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Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children
Heaven on Earth balances theoretical understanding of child development with practical ideas, resources, and tips that can transform family life. Readers will learn how to establish the life rhythms that lay the foundation for all learning; how to design indoor play environments that allow children the broadest skills development; and how to create backyard play spaces tha...more
Paperback, 235 pages
Published
November 1st 2006
by Steinerbooks
(first published October 30th 2006)
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I really liked this book! It goes along with things I think about parenting anyway, and things that are being ignored by our mainstream culture. Lots of good, practical ideas about incorporating rhythm into kids' lives, making handmade toys, dealing with social pressures, etc. I'm reading it for the second time (checked it out from the library again) and I'm glad I did. When she says young children, I really think it can apply to anyone through elementary school age. She is definitely coming fro...more
A LOVELY guide for anyone interested in incorporating Waldorf principles into home life - or those who simply want to take a natural approach to parenting. Filled with practical tips for parents on handling everything from birthday parties, to bedtime routine, to storytime. What really sets this book apart from the others is Oppenheimer's gentle and loving tone, and her long history as a Waldorf teacher and mother of 3 grown boys. She even includes a few recipes and loads of resources for crafts...more
This was a great handbook for parents of children in the 4 and older age range. Filled with lots of great ideas for craft, play, festival celebrations, and parenting in general. I lost focus in the book from time to time as my child is still under 2 and many of the activities/ideas did not apply yet to us. Furthermore, the author talks about creating a utopia of sorts in the home for the child-- she was incredibly idealistic and sometimes elitist. Any extremist sort of viewpoint on things (no su...more
This book came highly reviewed (as one of her top two parenting books) by a blog that I really like ( my link text) so I was expecting a lot out of it. And while yes, I did gain some inspiration (particularly related to consciously developing a family rhythm and culture), the book itself felt so idealized and elitist that I was a bit turned off. In order to fully implement everything she says every kid should have, you'd really have to live in the country and be rich. For example, in the "Outdoo...more
Parts of this were too prescriptive for me. Don't buy plastic toys for your kids, for example (she recommends corn cobs instead). I know they are just suggestions, but she puts them forth like they are the one right way to parent.
I did, however, find a few suggestions that I have incorporated in my own home. One was what to say when kids say they're bored. You can say, "Good! That will give you a chance to think, which will help you come up with ideas. Let me know what you come up with!"
I did, however, find a few suggestions that I have incorporated in my own home. One was what to say when kids say they're bored. You can say, "Good! That will give you a chance to think, which will help you come up with ideas. Let me know what you come up with!"
This book has wonderful ideas for families with young children. The author is a Waldorf teacher, but her ideas are specific for the home. Daily and weekly rhythms (schedule), imagination, family culture, and celebrating festivals were the parts of this book that were most helpful to me. It is easy to get busy with practical living and forget the play and magic of childhood.
I'm walking away from this book with a greater understanding of the value of open-ended play and how I can allow my kids to be kids and learn through experience. There's a lot that I already have incorporated into our family structure and a lot to still incorporate. It's good for a type-A like myself to be reminded to live in the moment instead of living in my to-do lists. And I want to not intrude on their imaginative world where I impose my adult views on their experience.
The author and I dif...more
The author and I dif...more
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Although some of these ideas are totally unrealistic in my opinion (making corn cob toys and the indoor sandbox come to mind), I loved this book for the ideas and approach to raising outdoors-focused, healthy, and hearty children. I read it on Kindle but wish I'd done a hard copy since I bookmarked so many ideas!
Too nature/earth focused for me, but has great ideas to get me thinking about how to be more creative and imaginative with Beck. The knowledge that kids are completely imitative has resonated with me and I've already noticed how what I'm doing makes a difference in what he's doing.
This book is well-written and has a wonderful format (meaning I only skimmed the parts of the actual text that I really wanted to read and enjoyed all of her "high points" in the margins. The author has some really good points about getting back to basics raising our children, especially the little ones. I didn't agree with her on everything, for example, bedtime snacks and play spaces. Still, it gave me a few more things to think about in my own child-rearing philosophy.
This book is always referenced in blogs that talk about Waldorf in the home. I would really like to finish reading it someday, but since it's an ILL, I have to send it back. I really like what I read so far.
LOVE this book so far. Think I'm going to have to order a copy. I love the Waldorf-style of learning, and this book does an excellent job outlining Waldorf concepts, building a family culture and projects.
Done. The last half was every bit as good as the first half. Going to order this-- I took 6 pages of notes and think it would be a good reference.
Done. The last half was every bit as good as the first half. Going to order this-- I took 6 pages of notes and think it would be a good reference.
LOVED this wonderful parenting book. Chock-full of great ideas and tips for instilling loving traditions, memories, and good feelings into our children's lives.
Most of the ideas in here weren't applicable to our current family situation, but I liked reading this book anyway and if nothing else got a few ideas from it.
A great introduction to Waldorf principles in the home with little ones. Lots of helpful ideas on establishing a rhythm to the day and simple play spaces.
LOVED. This is a great book for ideas for creating a safe, calm, creativity-inducing home environment for children from birth-age 7.
This is a really lovely book. The only reason I gave it a four is because I can't bring myself to give five stars to a parenting book.
This book is full of so many great ideas, that it is worth owning. The re-readability on it is great, and the actual writing style flows very nicely. I felt completely inspired by this work, and imagine I will be so again, many times throughout my children's very young childhood.
This book has some wonderful practical ideas on how to nurture children and help them learn and grow!
Informative with good ideas that I can easily use with children...at home and in the classroom.
I LOVED this book! Definitely on the hippie/crunch side, but so many good ideas and no lecturing. I'm excited to put many of her ideas into practice, and I especially like the part about how doing daily chores (that are considered drudgery) with love can be a wonderful way of showing your children you love them. So much good advice about playing outside and using imagination, too. Must read!
Heather, this is definitely one for your *someday* list!
Heather, this is definitely one for your *someday* list!
1 like · like · see review
Very good...wish I could always be as mindful as this book encourages!
Loved it! Good ideas to put into practice. Great quotes. Organized well.
I absolutely love this book. It is my go to refresher for parenting.
Wonderful guide to raising children naturally
I read all the part that were applicable to Aidan's age. There were some good ideas in here that I am incorporating into our life, but nothing huge. Our new bedtime ritual includes the use of a candle, as she suggests, as do our blessings at meal time. Aidan loves it, of course (especially when we blow it out and the "Saaamoke" appears). I've incorporated some other ideas about using less electronic equipment (bought a carpet sweeper and kid sized broom) and some other minor suggestions.
Very nicely presented with notations in the sidebars to easily find tidbits. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself at the waldorfy musings, but I expected no less.
I absolutely loved this book. The only reason for the four star rating is because due to my Christian belief, I didn't like the new age type thinking that went along with some of the ideas. But, that aside, if you can read with a take or toss fashion, you will find this booking very inspiring. It follows the Waldorf way of teaching, which is very natural minded. Many great ideas for leading our children into a creative way of thinking.
I really like this Waldorf book. It's not too over-the-top that I feel guilty about having plastic toys in my home or compelled to buy a huge stash of playsilks, but the author gives a lot of practical, heartfelt information on everything from daily rhythms and seasonal celebrations to creative play and discipline ideas. It also has a great healthy cake recipe. I recommend it for all parents.
This would be a great book for first time parents, or parents who want to add magic and wonder to their children's lives but haven't figured out how. For me, well, it was nothing new. It has wonderful ideas about rhythms, celebrations, storytelling, outdoor play, and arts and crafts. I think I will be passing this one on to someone who could use it more than I...
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Sharifa Oppenheimer was the founding teacher of the Charlottesville Waldorf School, Virginia, where she taught kindergarten for twenty-one years and served as day care director of the early-childhood program. She has helped develop new teachers through teacher-training programs at Sunbridge College in New York State, and at Rudolf Steiner College near Sacramento as a master teacher offering practi...more
More about Sharifa Oppenheimer...
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Jan 10, 2013 09:41pm