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Babiekins Magazine

A Trendsetting Magazine & Online Community For The Trendsetting Child + Parent

My First Year at a Waldorf School

By Grace Spath 2 Comments

Waldorf_NeedlesandSpinesThis year my eldest child started kindergarten at a Waldorf charter school. Here are my biggest take aways from this first year.

  1. Simplicity. Keep life simple. The simpler the toys, the better the imagination and creativity. The simpler the home, the easier the chores. The simpler a choice is, the easier it is to make it. The simpler a daily rhythm, the easier it is to keep. Too many choices, too many things to do, and too much stuff can lead to over stimulation and frustration. I love this simple, soft, and versatile shirt from Paulinka. It can be dressy, it can be casual, it can go along with any imaginative play a child might have. Simple, yet versatile options like this make mornings happier.
  2. Childhood is not a race. We so often rush children through the journey of childhood in order to accomplish goals. The magic of childhood is so often lost in the rat race of academics, running from one activity to another, and maturing beyond ones years. Childhood is so fleeting, it should be cherished and protected. Children will learn in their own time and in their own way if we allow them to first be themselves.
  3. Embrace and honor the changing of seasons. I really love this, and it is a big part of the Waldorf curriculum. Keeping your life seasonal helps to establish a yearly rhythm, keeps you grounded and present, and helps you be more observant in daily life. Embracing seasons also allows you to draw parallels between the ebbs and flows of the earth to the ups and downs of life. There are many rituals and festivals that go along with the changing of seasons and become fun traditions to look forward too.
  4. Children are capable of entertaining themselves for long lengths of time without media, if given the chance to learn how. The first month of school was a media fast- 0 screens for an entire month. It was hard, I wont lie. The kids asked daily to watch a show and when the answer was no, quite a scene followed. Fast forward 10 months and my children never watch TV. On the rare occasion they ask to, and the answer is no, they move onto something else. We  even went on a 7 hour road trip not too long ago with no screens and no fighting. Whats the key? Like everything else in life – it takes time, practice and patience.

I understand a Waldorf curriculum and these choices are not for everyone. The beauty of life is that we are all different and we are all in this together. I am only stating the lessons I have learned and philosophies I have come to love through my first years journey at a Waldorf school. Please leave me a comment if you would love to hear more on any of these areas.

Waldorf_NeedlesandSpines
Waldorf_NeedlesandSpines

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Waldorf_NeedlesandSpinesWaldorf_NeedlesandSpinesWaldorf_NeedlesandSpines

Contributed and photographed by Grace Spath | Shirt by Paulinka, Skirt and Pixie Bonnet by Indi Scout | Model: Scarlet Spath

Filed Under: Fun Tagged With: #babiekinsmag, Babiekins, babiekins mag, Babiekins Magazine, children's style, homeschool, Imagination, indi scout, kids fashion, kids magazine, kids style, magical, nature, needlesandspines, Paul inka, school kins, simple style, simplicity, waldorf Posted By: Grace Spath

Featurekins // Nature Study

By Julie Martin, Contributor Leave a Comment

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you. –

Frank Lloyd Wright

Featurekins // Nature Study

Featurekins // Nature Study

Featurekins // Nature Study

Featurekins // Nature Study

Featurekins // Nature Study

Featurekins // Nature Study

Photography | Julie A. Martin
Model | Kaegan

Filed Under: Shop Tagged With: Babiekins, black and white, editorial, Fashion, fine art, nature, tween Posted By: Julie Martin, Contributor

Featurekins // A Day in the Trees

By Julie Martin, Contributor 1 Comment

“The earth has music for those who listen.”
― George Santayana

Featurekins // A Day in the Trees

Featurekins // A Day in the Trees

Featurekins // A Day in the Trees

Featurekins // A Day in the Trees

Featurekins // A Day in the Trees

Featurekins // A Day in the Trees

Featurekins // a Day in the Trees

Photography: Julie A Martin | Model: Elizabeth | Styling: Martha Schuster

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: childhood, fine art photography, nature Posted By: Julie Martin, Contributor

Schoolkins // Studying Nature

By Bethany Douglass, Former Contributor

Schoolkins // Studying NatureSschoolkins // Studying Nature by Bethany Douglass

Although I spent much time outdoors playing and camping as a child, I never would have termed myself a naturalist. My family and I loved nature, but in all of our time there, I never recall formally studying nature together. Of course, I learned about the natural cycles in elementary school, and in my older school years, I studied animals and plant parts with more detail, but somehow in my young mind, the two worlds remained entirely separate: one part formal academic study and another part an environment for our family life. Years later, when I first began homeschooling, I always wanted to find a way to incorporate more connection between our love of the outdoors and natural learning. Can children and adults enjoy nature without formal study of it? Of course! But what a gift to connect both a love and knowledge of the world around us.

But let’s be honest. Nature studies can feel intimidating. If you’ve browsed social media or the internet, you’ve already discovered beautiful nature projects parents and children are creating together, and it can feel paralyzing if it’s not your own strength. I’m letting you know nature studies do not have to be intimidating or paralyzing. During our many years in homeschooling, we’ve studied and enjoyed the natural world in a variety of beautiful, yet casual manners. The most important part is including it in your routine in a manner which fits your own style and home rhythm. Here’s a few ways we’ve included our love of nature in our own days.

naturestudies_bethanydouglass-7 Schoolkins // Studying Nature

Walk.

Whether you live in a city neighborhood or a rural countryside, walking is the best way to slowly discover. You may simply notice the types of flowers that are blooming or discuss why the leaves fall. Why are leaves different in shape? What is their purpose? Is the grass in the field the same as the grass in your own yard? Do all the bird songs sound the same? Is one louder than the others? These type of questions can be conversational, and most importantly teach you and your children to pause and notice.

Collect.

Grammar and preschool-aged children might enjoy collecting various leaves or bugs to touch and observe more closely. Use the internet or your own books to help identify them. We often do this in our garden to identify bugs as friend or foe.

Schoolkins // Studying NatureSchoolkins // Studying Nature

Read.

Each library trip, we pick up a few new books on science and nature. In early years, they went through their own interests thoroughly and might not move on until they had read/looked at every book our library had on the subject, be it sharks or turtles or penguins or whales. As they have grown older, I’ve noticed my children are more interested in the processes. For instance, how does a tree grow or a bird lay an egg? Some of our favorite books are: anything by Steve Jenkins, Animalium, Nature Anatomy, and Farm Anatomy and vintage nature books we discover in used book stores. 

Schoolkins // Studying NatureSchoolkins // Studying Nature

Draw | Paint | Write

We have not consistently kept nature journals in our home. Like most children, my own love art, so they often draw or paint what inspires them in nature, but we have not organized this in a very tidy way. I’m trying to change that this year, as they’re all getting a little older and are able to keep their own work organized. Our family rarely carries notebooks around with us on our walks or hikes. Instead, we take photographs or collect plants or small insents in paper bags or jars to bring home with us. Sometimes we simply observe and then look at images in books or online afterward. Do whatever style works for you.

As for supplies, if you'd like to bring your notebooks along, make sure to find a bound notebook. Strathmore makes lovely ones in various sizes. We use individual cardstock found at an office supply store and collect paintings and drawings together in one binder (per child). We use Lyra colored pencils–the Ferby tri-grip for little hands and the Rembrandt for the older children–and Stockmar watercolors for our paintings. The children label what they illustrate and often write a sentence of something interesting or even silly they learned about their creature or plant. When it dries, they slide it into a sheet protetcor in their binder. 

Form a nature group.

When my children were younger, I met with a local nature group weekly to have a walk with our children and then have lunch together in the park. We met in different parts of our town, and when possible, had someone specific share about the habitat. This was perfect for that part of our life.  We don't formally meet with a group in our community now, but we've learned to enjoy one another in this way. As my children have grown older, I realize they want to grow in their own relationships with nature. I'm grateful for our time of study that helps foster it. 

 

Filed Under: Fun Tagged With: books for homeschooling, education, homeschool, homeschooling a child, how to prepare for homeschooling, nature, nature journals, School, schoolkins Posted By: Bethany Douglass, Former Contributor

Animalium

By Ashley Williamson, Former Contributor Leave a Comment

Babiekins Magazine | Storykins  AnimaliumBabiekins Magazine | Storykins  AnimaliumBabiekins Magazine | Storykins  AnimaliumBabiekins Magazine | Storykins  AnimaliumBabiekins Magazine | Storykins  AnimaliumBabiekins Magazine | Storykins  AnimaliumBabiekins Magazine | Storykins  Animalium

Raising a tiny explorer means I am constantly seeking out new inspirations for her. She loves learning about animals and thirsts for picture books that she can use for her endless artworks. Animalium Curated by Katie Scott & Jenny Broom is the perfect book. Set up like a museum, Animalium explains how animals have evolved over time, shows little people inside the dissection laboratory and introduces animals from every corner of the earth.

In Piper’s words, “this book is filled with the prettiest and scariest animals and I like skates and I want to read this book forever.” Animalium kept her captivated and her little eyes widened as she studied the amazingly detailed illustrations and asked a million questions about each one! Each chapter in the book features a different branch from the tree of life, from reptiles to birds to mammals. Boys and girls alike will love this endlessly inspired find.

A book that can be read again and again, used for school projects, drawing stimulus and even as the perfect wall display on a shelf above their beds. The first of a series of “virtual museums” by the same creators. We have added it to her birthday need list.

Credits // Piper’s top and skirt by Bobo Choses | Plastic Animals Schliech | Art Supplies from Little Snail | Stuffed Toy by Lucky Boy Sunday

Filed Under: Fun Tagged With: Babiekins, Babiekins Magazine, bobo choses, education, kids fashion magazine, kids magazine, learning, little snail, lucky boy sunday, nature, reading, schliech, storykins, top magazine Posted By: Ashley Williamson, Former Contributor

Fashionkins // Illusory by Nisha Todd

By Leslie Schor, Senior Fashion Editor Leave a Comment

Illusory…

This shoot was inspired by children that grow up in the city and the way in which their experience with nature is so different than that of children that live in the countryside. There is an idea of nature in cities that is quite artificial. Nature is forced to be very clean and perfect, exactly as people want to see it, especially with the way that nature is being incorporated more and more with city architecture such as with ‘Living Walls’. This photo story shows a city girl surrounded by nature that looks exactly as she would like it, which is colorful, playful and pretty.

Babiekins Magazine|Featurekins//Illusory by Nisha Todd

Babiekins Magazine|Featurekins//Illusory by Nisha Todd

Babiekins Magazine|Featurekins//Illusory by Nisha Todd

Babiekins Magazine|Featurekins//Illusory by Nisha Todd

Babiekins Magazine|Featurekins//Illusory by Nisha Todd

Babiekins Magazine|Featurekins//Illusory by Nisha Todd

Babiekins Magazine|Featurekins//Illusory by Nisha Todd

Babiekins Magazine|Featurekins//Illusory by Nisha Todd

Photographer & Stylist: Nisha Todd|Model: Darcy Jones| Clothes & Accessories:Primark , John Lewis

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: #babiekinsmag, Art, Babiekins, Babiekins Magazine, childrens editorial, editorial, Fashion, fashion kids, kids fashion magazine, kids trends, nature, nisha todd, primark, spring Posted By: Leslie Schor, Senior Fashion Editor


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Copyright © 2023 · Babiekins Magazine | A Trendsetting Kids' Fashion Magazine and Online Community for Parents and Children Alike · Since the Southern California birth of Babiekins in 2010, the magazine has grown from into an internationally-recognized print publication with a global circulation and now a thriving online community. We are more than a kids’ fashion magazine. We search everywhere for inspiration, and go beyond trends to bring you fashion, style, decor, design, books, DIY, parties, and playthings. Our readers look to us to keep up with the best and most up-to-date concepts in the children’s market worldwide. We have an eye for quirk. We’re high-fashion, but we value whimsy over tradition. Playful childhood is more important to us than making kids into copycat adults. We believe life is beautiful, life is valuable, and life changes when you see it through the eyes of a child. We seek to transcend skin color, language and zip codes and bring out the real, wild, magical creativity inherent in every child. And behind Babiekins is an optimistic team of mothers-turned-editors, working from home, often with our own little babiekins climbing on, under and around the desks. We want to encourage you, and challenge you to see something different — something special — in yourself and in this world we all share. Welcome to Babiekins!

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