Testimonials

- You will find further testimonials under many of our specific resources -

I've been meaning to post about Joyful Movement and never seem to have the time! My youngest is 8 years old and was diagnosed 18 months ago with Asperger's/ADHD. We have a team of therapists working with our family on an almost daily basis. Since summer, I've been sharing more and more about the Waldorf philosophy with them. Our daily therapist (who has been w/us since May - our old therapist went back to law school!) comes to our home, and she's been interested simply because our home has such a different feel than the other homes she's in. (Our 16 yo dd and 12 yo ds are also homeschooled.) Our daily therapist is a sweet, gentle person who helps Gracie by coming along side her and modeling. She has not only been open to but has embraced much of Waldorf. After I showed her Joyful Movement, she took it to a staff meeting and they all were very impressed. Our therapist has begun an hour each morning of small motor, large motor, movement, tongue twisters, bouncing, cross-midline, brain-gym, yoga and memorization with Gracie each morning, most of it from Joyful Movement. (Different things on different days, obviously! Not everything each day.) She mentioned that the other therapists all wanted the author/title info so they could get their own copies, too.

Some mornings I find them out walking chalk spirals on our driveway. They've been drawing with their toes, passing beanbags around, bouncing, tricking each other with tongue twisters and riddles, forming shapes with dough behind their backs, etc. Our "team" of therapists are traditional behavioral therapists, provided by the State by law, who have various psychology or special ed degrees from bachelors up to doctorate. They've been very impressed with everything Donna has suggested for Gracie (we're subscribers to Donna's service) and all the materials they have seen so far - particularly Joyful Movement. It is exactly what Gracie needs right now, and they found that her coping skills, attention, communication, and maturity skills have skyrocketed in the past 4 months of doing an hour daily or Joyful Movement. Last week our daily therapist's supervisor came for an audit - she has a master's in art therapy. She was very impressed by the crossing the midline exercises and the dough-shaping exercises in Joyful Movement. She said something like, "Where did you learn about this? Most people don't realize how effective these [simple-looking exercises] really are! They think they're a waste of time but they're SO necessary."

So, if you're even considering beginning to put movement into your mornings, I can highly recommend it as a parent. I can also tell you that over a dozen therapists were really blown away by the ideas, the effectiveness and the whole approach. Our daily therapist is working on a degree in special ed, and she's taken stuff she learned at my house and used them in her class work, and her professor was really impressed. So I just wanted to share what a truly therapeutic, restorative - but easy - resource it is. Even my older two will gladly get involved with the group things - lots of giggles, lots of fun! This is a very unpolished and choppy review - but I wanted to get it written and sent off while my barley soup was cooking! :)

Lauri B.

For further reviews of Joyful Movement see here

Hello Donna,

First, I would like to send a huge THANK YOU. A few years ago you helped us through consultation. Our oldest daughter, Grace, now 8 1/2, was diagnosed with an Autism realm disorder called PDD. We felt strongly that her challenges were due to immunizations. You encouraged us to seek the help of a homeopath, which we did. You also encouraged us to have a peaceful homelife and to incorporate Waldorf philosophies into our homelife. Which we did. The healing Grace has experienced has been a wonderful blessing! I could to on and on! I recently met with a school psychologist who was reviewing Grace's history and asking me about her current behavior. She just kept saying, "Interesting, kids don't just get over autism".

Cari

Donna,

I found Christopherus a couple of weeks ago and it has been such a blessing. I think I read nearly every word on your website in the first few days! I've listened to several of your audio downloads. Your voice is so calming and reassuring, to say nothing of the helpful content. All I can say is that I feel inspired and empowered, in a word, nurtured, in my role as a mother and as a woman. I felt myself exhale. I hadn't realized I was holding my breath! It was like 'oh my god, somebody out there gets me. Somebody out there knows what I'm trying to do better than I do and she's done it, AND she's willing to share her insight and wisdom!'

Thank you! Thank you!
Most sincerely,

Areatha

Thank you so much for the wonderful talk [the Third Grade audio download]. It has filled me with positive feelings for the coming year with my nine year old. I have been homeschooling for 3 years as a Waldorf inspired parent but I have always struggled with a sense that I was not doing enough for her - my idealism and sometimes the concerns of friends who are Waldorf teachers has weighed heavily on me and made it hard to teach with lightness and joy. Your approach to the curriculum has freed me from the weight of past years - I look forward to a long and rewarding journey of learning with you.

Roisin

Dear Donna,

I'm absolutely thrilled with the books that I've purchased from you! We are into our Language Arts block, and Madison, my six year old, is loving every minute of the Prince's adventure with the Wise Woman. I am too. This is the most creative and fun way to learn! Maddie asked me today on her way down the hall......."Mom how does a "j" go again?"......and then before she turned the corner.....in the most satisfied voice she said, " never mind, I know, ....like the jester." My husband is in school full time right now, and very busy with his studies. Maddie can't wait to show him, when he comes home, her latest pictures in her main lesson book. She's so proud of what she's learned and of her artwork. It feels so rewarding to watch her shine like this. As I've shared with you before, we are new to the Waldorf approach, and I am continually grateful that we've found it, and you. What a difference your books have brought to our home. We love circle time so much more now that we've been using the Joyful Movement book. My two year old son and four year old daughter join in singing and clapping. Many, many thanks for all your hard work!

Mary G.

I often find myself remembering comments that you made during your workshop. Your understanding is reliable, sensible, and full of practical wisdom. Thank you for bringing it home for me. I know I have a mentor with whom to share this journey. Your charismatic, candid presentation offers reassurance and balance on the how's and why's of creating a Waldorf setting at home. May you return again and again.

Fondly, Stacy Hillegas

Thank you Donna for writing this book! [The Christopherus Waldorf Curriculum Overview for Homeschoolers] What a treasure it is! I wish I had this book two years ago when we began our Waldorf homeschooling journey. The Overview is thorough, comprehensive, encouraging, supportive and very user-friendly. It does such a fine job of addressing the needs of the homeschooler who is working to adapt what is taught in Waldorf schools to the home environment. You show how homeschooling with Waldorf is indeed accessible and need not be overwhelming. Reading this book helped me put things into perspective and see things in a whole new light. In reading this book, I have come across many things that resonate deeply - they are just what I need to "hear". I am highly recommending this book to my friends and anyone else who is looking to homeschooling with Waldorf..

Warmly, Kathy (Florida)

Thanks so much for traveling to The Woodlands and sharing your wisdom and experience with us. I have had trouble being flexible in my homeschooling and have felt that if I didn't follow the curriculum my child was not getting the Waldorf influence I wanted for her. Its probably because much of Waldorf doesn't come naturally to me. I don't feel very creative, I'm still searching for my spiritual connection to this life, rhythm doesn't come easily to me...
But the messages I found most valuable from your workshop are:

The character your child develops in her home and school life is so much more important than the content of her school lessons. (It will take a lot of work for me to remember that point and bring it into our daily living).
Duplicating a Waldorf school at home won't work
Setting a mood for main lesson and stories etc is important. (We often rushed through work to get to the next thing that had to be done).

Julie Hartling

Donna, I am very excited to learn you are writing a kindergarten book!! I have recently received my edition of the Waldorf Curriculum Overview you wrote and am so pleased! Although I am only in the middle of it, I am enjoying it thoroughly. I have to say how much I love what you say about the stay-at-home parent/homemaker/educator. I have never received so many positive, thoughtfully expressed ideas from any other source. This book is just what I have been searching for, with great frustration, for several years now. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

Elizabeth in TX

Hi Donna,

I have been using your 1st Grade Syllabus, and almost every other book in your homeschool series that is age appropriate for my 5 and almost 8 year old daughters! I am thoroughly enjoying the whole concept, and experience, of teaching this way, even though I had had no previous experience with Waldorf at all. You have done a super job and really made our first year of homeschooling a great experience. Our almost 8 year old was in public school for 1st grade last year and I took her out of there in March because it was not working well, to say the least, for her. She was actually diagnosed with anxiety, but her teacher had repeatedly talked to me because she thought my daughter had Asperger's syndrome or something along that line due to her behavior. We are all at home now and everything is going great!
Thank you!

Cassandra

I just placed an order for Saints and Heroes and 2nd grade Math. I was trying to get along without ordering them, using the many other resources that I have, but I was realizing that I was missing your voice, conciseness and direction. I constantly struggle with the balance of unschooling and getting in the Waldorf framework. Your books make me feel like I can check off certain Waldorf principles balancing it with our natural family rhythms and my dd’s interests.

Ellen

I've listened to your discipline download twice
now thank you :)

Some of the things have had me go "hmm ... disagree" but then I've gone back or thought over it and had "aha ... yep, get it now" or thought "well I do that differently but yes that's a really good way of looking at it". I've also had a few "oh I wish I'd thought of that" or "definitely need to improve on that in my own parenting" moments.

Basically, I reckon that anyone who is having thoughts about "why is my message not getting across with my little one?" would find the discipline audio download very useful...

Kind regards, Kite (UK)

I've just ordered three more of your books... I have had time to look through the [First Grade] Syllabus more thoroughly and I am even more impressed. My deepest gratitude... to you for all the dedication and love-filled work that went into these publications.

Carey (New York)

I also have Donna's stuff and I agree that it is very well put together! The resources at the back of each section have been very helpful and I feel as if she is speaking directly to me when I read them. Her first grade syllabus is wonderful for the layout and the scheduling worksheets have been an inspiration...

... As a former traditional school teacher Donna's books have helped guide me through waldorf in my new quest for educating myself. I feel her prices are affordable and her books will not only provide much for my children but for me also.

Misty Nielsen (Larkspur, CA)

I have to give you another great reason for the audio downloads-- husbands! I've been unsuccessfully trying to synthesize all the reading that I've been doing for mine. After listening to you for an hour, my husband was enthusing about Waldorf and completely on board!

Nichole

I was up until 3:00 this a.m., attempting to absorb as much of your wisdom, through your latest work of art!! I received it yesterday and decided to just browse through it last night, I couldn't put it down.........you did it, wonderful teacher! You've pulled together your wisdom, experience, resources, patience and humor to share with the homeschooling community......many, many kudos to you!! It's easy reading, great resources, inspiring ideas and very supportive.......a very heartfelt thank you to you and your family, as I am sure they were giving of their time. The extensive resource listing alone must have taken a lot of time to pull together! I really appreciated your gentle reminders throughout, of the importance of balance/middle way and of the need to respect each child's speed of development. As a mother of a "late" reader it is a constant struggle against that which has been ingrained (through my schooling) and societal expectations. Again, thank you so very much my friend for all of the thoughtful work you have put into your Waldorf Curriculum Overview!

Lots of love and laughter!
Monica (Minneapolis)

Thank you so much for your informative and encouraging website. I've been receiving the newsletter for some time, and it is such a relief to hear a "kindred spirit" in this day of intellectual and social push for such young children.

Jennifer

I just wanted to tell you that your workshop in Houston gave my teaching a soul. I had some ideas as to what Waldorf was all about. However, after getting the information you shared it is a part of me now. I understand on a soul level my job as their mother. Thank you.

In love and light, Linda Didsbury

Every parent embarking on the homeschool journey should have a mentor, a guide who has traveled a similar path. I am heartened to know I have such a knowledgeable, wise guide who is just a phone call away. Thank you, Donna, for your support.

Copland Rudolph (Michigan)

LOVED it!!! [The Third Grade Audio Download] Thank you Donna for pulling together so many of the threads of the nine year old child and the third grade year. You not only helped me feel good about what I am already doing, but you really gave me some solid ideas for ways to expand or bring in elements I hadn't even considered.

I have found that moving beyond the early years of homeschooling a child in a waldorf manner (without buying a package) becomes really challenging as the majority of terrific resources focus on the younger children. I have been planning our third grade year for a while now and I am so excited about all the wonderful experiences that the ninth year brings in. I have been, however feeling rather alone in my planning and grasping of different lessons such as the Old Testament, or even that reading subject. I must say that your talk was really helpful in reminding me about what I'm doing and why and now I am just filled with excitement for this great adventure we have ahead of us.

Thank you for expanding into the older elementary years. I will eagerly await the fourth grade talk!!!

Kari