This treasure trove of an anthology is full to the brim with songs and seasonal verses that will delight children and encourage them to sing and play. Illustrated throughout with colour images, the second edition Spring Songbook features five thematic sections: `Animals and Birds', `Nature', `Dancing and Games', `International Greetings and Foreign Languages' and 'This and That'. Providing ample material for teachers and parents, the book also includes selections of rhyming words, commentary on the significance of repetition, rhythm and beat, suggestions for incorporating movement and gesture, and practical teaching and parenting tips. For years, teachers, parents and students have requested that Sally Schweizer publish her collections of songs and verses - so here they are, presented in four wonderful anthologies to inspire the imagination and to celebrate the seasonal cycle!

'An uplifting philosophy on childhood and life, and an absolute treasure trove of information for anyone who believes nature and childhood are perfect companions. Sally Schweizer manages to combine magic with common sense in this wonderful book, which is authentic from cover to cover. What she writes with such lively enthusiasm, she has also lived.' - Sally Jenkinson, author of The Genius of Play We are always hearing how our children's cultural landscape is plagued by inactivity, obesity, violent computer games and obsessive TV-viewing. But it doesn't have to be like that. Sally Schweizer presents a world of possibilities for children in urban or rural areas, throwing open the doors to the great experience of life in the open air. Packed with anecdotes, games and practical activities, Under the Sky is a vibrant resource for parents, teachers and carers. So what can you do outside? Well, how about singing, whittling sticks, chatting, climbing, digging and making dens? You can build, run, watch small creatures, count tree rings, listen to stories, perform puppet plays, learn woodwork, or investigate the many forms of bark. In the outdoors you can enjoy quiet conversations or make a big noise, be alone or be with others. And that's just for starters...Under the Sky is an invaluable guide for anyone wishing to cultivate children's play and imagination. It features ideas for planning expeditions and adventures, for toys and equipment, and activities for all four seasons and all four elements! It includes plans, tips and advice on child-friendly outdoor design, materials, surfaces, seating, gardening, pets, wildlife - even campfires, picnics and train journeys...Under the Sky also contains a chapter showing how educators can work towards formal Early Years government goals.

This treasure trove of an anthology is full to the brim with songs and seasonal verses that will delight children and encourage them to sing and play. Illustrated throughout with colour images, the Winter Songbook features four thematic sections: `Christmas', `Winter Indoors', `Wintry Weather' and `Winter Outdoors'. Providing ample material for teachers and parents, the book also includes selections of rhyming words, commentary on the significance of repetition, rhythm and beat, suggestions for seasonal stories, and practical teaching and parenting tips. For years, teachers, parents and students have requested that Sally Schweizer publish her collections of songs and verses - so here they are, presented in four wonderful anthologies to inspire the imagination and to celebrate the seasonal cycle!

This treasure trove of an anthology is full to the brim with songs and seasonal verses that will delight children and encourage them to sing and play. Illustrated throughout with colour images, the Summer Songbook features four thematic sections: `Animals and Birds', `Nature', `Dancing, Rounds and Games' and `Silly Verses'. Providing ample material for teachers and parents, the book also includes selections of rhyming words, commentary on the significance of repetition, rhythm and beat, suggestions for incorporating movement and gesture, and practical teaching and parenting tips. For years, teachers, parents and students have requested that Sally Schweizer publish her collections of songs and verses - so here they are, presented in four wonderful anthologies to inspire the imagination and to celebrate the seasonal cycle!

This treasure trove of an anthology is full to the brim with songs and seasonal verses that will delight children and encourage them to sing and play. Illustrated throughout with colour images, the Autumn Songbook features five thematic sections: `Animals and Birds', `Farming-Harvest', `Festivals & Related Themes', `Weather', and `Spooks, Riddles & Odd Things'. Providing ample material for teachers and parents, the book also includes selections of rhyming words, commentary on the significance of repetition, rhythm and beat, suggestions for incorporating movement and gesture, and practical teaching and parenting tips. For years, teachers, parents and students have requested that Sally Schweizer publish her collections of songs and verses - so here they are, presented in four wonderful anthologies to inspire the imagination and to celebrate the seasonal cycle!

'Have we come to misunderstand children? Have we forgotten that children's consciousness, their minds, are intrinsically different from ours? And is that why we are trying to train them to become 'adult', rather than realizing we need to relearn our way of thinking in order to understand children?' Given the fast pace of modern life, traditional qualities associated with childhood - imagination, play, wonder...fun! - are in danger of being left behind. Surrounded by technology and pressured into early learning, the modern child is often bounced between the 'entertainment' of television and computer games and the premature intellectualization of early reading and school tests. Sally Schweizer calls for a new evaluation of childhood and an awakening to the real needs of children. As a mother of four, and having spent more than three decades working in education (as a kindergarten teacher, teacher-trainer and advisor), she is well qualified to ask questions and offer solutions. "Well, I Wonder" is packed with practical advice, anecdotes, humour and delightful quotes from the children Schweizer has taught. Her approach is based on the study and practice of Rudolf Steiner's educational philosophy, but she writes from personal, first-hand knowledge gained from her long experience. Schweizer guides the reader through the stages of childhood development and explains children's need of daily rhythm, movement and play. She emphasizes the importance of guarding the quality of imagination, and indicates the significance of festivals and celebrations. She offers helpful tips and wise advice throughout this well-illustrated book, which also features an 8-page colour section on the evolution of children's drawings.