July is a month of movement and magic. As a Waldorf-inspired family, we’re rarely home at this time of the year. Instead, we travel, explore, and immerse ourselves in nature with our son. For us, this is when child-led learning and outdoor education come alive.

Waldorf education and child development both emphasize rhythm, sensory experience, and connection to the natural world. In July, the four elements—water, earth, air, and fire—guide our weekly flow and shape our adventures.

Learning Through the Elements

Even while we’re on the move, we bring a strong Waldorf rhythm to our days. Each week is themed around one of the elements. This approach supports early childhood development by offering hands-on, sensory-rich experiences.

We often start with water. This is not only refreshing but also essential for early water safety. Babies and toddlers naturally love splashing, pouring, and throwing stones in the water—activities that are both fun and developmental. Earth is usually paired with water, introducing mud play, clay modeling, stacking stones and grounding textures right on the beach.

As a result, the next element, air, becomes a joyful progression. We make bark-boats and blow on dandelions, exploring how the wind interacts with windmills and kites. Everything that moves, floats, or glides captures the curiosity of small children.

Although fire takes a more modest role, it carries deep meaning. Lighting the morning fire, cooking outdoors, or simply observing a flickering flame brings a sense of ritual and connection. It also teaches respect and responsibility.

Exploring Nature With Children

Over the past few years, we’ve spent almost every July in nature with our baby or toddler. One year, we  traveled through Indonesia. The other two through Scandinavia. But no matter where we are—deep forest or coastal village—our approach stays rooted in nature-based parenting and unschooling principles.

Because we follow the child, we focus on simple, engaging, and open-ended activities. Skipping rocks, mixing clay with rainwater, or watching ripples form in a puddle become powerful tools for sensory development and emotional regulation.

These experiences are often spontaneous and child-led, which aligns beautifully with Waldorf education’s focus on rhythm over rigid structure. Even rainy days become opportunities, not interruptions.

From Dream to Reality: Building a Worldschooling Hub in Norway

When Theo Vilje was two, we began to wonder: What if we could share this lifestyle with other families? That summer, we invited friends to join us in Norway, experimenting with what a worldschooling community might look like.

We tested everything—from shared meals and morning circles to multi-age play and storytelling in nature. In doing so, we saw how powerful it is to combine unschooling, Waldorf principles, and real-life experiences for learning.

Although we initially thought our son might be too young, and the logistics too complicated, this experiment helped us reframe the challenge:

• What resources do we already have?

• What can we offer as a family, both for kids and adults?

• What kind of space would support a sustainable worldschooling lifestyle, containing a hub? 

Thanks to our community, we’ve begun to see the true potential of this vision. Friends with expertise in education, cultural leadership, outdoor skills, and even event organizing helped us imagine new possibilities. Most importantly, we learned what works, what doesn’t, and what kind of property and support we’ll need to bring this to life.

Our dream hasn’t changed since Theo Vilje was a baby:

A place where children and families can grow, learn, and explore together—with nature, rhythm, and real connection as the foundation. With respect and curiosity for the world and eachother.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re a parent interested in Waldorf-inspired unschooling, nature-based early childhood education, or worldschooling in Scandinavia, we’d love to connect.

👉 Follow us on Instagram @smallhandsbigjourneys, or get in touch with us here.