In order to cultivate your child’s imagination and reinforce the work that is done in school, we strongly recommend that children watch no television, videos, movies, or play video and computer games. The strong influence of media in a child’s life is often clearly seen in the classroom. The effects of electronic media on children are well documented and recognized by many child development specialists and pediatricians. These include hyperactivity, sleep disruption, diminished attention span and aggressive behavior. The younger the child, the greater the damage. It is not only the content that is harmful, but also the actual physical and psychological processes involved in watching. The passivity of screen watching takes away valuable time spent exploring and interacting with the world.

Balay Sofia strongly encourages everyone- children and adults alike- to establish a healthy rhythm as this forms good habits and creates a sense of security and trust. The simple acts of bathing, eating, brushing, changing clothes and moving at an appropriate pace are transformed into good habits which the child will bring with him/her until she gets older. It also makes the daily routines less stressful for both the child and the parent.

Sleep. Lack of sleep may greatly affect a child’s ability to learn and interact with the class in a healthy manner. It is recommended by doctors and health experts that children should have a continuous, uninterrupted night sleep for an average of 11 hours (7 am to 6 am):

• 1 to 2 years old :12 to 14 hours of sleep

• 3 to 5 years old : 10 to 13 hours of sleep

• 6 to 13 years old : 9 to 11 hours of sleep

Preparing for school. Your child’s educational experience begins upon waking. The morning spent readying for school is a vital component in a child’s educational success. Waking, readying, and travel to school can be pleasant, consistent, and rhythmic as possible. A child who is awakened gently from the realm of sleep, who has a consistent and timely morning ritual, and who receives warm, nourishing breakfast is a child who is ready to begin a day of learning. Coming to school prepared and in a calm state of mind would encourage a more enjoyable and productive learning experience as well as better interactions with the class.

Parents are encouraged to regularly check their child’s bag to see if the materials or items that the student needs for school are ready (e.g. extra complete set of clothes, school materials if needed by the class). This practice will also enable the parents to check for any unnecessary or banned items that should not be brought to school by the child.

Sweets, chocolates fast food, junk food, pre-packaged drinks and other commercially processed food and drinks are known to cause obesity, cancer and other diseases and are highly correlated to behavioural concerns such as hyperactivity and changes in mood. These kinds of food, while attractive to children, do not have the necessary nutrients the body and brain needs to grow and stay healthy. Natural, home-cooked meals are highly encouraged.

“One thing must be thoroughly and fully recognized for this age in a child’s life: the physical body creates its own scale of measurement for what is beneficial to it. It does this by properly developing craving and desire. Generally speaking, we may say that the healthy physical body desires what is good for it... Children may be overfed with things that make them lose completely their healthy instinct for food, whereas by giving them the proper nourishment, the instinct can be preserved so that they always want what is wholesome for them under the circumstances.” ~Rudolf Steiner

Find out how the stories and activities of the day live in your child by being available for conversation and quiet moments. Children often will not or cannot provide information on demand. Simply asking, “How was your day?” almost always provokes a monosyllabic response. The quiet time just before sleep – after a nightly story, for instance – can be an especially fruitful opportunity for parents to hear real news of the day; older children may open up while occupied with their tasks – helping to prepare dinner, for example.

The primary way most parents are connected to the school is through their child’s teacher.

Teachers want and need to hear from parents about how various aspects of the curriculum unfold within each child. If you have particular concerns, voice them early. If you notice specific changes – positive or negative – in your child at home, make these known to the teacher.

Brief conversations take place with each child’s parents both at drop-off and pick-up time noting anything that the parents particularly want the teacher to be aware of that day and vice versa. Records of significant developmental steps of each child will be kept and shared with the parents.

If you are concerned about your child or a classroom situation, it is crucial that you share these concerns with your child’s teacher. The most effective way to deal with a situation is to discuss it directly with the teacher involved as soon as possible. Teachers want to stay connected to students and parents; they appreciate your involvement, and strive to address your concerns.

Another important reason for developing a strong parent and parent-teacher “community” for each class is to help “hold” the inevitable disputes, conflicts, disagreements and changing alliances that take place in children’s lives. It is also important to build a common ground for positive conversation among parents while the children are young. As children grow up, they begin to manifest more strongly both their own and their families’ differing beliefs and values. Parents model the ability to live in a diverse society by finding common ground together, the foundation for appreciating and respecting diversity.

Aside from community gatherings and festivals, parents are expected to attend the following:

Community General Assemblies are scheduled at least twice a year- one at the end of the 1^st quarter and the other, before the closing of the school year. During these assemblies, parents are update on the status and yearly plans of the school in relation to its mission and goals.

Parent-Teacher Conferences scheduled twice a year and they provide an opportunity to meet with the class teacher and focus on yo ur child’s progress in her/his schoolwork, in social relations, needs and well-being. Optimally, both parents and/or guardians should attend together.

Parent Tea Parties. Teachers arrange parent gatherings for their class. These are relaxed and informal, involving the teacher and all of the parents in discussions about the nature of Waldorf education and its ongoing evolution. Teachers outline the curriculum, broadly sketch the process, and share a picture of the class dynamics. Parents are encouraged to bring their questions and insights.

The more we know about Steiner/ Waldorf pedagogy – individually and collectively – the better equipped we will be to support the education we’ve chosen for our children.

Study groups. Balay Sofia hosts regular study groups for those who wish to study the works of Rudolf Steiner and related materials. If you are interested in this activity, please coordinate with your class parent representative.

Festivals, workshops and events. Throughout the year, the school will sponsor festivals, lectures and events covering various aspects of Waldorf education.

Read. You may also borrow books from the school library, download them from waldorflibrary.com or purchase them online. Below are books that

Support from our parent volunteers is an essential component of Balay Sofia and its community. We encourage parents to support fundraising efforts and join a committee based on their interests, skills and willingness to help out.

We will revert to either blended or full face-to-face classes once the Department of Education and local government allows it. Parents may, if they feel comfortable enough, allow their children to meet their classmates during the week and maybe even study together. Baguio has numerous beautiful parks and open spaces that can be used for this purpose.

Now more than ever, it is essential that we spend time and effort to build our community and maintain our special bonds. We suggest meeting up in the park, walking through the city, and taking advantage of the beauty around us.

Attending online community events, festivals and study groups. Taking the opportunity to connect with other parents online would also be a good way of keeping the community together and supporting each other.

Ask your Committee Admins (adminoffice@balaysofia.org) if they or the teachers need help with any tasks that can be done remotely (ex. marketing materials, facilitating a workshop, connecting with people, supporting a fundraiser, creative work, etc)

We welcome donations to our tuition assistance initiatives at any time to help support. Your support gives struggling families the opportunity to experience a Waldorf education even during these tough economic times. https://steiner.edu/give

Yes. Festivals are an important part of the curriculum and the life of the school community. Whenever possible, we will celebrate festivals face-to-face and when it is not, we will celebrate them online.