In this course we will explore active pathways that provide opportunities to heal and support the children in our care and strengthen the teacher’s life forces and sense of joy in the classroom through several different modalities.

Circle work and movement activities will be discussed along with experiencing these circle adventures. Healing intervention using consciously chosen movements that mature and integrate the child’s sensory system helping them to feel
‘at home’ in their body will be explored and experienced.

Since the child study lies at the heart of our work with the children, we will share
a child study format that is both practical and reverent in the creation of a meaningful understanding of the young child. This child study will also guide the teacher’s striving to nurture her inner path, and we will work with the seven elementary Rosicrucian steps of Initiation given by Rudolf Steiner. The cultivation of a living community based upon the child study and the teachers inner striving will guide us.

The Madonna Series will be experienced by candlelight and lyre music to rejuvenate the life forces of the Early Childhood teacher. We will discuss the background and practice of this beautiful series.

A practical exploration of the various ways in which flower essences can bring healing and build a nourishing environment, help a distressed child, and bolster the forces of the teacher will be discussed. A Healing Basket will be made by each teacher to bring back to the children in their care.

Eurythmy with Cezary Ciaglo.

Materials fee: $30

LAURIE CLARK has been a Waldorf kindergarten educator for 33 years. Currently she teaches at the Morning Glory Kindergarten at the Denver Waldorf School. In addition to being the WECAN representative of her region, she is a member of the Teacher Education Network. A mentor to teachers across the country, Laurie has co-authored a book on therapeutic movement for children. She is also engaged with the training of teachers on the Pine Ridge Reservation and in the development of the Lakota Waldorf School.

RENA OSMER, M.A., has been passionate about Waldorf early childhood education since completing her training in 1985. She has served on the boards of trustees of WECAN, Sophia’s Hearth, and LifeWays North America. Rena has taught coast to coast, starting in Wilton, NH at the Pine Hill Waldorf School, the Center For Anthroposophy, and Antioch University New England before being appointed by Rudolf Steiner College as Director of Early Childhood Education and co-founder of the Caldwell Early Life Center and the LifeWays Children’s Center. In 2005, Rena moved to the Florida sub-tropics where she currently teaches kindergarten in a new Waldorf initiative, Sea Star, in Boca Raton. She continues to mentor Waldorf early childhood endeavors and teaches at various Waldorf Early childhood training centers in the summer months.