Professor Howard Friedman, a psychologist at the University of California, analyzed the progress of gifted children who started school in the US in the 1920′s, data captured across 80 years  found that “early school entry was associated with less educational attainment, worse midlife adjustment, and most importantly, increased mortality risk”. Professor Friedman states “most children under six needs lots of time to play, and to develop social skills, and to learn to control their impulses.”

Waldorf Education gets this. Though nearly one hundred years in the making, Waldorf Education remains the most refreshing independent school movement of our time. Come visit The Waldorf School of Philadelphia today.

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For more information about the camp, please contact Carrie Harris at 215-248-1662 or office@phillywaldorf.com

You are invited to join The Waldorf School of Philadelphia’s Class of 2012 for

Shakespeare’s magniloquent and farcical display of pyrotechnic wordplay.

In the Kingdom of Navarre, the lord of the land, his two best friends, and all their male courtiers vow to forego female companionship, feasting, and sleep! So, naturally, three gorgeous and quick-witted French noblewomen arrive that same day. WHAT NOW?

Join us to find out, but in fairness to performers and audience and little ones alike, please leave children who aren’t in the grade school (ours and other grade schools) at home. Doors open at 6.30 p.m. The Cheltenham Arts Center is located at 439 Ashbourne Road in Cheltenham.

There is no charge for the show, but donations will be appreciated . Concessions will be on sale from the Class of 2013.

Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff – Power of Imagination from OECTA on Vimeo.

In this book two highly credentialed child psychologists offer a compelling indictment of the growing trend toward accelerated learning. It’s a message that stressed-out parents are craving to hear: Letting tots learn through play is not only okay-it’s better than drilling academics!

Drawing on overwhelming scientific evidence from their own studies and the collective research results of child development experts, and addressing the key areas of development-math, reading, verbal communication, science, self-awareness, and social skills-the authors explain the process of learning from a child’s point of view.

“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking ~Albert Einstein~ Scientist  (1879-1955)

Why one Harvard alum is part of a growing movement to bring play back into the lives of children

by Lory Hough

In some ways, this headline is almost funny, the idea of a young Einstein, wild hair flying, throwing his mother’s quilt over a couple of chairs and crawling underneath. But to Elizabeth Goodenough, M.A.T.’71, a headline like this is not a joke. We’re a busy-by-design society that’s become so concerned with turning kids into baby Einsteins that something critical to childhood, something that Goodenough holds sacred, is fast becoming extinct: free play. She says that all you have to do is drive around American cities and towns to see for yourself; there are very few kids outside.

It’s probably not a surprise to anyone that one of the biggest factors in the loss of free play has to do with parents being programmed by the ever-expanding “baby educating industry” into thinking that in order to survive in today’s global economy, kids need to be better, brighter, and busier than ever before.

“It’s a competitive foot race from the womb, this sense that you’ll miss out,” Goodenough says. “Adults have picked up the pace so quickly. What’s next? What’s next? What’s next?”

In an age where we clearly know more about how brains operate and how humans function, parents take parenting seriously. As a 2001 article in The Atlantic Monthly stated, “Your child is the most important extra-credit arts project you will ever undertake.” As a result, by the time these baby wonders reach college, they’ve become goal-oriented, resume-building “organization kids” who “work their laptops to the bone.” What adults need to understand, writes Michael Meyerhoff, Ed.M.’75, Ed.D.’84, in his booklet The Power of Play, is that free play isn’t a waste of time — it actually helps children learn.

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Ms. Stevenson then told us that there was a Waldorf School on the Pine Ridge reservation – the only Waldorf School on an Indian reservation anywhere. It is located in the second poorest county in America, and the parents cannot afford any tuition, so the Lakota Waldorf School relies completely on donations. We decided to raise money for them. We are making bookmarks to sell. Mr. Petro, who used to teach at our school, will be doing a benefit concert of kirtan music, the music of India to help us raise money. Why, you may ask, the music of India for the Lakota School? We started fifth grade learning stories from Ancient India. The concert is Friday evening, April 20, at 7 pm. We will also be selling refreshments at the concert, as well as our bookmarks. Hope to see you there!

~ The Fifth Grade Class

http://www.waldorftoday.com/2012/01/the-lakota-waldorf-school/

The Waldorf School of Philadelphia, 7500 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119

Program

10.15 a.m.  Welcome Reception at Gymnasium (Gilpin Hall) (continue around New Covenant driveway past the Sanctuary and Founders Hall)

11.00 a.m.  Assembly showcasing work by Grades 1 through 8

12.00 p.m.  Cross campus to Eagles II, home of our school

12.15 p.m. – 1.00  p.m. Visiting your Grandchild’s classroom

RSVP to Alexandria Dilks Pandola at 215-248-1662 or development@phillywaldorf.com

So, Want your kids to get into college?  Let them Play!  by Erika Christakis and Nicholas Christakis

Erika Christakis, MEd, MPH, is an early childhood teacher and former preschool director. Nicholas Christakis, MD, PhD, is a professor of medicine and sociology at Harvard University. Together, they serve as Masters of Pforzheimer House, one of the undergraduate residential houses at Harvard College.