In this episode, I’m diving into what it really takes to start the year strong in first grade. This is such a tender, transformative time—children are stepping out of the warm, dreamy world of early childhood and into something more structured, more purposeful. And they’re looking to you for clarity, confidence, and rhythm.

First grade is when we really begin to form the class, and the habits we establish early on can shape the whole year (and beyond). Here are the grounded, steady practices I’ve found make the biggest difference:

✅ Lean on Rhythm—And Keep It Simple
Children this age need steady, predictable routines. A clear rhythm—daily and weekly—helps them feel safe and grounded, so they can relax and actually learn. These rhythms aren’t just sweet rituals—they’re tools that build trust and flow.

✅ Start with Movement, Not Sitting
Six- and seven-year-olds aren’t built to sit still right away. I always start the day with movement—walking, clapping games, beanbag tosses—not just to get the wiggles out, but to build attention, coordination, and group cohesion.

✅ Model Everything—Then Model It Again
Whether it’s lining up, sharpening pencils, or walking through a doorway, I never assume they already know how to do it. I model it slowly and clearly—and then I do it again tomorrow. These kids want to know what’s expected. They’re looking for leadership.

✅ Practice Listening in Little Doses
Listening is a muscle, and it takes time to build. I use echo songs, call-and-response verses, and short memory games to strengthen their listening capacity. And when it’s time for a good story? Their attention can go so deep.

✅ Give Them Jobs—and Teach Them Well
Children want to help. Giving them small, meaningful jobs gives them a sense of purpose and belonging. But just like anything else, I take the time to teach each job slowly and carefully.

Starting first grade isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing a few key things really well, over and over, until they become part of the class rhythm. These children are wide open. They’re looking to us for how to be in the world—so let’s offer them steadiness, clarity, and purpose. You’ll be amazed at how they rise to meet it.

Let’s stay connected:
 🌿 Instagram
📺 YouTube
🌐 Website
📬 Substack
✉️ Email me at meredith@awaldorfjourney.com

Thanks for listening and being part of the journey!

What does it really mean to create a Waldorf-inspired home? In this episode, I share what first drew me to the peaceful beauty of Waldorf living—and the moments when it felt completely out of reach. From the temptation to chase the aesthetic to the deeper values that truly make a Waldorf home, we’ll explore how rhythm, simplicity, and presence matter more than wooden toys and silks.

We’ll talk about:

• The heart of a Waldorf home: rhythm, warmth, and intention
• Daily and weekly rhythms that support your family life
• Creating cozy spaces and nurturing the senses
• Meaningful work and seasonal celebrations
• Why perfection isn’t the goal—presence is

Plus, I’ll offer practical ideas you can begin today, whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your home life.

My Website: A Waldorf Journey

Substack: Waldorf at Work

In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I explore the unique approach to teaching natural sciences in a Waldorf classroom, with a particular focus on physiology and anatomy in the seventh and eighth grades. I discuss how Waldorf education brings warmth, storytelling, and experiential learning to these subjects, fostering a deep and lasting connection rather than just rote memorization.

Topics Covered:

🦴 The importance of warming the soil—creating a deep feeling connection to the subject matter rather than emphasizing memorization.
🦴 How physiology (body systems) is taught in seventh grade, and anatomy (bones & muscles) in eighth grade.
🦴 The evolution of natural sciences in the Waldorf curriculum—from early childhood observations of nature to more structured blocks in the upper grades.
🦴 The role of storytelling, artistic representations, and metaphor in teaching science.
🦴 How to integrate the arts into science, including beautiful chalkboard drawings, lesson book illustrations, and artistic explorations of the body's systems.
🦴 Experiential learning—engaging the senses and fostering direct experiences in the classroom (e.g., observing digestion through eating an apple, exploring skeletal structures through movement).
🦴 Keeping the focus on health, balance, and the body's wisdom, rather than emphasizing illness or pathology.

Recommended Resources for Teachers:

Mentioned in this episode:

📖 Waldorf Inspirations – A fantastic online resource for curriculum ideas, teaching approaches, and inspiration for bringing the natural sciences to life in a Waldorf classroom. Visit Waldorf Inspirations

📚 Charles Kovacs’ Resource Books:

• Human Being and the Animal
• Botany – A Waldorf-aligned approach to teaching plants and their relationship to the human being.
• Rocks and Minerals – A beautifully written introduction to geology, making connections to the wider natural world.

These books are invaluable for teachers looking to enrich their science lessons with depth, storytelling, and the Waldorf approach to education.

Join the Conversation!

Have you taught physiology or anatomy in a Waldorf classroom? What experiences, activities, or biographies have resonated most with your students? Share your insights in the comments on YouTube or on Instagram/Facebook @AWaldorfJourney.

🎧 Listen Now on Your Favorite Podcast App
💻 Visit: AWaldorfJourney.com for curriculum materials, teaching resources, and blog posts.

Thank you for being part of the A Waldorf Journey community! 🌿✨

In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I welcome my colleague Laura Elmore for a deep dive into one of the most cherished Waldorf traditions—the class play. With decades of experience in Waldorf education, Laura shares her insights into why class plays are such an integral part of the curriculum, how they evolve from the early grades to middle school, and the pedagogical purpose behind them.

Looking for a play to perform with your students? My first- and second-grade plays are available on my website: www.awaldorfjourney.com.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ The Role of Class Plays in Waldorf Education – Why plays are a vital part of child development and learning.
✔️ The Play Selection Process – How teachers choose plays that align with the curriculum and the needs of their class.
✔️ Casting Considerations – The balance between typecasting and pedagogical casting, and how students can have a say in their roles.
✔️ The Evolution of Class Plays – How the approach to plays shifts from early childhood to the upper grades.
✔️ Overcoming Performance Anxiety – How to support students through the process, especially in vulnerable stages like middle school.
✔️ Beyond Acting – The importance of stage crew roles and how they can be just as transformative as being on stage.
✔️ Practical Tips for Teachers – Structuring the play block, engaging students in improvisation, and maintaining rhythm in the classroom.

Resources & Links:
📌 Find this episode and more at A Waldorf Journey
📌 Watch this episode on YouTube
📌 Connect with Meredith on Instagram & Facebook: @awaldorfjourney
📌 Learn more about Cedarwood Waldorf School
📌 Learn more about the Micha-el Institute Teacher Training

Join the Conversation:
🎭 Have you directed or been part of a Waldorf class play? Share your experiences in the comments or tag us on social media!

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this conversation, please leave a review—it helps others find the podcast and join the Waldorf journey!

In this episode, I take a moment to share a personal story about my decision to leave teaching and the journey that followed. Teaching, especially in a Waldorf school, is a deeply fulfilling experience—but it also comes with its challenges. I reflect on the thoughts that led to my transition, from the pressures of the classroom to the realization that I needed a more sustainable and financially secure path forward.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Why I first began questioning my long-term future in teaching.
• The impact of the pandemic on my decision.
• How financial sustainability and career longevity played a role.
• The transition from teaching to marketing and communications.
• How my experience as a Waldorf teacher translated into my new career.
• What I miss most about the classroom—and what I’ve gained.
• My current role in marketing and communications for a Waldorf school.

For those of you who have thought about making a change in your career or are wondering if teaching is a sustainable long-term path, I hope my story provides some insight and encouragement.

Continue the Conversation

Have you ever faced a similar decision? If you’re a teacher—Waldorf or otherwise—I’d love to hear your thoughts. Join the conversation in the YouTube comments or on my blog.

📖 Read the Blog Post Here
🌿 Visit A Waldorf Journey: https://www.awaldorfjourney.com
📷 Follow Along on Social Media:

• Instagram: @awaldorfjourney
• Facebook: A Waldorf Journey
• TikTok: @awaldorfjourney

🎧 Subscribe & Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with other educators who may find it helpful! Thanks for tuning in. 💛

Welcome to A Waldorf Journey! Let's explore the artistic tools that shape a Waldorf classroom, from beeswax crayons to colored pencils, and why these choices matter for child development.

🔹 Beeswax Crayons – Supporting grip strength, movement, and blending colors for a sensory-rich experience.
🔹 Why No Graphite Pencils? – Encouraging openness and self-expression rather than rigid precision.
🔹 Markers vs. Natural Materials – How markers lack depth, texture, and warmth compared to crayons and pencils.
🔹 Transition to Colored Pencils – A gradual shift toward fine motor control in later grades.
🔹 Other Art Supplies – Insights on oil crayons, watercolor pencils, and drawing tools for upper grades.

📍 Visit awaldorfjourney.com for show notes and resources, and follow on Facebook & Instagram: @awaldorfjourney.

Product recommendations mentioned in this video (affiliate links):
Stockmar beeswax crayons: https://amzn.to/3Q8xb3Q
Super Ferby pencils: https://amzn.to/412XTkB
Filia oil crayons
Caran d'Ache Watercolor crayons
Blackwing graphite pencils
Lyra Rembrandt pencils

In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I dive into the essential role of mentorship in supporting Waldorf teachers.

Join me as I explore the benefits and challenges of mentorship in Waldorf schools, from the common practice of pairing new teachers with experienced colleagues to the advantages of working with an external mentor. I discuss the importance of confidentiality in the mentor-mentee relationship, the power of self-reflection in professional growth, and how objectivity can bring fresh insights into teaching and student development.

🌟 Discover why strong mentorship is key to teacher success and how it can transform the classroom experience.

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and share your thoughts!
📧 Email me at: meredith@awaldorfjourney.com
🌐 Visit www.awaldorfjourney.com for mentorship support, curriculum guides, and resources.

Let’s walk this journey together! 💫

Prefer to watch this on YouTube? Check it out here!

In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I take a deep dive into one of the most inspiring aspects of Waldorf education: the transition from teaching mythology to history through the grades.

Join me as I explore how this unique approach supports child development, nurturing imagination in the younger grades and fostering analytical thinking in later years. From fairy tales in first grade to revolutions in eighth, I discuss the guiding principles behind this thoughtful curriculum, share insights from my classroom experience, and offer tips for teaching history through engaging biographies and storytelling.

🌟 Learn how storytelling fuels imagination and why it’s a cornerstone of the Waldorf method.

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and share your thoughts!
📧 Email me at: meredith@awaldorfjourney.com
🌐 Visit www.awaldorfjourney.com for curriculum guides, resources, and more.

Let’s embark on this journey together! 💫

These days my inbox is filled with two kinds of questions.

1. Can you give me some advice for writing end-of-year reports?
2. Do you have suggestions for making summer planning easier?

Luckily, I have thoughts on both of those topics. You can find lots of information about them both on the blog. But I mention this just because it points out the dilemma that teachers face right now.

The blog post for this episode.
Waldorf at Work, my Substack newsletter.

In this episode, I take a look at the Waldorf traditions and ceremonies that mark students' development and transitions. Waldorf is really good at marking time in this way and it's one of the things many of us really love about Waldorf Education.

The blog post for this episode.

Waldorf at Work: My super-practical, actionable Substack newsletter.
Email me about summer mentoring.
Interested in my Summer Planning course? I'm in the process of deciding if I'm going to run this course. Let me know if you're interested.