On my new discovery
Bismillah,
I have been in the depths of learning and creative exploration the last few weeks and I feel immensely grateful to have found a personal connection with Steiner-inspired Waldorf education. A few years ago when I was learning different educational methods, I was intrigued by Waldorf but some of the elements did not make sense to me at the time such as the emphasis on fairy tales for young children. As a more serious and purposeful person myself, academics always came first and I loved the prepared activities approach I saw in Montessori. However, the more I observed my own daughter, I noticed the three things she craved most included:
Stories
Qur’an
Quality Time
Every morning when she wakes up, her first thought is to ask for a story as she cuddles. It’s a special time for us to bond before we start the day. Among the many things I am loving about Waldorf, the best is the allowance for children to grow s l o w l y and the idea that they will have plenty of time to do academics but the early years are all about rhythm, imitation, beauty, stories, values, and cultivating warmth in various ways. There is a special emphasis on “inner work” to bring more thoughtfulness into our actions and a commitment to learning about our own temperament and that of our family members.
As a former social worker, I was always busy helping in crisis situations and helping children and families put pieces of themselves back together after experiencing pain, trauma, and compounding life challenges. Waldorf is helping me come full circle and see the ways to start off well with as much calm and presence so there is less need to rebuild in the future and much more room for growth and thriving inshaAllah.
I also find it resonates with me at a spiritual level. Our deen is literally full of awe-inspiring stories of Prophets (peace be upon them), Allah Almighty, Angels, Jinn, the after life, the Sahabah and pious predecessors. There is much to draw upon within our deen for stories and incorporate into the Waldorf method. Every lesson in the grade levels begins with a story told by the parent/teacher, which I find is even more powerful than reading books.
Eye to eye. Heart to heart.
As I’m learning and implementing the Waldorf methodology in my homeschooling, we are doing more:
Handwork
Crocheting
Doll-making
Knitting
Wood work
Beeswax and clay modeling
Baking bread
Making beeswax candles using them during activities, story time, and meals.
Singing Nasheeds and beautifying Qur’an and du’as
Waldorf schools use verses to transition into and out of activities. We are loving saying our du’as with their translations together to help with transitions to replace this with our own approach. :)
Art
Watercolour
Block Crayons
Nature Walks
Collecting nature finds
Balancing on logs
Forest hikes
Stories
Using silks and wooden figurines to tell a story
Using rich vocabulary and strong expressions
Natural toys
Creating toys with felt
Painting peg dolls
Using nature finds for doll house projects
Imaginative Play
Acting out a story
Puppet shows
Rhythmic days
Mondays: Nature Outing (and currently alternating between textile and wood working)
Tuesdays: Bread baking day
Wednesday: Watercolour
Thursday: Beeswax and Clay modeling + Outing/Errands
Friday: Jummu’ah and family time
Along with the assigned activity, we have a Surah, Du’a, and Story of the week and I’ll try to keep the same breakfast and dinner for each day of the week when possible)
As a result, we are doing less:
Formal “lessons”
Flashcards
Screens
Confusion about days and transitions
With the limited opportunities for socialization these days, I’m finding this approach is an excellent choice for our home and family but it does not replace the need for social outlets. I’m also finding it more challenging to carve out times to work on my business, but I’m considering this may be a pivotal point for me in my parenting and personal growth. Am I still planning? Of course, but the time management is feeling harder than ever before. I feel I’m picking the right priority for now and gradually, I know deep down I’ll find my way inshaAllah.
Till next time,
Asma
