Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children by Sharifa Oppenheimer

Responding to parents' questions from over twenty years of teaching, Sharifa Oppenheimer has created a practical and inspiring resource that brings informed and intuitive understanding of young children into the heart of the home. As we witness the shifting of old forms that once stood as the foundation of our daily lives, parents who must prepare the next generation to meet this changing world, have more questions now than ever before. Heaven on Earth balances theoretical understanding of child development with hands-on ideas, resources, and tips that can transform family life. You will learn how to establish the life rhythms that lay the foundation for all learning, as well as how to design indoor play environments and backyard play spaces. Through art, storytelling, and the celebration of festivals, you will build your own "family culture," one that will support your child and allow the free unfolding of his or her unique soul. Sharifa Oppenheimer was the founding teacher of the Charlottesville Waldorf School, where she taught kindergarten for twenty-one years and served as Day Care Director of the Early Childhood Program. Sharifa is the mother of three grown sons, all of them educated within the Waldorf system. She lives in an enchanted forest in Virginia.