Reading can be a great way to explore Waldorf parenting, but there are so many books out there it’s hard to know where to start. The books listed below can be read from cover to cover, but are also wonderful reference books to have on hand and reach for when you are looking for something specific.

Here are my top five:

1. You Are Your Child’s First Teacher – Rahima Baldwin Dancy

Rahima’s book is an excellent reference book for parents of children from birth to age six. It was the first book that I read after my son was born and is a lovely introduction to Steiner’s work. She covers the importance of the parent role during the early years, how children grow into their body from a Steiner perspective and she details child development from birth to three years. Dancy discusses the challenges of parenting toddlers, the importance of rhythm in daily life, toilet training and sibling rivalry. She also covers how to nourish your child’s imagination and develop their artistic and musical abilities. I’ve since read this book multiple times and always gain something new from it.

2. Seven Times the Sun – Shea Darian

This book beautifully discusses the importance of rhythm and ritual in daily life. It is full of rhymes and songs to aid transition times and bring joy to any time of the day. Darian also provides contemporary retellings of Grimms’ fairytales, making them accessible and easy for parents to learn. Seven Times the Sun is a lovely reference book to have on hand and dip into when you are looking for a new song or rhyme to bring to your day.

3. Waldorf Games Handbook for the Early Years – Kim John Payne, Cory Waletzko  and Valerie Baadh Garrett

This comprehensive handbook is all you will ever need to enrich your child’s day with games, rhymes and songs. If you are looking for a book filled with Waldorf inspired rhymes that go beyond the more common nursery rhymes, then this is the one to buy. This book is aimed at children aged 3 – 7, but I have used it with my son since he was 18 months old. The games and rhymes are divided into age recommendations and broken into sections by the type of game including; clapping, beanbag, counting, rainy day and skipping games. It is a wonderful reference book and I can see us using this book for years to come.

4. Festivals, Family and Food – Diana Carey and Judy Large

This is a beautiful book to enrich festival celebrations and bring something special to each season. It is divided into the four seasons and the festivals which take part in each one. The celebrations are grouped according to the Northern Hemisphere; however it is easily adjusted to the Australian seasons. I’m yet to find a comprehensive festival book written specifically for the Southern Hemisphere, so please let me know if you find one. This book includes a short description of each celebration, such as the Winter Solstice festival, as well as rhymes, songs, stories, activities and recipes appropriate for each celebration. It is a detailed book and a useful reference to have on hand if you are trying to bring more ritual to the seasons.

5. Simplicity Parenting – Kim John Payne

Payne taught in Steiner schools for many years before developing the parenting philosophy called ‘Simplicity Parenting.’ In this book he discusses how to create routine and ritual in your home, the importance of play, the benefits of having fewer toys and how to help children develop into calmer kids in a society that seems to be forever getting busier. This book is designed to be read cover to cover and is less of a reference book compared to the other books I’ve listed, but is such a valuable resource if you are wanting to simplify and are feeling the pressure of our busy society.

For a more comprehensive Waldorf book list click here.

What are your favourite Waldorf parenting books? What would you add to this list?