Tips & tools to support your homeschooling program.

What is a Nature Table and why do you see them in most Waldorf classrooms and in the homes of families who value Waldorf education? What purpose do they serve and why should you create one?

The "what" of Nature Tables is simple; they are a collection of natural objects gathered from outside and arranged for educational or display purposes inside. The objects included in a nature table can vary widely but may include things like rocks, shells, feathers, leaves, pinecones, flowers, and other items you find while walking outside. 
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The "why" of Nature Tables is up to you. The most basic purpose of nature tables is to add a bit of magic and wonder to the home or classroom. They lift our spirits and remind us that something bigger is going on, as they're a great way to acknowledge and connect to what's happening outside. But there is no one correct reason for having a nature table, and there are many ways to approach it.

A nature table could be:

• A place of beauty where you can create a 'still life' of your present moment in time.
• A tool for inspiring your children's imaginative play.
• Where you store your props for story-time and puppet shows.
• A link between the outside and inside world.
• An altar to the blessings of Nature.
• A source of inspiration for creative projects, such as drawing, painting, writing, crafting and handwork projects which can then be showcased on the Nature table.
• A starting point for scientific inquiry, encouraging questions, and observations about the natural world, including the different types of rocks, plants, and animals in your area.
• A calming and meditative activity: arranging and rearranging objects on a nature table can be a relaxing and meditative activity that promotes mindfulness and a sense of calm.

Did you know that Candlemas has been celebrated for centuries under different names? As with many festivals today, it has its roots in pagan culture. For example, today, we are more familiar with references to Groundhog Day as a way to mark the coming of spring. However, way before Groundhog Day, this marking of the year was referred to as Candlemas, part of the Christian tradition. But, of course, before the Christian tradition, this day was celebrated by the Celtic people and known as Imbolc, which celebrates Brigid, the Goddess of the Dawn.  ​

Daily Wonder lesson plans provide the daily, monthly and yearly rhythm of your school year.  The educational planning is done, and there is minimal preparation awaiting you, the parent.  We all know how hectic the school year can get with all the things that need to happen in one day. The Wonder Squad highly recommends taking the time now to look into your prep needs.  You will be so grateful down the road for taking the time now to get organized. Lazy summer days offer leisurely ways to check things off the "back to homeschool to-do list".

Here are our suggestions:

• It is a great practice to have your child do a daily chore. It is even more fun if that chore is on a chore wheel.  Have fun creating your own beautiful wheel that speaks to the chores needing to be done in your household.  Check out this site for instructions and ideas for appropriate chores for children by age.

We're not exactly psychic, but we can predict that your children will complain that they are bored and bicker with their siblings (if they have some) at least ten times during the summer. So we are here to highlight the amazing work that is taking place behind these annoying scenes. 

Long summer days can offer so many wonderful opportunities for family time and activities that we forget to honour the downtime. Children hardly get unstructured time these days. When they do, it can be met with complaints and loud, uncomfortable noises. As parents, our first inclination is to stop that noise however we can. When we remember that boredom is the doorway to creativity, we give ourselves permission to sit back and wait for the magic to happen.

Things that can come out of boredom...​

Spring is such a time of renewal and comes with a burst of energy. Seasonal celebrations give you a point of focus when choosing stories, crafts and activities to do as a family. Celebrations such as Easter offer a beautiful annual rhythm, something that your child looks forward to re-engaging with each year. It's a special experience to choose activities that become family traditions. ​

Hey Parents! After you have been a super hero and guided your child through the Daily Wonder morning lesson, maybe you want to take a step back, maybe you have to attend to your regular job, or maybe you need a coffee break.  Whatever the reason, learning does not have to stop. In fact, learning is an ongoing process, and Daily Wonder will show you how easy it is to connect regular homeschool activities like free-play and everyday life experiences with worldwide learning standards!

Seasonal festivals serve to connect humanity with the rhythms of nature. For children, these festivals mark the seasons with joy and anticipation for preparing for these celebrations.
 
No matter what your faith, this is a guide to celebrating Advent.
 
Advent takes place on the four Sundays that lead up to Christmas. Many people celebrate Advent and do not celebrate Christmas at all. The two need not be linked.