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Waldorf Playgroup Guidelines and Notes

Mission: To create an imaginative, joyful Waldorf playgroup every week for our children, in feeling and in practice.

Logistics
1. The playgroup will meet weekly.
2. At least one parent will attend and participate in the playgroup with the child(ren).
3. The group will consist of parents and children together. Each family will take on the responsibility of hosting and leading the playgroup once each cycle.
4. Because of the level of commitment involved, each family should intend on participating for one entire cycle.
5. Near the conclusion of one cycle, there will be a brief parent meeting to debrief and preview for the upcoming cycle.
6. The group shall consist of about 8 children who are walking.
7. If there is more interest, there will be a waiting list. In the meantime, those families are welcome to try the playgroup should there be an absence of one of the regular members.
8. If you cannot attend a playgroup you should contact the parent leader for that week, so that he or she can contact a family on the waiting list.
9. Each child should bring a piece of fresh fruit to contribute to the playgroup snack (washed please).
10. Each family is asked to contribute $30 per cycle to the general fund to pay for bulk orders of natural craft materials. If the group disbands or if a member leaves, he or she will receive her portion of the money left or the equivalent in supplies. (We will be putting in group orders to Mercurious. If you would like to put in an individual order, please see Jeannie Lee.)
11. Each family is asked to arrive 15 minutes early so the children can run off excess energy outside before the lead parent for that day’s playgroup sings the child inside.
12. Each lead parent will have the assistance of another parent. Each week’s assistant will be the following week’s lead parent.

Guidelines for Hosting
1. All cellphones should be turned off. TVs and computer monitors should be covered.
2. All plastic and electronic toys should be put away out of sight or covered. The remaining toys should be wooden and Waldorf in character. Open-ended toys are preferred.
3. The lead parent should focus on keeping the children reined in and engaged. Calm, attentive energy is encouraged.
4. All other parents are there to support the lead parent and side conversations should be kept to a minimum.
5. Each family should try and contribute what Waldorf-type toys they feel comfortable sharing as each household builds up their own sets of toys.
6.

Using Devana’s classroom as a model, I have compiled a visual list of toys that I want to begin making and collecting for Christian. Together these toys show a range of classic Waldorf playthings. I want the whole kit, cat, and caboodle – call me an over-achiever; that’s how I roll.

1. Play stands – This one I can do soon. I’ve got a pattern for the stands and I can trace and make some of those over-sized wooden clips. (I had two, but gave them to my sister already…) Already have a nice collection of silks. Play silks are essential for Waldorf-style play and I know Bella used hers for everything for many years.

2. Wooden Blocks – cut from tree trunk and tree branch sections. It is also nice to have whole branches and branch crooks to build small play treehouses.

3. Pinecones and Seashells – should be easy, right?

4. Wooden Figures – animals, people, houses, trees, and the like. While some, like the trees and houses will be easy to make, this might be the one area where I’ll need to invest a little money and buy a piece at a time.

5. Kitchen, Ironing Board, and Table and Chairs – Can you believe that Devana and her husband made that adorable play kitchen? That might be a bit of a reach for me, but I’m willing to give it a go – this summer – and perhaps with some help from Christian’s Grampi. The small table and chairs are from Ikea.

6. Play Capes and Costumes – again, those capes hanging on the wall were all made by Devana. Costume accessories are in a basket underneath. I can definitely make those. I like how they are hanging so visibly and in reach of little children’s hands.

7. Dolls and Accessories – a baby buggy, a sling, a bed, clothes etc. I have a good handle on this part. Just need to reassure the hubby that doll play is for boys too – and that he can get GI Joes for him when he is (much) older.

8. Knit Balls and Animals – No problem with this one either. I just finished crocheting a woolen soaker and I’ve started knitting a vest. Next I’ll begin on the balls and animals. Most of the patterns are in a book I have called A First Book of Knitting. FYI: Devana’s daughter made that rainbow ball when she was in second grade.

9. Nature Table – this is something that will build up over time. In a traditional Waldorf classroom there is always a seasonal nature table, which is actually a charming woodland scene created with silks, natural objects, and handmade fairies, gnomes, or other magical creatures.