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The Education of Feeling - Waldorf Early Childhood Association of
Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference The Education of Feeling Laying the Foundations for Social-Emotional Capacities in Early Childhood February 8 - 10, 2013 Spring Valley, New York Our speaker this year will be Renate Long-Breipohl from Australia, and our theme will be "The Education of Feeling: Laying the Foundations for Social-Emotional Capacities in Early Childhood." How do we support the healthy development of the "feeling life" and essential social and emotional capacities in young children? We will explore the development of attachment, separation, individualization, as a basis for strengthening our capacities for observation, as well as our outer and inner practices. Dr. Renate Long-Breipohl helped pioneer Waldorf education in Australia, where she taught kindergarten and founded and directed the Waldorf early childhood teacher education course at Parsifal College in Sydney. She was Australia's representative to the International Association (IASWECE) Council, and has been active internationally as a lecturer and trainer, teaching early childhood training courses in Thailand, China and the Philippines. Renate is the author of Supporting Self-Directed Play, based on her research into creative free play in the Waldorf kindergarten, as well as a number of articles that have appeared in Gateways and the Research Bulletin. Hawthorn Press recently published a collection of her writings titled Under the Stars: The Foundations of Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Education. There will be a presentation on the activities of WECAN and IASWECE on Saturday morning, a training fair, an exciting variety of workshops, a gymnasium full of vendors, a performance by Eurythmy Spring Valley on Saturday evening in the Threefold Auditorium followed by a dessert café in the Main House Cafe, and much more. On Sunday morning there will be a short puppetry presentation by Suzanne Down of Juniper Tree Puppets. Recommended study material for this conference: We hope you will study and discuss excerpts from “Under the Stars" in your faculty meetings before the conference. This collection of essays offers profound and original insights into many aspects of Waldorf early childhood education. Please note that there are a limited number of the study materials available to be purchased through the WECAN Bookstore. Attendance at the conference is open to those who are active in Waldorf early childhood education. Also invited are educational support teachers, care group members, eurythmists, and class teachers interested in collaboration around the needs of young children. Registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Register early to ensure a place! Registration closes January 25. If you have any questions please email us at conference@waldorfearlychildhood.org or call Susan Wallendorf at 443-562-9414. We look forward to seeing you! Best wishes, Andrea Gambardella, Susan Howard, Louise deForest and Susan Wallendorf WECAN Conference Planning Committee Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference Conference Activities WECAN Membership Information Table and Book Sales Discount WECAN Membership: Please come and say hello, check your membership status, pay your dues, become a new individual member or ask your questions. Find us Friday night near registration in the Main House, and Saturday afternoon we will be in the GMWS Gym with our WECAN Books sales table. There will also be a table with information about IASWECE, the International Association for Steiner-Waldorf Early Childhood Education and IASWECE projects worldwide. WECAN Book Sales: There is a special conference discount for WECAN Individual Members of 20% for all books purchased during the conference. Training Programs Information Session Saturday, February 9th, 1:00 – 1:30, GMWS Arts Building Math Room Representatives of Waldorf early childhood training programs will introduce their training programs and professional development programs and be available to meet informally with participants interested in details. No pre-registration is necessary. Training Program Brochures: Training Program brochures will be available in the GMWS Arts Building lobby. Job Postings February 8-10, GMWS Arts Building Lobby A Job Board will be located in Rose Hall Lobby for schools and programs to post positions in Waldorf early childhood settings. Eurythmy Spring Valley Performance Saturday, February 9th, at 8:00 pm, Threefold Auditorium Celebrating 100 years of Eurythmy. An Arthurian Legend, ‘Gawain and the Loathly Lady’. Dessert Café Saturday, February 9th, 9:00 – 10:00 pm, Main House The Dessert Café follows the eurythmy performance, for participants to enjoy a hot drink and sweet treats with friends. Page 2 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference Other Practical Notes Sunbridge Bookstore and Meadowlark Toys and Crafts The Sunbridge Bookstore shares space with Meadowlark Toys and Crafts at 817 Chestnut Ridge Road. Meadowlark will be open during the conference, offering a full range of books on Waldorf education and anthroposophy, children’s books, craft supplies, silks, play stands and more. Books may also be ordered by calling 845-290-1572 or by contacting Ingrid at Ingrid@meadowlarktoys.com. Fiber Craft Studio The Fiber Craft Studio is located in Orchard House near the Main House. It will be open Friday afternoon from 2:30–7:00 pm and 10:00-7:00 on Saturday. Plant-dyed wool, yarns, silks and fiber craft kits will be available for purchase. Renate Hiller and Mikae Toma will be on hand for your questions. Vendors Hall The Vendors Hall is in the GMWS Gymnasium. Play items, craft materials and gifts are available during the breaks Saturday from 10:45 – 6:30 pm. Certificates of Attendance Certificates of Attendance will be issued on Sunday from 10:45 – 11:15 in the GMWS Arts Building lobby and at the Threefold Main House from 12:30 – 12:45 PM following the end of the conference. You must appear in person on Sunday to receive your certificate. Snacks Registration fees include the scheduled coffee/tea and snacks on Saturday, and the Dessert Café on Saturday evening. Meals Available by pre-registration only, the meals are prepared by Chef Anthony LoPinto at the Threefold Café in the Main House. Care is taken to use certified organic and biodynamic quality ingredients when possible. The conference menu plan is as follows (can be subject to minor changes): Friday, February 8 Dinner • Tomato and Chipotle Braised Beef, Fresh Parsley • Vegetarian Paella • Lime Marinated Black Beans and Avocado Salad • Baby Greens with Grated Jicama, Carrots, Red Onion and Fresh Cilantro, Citrus Vinaigrette • Tres con Leche Torta • Mexican Wedding Cakes Saturday, February 9 Breakfast • Hot & Creamy Triple Grain Oatmeal • Millet & Amaranth with Cinnamon and Tahitian Vanilla Bean • Hard Boiled Eggs • Hawthorne Valley Farm Yogurt & Fresh Fruit • Balthazar Multi-Whole Grain Bread, Creamy Peanut Butter and Berry Jam • Fair Trade/Organic Coffee or Tea Page 3 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference A.M. Break • Fresh Fruit, Granola and Roasted Nuts, Fair Trade/Organic Coffee or Tea Lunch • • • • • Vegetarian Cassoulet or Cassoulet with Chicken and Sausage Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes Haricot Verts, Baby Greens, Roquefort Cheese, Bartlett Pears and Toasted Walnuts Baby Greens with Wild Rice, Sundried Cranberries, Fresh Tarragon, Toasted Sunflower Seeds Ruby Red Grapefruit Meringue Tart P.M. Break • Cookies, Chips, Fair Trade/Organic Coffee or Tea Dinner • • • • • Vegetarian Curry with Coconut or Sesame Coated Chicken Vegetable and Pistachio Basmati Rice Grated Beet, Carrot, Apple and Red Cabbage Slaw Watercress and Fennel with Ruby Red Grapefruit, Fresh Mint Dessert Café Sunday, February 10 Breakfast • Scrambled Eggs • Home-Fry Potato and Peppers • Bacon • Fresh Fruit • Balthazar Multi-Whole Grain Bread, Creamy Peanut Butter, and Berry Jam • Fair Trade/Organic Brazilian Coffee or Tea Box Lunch • Crispy BLT or Grilled Eggplant, Roasted Peppers, & Goat Cheese Wraps • Salad • 1 piece of fruit • Water Page 4 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference WECAN Conference Schedule 2013 Friday, February 8 2:30 – 7:00 pm 3:00 – 7:30 pm 4:00 – 6:00 pm 5:00 – 6:30 pm 6:45 – 7:30 pm 7:30 – 8:30 pm 8:45 – 9:15 pm Fiber Craft Studio open Registration WECAN Membership Information Supper (meals by pre-registration only) Conference Opening – Susan Howard Singing Together with Jana Hawley Keynote Lecture – Renate Long-Breipohl Puppet Story, “The Donkey”, Lexington Waldorf School Teachers Orchard House Main House Main House Main House Rose Hall at GMWS Saturday, February 9 7:30 – 8:30 am 8:30 – 9:00 am 9:00 – 9:30 am 9:30 - 10:45 am 10:45 – 11:30 am 11:30 – 1:00 pm 1:00 – 2:30 pm 1:00 – 1:30 pm 2:30 – 4:00 pm 4:00 – 4:30 pm 4:30 – 6:00 pm 6:15 – 7:30 pm 8:00 – 9:00 pm 9:00 – 10:15 pm Registration for Late-comers Breakfast Singing Together with Jana Hawley Welcome and Announcements Morning lecture by Renate Long-Breipohl Refreshments WECAN and IASWECE Membership/Information tables Vendors WORKSHOPS Session #1 Lunch Vendors/WECAN Membership and Information Training Programs Information Session Job Fair-meeting of those offering and those seeking positions Workshop Session #2 Refreshments Mini-sessions Vendors open until 6:30 pm Supper Eurythmy Spring Valley Performance Dessert Café Rose Hall at GMWS Main House Rose Hall at GMWS Main House Rose Hall GMWS Gymnasium See program map Main House GMWS Gym Arts Bldg Math Room Arts Bldg Music Room GMWS - see program Main House GMWS - see program GMWS Gym Main House Threefold Auditorium Main House Sunday, February 10 7:30 – 8:30 am 8:30 – 9:00 am 9:00 – 9:15 am 9:15 – 10:30 am 10:30 – 10:45 am 10:45 – 11:00 am 10:45 – 11:15 pm 11:00 – 12:30 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm 12:30 – 12:45 pm Breakfast Singing Together with Jana Hawley Puppetry Prelude – Suzanne Down Keynote Lecture by Renate Long-Breipohl Conference Closing Break – no refreshments Certificate of Attendance signing (see program notes) Work-Alike Sessions and Special Meetings Box Lunch Certificate of Attendance signing (see program notes) Main House Rose Hall at GMWS Arts Bldg Music Room See Program Map Main House Main House Page 5 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference WORKSHOPS Workshops each have two sessions, from 11:30-1:00 and 2:30-4:00 with a half-hour break in between. Please choose one from the following: 1. Sustainable Levity: How does caring for ourselves support well-being and joy in our children? Exploring the four primary senses of touch, life, movement and balance as fundamental to our own wellbeing and the well-being of children. How does bodily care support the essential social and emotional capacities of the child? Of the teacher/caregiver? This workshop will be a combination of lecture/discussion and physical movement to include a few interactive games and gentle exercise. Cynthia Aldinger is founder and Executive Director of LifeWays North America and co-author of the book Home Away From Home: LifeWays Care of Children and Families. She served fourteen years on the board of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America. A former Waldorf Kindergarten teacher, Cynthia is a mother and grandmother. Her passion is the preservation of the playful spirit of childhood and helping to create environments that provide the comfort, security and activities found in a healthy home. 2. Healthy Feeling Life through Sensory Development The foundation for a healthy feeling and social life begins with healthy sensory development, the heart of our work in early childhood. This workshop will explore the relationship between sensory development through movement and touch with equanimity in feeling life as our thinking work. Ways to encourage healthy development playfully and joyfully with lots of active movement will be our experiential and practical treat. We will get as anthroposophically deep as we can while we skip, roll, tumble, and jump. Familiarity with Henning Köhler’s Working with Anxious, Nervous, and Depressed Children (AWSNA publication) will provide a helpful orientation for our exploration together. ~ Please bring your eurythmy shoes and a pen for note taking and $2 to cover the materials. Nancy Blanning has been working in Waldorf Early Childhood for three decades. After many years as a kindergarten teacher, she now concentrates on “incarnational support” for young children through healthy, playful movement. She and colleague, Laurie Clark, are authors of Movement Journeys and Circle Adventures. Nancy travels widely as mentor, therapeutic consultant, teacher trainer, and workshop presenter. She serves on the WECAN board and is the editor for Gateways. 3. Who Says We Don’t Teach Science in Kindergarten? The miraculous life of the honeybee. Developmentally appropriate images that bring the wonder and beauty of the life of the honeybee will be explored. What children learn to love now they will understand later in life. We will experience a new circle adventure that explores the life of the honeybee. Scientific facts about the honeybees’ mysterious life will be woven in pictorial images enlivened through a series of joyful songs, rhythms and developmental movements that mature and integrate the child’s sensory system. We will even do the ‘waggle dance’; the remarkable dance of the scout bees that inform the other bees about the location of flowers. We will also felt honeybees that can be made with the children in our care. A story will be shared that invites the children’s participation with their felted honeybee friends. ~ There will be a materials fee of $5 for this workshop. Page 6 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference Laurie Clark has been a Waldorf Kindergarten teacher for over three decades. She presently is a teacher in Morning Glory Kindergarten in Denver and works in the larger Waldorf world as a presenter, mentor and teacher trainer. Therapeutic movement integrated into the circle work and throughout the day is an integral part of her work. 4. The Forest Kindergarten at the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs We will offer a slideshow presentation to give a picture of what we do together during the day. We will also share our rhythm, how we work together as teachers, work with the parents, and leave time for questions or further conversation. Sigrid D'Aleo has been teaching at WSSS for 16 years in the early childhood. She is a co-founder of the Forest Kindergarten along with Carly Lynn, and is also currently doing a biodynamic cranio-sacral training. Carly Lynn has been at the Waldorf school in Saratoga for 8 years and is the co-founder of the Forest Kindergarten which is in its 4th year running. 5. Child Study Participating in a child study is an integral part of our work as teachers within a Waldorf School, yet more and more teachers are feeling dissatisfied with the experience. In this workshop we will explore new ways of carrying out a child study, including preparatory work, the stages of a child study, observation and follow-through. Louise deForest is a Board member of WECAN, one of the representatives of North America on the IASWECE Council and lectures and mentors schools and teachers in many parts of the world. Most recently, she and Helle Heckmann traveled throughout Central America together, visiting and working in all the Waldorf schools and initiatives. 6. Supporting a Child's Developing Independence through Story and the Visual Puppet The young child has optimal times where they feel a pull to venture out into the world. These moments of bodily and soul confidence, interest in the outer world, and growing capacities, are necessary steps in the healthy development of the young child. We can strengthen and support these inner longings through the pictures of 'right' Story. In addition to 'right' speech, and the other 8-fold path, we early childhood teachers now have 'right' Story. In this very hands-on workshop we will look at a sweet story of a young bird's adventures toward independence. We will make Mama Bird and Little Bird in the nest with wool and needle felting - and explore how to present this visual story to children in a way that will help them blossom into their healthy unfolding. ~ There is a $10 materials fee for this workshop. Please bring a needle felting work base to this workshop. A big car washing sponge is also very good. Suzanne Down is the longtime Director of Juniper Tree School of Story and Puppetry Arts based in Colorado. She travels with workshops and courses throughout the land, and the heart of the School is the certificate puppetry training, which will start its new series July 2013 in New England. This will be the 17th training group. Go to http://junipertreepuppets.com for info on events and training. This will be the last New England Training she will offer, do apply early, as numbers are limited. Page 7 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference 7. Playing the Lyre/Children’s Harp This hands-on workshop will focus on how to play the lyre/children’s harp and how to use it appropriately in a classroom/group setting. Beginners are warmly invited! The specific activities will be geared to the level of experience of the participants, but will include: technique and style of playing; tuning the lyre; mood-of-the fifth music; improvising on the lyre; singing and movement; rudimentary music-reading skills. If you have a pentatonically-tuned lyre, please bring it if possible, along with your tuning wrench; but there will be some instruments available for participants to borrow for the workshop. Nancy Foster taught kindergarten, nursery, and parent/child classes at Acorn Hill Waldorf Kindergarten and Nursery in Maryland for over thirty years. She continues to be active in teacher training, and serves as Membership Coordinator of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America. Nancy is the author of Let Us Form a Ring and Dancing as We Sing, collections of seasonal songs, verses, stories, and rhythmic games. 8. The Heart of the Matter – the inner life of the educator Deepening the daunting yet rewarding activity of self discovery and inner development can be approached from many facets. Together in this workshop we will explore this activity by considering capacities of the heart, not only as an organ of perception, but also as an organ of transformation and healing for ourselves and for those whom we encounter and accompany through life. Using these heart forces as a foundation for a true social framework, we will contemplate our own role in creating environments for the children in our care, our partnership with parents and our relationship with colleagues. Social artistic activities will weave in and out of our authentic conversation and active listening. Themes and exercises will include Biography, Observation, Listening, Warmth, Gifts of Meetings, Foundation Stone Meditation, Inner Practices, and Rice Sculpting. Annie Gross has worked for many years in Waldorf Education as a kindergarten teacher, WECAN board member, mentor, evaluator, and adult educator. She has a deep interest in the social fabric within society, and together with her husband owns and operates an artisan bakery on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. 9. Developing Artistic Feeling Through Rice Drawing In this workshop we will explore the use of rice and other grains as a drawing medium that is ideal for cultivating artistic feeling. Through a combination of free play, artistic exercises, and conversation, this workshop will offer new experiences and insight into the ways artistic capacities can be developed in both teacher and child. Michael Howard met the work of Rudolf Steiner in 1969 when he attended Emerson College in England. He was the sculpture teacher at Sunbridge College for 16 years. Since 2002 he has been a freelance artist, writer and teacher based in Amherst MA. Michael edited and introduced a collection of Rudolf Steiner’s lectures on art entitled, Art as Spiritual Activity, and is the author of Educating the Will, an AWSNA publication on the role of art in education. Page 8 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference 10. Making Space for the Spirit - In our lives, our work and our meetings In this workshop we will explore how to strengthen our connections to our spiritual helpers in our daily preparations, in our work with the children and in the meeting culture of our schools. Each session will include presentation, small group activities and conversation as an artistic form. Holly Koteen-Soule is a longtime kindergarten teacher from the Pacific Northwest, who has recently moved to Sandpoint, Idaho. She is the founder of Bright Water School in Seattle, and directs the early childhood teacher education program at Sound Circle Center, also in Seattle. Holly is a former WECAN regional representative, and a member of the WECAN Early Childhood Teacher Education Task Force. She is also a member of the Pedagogical Section Council and is the author of "The Artistic Meeting - Creating Space for Spirit" in the Research Bulletin, Spring/Summer 2012. 11. Facilitating Children’s Play: the task of connecting ideal and reality The benefits of self-directed play are increasingly recognized by educators. However, many children today do not play intensely or do not play much at all. What role does the child’s emotional-social state play in this picture? In this workshop we will investigate the possibilities of play facilitation with respect to children who have difficulties playing. The format of the workshop will include a presentation on selfdirected play as well as working with observational records of play situations, conversation and sharing. If you would like to submit a record of a play situation combined with a question, you are welcome to do so prior to or at the beginning of the conference. Renate Long-Breipohl was a kindergarten teacher at the Samford Valley Steiner School in Brisbane, Australia between 1989 and 1997, and then moved to Sydney to take the role of coordinator and senior tutor in the early childhood training courses at Sydney Rudolf Steiner College. Renate has lectured widely in Australia and in the South East Pacific Region and she is a presenter at international early childhood conferences. She is a member of the committee of the Australian Association for Rudolf Steiner Early Childhood Education. She is the author of a book on self-directed play, published in 2010 by WECAN. A collection of her essays has been published by Hawthorn Press in 2012: Under The Stars. The Foundations of Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Education. 12. Meeting Parents Where They Are and Walking Alongside as they Journey: A Practical Exploration What informs us as we meet the parents of children in our care? In this practical, experiential workshop we will explore how to best support the child’s developing social and emotional capacities by understanding the role parents play in creating a healthy social and emotional life around the child. As we step forward in being worthy of imitation, what part do we play as we strive to create our own social and emotional wellbeing? Participants are invited to bring along a case study to share with the group. This can be a description of a situation with a parent that the participant finds particularly puzzling or challenging. As a group of colleagues we will discuss and attempt to deepen our understanding of what might be happening and how we might best support the growth and development of both professional and parent. Come prepared to participate in experiential exercises. Page 9 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference Nancy Macalaster currently directs the Family Programs at Sophia’s Hearth Family Center. She also serves as a faculty member in the Professional Training Program at Sophia’s Hearth Family Center. Nancy is a graduate of “The Child in the First Three Years” and has done advanced training at the Pikler Institute in Budapest, Hungary. She is currently enrolled in an advanced course in Infant Observation at the Infant Parent Training Institute at Boston’s Jewish Family and Children’s Services. 13. Weaving the Etheric Apron of the Teacher The etheric apron symbolizes the life forces we need to cultivate if we are to meet the developmental needs of the children from birth to seven. This is what Rudolf Steiner means by the Pedagogical Law. Is your apron, threadbare and weary or woven of the finest linen? This interactive workshop will look at what strengthens our sense of life, what drains it, and what can we do about it. Jan Patterson, Director of Early Childhood Teacher Education Rudolf Steiner Center Toronto, completed her Foundation Studies at Emerson College and her early childhood training with Margret Meyerkort at Wynstones, England. She has taught for over 17 years in England, the USA, and Canada. She has served on the WECAN Board and is an active mentor and consultant in Waldorf schools in Ontario. 14. From the Heart ~ Playful paths of social and emotional learning for the young child With the spirit of creative playfulness, as early childhood educators, we touch the child's imagination of individual identity. In this workshop we will explore selected early childhood social arts – from free play to storytelling and puppetry – to deepen our understanding of how these can strengthen the child's sense of self and of others. Hands-on activities will include the making of a hand puppet for enhancement of pedagogical work in the nursery and kindergarten. ~ Please bring a sewing kit in order to participate in this workshop; there will be a $25 fee for a partially assembled hand puppet kit. Janene Ping has been most gratefully teaching Kindergarten at the Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School for over 23 years. In 1992 she founded the Magical Puppet Tree Theater, bringing world folk and fairy tales to children of all ages. Summer teaching of adults has included: Sunbridge College, Center For Anthroposophy, and The Steiner Institute. Magical Puppet Tree Conferences are now held biennially in Hawthorne Valley N.Y. 15. Study of Man Lectures 1-4: What they tell us about the conference theme Through the art of eurythmy we will explore themes from the first few lectures of “The Study of Man” and consider how these themes of sleeping, breathing, sympathy, antipathy, will and thinking can be considered as “foundations for social-emotional capacities in early childhood.” ~ Please bring your Eurythmy shoes and a willingness to explore in movement. Laura Radefeld teaches eurythmy at the Green Meadow Waldorf School and has been an adult educator for many years at teacher trainings throughout the US. 16. Making Felted Wool Pictures for Spring We will needle felt a wool “painting” to go with a spring poem. We will use plant dyed, local wool and all supplies will be provided to complete an 8 X 11 “painting.” This will be a hands-on, fun workshop and you will go home with a lovely finished “painting” for home or classroom. ~ Please bring $20 for a complete kit to make the wool painting, including a copy of the poem, instructions and a supply list. Page 10 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference Celia Riahi ran “The Other Mother”, a Waldorf-inspired home day care in NYC from 1976-1986, then taught in the early childhood programs at the Rudolf Steiner School in NYC for 4 years and the Hartsbrook School in MA for 18 years. She opened the Cottage Garden (see www.thecottagegarden.org) in 2008 with her partner. 17. Working with Wood in the Early Childhood Classroom This is a workshop for beginners and includes hands-on work, conversation, and sharing of information. I want to help people feel more comfortable working with wood since making something out of what appears to be just a piece of wood is very exciting and empowering for adults as well as children. It also connects one with nature and it is magical using one’s hands and imagination. We will be making a simple wooden peg towel rack. ~ If you have any wood working projects that you have made, please bring them to show your fellow participants. Please bring $5.00 for wood, sandpaper, and other supplies. Su Rubinoff has been working in many capacities with children for over 30 years and has been involved in Waldorf education for 20 years. Su has 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren. She has many interests that she likes to bring into her curriculum such as gardening and nature, woodworking, cooking, crafts, animals (Su raises chickens and bees at home). 18. Embracing Parents: Weaving a tapestry between classroom and home Working with parents on behalf of the children in our care and the school community presents great opportunity for early childhood educators. Our times offer a unique challenge as we strive to create a warm and professional relationship with parents. Many skills that we develop in our work with children can be of equal service in our interactions with their parents. This workshop is intended to give practical guidance toward building an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect with our parent community. We will explore how the healing impulse of Waldorf education can create a living "tapestry" between our classrooms and the home. How can we broaden our means of communication using our head, heart and limbs? What should our goals and intentions be and what skills do we need to acquire and strengthen? How can we become more flexible and creative in our thinking, feeling and willing? The workshop will offer a practical "curriculum" for working with parents to help build a bridge between classroom and home. The significance of consciously selecting means of communication in a creative manner will be addressed. ~ Please bring a set of colored pencils or crayons and drawing paper to realize your own ideas during our work together. There will also be time to share personal observations, experiences, and research with the hope of creating a forum to foster further insight into this important challenge. Anke Scheinfeld has been an early childhood educator at the Rudolf Steiner School in New York City for the last nine years where she teaches in the mixed-age kindergarten. Prior to teaching, Anke served as a physician and researcher at New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center as well as the Memorial Sloan Kettering Institute. She completed her medical education in Muenster, Germany and received her Masters in Early Childhood Waldorf Education from Sunbridge College. Anke’s main interest is in working to align the healing impulse of Waldorf education with preventive medicine to best serve the students and the school community. 19. Fairy Tale Hunger “Fairy tales belong to our innermost feeling and emotional life…they are of all forms of literature the most appropriate for children's hearts and minds.” Rudolf Steiner Page 11 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference How can we combine the richest spiritual wisdom with the simplest manner of expression for mixed ages, 3-6 year olds? Presentation, conversation, and the sewing of a simple table puppet. ~ Please bring $5 for materials. Bring a small scissors if you wish. Susan Silverio is the lead teacher/director of Spindlewood Waldorf Kindergarten and LifeWays Center on the grounds of her three-generation family homestead in Lincolnville, Maine. She also directs LifeWays Northeast Early Childhood Training at Ashwood Waldorf School in Rockport, Maine. 20. Self-care to Relieve Stress and Support life: Helpful practical gestures based on the anthroposophic approach to healing Using warming and balancing substances from the anthroposophic pharmacy we will engage in discussion, demonstration and practice of external applications to soothe and support our activity in daily life. ~ To participate in this workshop please bring the following: hand towel, face cloth, hot water bottle, and wool socks. Elizabeth Sustick has been in the caregiving profession as a nurse since 1970. Post-graduate studies include Waldorf Early Childhood Education, Anthroposophic Medicine and Nursing, Rhythmical Einreibung and Rhythmical Massage certification. Elizabeth is also a trained natural foods chef, and with her husband and son has owned and operated Paul and Elizabeth’s Natural Foods Restaurant in Northampton MA, established in 1981. Elizabeth is a pioneer parent of the Hartsbrook Waldorf School, where she founded and taught in the Parent Child Class, and established the Our Healthy Child workshop series for parent education. Elizabeth serves on the board of Hartsbrook School, and the Association for Anthroposophic Medicine and Therapies in America. She is actively engaged in teaching the art of caregiving to parents, educators, and medical professionals and has a private practice in Anthroposophic Nursing and Massage in her hometown of Northampton MA. 21. Supporting the Healthy Development of the Feeling Life with Spacial Dynamics® Streams and Practices In our work with young children, there are many moments when it is helpful for us to be able to maintain or reclaim our composure! According to Jaimen McMillan, founder of Spacial Dynamics®, “It is impossible to have a feeling without first being moved.” Movement in the spaces within and around the body causes the feeling, and one can learn to identify and direct these spatial movements in order to more consciously serve as models worthy of imitation for the children in our care. Selected Spacial Dynamics® streams will also be explored specifically for the children. The streams are fluid, dynamic pathways of moving substance in the etheric body, located in the space just peripheral to the skin. The streams are useful tools that every teacher can incorporate into daily activities with the child. This is an experiential workshop for those working with infants through kindergarten-aged children. Jane Swain is the associate director of Sophia's Hearth Family Center’s early childhood training course, "The Child and Family in the First Three Years" in Keene, NH. She is a pediatric physical therapist and Level III Spacial Dynamics® graduate. Jane is certified in Bothmer Gymnastics®, Sensory Integration Praxis testing and also has studied best practices for infant and child development at the Pikler Institute in Budapest, Hungary. Page 12 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference 22. A Healthy Feeling Life Begins at Birth There are many steps that each incarnating human being takes to build the capacities for a rich, expressive, balanced life of feeling. How do we give the very young child a foundation for later selfdiscipline and rich feeling that takes into account appropriate experiences guided by the adults in his life? We will explore various aspects of this process in the child from birth to four: planting seeds for the virtues of compassion and reverence through imitation, developing boundaries out of the guidance of the adult, learning out of the experience of self-initiated compliance. When is each aspect appropriate? What does it look like in practice with young children? The workshop will include a presentation, discussion and sharing, and social exercises to bring these ideas to life and practice. Susan Weber is the Director of Sophia's Hearth Family Center in Keene, NH. She has been a Waldorf early childhood teacher, public school teacher and administrator, Waldorf early childhood training coordinator at Antioch University New England, and adult educator. Susan completed advanced training at the Pikler Institute in Budapest, Hungary. She is the director of a 13-month training program, "The Child and Family in the First Three Years," and leads Joyful Beginnings parent-infant playgroups. Susan is also a member of the fledgling WECAN Task Force on Birth to Three. 23. The Hand Gesture Games of Wilma Ellersiek Presentation and active movements, learning games. Wilma Ellersiek, the author of touch and hand gesture games describes their effect on the young child: “Through selfless touch of human hand and voice the child can experience physical well-being in its purest form, called forth by the artistically created caressing games.” We will start with touching games and progress to story games where the young child can unite his feeling life with event in nature and with joyful movements. ~ Bring eurythmy shoes. Materials fee for unpublished games: $ 5.00 Kundry Willwerth has worked at Hillside Children’s Garden in Ithaca, N Y, for many years. In recent years she has devoted herself to the furthering of the work of Wilma Ellersiek through workshops and the translation, together with Lyn Willwerth, of Ellersiek’s movement and hand gesture games, culminating in 4 collections: Giving Love - Bringing Joy; Gesture Games for Spring and Summer; Gesture Games for Autumn and Winter; Dancing Hand - Trotting Pony, published and available by WECAN. Lynn St. Pierre from Colorado has been working with Kundry Willwerth since taking courses with her during her early childhood training at Sunbridge Institute. She has been teaching the games in her worldwide travels and has recently joined the International Working Circle on the Games of Wilma Ellersiek. Page 13 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference MINI-SESSIONS Mini-sessions will be held on Saturday, February 9, from 4:30 – 6 PM. Some have limited space; others are completely open. We have set aside 90 minutes for the mini-sessions, but the exact length is flexible, depending on the presenters and participants. Please choose one from the following: 1. Making star lanterns to bring warmth into our homes Anke Scheinfeld and Dolores Dean, Rudolf Steiner School NY, by pre-registration, limit 20 participants. 2. Waldorf education in the Out-of-Doors A slide show from the forest kindergarten and a conversation with Carly Lynn and Sigrid D’Aleo from Saratoga NY. 3. Therapeutic Needs of Young Children How do we prepare ourselves to respond? A conversation with Nancy Blanning, Denver Waldorf School, WECAN board member. 4. Working with divorced families A conversation with Su Rubinoff, Meadowbrook Waldorf School and NE WECAN regional representative. 5. What is our relationship as early childhood educators to the Pedagogical Section of the School of Spiritual Science? Holly Koteen-Soule, member of the Pedagogical Section Council for North America, and WECAN Board member, Sandpoint, Idaho. 6. Working with the Hand Gesture Games of Wilma Ellersiek in Spanish An introduction by Kundry Willwerth of Cortland, NY and Itzel Butcher a kindergarten teacher from the Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork in Carbondale, CO, members of the International Hand Gesture Games Working Circle. 7. Play as it Supports the Development of Emotional and Social Intelligence: Exploring Mainstream Research and Initiatives A conversation with Rose Maynard and Janene Ping, two Waldorf Kindergarten teachers who share an interest in mainstream theorists and research supporting play as being vital for social and emotional development. Page 14 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference 8. The Two-Year-Old Child in the Waldorf School A conversation with Magdalena Toran of the Hartsbrook School, MA, Kimberley Lewis of the Tuscon WS, AZ, and Trisha Lambert, of the Davis WS in CA. 9. Integration of the Primitive Reflexes, a fundamental activity in the first three years, and how can we support it? Jane Swain, Sophia’s Hearth Family Center, Keene, NH. 10. Developing Media Policies in the Waldorf school and kindergarten Andrea Gambardella and Carol Grieder, Green Meadow Waldorf School, NY. 11. Working as mentors and trainers to support the development of Waldorf early childhood education in Asia, Africa, Central and South America. A discussion and sharing of experiences, with Louise deForest and others. Page 15 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference SUNDAY MORNING WORK-ALIKE SESSIONS AND SPECIAL MEETINGS Work-alike sessions and Special Meetings will be held Sunday, February 10, 11:00 – 12:30 PM. If you are interested in facilitating a special meeting during this Sunday morning time, please contact Susan Howard at showard@waldorfearlychildhood.org. WORK-ALIKE SESSIONS – Join others whose work is similar to yours to share experiences, questions, and resources. 1. Home-based child care, facilitated by Celia Riahi of the Cottage Garden, Amherst, MA. For further information contact Celia at celia@thecottagegarden.org. 2. Center-based child care, facilitated by Paula Sousa, Sophia's Hearth Family Center, Keene, NH. For further information contact Paula at info@sophiashearth.org. 3. Extended Care and Afternoon Programs – to be announced. 4. Working with the Older Child in the Kindergarten, facilitated by Nancy Blanning and Louise deForest. For further information contact Louise at loudeforest@gmail.com. 5. Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Trainers Meeting, facilitated by Holly Koteen-Soule and Susan Howard of the WECAN Teacher Education Task Force. For further information, contact Susan Howard at showard@waldorfearlychildhood.org. SPECIAL MEETINGS – 1. WECAN Birth to Three Task Force Meeting. By invitation only. For further information contact Susan Weber at susan@sophiashearth.org. 2. Meeting of those interested in teaching the hand gesture games of Wilma Ellersiek to other teachers or students in training. For further information contact Lynn St. Pierre at Lynn St. Pierre at lynn_st_pierre@yahoo.com or Kundry Willwerth at frauwillwerth@gmail.com. Page 16 Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America East Coast Waldorf Early Childhood Conference Getting Here Airport Pickup A Threefold community member can be hired to pick you up from the airport; please make arrangements directly with him. Call Jan Kadula at (845) 425-0087. Shuttles from Newark Airport The Air Brook Express Shuttle operates from 7:00 am (5 am on weekdays) to midnight, seven days a week, between Newark and the Montvale Transportation Center in New Jersey, where you can arrange for pick-up or call a taxi ($10) to take you to Hungry Hollow Road. Just call 1-800-432-1826 after you arrive and Air Brook will instruct you from there. The fare is $30, $55 for a round trip. Driving Directions from Newark Airport • • • • • • • • Exit airport and follow signs for I-95/NJ Turnpike north. When highway splits, take western exits, still heading north. Exit onto I-80 west towards Garden State Parkway. Exit onto Garden State Parkway north. Take the Garden State Parkway north to Exit 172 (Grand Avenue.) Turn left at the bottom of the ramp, go under the overpass and turn right at the stoplight onto Chestnut Ridge Road (Route 45.) Continue for about two miles, through two traffic lights, the New York State border and a third traffic light. Just past the first sign for Green Meadow Waldorf School on your left, turn left onto Hungry Hollow Road (the Hungry Hollow Co-op will be on the far corner.) By Car, from the South • • • • Take the Garden State Parkway north to Exit 172 (Grand Avenue.) Turn left at the bottom of the ramp, go under the overpass and turn right at the stoplight onto Chestnut Ridge Road (Route 45.) Continue for about two miles, through two traffic lights, the New York State border and a third traffic light. Just past the first sign for Green Meadow Waldorf School on your left, turn left onto Hungry Hollow Road (the Hungry Hollow Co-op will be on the far corner.) By Car, from the North or East • • • • Take the New York State Thruway (Route 87) to Exit 14A (Garden State Parkway) Take the first exit (Red Schoolhouse Road, also identified as Last Exit in New York) Turn right at the stop sign and go to the stoplight at Chestnut Ridge Road (Route 45), turn left Then take the first right turn onto Hungry Hollow Road (the Hungry Hollow Co-op and Green Meadow Waldorf School are on the north and south corners of Hungry Hollow Road.) Parking at the Conference Just past the bottom of the hill on your left is the parking lot for short-term visitors to the Main House that houses the WECAN Conference Registration and Dining Room. Orchard Lane, the first actual street on your left, which is marked “Holder House”, is the entrance for Holder House and visitor parking. Parking is also available on the front lawn of the Auditorium, further down Hungry Hollow Road on the right. Page 17 2013 WECAN EAST COAST CONFERENCE The Education of Feeling FEBRUARY 8 - 10, 2013 WECAN Conference Registration Mail-In Form Contact Information (Please print clearly and use one form per faculty member.) Name: _________________________________________________ Daytime Phone (____)_____________ Address: _______________________________________________ City: ___________________________ State: _________ Zip: ___________ E-mail: _________________________________________________ School/Affiliation: ___________________________ Teaching Position: _____________________________ ¨ Check this box if you wish to opt out of having your information included in the conference directory Friday Birth to Three Pre-Conference Meeting (12-4PM): Check here if you are planning to attend ¨ Saturday Workshops: Please register for one and provide a second and third choice alternative. Primary Choice Workshop #:________ 2nd Choice Workshop #:________ 3rd Choice Workshop #:________ Saturday Mini-Sessions (4:45 - 6PM): Please register for one and provide a second choice alternative. Primary Choice Mini-Session #:________ 2nd Choice Mini-Session #:________ Sunday Work-Alike Session: Please register for one work-alike session #:________ Conference Fees: “Early-Bird” Registration Fee ¨ $140 for Individual Members of WECAN ¨ $155 for Non-Members Registration Fee After January 17th ¨ $155 for Individual Members of WECAN ¨ $170 for Non-Members Visit www.waldorfearlychildhood.org to see how you can become an individual member of WECAN and receive conference and publication discounts. Fee includes program, snacks, eurythmy and puppetry performances, and the Dessert Café on Saturday evening. Meals: Select one (No refunds are possible for pre-paid meals. See conference brochure for the full menu.) ¨ ¨ ¨ All meals (Friday supper, Saturday breakfast, lunch, supper, and Sunday breakfast) - $69 All meals except breakfast (Friday supper, Saturday lunch and supper) - $55 Sunday box lunch (You can eat-in at the Main House or take it with you) - $12 Please select a meal preference: ¨ No Restrictions ¨ Vegetarian ¨ Gluten-Free A list of local food alternatives will be provided for those not participating in the meal plan. PAGE 1 of 2 2013 WECAN EAST COAST CONFERENCE The Education of Feeling FEBRUARY 8 - 10, 2013 WECAN Conference Registration Mail-In Form Name: _________________________________________________ Daytime Phone (____)_____________ Housing: Please make your own arrangements. There is a special rate at the Courtyard Marriott in Montvale, NJ. There are a limited number of rooms at this rate, the cutoff date for reserving a room is Thursday, January 17th, 2013. ✦ Courtyard Marriott, Montvale, NJ: Toll Free 866-630-0709. Rate is $99.00/night, mention “WECAN Group” when calling. If you register online at www.montvalecourtyard.com, use discount code WECWECA (king bed) or WECWECB (two double beds). ✦ There is limited housing in the Holder House dorms at the Threefold Educational Center. Complete the Request Housing form on the Threefold website (www.threefold.org) to check on availability. ✦ Limited Community Housing is available for $35 - $40 per night, please e-mail housing@threefold.org to check availability. Total Conference Fees: Conference Fee: $ Meals: $ Total Fees Due: $ Refund Policy: 50% of the conference registration fee is refundable in the event of illness or travelers’ advisory weather conditions. WECAN must be notified no later than 12:00 noon on Friday, February 8th. Pre-paid meals cannot be refunded. I would like to add an additional donation for WECAN work in North America $______________ Payment Methods: Register online at www.waldorfearlychildhood.org. Payment must be made with credit card or PayPal account at time of registration. OR Mail the completed form with full payment (make checks payable to WECAN) to: 2013 WECAN East Coast Conference Attn: Susan Wallendorf 285 Hungry Hollow Road Spring Valley, NY 10977 Registrations will not be accepted by telephone or without full payment. PAGE 2 of 2 Green Meadow Waldorf School, a fully accredited independent school founded in 1950, serves children from nursery through grade 12. Waldorf education integrates artistic and practical work into an academically challenging developmental curriculum. The Hungry Hollow Co-op began as a natural food buying club in 1973. It has grown into a full service corner grocery store open to the public 7 days a week. The Co-op is dedicated to providing the best local, organic, and biodynamic food at a just value in an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness Sunbridge Institute Founded in 1967 as the Waldorf Institute, Sunbridge has been offering courses and programs in Waldorf Education, Anthroposophy, and the Arts for over 40 years. Thousands of Sunbridge graduates are teaching and working in anthroposophical organizations and Waldorf schools around the world. (Located in the Main House) Eurythmy Spring Valley, founded in 1972, is devoted to developing the art of eurythmy and offers professional trainings, enrichment courses for the public, and performances regionally, nationally, and internationally. Beyond its beauty as an art form, eurythmy is an invaluable tool used in education, medical therapy, and organizational consulting. The Threefold Cafe serves delicious meals made primarily with organic and biodynamic ingredients. Open for breakfast and lunch with special dinner events. (Located in the Main House) WELLSPRING The Pfeiffer Center The mission of the Pfeiffer Center is to spread awareness of biodynamics, which takes agriculture beyond “sustainability” to improved soil and produce. The Outdoor Lesson, our program for children, fosters an attitude of reverence and joy toward nature. The Threefold Educational Center develops and supports a wide range of educational activities based on the work of Rudolf Steiner. As the steward of 140 acres of community land, the Center houses many educational and community initiatives. (Located in the Auditorium) The Sunbridge Bookstore offers a wide selection of subjects, unique gifts, art prints, and Waldorf school supplies. (Located in the Auditorium) The Fiber Craft Studio (formerly the Craft Studio of Sunbridge College) seeks to bring renewing impulses to traditional fiber crafts. Teachers, students and volunteers transform natural materials into functional and beautiful objects through practical work accompanied by inner striving. (Located in Orchard House) The Camphill Foundation is a public, not-for-profit educational, independent foundation dedicated to serving and supporting the intention of the Camphill vision in North America and around the world. (Located in the Main House) Wellspring Living Arts A new initiative that serves teenagers and young adults through a hands-on, experiential Waldorf inspired education program. Wellspring Afterschool currently provides a complementary education program for ages 12-16 at the Threefold Educational Center. The Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN), founded in 1984, is a membership organization of individuals and early childhood programs working with children from birth to seven out of an understanding of body, soul and spirit. (Located in the Main House) The Fellowship Community is an inter-generational care community focused on the care of the older individual. Overseen by the New York State Department of Health, the community features practical and creative workshops, a farm, dairy, and several gardens. Living here is a “schooling in life” where altruism is a guiding principle. The Hand and Hoe is open to the public on Fridays from 12 - 5 pm selling pizza, bread and baked goods, seasonal biodynamic produce and handmade gifts. The Christian Community is part of an international movement for religious renewal striving to meet the spiritual needs of the 21st Century. Services for adults and children take place on Sundays and during the week, and special events are held throughout the year.
