Workshops
Morning Session
A) Planting Seeds for the Sciences with Michael DʼAleo.
Simple things that parents and teachers can do to support scientific thinking later in life. Michael is our keynote presenter.
B) Inspiring Indoor Playwith Bozena Ciepielewski
How to foster creative play and engage childrenʼs senses with simple toys and natural materials. Bozena is a kindergarten teacher at the Alan Howard Waldorf School.
C) Let Me Tell You a Story with Dzvinka Hayda
Through listening to and interacting with a variety of different stories we will learn how to use the oral tradition of storytelling as a foundation for literacy. Dzvinka is a longtime Waldorf Early Childhood teacher, mentor, former director and faculty member of Waldorf Early Childhood training in Michigan and Ukraine, and the author of the Moonbeam Award winning book, Little Angel's Journey.
D) Nourishing the Senses with Beth Currie
Nourishing sense impressions enable children to experience the world with deep joy and wonder. With practical and handson interaction we will see how playful yet effective these simple suggestions can be. Beth taught in the TWS kindergarten for 20 years.
E) Woodcarving with Greg Scott – continued in the afternoon
Explore the natural world and enliven your imagination as you find and then carve a small wooden treasure for your child. Greg has studied fine arts, sculpture and history and is a trained Waldorf teacher. He has been teaching history and woodwork at TWS for the past 8 years.
F) Moving Forward with Sue Martin
Movement is an integral component of healthy child development. How can we influence children to move with joy and freedom, helping them to approach life with confidence and competence? Sue taught in early childhood at TWS for 15 years.
G) Winsome Woodland Gnome with Eve Geisler
Using repurposed sweater fabric we will sew a simple, small “man of the forest” suitable for a nature table or toy. All levels of sewing ability are welcome. Eve has been making little stuffed animals and toys from used wool sweaters and blankets for more than 10 years. She ran a Waldorf inspired daycare for 12 years.
H) Baking Bread with Warren Cohen
Bake naturally leavened cinnamon buns while exploring the science and art of bread baking. A delicious hands-on workshop. Warren directs the Teacher Education Program at the Rudolf Steiner Steiner Centre Toronto. He is a teacher, scientist, artist and avid bread baker.
I) Simple Dollmaking with Annette Wintjes – continued in the afternoon
Make an easy “stuff and stitch” small doll - a little playmate to share in your childʼs world. Annette has many years of experience helping others make crafts, dolls and toys.
J) Effective Discipline with Michelle Frank
Healthy attachments and firm loving boundaries can make discipline easier and more effective at home. We will have an open discussion – bring your questions. Michelle has worked with children and families for over 17 years. She is a TWS High School advisor and the school counselor, as well as a certified Theraplay practitioner.
K) Felting with Kathie Young
With soap, water and repetitive agitation you will experience raw fleece transforming into a firmly felted ball. A beautiful design will be added with needle felting. Kathie is a graphic designer and painter. She has been teaching art and crafts since 1995.
L) The Joy of Music with Veronica Jackson
We will play with rhythm and tone using simple instruments. Discover spontaneous and creative ways of making music together. Veronica has a lifetime of therapeutic and educational musical experience.
Afternoon Session
M) Electronics and the Young Child with Michael DʼAleo
A practical presentation of recent research on how cell phones, computers and other electronic devices affect young children. Michael is our keynote presenter.
N) The Outdoor Experience with Tammy Caldwell
Children love to be outside! How can we support the young childʼs outdoor experience? Come prepared to be outdoors and we will explore, play, create beauty and reawaken our sense of wonder. Tammy has kindergarten at the Mulberry Waldorf School for the past 11 years.
O) Rhythm: Creating Harmony with Judy King
A reliable rhythm in daily life will help alleviate stress and insecurity, reduce difficult behaviour, and help each day run smoothly. Learn basic principles founded on natureʼs rhythms. Judy is a kindergarten teacher at the South Shore Waldorf School in Nova Scotia.
P) Bringing Nature Closer with Jeanne Rose
Find the inspiration to create a “Nature Corner” in your home, rich with possibilities for enlivening your childʼs relationship with natureʼs wonders. Jeanne is a longtime Waldorf Early Childhood teacher with a passion for joining in nature's creativity.
Q) Wild Rabbit Toy with Eve Geisler
Sew a sweet rabbit, sized for little hands, from repurposed sweater fabric. All levels of sewing ability welcome. Eve has been making little stuffed animals and toys from used wool sweaters and blankets for more than 10 years. She ran a Waldorf inspired daycare for 12 years.
R) Painting with Anna Gruda
Glowing worlds of colour will magically appear when you learn this easy-to-do technique of watercolour painting with young children. Anna has taught art in the Waldorf movement for many years and currently teaches at TWS.
S) Felting with Kathie Young
Create a small finger puppet with its own little pouch using both wet and needle felting techniques. Kathie is a graphic designer and painter. She has been teaching art and crafts since 1995.
T) Eurythmy with Angelika Warner
Experience earth, water, air and fire in the sounds and movements of language. Angelika Warner has been a Eurythmy teacher at TWS for many years.
U) Cooking With Children with Cindy Van Kroonenburgh
Peel, chop, cook, and chat about the joys and challenges of cooking with and for children. Practical tips, recipes and a meal plan guide included. Cindy is an Early childhood teacher at TWS with a love of children, cooking (and eating)! She ran her own catering business in London, ON.
V) Double-Dig Your Garden with Eva Cabaca
Learn how to make beds for a veggie garden the biodynamic way to maximize nutrition and minimize space requirements. Eva is the TWS gardening teacher; she is a nutritionist and herbalist who inspires people to make their own medicines and healing foods.
W) Basketry with Rihana Rutledge
Using natural materials, coil and hand stitch a simple “grass” basket that is easy to make with little ones! Rihana works in art and therapy with children, youth, and adults. She is a graduate of Ontario College of Art, Arscura and the Tobias school of Art and Therapy UK.
X) Let Me Tell You a Story with Dzvinka Hayda
Through listening to and interacting with a variety of different stories we will learn how to use the oral tradition of storytelling as a foundation for literacy. Dzvinka is a longtime Waldorf Early Childhood teacher, mentor, former director and faculty member of Waldorf Early Childhood training in Michigan and Ukraine, and the author of the Moonbeam Award winning book, Little Angel's Journey.
Y) Staying Centred and Sane with Diana Hughes
We will look at some simple things that we can do to address the ever increasing stress in our lives, with a particular emphasis on Rudolf Steinerʼs review of the day. Diana was a founding class teacher of Toronto Waldorf School, and in 1984 started the first Waldorf teacher education institute in Canada, from which she retired in 2009.
