In a Nutshell

What an absolutely wonderful book! Nancy Foster has not only given us great explanation of just about everything parents new to Waldorf education ever wonder about, but she has gone on to give some of the best parenting advice ever written down. In other words, she has poured over 30 years experience as a Waldorf kindergarten teacher into the most concise, readable and useful wee book every printed on the subject teaching and parenting young children. This is a genuinely must-have book for anyone working with or raising young children.

Table of Contents:

Our Classroom Environment

• Color in the Classroom
• Why Curtains?
• Teachers’ Dress
• The Significance of Candles
• Naming the Teacher
• No Cars and Trucks?
• What about Puzzles?
• Musical Instruments in the Classroom

Work and Play at School

• The Rhythm of the Morning
• Saying “You may . . . “
• Ironing in the Classroom: Danger?
• Boys and Waldorf Education
• Playing Cats and Dogs
• Music in the Mood of the Fifth
• Can Energetic Boys Enjoy Handwork?
• Gun Play at School
• Field Trips?
• Fairy Tales for Young Children
• The Challenge of Circle Time
• Puppetry and “Told” Stories

Children at Home

• Colors for a Child’s Bedroom
• Older and Younger Siblings
• Boredom
• Telephone
• Bedtime Ritual
• Feeding a Child
• Swords vs. Guns
• TV Away from Home
• Barbie
• Forbidden Words?
• Appropriate Gifts
• “What did you learn in school today?”
• Toys in the Neighborhood
• Helping Children in a Time of Trouble – A Few Thoughts
• Is the World a Good Place?