Okay, so if you are a never-ending researching Mama (or educator) like myself, you may have heard of the Waldorf Method. **UPDATE* I just found another, better link for the Waldorf Method information, click HERE to view it- it’s just amazing ….** In my mind it is based on nature and all things natural and fosters a love of learning and adventure. Children learn to do things with their hands like garden, work with fabric, paint, etc. The foundation of their educational philosophy is similar to other proven methods (which we in America see to have strayed from, btw)- children learn through play and use of their imagination. Here is an excerpt from the link above:
My fondest memories from my childhood are those of my brother and I running around the pastures and woods at my Memaw’s house, pretending. I would dress up in all sorts of spare fabrics my grandma had stashed for me. My absolute favorite piece was a super shiny, silk black with shimmery gold patterns on it. Interestingly, in my research on all things Waldorf, I learned that this method uses what Mamas call “silks”- large, soft, silky fabrics to enliven the imagination! They can become forts, dresses, blankets … anything a child wants!
Have I ever mentioned how GINORMIS my imagination was as a child? Wow .. I had a basket of flowers that acted as my chicken when I was Dorothy from Return to Oz. Weekly I dressed in my very best attire, hat and umbrella included, to rescue children as Mary Poppins, and my personal favorite- Jeremy and I stomping through the woods, BB guns and walking sticks in hand as Conan The Barbarian, or characters from the XMen comic books he so loved (I was always Jubilee or Storm).
Okay, back on topic. So, how did I come about this whole Waldorf thing? Long story short, the wonderful girl who made Lexie’s birthday outfit, also makes clothes for Waldorf dolls. I didn’t know that’s what they are called, but the minute I laid eyes on the absolute to-die-for yarns and colors of these dolls, I had to have one for Lexie (or me? … no no no. lexie…)
So, I did a little research on these unique dolls, with their very emotion neutral and simple faces they are very old fashioned and SO NOT CREEPY (yay). They have these soft chubby bodies made of 100% pure cotton for the skin and warm, carded and washed wool insides. This is so the doll picks up the smells of home and also become warm when snuggled and loved. Their hair is hand spun and dyed from different wools, all of which which is usually harvested by a local family to the doll maker, yes even today! Of course there are commercial versions of these dolls, but they lack the love, care, hard work, and detail of a real Waldorf style doll.
Can you tell I am in heaven? She had to have one… Due to the great, natural fabrics and high quality materials used to make Waldorf dolls, they do not come cheap.. fortunately for her, I put back a bit here and there for special Lexie gifts. You can have a Waldorf doll specially made for your child, but these are usually quite more pricey ($140+) than buying one ready for a home. There are makers on sites like Etsy, which is where Lexie’s new friend came from. When she is a bit older, and continues to show a love for dolls, I will get her a larger, more personalized doll (or maybe attempt making one myself?). But for now, this one screamed “Lexie Raye!” at me for several days until I finally decided to get it for her.
Her name is Shelby, which just seemed like a perfect little Southern name for my country bumpkin’s doll, and she is 11″. This is a small doll, as many of the Waldorf dolls are 13-18″. Can’t you just imagine toting her everywhere and playing with all that hair?! Aaah, having babies really does bring out the inner child in you.
Here is the description from her creator, Lemonsandlimesutah