A Waldorf doll (also called Steiner doll) is a form of doll compatible with Waldorf (or Steiner) education philosophies.
A Waldorf doll is a wonderful first doll for children. These dolls can be used as a way to explore role playing, nurturing skills and imaginative play. Unlike many traditional dolls, the facial features of a Waldorf doll are intentionally minimal (for example, two embroidered eyes, and a hint of a mouth).
The Waldorf doll is the representation of the human child, a mirror of our potential as human beings.
Instead of being mass-produced, these dolls are lovingly handmade by one or more skilled artisans, often of natural or organic materials. They aren't cheap, though — they range in price from $100 to $200 each and sometimes more — and the more coveted types can sell out within seconds.
This style of doll was created in the 1920s to complement the Waldorf pedagogy—an alternative approach to education first articulated in Germany by the legendary Rudolf Steiner. The dolls are made with natural materials that please the senses and have few facial features so kids use their imaginations when they play.
Eco Wool® Batting is a superb natural choice for the stuffing of your Waldorf dolls and handmade soft toys and an economical option for the core of your wet and needle felting projects. Soft, springy and resilient it is 100% wool and non-carbonized.
The African-American dolls have black hair; Hispanics have dark brown hair, and the others had platinum blonde, ash-blonde (two tone), brunette, red, and (in the last year of production) strawberry-blonde. Strawberry-blonde therefore being the rarest and most valuable, followed by red heads and brunettes.
Nanchen dolls are made in Germany. These natural Waldorf dolls are made with organic cotton and filled with pure wool.
According to Steiner's philosophy, the human being is a threefold being of spirit, soul, and body whose capacities unfold in three developmental stages on the path to adulthood: early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.
A key way you can tell if a doll is Waldorf inspired, other than being soft and made from natural materials, is that they have very simple features. Usually just embroidered or ink eyes and a simple suggestion of a mouth.
In Waldorf schools, the arts are integrated into lessons and injected into the whole curriculum. In Reggio schools, the arts and creative expression are often pursued independently of other subjects (sometimes in art studios or “ateliers”).
You can wash your doll as you would a wool sweater with a good soak in mild soap and cool water and then spot rubbing. Rinse all soap out. Take care to reshape the doll with your hands after water is squeezed out. Wrap it in a towel for a bit and follow directions for drying.
Waldorf Dolls, or also called sun child dolls are dolls that originate from the philosophy of Rudolph Steiner, the founder of Antroposophy and Steiner education. These dolls are made from a special jersey cotton fabric such as the Doll Jersey by De Witte Engel and filled with 100 % wool.
Playing with dolls encourages children to talk more about others' thoughts and emotions, a study has found. The research suggests that playing imaginary games with dolls could help children develop social skills, theory of mind and empathy.
"Making Waldorf Dolls" is expensive at $30 yet a bit more cheaply made in that it has no color photographs.
Gotz is a German brand founded in 1950.
Perhaps no other doll is more famous than Barbie.
The film was banned in many countries, such as Sweden, due to what was called "exaggerated sexual content". It also was condemned by Time, which called it "just possibly the dirtiest American-made motion picture that has ever been legally exhibited".
Handmade after the Waldorf tradition of dollmaking, our dolls from Heidi Hilscher and Nanchen feature only the highest quality of workmanship.
Features. Patterns for traditional Waldorf dolls: 12", 16" and 20" sizes.
Welcome to Maggie Made Dolls - Expressions in Felt
Maggie Iacono has created the only collectible, pressed wool felt doll that is completely poseable, using her own unique ball jointing system.