Parent led Waldorf playgroup

Spelt bread at Waldorf playgroup

We started our own Waldorf inspired playgroup. Inviting like minded parents and their children to join us for a warm and nurturing playgroup morning.

Waldorf playgroup

The mornings start outside, with the nourishing scent of spelt bread dough calling to little and big hands to shape and mould it into bread rolls. While the rolls are baking for our morning tea, children play on a rug beneath a tree, with playsilks, blocks and twisties. Other children explore the beautiful garden, riding bikes and trikes or working the hand water pump.

mud kitchen

While the children play, the parents are engaged in purposeful work alongside them. Such as cutting fruit for morning tea, sweeping or knitting. The purposeful work allows the children to engage more deeply in their play. Soon we will start making toys for our little playgroup, like tree branch blocks and felt animals.

Steiner playgroup

As the freshly baked bread comes out from the kitchen the children surround the table, helping to spread the butter, sneaking a taste here and there. The toys are packed away to a whimsical song about a dusty gnome before we say a blessing for morning tea.

Waldorf storytelling

Seasonal songs and fingerplays are enjoyed before we head off on a nature walk. Into the bush and to a dam where the children can explore. Our lovely morning closes with a puppet show ~ story telling that captures the childrens’ imaginations with its simplicity and beauty.

Waldorf playgroup

I am so thankful that my lovely friend and I took the leap to make this a reality.

Blessings, Kelly

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19 Comments

  • Reply Kim March 2, 2015 at 10:31 pm

    Beautiful! I worked with some other mamas last year to create something very similar and it was absolutely wonderful.

    • Reply Zena March 3, 2015 at 9:03 am

      How wonderful! Good on you two…build it and they will come. A couple of local mothers did the same thing started a Waldorf playgroup that grew in to a certified one at a local hall. I was so lucky that my first child was able to experience this. Unfortunately every one has moved on and I would love to start one for my little toddler. I miss the bread making and simplicity of it all and the rhythm.

  • Reply Cynthia March 3, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    Kelly your new site looks absolutely beautiful – well done 🙂

    And your playgroup is fabulous, I wish I lived nearby so we could join you.

  • Reply Bek @ Just For Daisy March 5, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    Beautiful! I also run a playgroup and it always seems so rushed and busy! Perhaps we should take a leaf out of your book and try some Waldorf themes to our group!
    PS. I’m LOVING your photos with the new camera – you are taking some lovely shots!

  • Reply Nae peters March 5, 2015 at 11:29 pm

    your new theme is looking sweet.
    This is a lovely post. Wish we could join

  • Reply Kate March 6, 2015 at 11:06 pm

    This sounds so wonderfully warm and inviting. What a lovely, down-to-earth experience for the children and I could imagine it being quite affirming and therapeutic for the adults also. Wish we lived closer!!

  • Reply kate @ livinglovinglaughing March 7, 2015 at 10:12 pm

    oh my, wish I could join in!!! this is just so lovely, i love the sweet activities and just the way you write about it, you can tell how nourishing and caring it all is. Love those spelt bread rolls, what a gorgeous idea to make their own morning tea like that – better than playdough!!!

  • Reply Sara @ Happiness is here March 8, 2015 at 10:49 am

    This really looks lovely. I wanted to join in when reading!

  • Reply Kate March 15, 2015 at 9:56 am

    This sounds positively wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

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  • Reply Rhiannon October 7, 2015 at 8:09 am

    This *is* so lovely. I’m inspired.
    May I ask – do you run this group just one morning a week or more?
    And – do you all make a financial contribution – to cover costs of materials and food and so on?
    Thank you so much in advance. x

    • Reply Kelly October 7, 2015 at 7:39 pm

      Thanks Rhiannon. Playgroup runs during school term and is one morning each week. Each family does make a financial contribution to help cover costs and they also bring fruit to share for our morning tea.

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