what is Waldorf philosophy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that requiring no phone during nap is overkill.

Note that no one said Waldorf philosophy has anything to do with tech use when not with the children.

21:03 did.

No she didn't. She said she thinks it's probably a way to find candidates willing to unplug the entire time they're at work. She said "she thinks" and "probably" and that it's not actually Waldorf but rather just a way to find candidates willing to unplug and then made yet another assumption that the parents would want to nanny to unplug the entire time.

Yes, Waldorf is very tech-unfriendly. Definitely the parents wouldn't want their kids having any screen time. But Waldorf doesn't say a single thing about totally avoiding all screen time ever even for adults in the same house as the kids.

easy, tiger.

[Anonymous]

I'm not trying to be combative, truly. It just bugs me when threads get all spun up based on a statement that is complete assumption. So someone's says that Waldorf parents wouldn't want their kids to have tech tools. Then someone else says I bet they wouldn't even want the nanny to use her phone while the kids are sleeping. Then someone else says that wouldn't work for me. Then someone else says I would never work for a parent that says they're into Waldorf!!!

Ok....except there is nothing anywhere that says that a parent that is interested in Waldorf wouldn't allow their nanny to use their phone while the kids were sleeping. So chill. Ask questions.

We can probably assume that a parent who was into Waldorf wouldn't allow screen time for the kid. They'll probably have natural toys. They'll probably ask a lot of the nanny in terms of planning for learning about nature, and cooking and home-based type activities that involve doing lots together. They won't be as concerned about teaching letters and numbers. They'll want the nanny to prepare whole foods for meals. Etc. That's really all we can assume.

[Anonymous]

NP here. You were not combative at all, 7:47. The PP overreacted to your clear explanation. You're right about the way threads go off the rails because someone makes assumptions and it's irritating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be combative, truly. It just bugs me when threads get all spun up based on a statement that is complete assumption. So someone's says that Waldorf parents wouldn't want their kids to have tech tools. Then someone else says I bet they wouldn't even want the nanny to use her phone while the kids are sleeping. Then someone else says that wouldn't work for me. Then someone else says I would never work for a parent that says they're into Waldorf!!!

Ok....except there is nothing anywhere that says that a parent that is interested in Waldorf wouldn't allow their nanny to use their phone while the kids were sleeping. So chill. Ask questions.

We can probably assume that a parent who was into Waldorf wouldn't allow screen time for the kid. They'll probably have natural toys. They'll probably ask a lot of the nanny in terms of planning for learning about nature, and cooking and home-based type activities that involve doing lots together. They won't be as concerned about teaching letters and numbers. They'll want the nanny to prepare whole foods for meals. Etc. That's really all we can assume.

I get that, but I also don't see anything wrong with me saying "wow. No tech? That wouldn't work for me. Note to self: skip Waldorf families." And if you look back, I added in a winking smiley to imply I was semi joking.

Why do you care what families I choose to work for or choose not to work for? It has zero effect on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be combative, truly. It just bugs me when threads get all spun up based on a statement that is complete assumption. So someone's says that Waldorf parents wouldn't want their kids to have tech tools. Then someone else says I bet they wouldn't even want the nanny to use her phone while the kids are sleeping. Then someone else says that wouldn't work for me. Then someone else says I would never work for a parent that says they're into Waldorf!!!

Ok....except there is nothing anywhere that says that a parent that is interested in Waldorf wouldn't allow their nanny to use their phone while the kids were sleeping. So chill. Ask questions.

We can probably assume that a parent who was into Waldorf wouldn't allow screen time for the kid. They'll probably have natural toys. They'll probably ask a lot of the nanny in terms of planning for learning about nature, and cooking and home-based type activities that involve doing lots together. They won't be as concerned about teaching letters and numbers. They'll want the nanny to prepare whole foods for meals. Etc. That's really all we can assume.

I get that, but I also don't see anything wrong with me saying "wow. No tech? That wouldn't work for me. Note to self: skip Waldorf families." And if you look back, I added in a winking smiley to imply I was semi joking.

Why do you care what families I choose to work for or choose not to work for? It has zero effect on you.

Respectfully, please reread and note that I said nothing about which families you choose to work for nor did I say anything about what should or should not be a requirement of a job you (or any other nanny) chooses. As you said, it's not my concern even a little. My concern in posting is that people that read this thread don't think, as someone implied, that parents who state an interest in Waldorf are necessarily going to completely restrict any and all screen time for anyone in their home. As I said, a potential nanny needs to "ask questions" of a parent that states an interest in this, as I'm sure there are also differing levels of commitment to the philosophy. That's really all I'm saying.

[Anonymous]

Op here.
Thank you. This is what I wanted to know.
I decided to forgo the job for somone who understands and is more accepting of that philopsphy.
I am pro tech for sure. And pro teaching number and couloirs and shapes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here.
Thank you. This is what I wanted to know.
I decided to forgo the job for somone who understands and is more accepting of that philopsphy.
I am pro tech for sure. And pro teaching number and couloirs and shapes.

Sounds like it wasn't a good fit for you. Hope you find something soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here.
Thank you. This is what I wanted to know.
I decided to forgo the job for somone who understands and is more accepting of that philopsphy.
I am pro tech for sure. And pro teaching number and couloirs and shapes.

How early would you push for that?

[Anonymous]

BTW, Waldorf schools absolutely do ask the parents to limit their own tech time. Here is the "media policy" from the acorn school in Silver Spring:

Waldorf pedagogy as well as current research indicates that exposure to
electronic media actually inhibits a child’s neurological, sensory, emotional and
social development (Resource list is available on request.) To support our work
with the children, we strongly recommend that parents eliminate electronic media
from their children’s lives. This is especially important for the young child from
birth through seven years.

Electronic media includes: TV, movies, VHS and DVD recordings, video games,
computers, and all other screen and audio devices such as cell/smart phones,
CD players, mp3 players, ipad, wii, radio and recorded music.

Families have found that reducing the influence of media on their family
encouraged a lively interest in one another, enlivened their communication and
deepened their connection to the world around them.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, I live in SF, and work for Google. Every single Waldorf family I know has a tv, and has cell phones. Generally the tvs are either covered (like with a tiny tablecloth type thing) or are in a tv cabinet that is closed. There's some specific criteria about what is okay to watch on tv.

A LOT of the parents who work for my company and other tech companies in Silicon Valley do not allow any screen time for their young children until they need it for school.

In my house, the tv is inside a closed cabinet. While the baby is sleeping we don't mind the nanny watching. DH and I have cell phones and laptops and I have an iPad. While we will use all in front of the toddler she does not use them. Maybe once a month or so, if we come across a slideshow of cute baby animals or penguins playing on a water slide, we'll show it to her. But she never plays games on a screen. She's never been handed a cell phone or iPad to keep her entertained. We asked our nanny not to text if the baby isn't otherwise occupied. We have asked that she tell her "My phone is not a toy," and not allow her to play with it and redirect her to her toys.

[Anonymous]

I have a huge issue with the no recorded music, that's depriving a child of important, critical art.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a huge issue with the no recorded music, that's depriving a child of important, critical art.

Seriously. No music?! Deal breaker in our house, where both parents are musicians!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a huge issue with the no recorded music, that's depriving a child of important, critical art.

Seriously. No music?! Deal breaker in our house, where both parents are musicians!

If you're musicians, don't you do live music? Who needs a recording?
Seems like you're missing the entire point.

[Anonymous]

So you deprive the kids of all the recordings of classical, blues, jazz, from history? Sorry, that's like not allowing them to see art. My house contains musicians as well and not having records would be akin to part of our lives dying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you deprive the kids of all the recordings of classical, blues, jazz, from history? Sorry, that's like not allowing them to see art. My house contains musicians as well and not having records would be akin to part of our lives dying.

Don't you sing?