The Windrose Journal
A Waldorf Blog
The Windrose Journal is a grounded, thoughtful space where stories, reflections, and insights from the Waldorf School of DuPage community come together—past, present, and future. Like a compass rose, it helps orient families, educators, and alumni as we navigate the evolving world of Waldorf education and child development. Here, you’ll find a meaningful blend of tradition and innovation, sharing voices that illuminate the heart of our school. Whether you're seeking inspiration, perspective, or connection, The Windrose Journal offers guidance rooted in experience and purpose.
You can explore posts by topic or simply scroll down to see our most recent content. Happy reading!
Meet Barbara: The Teacher Who Helped Build Our Roots
She helped build our school from the ground up and decades later, she's still here. Meet Barbara DuRocher, founding teacher, guitar-and-ukulele special subjects teacher, reading tutor, and the reason so many of our classrooms feel well held.
The Childhood We Miss (and Why It Still Matters)
Parents today are not trying to recreate the past. They’re simply looking for ways to preserve the parts of childhood that still matter most. In a fast-paced digital world, children continue to thrive on slower rhythms, outdoor play, imagination, connection, and the simple moments that make home feel memorable.
Meet Ms. Alvarez: A Teacher Who Brings Joy and Wonder to the Spanish Classroom
From a future in medicine to two decades of teaching Spanish, Ms. Alvarez has built a program rooted in warmth, respect, and wonder. Get to know the teacher behind the lessons: her philosophy, her favorite season, and what she loves most about working with children.
Presence Is Enough: A Gentle Reminder for Summer Parenting
In a world filled with summer bucket lists and pressure to constantly entertain children, it can be easy for parents to feel overwhelmed. But young children do not need perfectly planned days to thrive. This Waldorf-inspired reflection explores how presence, rhythm, simplicity, and slowness create the kinds of summer memories children carry for a lifetime.
Welcome Back, Louisa Olsen
We are delighted to welcome wonderful educators to our Early Childhood program this year. From longtime community connections to rich backgrounds in education, music, language, and the arts each teacher brings warmth, creativity, and a deep love for children to WSD. We cannot wait for families to meet them and experience the joy they will bring to our classrooms and community.
What the Research Says About Play-Based Learning
Will a play-based preschool prepare your child? Decades of research say yes.
Children develop essential skills like focus, self-regulation, problem-solving, and creativity through meaningful play—skills that support long-term academic success. In this article, we explore what developmental science says about play-based learning and how The Waldorf School of DuPage helps children build a strong foundation for first grade and beyond.
Meet Rachael: A Steady, Playful Presence
There's a particular kind of calm that follows Rachael into a room. The kind that doesn't quiet the energy of a group of children so much as give it somewhere good to go. With a background in yoga, mindfulness, and archery, she's spent years learning how to be both playful and grounded at once. Get to know the teacher behind the calm.
Dancing Into Spring: The Meaning Behind the Waldorf Mayfaire Celebration
It can be tempting to see Mayfaire as a charming seasonal event; but within Waldorf education, festivals are an essential part of the curriculum. They provide a living rhythm to the year, helping children feel grounded in time and place. In a fast-paced, often fragmented world, these recurring celebrations offer something increasingly rare: continuity. Children remember the feeling of Mayfaire; the music, the movement, the warmth of the sun. Over the years, those memories build a quiet inner stability. They come to expect that after winter, spring will return. That joy follows dormancy. That they are part of something cyclical and enduring.
The Gift of an Unhurried Childhood: Why Early Childhood Should Be Filled with Wonder, Movement, and Play
In today's world of early academics, many parents wonder if play-based preschool is enough. At The Waldorf School of DuPage, we believe that an unhurried childhood builds the foundation for lifelong learning. Discover how imagination, movement, and meaningful play help children develop the confidence, focus, and resilience they need to thrive in first grade and beyond.
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Waldorf Curriculum
Waldorf Teachers
WSD Festivals
Early Childhood
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