children beginning sewing skills as well as fine motor skills.
It’s time for The Kids Craft Stars monthly craft challenge! Every month we have a challenge between a few blogger friends and I, to in-cooperate a different craft medium or technique into a simple kid craft. This month’s
Waldorf inspired summer solstice ideas and crafts. Sun catchers and weaving activities.
Are you looking for handwork ideas for your preschooler? We've recently started using a Knitting Fork (Lucet) and French Knitting. My four-year-old prefers the Knitting Fork, he finds it easier. Both are great options that may initially challenge the child but produce results fast, especially if you are using chunky yarn. These knitting ideas are fantastic for developing coordination and fine motor skills but they are also really good for showing children how to use raw materials to make something by hand. If using wool we could start by showing the child how wool is grown, we could do the...
