Celebrating the season’s festivals is one of the most beautiful aspects to Waldorf education, and a favorite with children as well. Here are some of the season’s many festivals, and a few resources to help make each a cherished tradition for years to come.
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Summer Solstice :: June 21st. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year. The Sun reaches its most northern point in the sky at local noon. After this date, the days start getting shorter.
4th of July :: The celebration of Independence Day in the United States.
Lammas, Lughnasad or Harvest – Traditionally celebrated on August 1st.
The following is a list of wonderful books and websites that will give you more information on each of these festivals (as well as many others), and that will help you and your family celebrate each to its fullest.
The Children’s Year by Stephanie Cooper, Christine Fynes-Clinton and Marye Rowling
All Year Round by Ann Druitt, Christine Fynes-Clinton and Marje Rowling
Festivals Together: A Guide to Multi-Cultural Celebration by Sue Fitzjohn, Minda Weston and Judy Large
A Child’s Seasonal Treasury by Betty Jones
Circle Round by Starhawk, Diane Baker and Anne Hill
Festivals, Family and Food by Diana Carey and Judy Large
Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children by Sharifa Oppenheimer
Beyond the Rainbow Bridge: Nurturing our Children from Birth to Seven by Barbara J. Patterson, Pamela Bradley and and Jean Riordan
The International Association for Waldorf Early Childhood Education
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This piece was compiled by the editors of Rhythm of The Home.