Family & Relationships

A classic work describing personality traits affected by birth order

'There can be no doubt that special traits of character and mental make-up are found in children and adults who belong to the different ranks in the order of birth.'

In this classic work, Karl König attempts to explain the various characteristics of first-, second- and third-born people, without losing sight of the tremendous individuality of the human being.

Just as our environment shapes our language, social behavior and mannerisms, so our place in the family also determines how we encounter life.

This book is a fascinating handbook for parents, teachers and caregivers. Over the years it has become a definitive reference on the subject of child development.

This newest edition in the Karl König Archive series includes a new introduction by series editor Richard Steel; an extended introduction by Karl König; two new essays: 'The Two Sisters', and 'Brother and Sister' ; some of Karl König's lecture notes and transcriptions, and an essay by A. Limbrunner about the significance of König's work on family order for today.

A unique and emotive celebration of the different facets of motherhood with striking portraits by an award-winning illustrator.

Powerful, emotive, unforgettable – Mama speaks to all mothers in the international language of love.

This is a stunning collection of vivid portraits and intimate reflections on motherhood from around the globe. Mama uniquely portrays the emotions and experiences that unite mothers from different times and diverse cultures.

Twenty-one striking watercolour portraits and lively pencil sketches by acclaimed artist Quentin Greban are paired with Helene Delforge's lyrical words to create a thought-provoking celebration of motherhood in all its complexity: the satisfaction and the sadness, the frustration and the fun – and, always, the love.

This moving and joyful book is a perfect gift for mamas everywhere.

Children of all ages need clear boundaries to help them navigate the world around them and develop healthily. But 'boundaries' doesn't just mean rules: babies need physical boundaries such as loving arms or a crib to feel safe; young children depend on regular routines to know what will happen next and what they'll be doing tomorrow; older children need space to make positive choices and develop as individuals.

So how can we provide appropriate boundaries for our children? And how do we know when to adapt them, as children grow?

This insightful book gives an overview of the types of boundaries children need at different ages and stages, from babies to young adults. It offers a parent's toolkit of practical advice on common pitfalls to avoid, how to form healthy family habits and how to set appropriate rules.

Lois Eijgenraam, author of Helping Children Form Healthy Attachments, draws on Rudolf Steiner's theories of child development to create a holistic, natural and positive guide to inspire and support your own approach to parenting.

Many parents struggle with finding effective ways to manage their children's behavior. Can you discipline without punishing? How do you set limits while maintaining closeness and trust?

Lou Harvey-Zahra, an experienced parenting coach and teacher, has developed a method that really works: creative discipline. Offering new perspectives on children's so-called 'bad behavior', she helps parents solve immediate problems while fostering positive, lifelong family connections.

This book is full of ideas for overcoming everyday issues like fussy eating, bedtime struggles and sibling squabbles. It also offers inspiration for addressing larger concerns, such as lying, anger and bereavement.

With numerous examples, real-life stories and commonly asked questions, this is an encouraging, helpful guide for parenting children from toddler to twelve years old from the author of the bestselling Happy Child, Happy Home.

A classic text exploring the first three years of a child's life from Karl König – physician, anthroposophist and founder of the Camphill movement – which offers valuable insights into early years' development for educators, medical professionals and carers.

Karl König examines the three major achievements that occur during children's first three years: learning to walk, speak and think. These are the three basic faculties that make us human, and their acquisition, Konig argues, is 'an act of grace' in every child. He goes on to provide a detailed analysis of this extraordinarily complex process.

This Karl König Archive edition now includes extensive notes and a new introduction by Dr Jan Goeschel, founding President of the Camphill Academy in North America, which puts this well-known text in the context of modern-day research.

Help children of all ages learn life-long skills – how to sleep, self-soothe and feel calm. An easy-to-absorb, holistic guide from physician and child-development consultant Adam Blanning.

What can parents do to avoid bedtime meltdowns? Why do established settling routines stop working? How can children be encouraged to fall asleep more consistently? What simple, natural steps can parents take to help children feel calm?

Based on extensive research and using clear examples, Adam Blanning MD offers practical ways in which parents and carers can support children to use their senses – from taste, smell and touch, through to balance and movement – to self-soothe, sleep and ultimately build resilience for life. This insightful book explores a range of methods for children from newborns to teenagers, and tackles key parental concerns, including:

• Tips for settling toddlers who always say 'No!'
• How to establish calming daily rhythms
• Ways to help children settle during times of anxiety
• Self-soothing techniques that can improve disruptive behaviour

An inspiring holistic parenting guide for the elementary school years (7 to 12 year olds).

No longer little children, but not yet teenagers, children in the elementary-school years (between seven and twelve) face big emotional, social, psychological and physical changes. How can parents best support their children whilst also embracing their growing independence?

Inspired by the Waldorf approach to child development, experienced teacher, parenting coach and author Lou Harvey-Zahra explains the three major transitions, or 'rubicons', of middle childhood at ages seven, nine and twelve. She offers practical tips and guidance to help parents through the challenges of the middle years, including:

Growing Children, Thriving Children empowers parents to navigate the middle years with confidence.

In the 1960s, Iona and Peter Opie observed that although many books had been written about how children should play, none had been written about how they actually played. To fill the gap they carried out an exhaustive survey, through the decade, of the games that children 'in fact play' when aged roughly between six and twelve years of age, and when outdoors -- and usually when out of sight.

The result was their classic work Children's Games in Street and Playground. It records games played in streets, parks, playgrounds and wastelands by more than 10,000 children across the UK from the Shetland Isles to the Channel Islands, although the majority of the information comes from children living in big cities such as London, Liverpool, Bristol and Glasgow.

In all, around 125 games are described in detail, including the rhymes and sayings children repeat while playing them, together with the different names they are called. Brief historical notes are also included where relevant.

There are important lessons to be learned from this book about giving children the time and physical space to be themselves with other children.

Previously published as Children's Games in Street and Playground, Volume 1 and Volume 2.

Drawing on an ancient tradition, Rudolf Steiner referred to four fundamental 'types' or 'temperaments' in the human personality, each of which, he said, has different personal needs and ways of relating socially.

From her experience of working with children of all ages, Marieke Anschütz provides a guide to children's different temperaments and their role in child character, health and personality development.

The book includes illustrations from home and school, in the context of the Steiner-Waldorf classroom. The author discusses how these ideas may be used to manage, and relate to, groups and individuals.

Anthroposophical medicine recognizes the individuality of each human being. This philosophy is central to care for the elderly where it is important to see beyond the outer ageing body, and to ensure dignity for all.

This book describes particular approaches for professional nurses and caregivers, as well as offering practical care plans. While care cannot itself heal, it can provide the basis for the healing process to work. This book will help those who work with the elderly with invaluable guidance and advice.

A practical and inspiring book which introduces 'conscious parenting' to help make any family home more harmonious.

This practical and inspiring book introduces 'conscious parenting' as a new way of helping any family home become more harmonious.

Lou Harvey-Zahra, an experienced parenting coach and teacher, wants to help parents develop calm and happy children. Drawing her inspiration from a Steiner-Waldorf background, she offers candid, relevant and funny tips and advice for taking a clear look at family life, identifying what's not working, and exploring new ideas for improving parent-child relationships.

The book addresses issues such as rhythm and routine, children's play, storytelling and crafts, as well as delving beneath the surface to discuss children's twelve senses, and four temperaments. In addition there is a sure-to-be popular section on creative discipline, plus tips from Dad and wonderful suggestions for making ordinary family moments extraordinary.

This uplifting parenting guide teaches how to raise happy children and create happy homes. An accessible, readable book which parents will appreciate for its down-to-earth, realistic approach and insightful counsel.

'At school, we believe education should touch the whole child. This includes the physical, emotional, spiritual, social and cognitive aspects of the child's life. We teach children quietness as a skill to reflect and recharge their inner lives. Lorraine Murray helped us on this journey.'
-- Sheila Laing, Head Teacher

Stress and behavioral disorders are common in children, who are increasingly bombarded by marketing campaigns, faced with school and peer pressure, and able to sense the stress of adults around them.

Mindfulness and meditation can help children recognize and cope with these pressures, releasing bad feelings gently and giving them simple tools to deal with tension and stress throughout their lives. In this practical and inspiring book, Lorraine Murray shows parents, teachers and youth workers how to lead fun and peaceful meditation sessions with children.

Lorraine explains a variety of different approaches, from meditations around daily activities for busy families, to ideas for group 'quietness' sessions in schools. She provides fun, tactile rhymes for toddlers to help them calm down before bedtime, and suggests ways to help teenagers reduce anxiety. She goes on to explain how these methods can help children with ADHD and those on the autistic spectrum, giving a range of case studies.

This book is suitable for complete beginners, or those with some experience of relaxation and meditation techniques. It offers all the advice needed to lead sessions with children, whilst encouraging the reader to adapt and develop their own ways of helping children to feel calmer, happier and more peaceful.

Many parents find it hard to know which toys are appropriate for children at different ages, and what kinds of play to initiate and encourage. What can parents do to best help children develop, and foster their skills?

Karin Neuschütz, an experienced educator and parent, addresses these questions in this concise, readable book. She discusses how children play, creatively and freely, and how they are affected by their environment and by the adults near them.

She explores each developmental stage up to age seven, using case studies to illustrate particular issues. She then suggests suitable toys and dolls and nurturing activities for children at particular stages.

Parents and early-years educators will appreciate the dependable, practical advice in this book.