Tag: spiritual development
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The Role of Pain in Transformation
It may sound strange for a homeschooling blog to write about the role of pain in transformation. However, one of our students brought this question up recently in our Teen Empowerment Class. It is, therefore, relevant to our students as well as their parents. We ought therefore to inquire into our relationship with this troublesome…
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Are You Waldorf Enough?
Are you Waldorf enough? Many Waldorf-based homeschoolers ask themselves this question. In my own teaching career, I wondered this for the first several years, even though I was going through teacher training at an accredited institution. Generally, people come to a path as intentional as Waldorf Education with zeal and dedication. This isn’t just a…
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Parent Self-Care
Life is work. Parenting is hard work. Homeschooling is even harder work. It’s an enormously rewarding path that is worth the effort. However, even the best endeavors require parent self-care so we can keep up the good work. While many articles on parent self-care advise you go to the spa, get a massage, or take…
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What is a Human Being?
What is a human being? This question has occupied philosophers, scientists, and religious seekers for millennia. It is the core essence of our seeking as people. Every single student I’ve worked with has wanted me to tell them what I see in them. It’s fascinating. Underneath every human desire is the wish to know, “What…
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AI and Critical Thinking in Education
Listen to this post: How do we conceive of AI and critical thinking in education? Increasingly, schools are importing the new technology to help reduce teacher burnout and tailor lessons to individual student needs. According to School AI1, 37% of teachers are now using AI to create lessons, reducing their workload. As a Waldorf teacher,…
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How to Talk to Our Children about AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm. Many predict it will change human life as much as the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. Today’s youth are using it like wildfire. Just think of the temptations. They’re not only using it to do their homework, but they are asking it life advice and even in…
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Growth Mindset in the Ancient World
Growth mindset was known long before renowned researcher Carol Dweck elaborated it around 2006. 2500 years ago, Pythagoras was testing to see whether potential initiates for his mystery school had it. Entry into the prestigious Academy was a high honor for the ancient Greek. If admitted, he or she (yes, they admitted women which was…
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Don’t Praise Your Children
Don’t praise your children. Well, don’t praise your children for what they are but for what they do. So many of us trap ourselves in the habit of telling our children, “You’re so smart. You’re so good at this and that, etc.” Research and experience, however, show this is the wrong way to praise our…
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Growth Mindset in Education
How do we ensure our children will succeed in life. The key to unlocking this mystery starts with asking, what is the difference between a stone and a plant? Stop and consider that for a moment. A stone is inert and has no will of its own. It makes no choices, has no ability to…
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Fourth Week of Advent: Human Being – Wisdom
In the fourth week of Advent, we honor the human being, a being of wisdom. We humans are said to have the other three kingdoms of nature within us. We share a mineral body with the stones. With the plants, we share the ability to grow, respirate, and heal. Together with the animals, we have…