Donate to LifeWays
Make a Donation to LifeWays and Be Part of the Revolution to:
~ Reclaim and protect childhood ~ Deepen family life ~ Change childcare in North America
Dear Friends of LifeWays,
If a child has been able in his play to give up his whole loving being to the world around him, he will be able, in the serious tasks of later life, to devote himself with confidence and power to the service of the world. – Rudolf Steiner
One of my favorite parts of the day is watching the children in my mixed-age kindergarten play in the morning—
“Farewell! I’m off to find a husband!” one five-year-old calls out. “Mama” reaches out to caress the cheek of the “baby” at her side and adds, “Well, at least I have my little honey here to keep me company. Goodbye!” Then mama turns to her kitchen and mixes up a batch of (acorn) muffins as her oldest daughter gallops off to other lands on the rug across the room.
With a class of eight to twelve children and a spacious amount of time, a community of play unfolds! Forts are built, beautifully decorated with seashells, colorful silks, ropes and necklaces. With dolls in arms and the youngest ones as family pets at their feet, my five-and-six-year-olds are generally leading the plot lines. The children move in and out of games and stories that are self-directed, while my co-teacher and I are working nearby, available to assist with conflict or broken-down forts. Their play is rich and it’s educating them on life, on work, on themselves and each other. It truly is serious business!
For thousands of families, the last few years have changed how they view schools and childcare. For the first time, often through the lens of virtual learning, parents have had an intimate look into their children’s daily lives that led to questioning methodologies and whether schools were truly meeting their needs. They have managed stringent government regulations, kept children home for extra hours and days, and felt the divisions of public health-turned-political trickle into their childcare programs and schools. They have experienced teacher burn-out and childcare shutdowns.
They have also made new and different choices. More families are keeping their children home for good, and more adults are reaching out to their local communities to start their own home care programs. More LifeWays programs and Waldorf schools are being enrolled in than ever before. More people are recognizing that LifeWays practices and principles truly value and honor childhood!
Participants of the LifeWays training, Fundamentals and online courses recognize that they can be the change that our nation’s schools and childcare programs desperately need. This past year over 60 parents, caregivers and educators participated in our certificate training and Fundamentals courses. They spent many hours in-person and online to complete their courses, and countless more making a difference in their homes and programs. And, it would not have been possible for some of them, were it not for financial assistance.
LifeWays believes that financial standing should not determine the quality of training one is able to take, nor should it dictate the quality of care our children are able to receive. The more care providers and educators that are able to take our training, the more children are able to experience a truly nurturing childhood.
This year we have planned three full year Certificate Trainings and three Fundamentals courses. That means as many as one hundred parents, care providers and educators will be embarking on the path to preserve childhood! With your donation today, you will be a part of making it possible for them, and for the children in their care.
As always, we thank you for your generosity and wish you blessings at this sacred time of year.
Warmly,
Acacia Moore, for the LifeWays Board
LifeWays North America
LifeWays North America is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, Tax ID 51-0554957. Donations are fully tax deductible.