Discovering Waldorf is a weekly series of articles written by ‘everyday’ Waldorf families. The contributors to this series share their ‘real-life’ insights and inspirations on all kinds of Waldorf topics. This series is not meant to be Waldorf philosophy in its purest form, but rather a snapshot of how we can all incorporate Waldorf ideas into our lives to help nurture and encourage the magic that is in our children. If you have a topic you wish to learn more about (or want to share) on Discovering Waldorf, contact me.
So, Lucky Friends, I am honored to introduce Shayne Jackman as today’s Discovering Waldorf guest. She’s here to explain a little about the way the alphabet and reading is introduced to children in Waldorf inspired education. And, she’s offering a set of her wall friezes to one lucky reader!
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Learning To Read The Waldorf Way by Shayne Jackman
In a nut shell, human language progressed from spoken form, to pictures/pictograms, then to a written form. This progression is mirrored in Waldorf education, which is why the development of spoken (not written) language is emphasised up to the age of seven.
Spoken stories nourish the soul and invite the child’s heart and mind to partake in linguistic development. Children are immersed in a world of oral storytelling and then, in class one, children are introduced to letters as pictograms that bridge from the picture consciousness of childhood to the abstract symbols which make up our alphabet.
When you think about it, each letter of our alphabet is, in itself, quite meaningless. Each has a corresponding sound or group of sounds that it “represents”, but no richer meaning. A picture, on the other hand, is alive with meaning. So whilst in a mainstream context ‘A’ may be for ‘Angel’, in the Waldorf method ‘A’ is the ‘Angel.
The idea that thinking and feeling are inextricably linked, and that by reinforcing this link, both are more deeply experienced, strikes me as one of perfect symmetry and sense. The idea of enlivening each letter – giving it characterisation – and allowing a child to experience each letter with his or her mind and heart plays more wholly into the imaginative nature of children. The child’s imagination is engaged rather than dryly striving to commit a context-less symbol to memory – and so a deeper, richer and more joyful learning experience is had.
And, to me, that’s really the crux of it – the lucky child who learns to write and read this way is fully immersed, engaged and delighted by the journey of learning, which means that not only do they learn, they learn to love learning. It just makes sense, doesn’t it?
It makes sense to me too! What a wonderful way to learn. Thank you for explaining the Waldorf journey to reading in such a great way, Shayne.
Dear Friends, I am sure you are all wondering where you can get a copy of Shayne’s beautiful book. You can find a copy here or in Shayne’s Etsy shop Old Freedom Train.
Blessings and magic!
Donni
61 Responses
Another great edition of ‘Discovering Waldorf.’ My daughter just completed her class 1 and was great to see her enthusiasm for learning the alphabet. Class 2 is about to start and I am looking forward to seeing her enthusiasm and discoveries while she’ll learn to read. Her 2 brothers will soon follow her lead – It’s such a joy to see them learning and discovering in the Waldorf setting.
The wall frieze would be a fantastic addition to our home, especially with the Australian pictures of the alphabet.
Thank you for this on-going series. I really enjoy it, even though, sadly Waldorf has not been a good fit for my son (but, it’s still a good fit for me! ;-). I would love these. I’ve been by Shayne’s etsy shop and gave it a <3.
Looks beautiful. We are moving and this would be a great addition to our new living space.
I too love the way Waldorf introduces the alphabet to young children. Shayne’s items are beautifully done. I have placed them on my favorites list on etsy. Thank you Shayne for sharing your gift with us.
I am planning on teaching my daughter “preschool” this fall, and these would be such a great addition to our lessons. I especially love Shayne’s alphabet wall frieze, they are simply stunning! I’m going to keep my fingers (and toes) crossed. Thanks for the chance!
I can’t even express how much I want to win this one! I love the book and the beautiful wall frieze. So lovely!
By the way I did check out the store and am currently plotting how I can buy both items! (If I don’t win that is.)
And I posted on FB, http://www.facebook.com/MamaWestWind
Becca
what a lovely website! this whole set is gorgeous. thanks for the opportunity! ;)
Such a nice shop! We use moveable alphabets in much the same way, allowing free play with the symbols and a chance to internalize them in a tactile way, as well.
How nice it is! You can spend time looking at the beautiful alphabet. The old freedom train web is also very nice! Hope to be lucky and get the wall frieze.
Wow! what beautiful pictures and such a great way to learn the letters! I love it! Plus it would be such a great addition to the alphabet work we plan to do each week this year! These would be just perfect!
The pictures are so beautiful! I love them!
I’ve just included the giveaway in a blog post.
http://chocoeyes.blogspot.com/2011/08/waldorf-home-school-alphabet-magic.html
Thanks for the opportunity! When does the giveaway end?
Becca
We are new to Waldorf and I find myself absolutely enchanted by it all! What a beautiful book! I visited Shayne’s site and I know my son would love the wall frieze!
The illustrations are simply beautiful and whimsical. It’s so wonderful to have little ones learning the alphabet in such a beautiful way.
What a beautiful book, thanks for a giveaway opp!
My older daughter is reading, however, at seven, she is still very impressionable, and I love the frieze. She goes to a progressive school, and I really didn’t get deeply enmeshed inspired by Steiner until she was already used to the rhythm of her school. My younger daughter I can’t imagine not doing Waldorf. It is the perfect time for us to have this beautiful frieze :)
I visited her site–the book and frieze are both so unique and beautiful!
I put this link on facebook.
I tweeted about the giveaway (I’m flannerybomb.)
What beautiful drawings! This will be our 1st yr of home schooling. These would be a great addition.
Wonderful art work, cheers from New Zealand, Marie
Lovely drawings!
I have two Waldorf first graders this year – it would be a boon to have these at my fingertips!
Myself a few other Waldorf mamas have started a Waldorf Homeschooling co-op this year and this would make a lovely addition to our classroom. I love all things ETSY and you just gave me one more reason to visit that site! (as if I needed an excuse);)
The wall frieze is stunning! I loved looking at it and I imagien my daughter would too!
Fiona
fjkelly6 at gmail.com
This article brings back sweet memories from when my son was in first grade! Thanks for the wonderful explanation regarding how (and when!) the alphabet is taught in a Waldorf setting. Well done!
Janet, FeltOnTheFly
http://www.feltonthefly.etsy.com
Oh I wish I could start all over again and teach the Waldorf Way–such an authentic and gentle course. Maybe my grand babies will get the opportunity. THe frieze and book are just beautiful and perfect for an Oma to share.
I visited the site. How lovely! Thank you for the opportunity to win such a wonderful set.
I visited the site ~ how lovely and gentle the little hand-drawn pictures are. My girl would love these! :) Thanks for this post!
Beautiful letters. We are a Waldorf Homeschooling family and would love to have a set. Thank you for the opportunity.
I visited Shayne’s sites — lovely drawings! nancywalters44@hotmail.com
I just found your blog and I love this! The pictures are beautiful. I have 5 wee ones (under age 6) who would love them even more than me. :) I’m new to Waldorf and thankful for the explanation. :)
Lisa
lkeller_04@hotmail.com
I am pretty new to the Waldorf learning methodology but I love it so far!! And I absolutely love the alphabet wall frieze. My son is about to start learning alphabets so these would be perfect!!
Truly and magically delightful! : ) I just had to “heart” Shayne’s shop on Etsy. Thanks so very much for this truly wonderful giveaway! : )
leahita[at]gmail[dot]com
i am fairly new to Waldorf and would love to learn more. I anyone has any infoirmation for me or know where i can learn more that would be fantastic.
Ohh, what a beautiful alphabet set! I did visit her shop and will definitely be saving it for when we might be able to purchase her book. Thank you both for the wonderful giveaway opportunity.
First, as a new reader of your blog I just want to say WOW! I feel like I hit the jackpot just coming across this incredible wealth of information in all of your thoughtful and informative posts. I have been incorporating some Waldorf teaching into the home learning that I do with my kidlets, and after reading just a tiny portion of your blog feel inspired and equipped to use Waldorf learning even more. I also stopped by the Mama West wind Etsy shop and fell in love with everything there too! I just started my first blog http://www.Ecocrazymom.com and would love to link to some of your posts, as well as include your blog on my resources page if that’s okay with you.
These are beautiful pictures, I love the softness of them.
my Ruby would love them. We visited the website together and both the book and wall frieze are on our wishlist !
There’s something so warm about these hand drawn images. Must be Love.
Thanks for the article and wonderful link!
~Aleta ღ
My two little boys are approaching reading, the Waldorf way, faster than this Mama would perhaps wish for.
Can’t they be little, just a little longer?
Have just posted on my HinterlandMama facebook wall too! http://www.facebook.com/HinterlandMama
My fingers and toes are crossed.
♫°•.♥.•°♫
Having a son who is very curious about letters and writing early, he’s 4, I love this! Her shop is added to my favorites on Etsy…if I don’t win I see Christmas present idea :-)
That is a beautiful book! We’re starting 1st grade in a few weeks, and this would be so lovely to add to our lesson nook.
~carrie~
very neat shop!
Just started homeschooling with a Steiner influence so would love to have these beautiful pictures. Love the frieze!
This is so beautiful! It would look fabulous in our craft/school room.
Thank you for offering this!!!
Timely post for this mama. We have the Wise Enchanter but my kids are just not interested in the storyline. This looks like a much gentler way to go through the alphabet. I made her etsy store a favorite.
-violet
love it!
So lovely…if I do not win then I will be very tempted to purchase…thanks for the opportunity!
I love the art in these books!
She has a beautiful site! We will be switching over to Waldorf homeschooling soon and could really use these.Thanks for the chance!
Just beautiful! We are new to Waldorf and so appriciate this series. Would love a chance to win!
What a beautiful blog entry to read and an amazing giveaway too! We would love to welcome this into our home! :)
http://www.ourbrokenroad.blogspot.com
A lovely website and Etsy store. I will be purchasing the book, it’s beautiful. I would love to display the wall frieze in our home for my daughter. We are just getting started on our Waldorf journey by beginning a parent/child class this fall.
Thank you so much for introducing us to Shayne’s beautiful art. What an enchanting book and wall frieze she has in her etsy shop. We will be doing an extended first grade year this year and would love to grace our walls with these beautiful images.
Thank you so much for introducing us to Shayne’s beautiful art. What an enchanting book and wall frieze she has in her etsy shop. We will be doing an extended first grade year this year and would love to grace our walls with these beautiful images.
So, so beautiful! I’ve added the shop to my Etsy favourites. Please include me in the give-away
I’ve just tweeted about the giveaway under DansMum06 ~ please enter me for a second chance to win!!!
The room in this post is every waldorf mamas dream! Absolutely precious! I love it!! Barefoot mama
Oh, so lovely! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love this post and would absolutely LOVE to win this beautiful giveaway. Thanks so much. :-)