335 episodes

Who are we? I’m Melisa! A mom of five children with only two left at home. I’ve been a wife, an ex-wife and a wife again. Two of my children have spectrum struggles. My oldest has ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and my youngest has SPD (sensory processing disorder). NEVER a dull moment in the Nielsen house. I am a stroke survivor and I love my life. I love to watercolor paint, knit and embroider and have a quiet afternoon with my family.

About 14 years ago I took my study of Steiner and put it to work with other families in our series of curriculum "A Journey through Waldorf Homeschooling" and our business has grown from there.

Erik here! I'm a husband, father, entrepreneur, videographer and content creator, editor and teacher. Melisa and I decided to take a leap of faith years ago when I quit my newspaper job to pursue building Waldorf Essentials. It’s a decision we've never regretted. We are constantly bolstered by the kind words of clients whom we have helped over the years.

Waldorf Essentials Melisa and Erik Neilsen

    • Education

Who are we? I’m Melisa! A mom of five children with only two left at home. I’ve been a wife, an ex-wife and a wife again. Two of my children have spectrum struggles. My oldest has ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and my youngest has SPD (sensory processing disorder). NEVER a dull moment in the Nielsen house. I am a stroke survivor and I love my life. I love to watercolor paint, knit and embroider and have a quiet afternoon with my family.

About 14 years ago I took my study of Steiner and put it to work with other families in our series of curriculum "A Journey through Waldorf Homeschooling" and our business has grown from there.

Erik here! I'm a husband, father, entrepreneur, videographer and content creator, editor and teacher. Melisa and I decided to take a leap of faith years ago when I quit my newspaper job to pursue building Waldorf Essentials. It’s a decision we've never regretted. We are constantly bolstered by the kind words of clients whom we have helped over the years.

    296. {Auriel's Light } Tips for Homeschooling the Middle and High School Years

    296. {Auriel's Light } Tips for Homeschooling the Middle and High School Years

    Rhythms of Learning by Trostli

    https://amzn.to/3QPhaR4

    Rudolf Steiner's Curriculum for Waldorf Schools by Karl Stockmeyer

    https://amzn.to/44ISVtw

    The Tasks and Content of the Steiner-Waldorf Curriculum by Kevin Avison and Martyn Rawson

    https://amzn.to/3ynJsvQ

    Candle Access to the full podcast

    https://www.aurielslight.org/donate

    Learn more about our Waldorf Homeschool Curriculum  and Planning for Peace here:

    https://www.waldorfessentials.com/store

    Learn more about Seasons of Seven Virtual School here:

    https://www.seasonsofseven.com

    If you found this content helpful please consider making a donation to our non profit. 

    Every child should have access to a whole education.

    While we work hard to keep our virtual school tuition and curriculum prices affordable, there will always be families that desire this education but can not afford it. It is our deepest desire to help those families. 

    https://www.aurielslight.org

    Auriel's Light is a non profit and all donations are tax deductible. 

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waldorf_essentials/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaldorfEssentials/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/waldorfessentials/_created/

    Tik Tok : https://www.tiktok.com/@seasons.of.waldorf Twitter: https://twitter.com/WaldorfMelisa

     

    • 23 min
    295. { Auriel's Light } Virtual Waldorf Homeschool Lessons

    295. { Auriel's Light } Virtual Waldorf Homeschool Lessons

    Ms. Jaia shares:

    Her experience of working virtually and in a brick n' mortar.

    The benefits of a virtual classroom. 

    How she reaches the students through the screen so that the screen disappears and what is left is the relationship.

    What she loves as a virtual teacher.

    Read why Jaia loves teaching in our hybrid system on our blog 

    HERE:

    https://www.seasonsofseven.com/blog/Our-Hybrid-Model

    Learn more about Seasons of Seven Virtual School 

    HERE:

    https://www.seasonsofseven.com

    Join our Candle monthly access 

    HERE:

    https://www.aurielslight.org

    Jaia has been a class teacher since 2011, both in brick and mortar schools and at Seasons of Seven, and is a Waldorf Alumna herself! As a lifelong lover of learning, Jaia appreciates the fact that she can be immersed in the wonders of the Waldorf curriculum along with her students as they learn through the grades. She loves her students deeply, and enjoys seeing each of them develop their strengths as they grow into full human beings. Jaia grew up in the jungles of Hawaii, and began her own educational journey as a homeschooler before attending a Waldorf school for the upper grades. Jaia loves being able to revel in the green beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s woods, rivers, and coastline, and is excited to have more freedom to explore while still teaching students! She is thrilled to return to Seasons of Seven. 

    Jaia received her Waldorf Teaching Certificate from Micha-el Institute, after completing a MEd in Elementary Education at Portland State and a BA in International Affairs with a minor in theater at Lewis and Clark College.

    • 19 min
    294. Save Guilt for Sin

    294. Save Guilt for Sin

    Melisa Nielsen at Waldorf Essentials encourages you to "save guilt for sin."

    As a parent we are going to mess up. 

    Go apologize and do better next time. 

    Don't beat yourself up!

    You can also find us on all podcast platforms "Waldorf Essentials"

    Please share with your fellow parenting friends and homeschoolers. We are in this journey together. 

    If you found this content helpful please consider making a donation to our non profit. 

    Every child should have access to a whole education.

    While we work hard to keep our virtual school tuition and curriculum prices affordable, there will always be families that desire this education but can not afford it. It is our deepest desire to help those families. https://www.aurielslight.org Auriel's Light is a non profit and all donations are tax deductible. 

    https://www.waldorfessentials.com/ https://www.seasonsofseven.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waldorf_essentials/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaldorfEssentials/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/waldorfessentials/_created/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/WaldorfMelisa

     

    • 9 min
    293. Feminine Aspects of the Waldorf Curriculum

    293. Feminine Aspects of the Waldorf Curriculum

    Melisa Nielsen at Waldorf Essentials shares a topic that is often brought up in Waldorf Groups. 

    Feminine aspects of the curriculum. 

    - It's important to read the stories ahead of time. 

    - Connect with the stories. 

    - If you're not prepared and your sharing the story with the child during main lesson, they will feel that. 

    - You don't want to be questioning and processing the story for yourself during main lesson time. Do the prep work. 

    You can also find us on all podcast platforms "Waldorf Essentials"

    Please share with your fellow parenting friends and homeschoolers. We are in this journey together. 

    If you found this content helpful please consider making a donation to our non profit. 

    Every child should have access to a whole education.

    While we work hard to keep our virtual school tuition and curriculum prices affordable, there will always be families that desire this education but can not afford it. It is our deepest desire to help those families. https://www.aurielslight.org Auriel's Light is a non profit and all donations are tax deductible. 

     

    https://www.waldorfessentials.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waldorf_essentials/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaldorfEssentials/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/waldorfessentials/_created/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/WaldorfMelisa

     

    • 11 min
    292. { Auriel's Light } Melisa's Health Journey

    292. { Auriel's Light } Melisa's Health Journey

    Waldorf Essentialshttps://www.waldorfessentials.com/Seasons of Seven Virtual School https://www.seasonsofseven.com/If you found this content helpful please consider making a donation to our non profit. 

    Every child should have access to a whole education.

    While we work hard to keep our virtual school tuition and curriculum prices affordable, there will always be families that desire this education but can not afford it. It is our deepest desire to help those families. https://www.aurielslight.org Auriel's Light is a non profit and all donations are tax deductible. 

    https://www.waldorfessentials.com/ https://www.seasonsofseven.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waldorf_essentials/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaldorfEssentials/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/waldorfessentials/_created/

    Tik Tok : https://www.tiktok.com/@seasons.of.waldorf Twitter: https://twitter.com/WaldorfMelisa

    • 29 min
    291. Homeschooling Without Burn Out

    291. Homeschooling Without Burn Out

    Melisa Nielsen at Waldorf Essentials takes on a big topic today!

     

    You're going to want paper and pen to take notes.

     

    - 80/20 

     

    - The key comments to Waldorf homeschooling without burn out

     

    - How do you make the time to learn as a student of this philosophy 

     

    - Evaluations and how this tool helps when things are feeling off

     

    - Planning 

     

    - Rhythm 

     

    - Self Care

     

    Throughout the video you will find helpful questions listeners asked that you may have for yourself. 

     

    Mentioned was Sparkle Stories 

    https://www.sparklestories.com 

     

    You can also find us on all podcast platforms "Waldorf Essentials"

    Please share with your fellow parenting friends and homeschoolers. We are in this journey together. 

     

    If you found this content helpful please consider making a donation to our non profit. 

    Every child should have access to a whole education.

    While we work hard to keep our virtual school tuition and curriculum prices affordable, there will always be families that desire this education but can not afford it. It is our deepest desire to help those families. https://www.aurielslight.org Auriel's Light is a non profit and all donations are tax deductible. 

     

    https://www.waldorfessentials.com/ https://www.seasonsofseven.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waldorf_essentials/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaldorfEssentials/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/waldorfessentials/_created/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/WaldorfMelisa

     

     

    • 1 hr 7 min

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