Children live in the present, do not worry much about the future and forget the past easily. This is due, among other factors, to the fact that they do not have a well-developed perception of time. In fact, it is not until they are around 5 or 6 years old that they are able to understand the meaning of temporality and learn to distinguish today from tomorrow.
However, if you want to start explaining the passage of time from an early age, there are some resources that can help children understand this concept more easily, such as the Waldorf calendar.
What is a Waldorf calendar?
The Waldorf Calendar is an annual interactive calendar that represents the twelve months of the year and its four seasons. Taking up the principles of the Montessori philosophy, it is an excellent resource for children to understand the cycle of time throughout the year and become familiar with the changes of the seasons. As a general rule, the calendar has a circular shape and is divided into 12 sections. Each one represents a month and each month is usually represented by a specific color. How to stop losing patience with children?
Usually, the summer months are usually represented in warm and orange tones while for the autumn months reddish and purple tones are used. Likewise, cold and bluish colors are usually preferred to represent the winter months while greenish tones are identified with the spring months.
Each section is further divided into four weeks and, in the outermost area of the calendar, the days of the week are located. Undoubtedly, a very simple and visual way for children to understand how time passes and learn to relate the passing of days with that of weeks and months.
How does a Waldorf calendar work?
The Waldorf calendar is much more than just a representation of days, weeks and months. It is an interactive calendar in which children must mark each day as time progresses. Its use is based on two fundamental issues: the pieces and the colors.
In general, this type of calendar contains three types of pieces: those that represent the months or seasons, those of the weeks and the balls of the days. Likewise, each type of piece has a range of colors to represent the different seasons, months, weeks and days. How to integrate all these pieces and colors to make sense of the calendar? It is very simple.
It begins by placing the corresponding piece by month and season. Then, either the beginning of a week is marked and then a ball is placed on the outer contour for each day that passes, or the outer balls are placed first for each day and when the week is completed, the piece is placed. that represents her. At the end of the month, all the balls of the days are removed and the following month opens, placing the corresponding piece and the cycle begins again.
Some calendars have added pieces to represent special dates such as birthdays, the beginning of the course, a relevant celebration or any other important date. A simple way for children to count down the days until they reach that celebration. At the end of the year, the calendar is complete and has all the pieces in place.
3 benefits of the Waldorf calendar for children
The Waldorf calendar is much more than a resource to quantify time, it is a very practical tool to stimulate child development. Its use both at home and at school contributes to:
- Promote the establishment of routines. Routines not only help children to organize themselves better, but also contribute to their emotional stability and make them feel safe, so it is important that children learn to develop good habits as soon as possible. Dedicating a moment each day to complete the Waldorf calendar can become an excellent exercise with which to teach children to create routines in their daily lives.
- Develop your temporal perception. The Waldorf calendar is a very useful visual and interactive resource to explain to children what time is and how the days, weeks and months pass throughout a year. A way for them to also develop their perception of time and learn how calendars work.
- Stimulate abstract thinking. Time is an intangible measure that requires a certain level of brain maturity and a superior capacity for understanding. Therefore, using a Waldorf calendar to understand the passage of time is not only a good resource to help children develop their notion of temporality but also their abstract thinking.
5 Waldorf calendars perfect for the little ones at home
1. Ludimat stackable Waldorf calendar
If you are looking for a Waldorf calendar to teach the little ones at home how time passes, this Ludimat model is perfect. Incorporating some principles of Montessori pedagogy, it consists of a wooden base with stackable pieces that represent the different months and seasons of the year. Handcrafted, it also includes balls of different colors for the days of the week. It is worth noting that the dyes and paints used in its preparation are water-based and do not contain toxins.
2. Waldorf calendar with wooden figures from El Taller Aserrín Aserrán
Are the little ones at home already curious to know how time passes? With this Waldorf calendar you will make it much easier. It is a design made with great care, in an artisanal way, which in addition to the wooden base includes 36 colored balls for the days of the week, 12 figures that represent the months, 5 rings for the weeks and other figures for the days of the week. special occasions. And it’s safe for children! Non-toxic, water-based paints have been used in its manufacture to give it color and beeswax to achieve a glossier finish.
3. Ludimat Interactive Waldorf Calendar
Practical and very cool, this Waldorf calendar is perfect for children to begin to understand the concept of time in a simple and very visual way. Handcrafted, it includes a wooden base, different trees that represent the seasons of the year, small gnomes to identify the months and colored balls for the days. It also comes with a cloth bag to keep the pieces safe. Approved in the EU, it is safe for children since the dyes and paints that have been used are water-based and do not contain toxic substances.
4. Waldorf wooden calendar from El Taller Aserrín Aserrán
If you are looking for a Waldorf calendar with which children understand the passage of time and that will accompany them for many years, this model from El Taller Aserrín Aserrán is an excellent alternative. Made of quality pine wood, it includes different pieces so that children can complete the calendar as the year progresses. From colored balls for the days and wooden rings for the weeks to a candle for the center, it has everything kids need to complete the calendar. In addition, it is safe since no toxic substances have been used in its preparation.
5. Ludimat Weekly Waldorf Calendar
If you are looking for a simple Waldorf calendar to familiarize children with this system, this weekly model from Ludimat will come in handy. Its operation is very similar to that of a traditional Waldorf calendar, which unlike these is much simpler since it only contains space to mark the passing of weeks and days. Having fewer pieces is also easier to manipulate. It is worth noting that it is made in a traditional way based on wood.