Laying Foundations towards Inner Freedom in the Young Child

A Course by LISA Bono

with contributions from lisa romero, sarah mecca and brigitte ryan

The course content is guided by the insights and wisdom of anthroposophy, and the author’s everyday life experience teaching and living with children in today’s world.

This course is open to parents, teachers, caregivers, and anyone seeking to explore and deepen their relationship with young children.

Lesson topics include

• Pre-Birth

• Perception

• Conception, Birth, and Spirit Consciousness

• The First Three Years

• Movement

• 12 Senses

• Space and Time

• Imagination and Thinking

• Freedom in Play

• 

Bringing Ourselves to Story

• Wellness, Health, and Illness

• Transitions and Resiliency

The EduCareDo or other foundation course experience and a relationship to Anthroposophy is valuable for this course but for those who are new to Anthroposophy and feel called to this course an existing background is not essential.

MORE ABOUT THE COURSe

Through this course we can begin to bring the children we know, the children we love, and the children we have yet to meet with us in our hearts. The writings in these lessons are a contribution to our collective knowledge and understanding of ourselves and the young child of today. The ideas laid out come from contemplations of Rudolf Steiner and others, from my 20 years of experience being with ( guiding) young children, teachers-in-training, and inner work.

The 12 lessons attempt to present higher pictures that surround the task arising out of an anthroposophical worldview, striving to cultivate a living relationship to the world of spirit. After building the ideals and higher imaginations in each lesson, they are brought into practical ideas, examples, and offerings for our modern, daily life with young children.

Read the Course Introduction →

Starting in November 2024, Lisa Bono is offering a series of in-person workshops in Portland Oregon. Each lesson will be extended and applied within the early childhood setting as a training for those who wish to more strongly take up this work. Email us to express your interest.

Cost to enroll

Standard Enrollment (this course only) $450 AUD (~$320 USD)

This course includes

• 12 pdf lessons sent monthly via email over one year

• 2 years to submit lesson diary sheets and communicate with course contributors

• Monthly online study group with Lisa Bono

• Monthly in-person study group in Northern NSW Australia

• Short online practice sessions focused on exercises from a lesson

• Discounts on course related Extensions

Lisa Bono began working with young children and families in 2000. After meeting Anthroposophy and discovering Waldorf Education in 2003, she along with her husband received their M.S.Ed in Waldorf Education from Sunbridge College.

Lisa is the founding teacher of the New Amsterdam School, a Waldorf School in NYC, where she became the Director/Faculty Chair and taught Early Childhood, birth to seven for ten years. After supporting the growth of three Waldorf School initiatives through work with young children, teachers and families in the greater NYC Metro area, Lisa and her husband moved to Kathmandu, Nepal.

Lisa is the co-founder of Sano Taraharu (“ Little Stars of Nepal”), an organization working in orphanages and children’s homes in Kathmandu.

Other current projects Lisa has contributed to include Abiding - Heart Education, and designing for Burning Heart Clothing. She is also a contributor to the work of Developing the Self - Developing the World.

Lisa currently lives with her husband and daughter in Portland, Oregon, USA and teachs Early Childhood classes at the Cedarwood Waldorf School.

The inner work path informs and guides Lisa’s work with young children and with communities around the world.

Lisa Romero offers lectures, courses and retreats through Inner Work Path for personal and professional development, in communities and schools worldwide on inner development and meditation. Inner Work Books has published her six books including, “Spirit-led Community,” which introduces spiritually healthy guidelines for lessening the negative influence of technology on the inner life and offers guidance and supports for understanding and working with the sensory system from early childhood through adulthood.

Meaghan Witri is a teacher and facilitates the health and wellbeing programs on behalf of Developing the Self, Developing the World. Meaghan has worked with parents and families in a variety of capacities for over fifteen years, including as an early childhood and parent-child educator. Meaghan works directly with parents in the home-setting offering practical support and understanding of child development from birth through adolescence, in the light of anthroposophy.

Brigitte Ryan began her work in Waldorf Education in New York City at New Amsterdam, a Waldorf initiative in the lower east side of Manhattan. There she taught in the Aftercare program, led Parent Child classes, and supported the Nursery and Bridge programs at various times. Currently she teaches in the Parent Child and Parent Infant program at the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh. She completed her year long, “Birth to Three” training program at Sophia’s Hearth Family Center, a Waldorf and Emmi Pickler inspired daycare, in Keene, New Hampshire.

Sarah Mecca is a complementary health practitioner and homeopath working out of anthroposophy based in upstate New York. She works with adults, children from birth through adolescence, family groups, and teachers, in their role supporting the children in their care.

Primary course image at top of page courtesy of Emily Maschal O’Donnell