Waldorf Play

It is a fact of family life that there are certain times of the day when we have to get things done. I love to play with my children and we spend a lot of time doing all kinds of projects and crafts and fun things together but the truth is; it is also my job to attend to the house (sigh!) My house is not spotless or perfect but, alas, the beds have to be made (most of the time), the house picked up (at least a little) and the dinner (actually) cooked. Ironically, and I’m sure you can relate to this, it seems to be these very times when my kids ‘need’ my attention most. I love being a stay-at-home mum but I find these ‘work’ times challenging. I end up not doing my house chores and feeling bad about my constantly untidy living room, unmade beds and microwave dinner OR trying to do it all over the din of unhappy children. This usually culminates with me getting mad and shouting and making everything worse.

 

So this being one of my (many) areas of difficulty, it is what I have been working on. And, would you know it, I am winning! With a little forethought and preparation, and practice, of course, we have settled on a much more enjoyable course. Waldorf ideas and teachings have been a huge help. Waldorf insight encourages the parent/caregiver to provide the child with toys that have a rich sensory quality; natural toys that come from nature or are made of natural fibers, toys that have a rich tactile element. Waldorf ways encourage the child to play with toys that are open-ended and can be played with however the child’s imagination desires. Thus a shell becomes a playdough baby’s bed OR a sand scooper OR a golden coin, depending on what the child needs in his/her imaginary world at that moment. I have seen a huge difference in K’s imaginary play since embracing this waldorf philosophy. She has always lived in her imagination but I see an ‘unlimited’ quality that is new. Her play is not as ‘defined’ by the toy she is playing with and the length of time she spends in her imaginative play is longer. This, to a mom who needs to get things done, is a GOOD thing. Over the next couple of days, I am going to do a number of posts about the specific things that have helped keep my children happily playing during the times when I need to ‘work’ and I would love to hear your ideas too. As A Good Man has taken to saying, parenting is a work in progress and Lord knows I have lots to learn… ;-) But isn't it fun!