Companionship through Communication: Caressing the Seeds of Self with Debbie Laurin - September 29 & October 6
Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America

Companionship through Communication: Caressing the Seeds of Self with Debbie Laurin - September 29 & October 6

Regular price $40.00 USD
Sale price $40.00 USD Regular price

WECAN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENT

Companionship forged through communication conveyed through touch, voice tone, gesture, and responsiveness harmonizes and attunes us with the child’s internal timing.

Language development emerges from what children understand well before they can speak - not merely from what they say. Preceded by our gestures, the soul gesture of the young child is shaped from the early experiences through rhythms and sounds. The young child delights in the nursery rhymes and cadence of songs, rhymes, and verses. One can caress with words! In the tone of language, gesture also lives. The feeling with which we speak and move is internalized by the young child. When in synchrony, a space unfolds between the adult and child that underlies language and cultural learning. With willing and affectionate adults, the innate sociability of the young child nourishes and motivates the child toward a shared companionable space with another. The seeds of self are fostered through these encounters and acts of meaning, eventually leading to language learning. 

This live online event will take place on Monday, September 29 & October 6, 2025, at 3:30 pm HT, 5:30 pm PT, 6:30 pm MT, 7:30 pm CT, and 8:30 pm ET.

  • Certificate of Attendance: Live participants will receive a certificate for 1.5 hours of attendance.
  • Recording Access: All who register will receive access to the recording. Please note: a professional development certificate of attendance is only available to those who attend the live presentation.

Registration Details

  • Fee: $40 USD
  • Register online through the WECAN bookstore.
  • We want everyone to be able to participate in this evening. If you need financial support, please contact Heather Church at hchurch@waldorfearlychildhood.org.

Important Notes

  • Please use the same email address you used to sign up, as the Zoom link will be sent to that address on the day of the event.
  • Do not opt out of receiving emails from us, otherwise we will be unable to send you the Zoom link.
  • If purchasing for a group, please include the email address of each participant in the notes section on the first page of checkout, so we can send them their event link.

Registration closes 24 hours before the event on Sunday, September 28, 2026, at 3:30 pm HT, 5:30 pm PT, 6:30 pm MT, 7:30 pm CT, and 8:30 pm ET.

Debbie Laurin is an international presenter and author of articles about child wellbeing, child mental health, and childcare routines. She has a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s in Waldorf Early Childhood. Debbie weaves information from mainstream research with Waldorf Early Childhood Education. She is involved with an international group working towards their Pikler® Pedagogue certification. She serves as Co-Director of Early Childhood with the West Coast Institute of Anthroposophy and is faculty and mentor to students in the WCI program. She is a member of the Scientific committee with Pikler®/USA and works with the WECAN Birth-to-Three advisory group. Debbie recently opened Sand Ananda – a sand studio play space in Nelson, BC inspired by Ute Strub and Strandgut in Berlin. Debbie brings experiences as a former Waldorf Kindergarten and Parent and Child teacher and her curiosity and wonder of the young child continue to grow joyfully as a grandmother to three granddaughters.

TBD