often times when i am watching maya play with her wooden toys, i stand in awe of the beauty that surrounds her. and this, to me, is just as it should be. in fact, it is central to the waldorf philosophy. these toys and play things that are made by hand, using only natural materials, are instilled with a 'life force' that is not present in other kinds of toys.
i am often confronted with the notion that toys for children might get broken or damaged in some way with the sometimes robust and excited play they receive, so why should they be of good quality? but think of the message this instills. is their play, the true work of our children, not worthy of the best and highest quality play things we can provide for them?
i'm sure we can all recall some of the toys we had as children ourselves. i know that i can. and they are included in some of the sweetest and most vibrant memories of childhood that i have. as a result, i have always wanted to surround my children with the most beautiful toys that i can...so that their memories will be full of these natural, important, and handmade things. rather than toys that are unimportant, inexpensive and replaceable.
and so to honor my children and these most significant childhood years, i choose to provide and surround them with beautiful and lovingly handmade toys. because this time is important. and they are worthy.
yours in the beauty of natural and handmade toys,
shelley
