Sleep
with Danica Ondrusova
Danica offers a Waldorf-informed understanding of sleep, especially for babies and young children. She recognises that every child has unique sleep needs, and she encourages parents to discover what those needs are and how to best support them. Danica offers a waldorf-inspired, developmentally informed approach to understanding sleep - what shapes it, what supports it, and how we can nurture it in gentle, practical ways.
In her teaching, Danica explores the two realms of sleeping and waking, delving into the spiritual perspective of sleep. Understanding sleep in this way can give us a new appreciation of why it matters - not only developmentally and physically, but spiritually as well.
If you struggle to establish a steady sleep rhythm for your child, or feel uncertain about what they may need, this course will be a supportive guide.
It is designed for parents who find settling their baby or child difficult, who feel exhausted, or who simply don’t know where to start. It’s also for those who wonder why sleep varies so much - whether due to temperament, timing, developmental stages, or the surrounding environment.
You’ll receive clear, achievable strategies for building healthy sleep habits, along with guidance for creating nourishing rhythms and routines that support your whole family. If you’re seeking more stability, more rest, and more confidence around sleep, this course will help you find your footing again.
What You’ll Learn
This course is ideal for parents who:
Are finding it difficult to settle their baby or child to sleep
Struggle with their own sleep as a result
Aren’t sure where to begin when trying to improve their child’s sleep
Wonder whether sleep patterns are genetic, developmental, or shaped by environment
Want practical, achievable strategies for building healthy sleep habits
Are seeking more consistent and nurturing routines around sleep
Comes with your own
downloadable e-book journal
Once purchased, work at
your own pace.
Program Structure
This program is delivered over 10 lessons, ranging from brief bite-sized segments to sessions around 10 minutes. You’ll also receive a downloadable e-book journal for reflection or to work alongside as you move through the lessons.
Ideal For
This course is suited for parents and carers who are navigating sleep challenges with their babies or children, or are wanting more confidence in their rhythm, or are wanting to understand the deeper lens of sleep.
Programs you may wish to follow on with…
If you enjoyed listening to Danica, you will enjoy her course on Storytelling and how it can support your children’s growth and development.
Looking after ourselves is hard when we have young children. Delve into Julie’s course on ways we can take better care of ourselves for ourselves and for our family.
Nadine speaks of the importance of the first three years, especially, and what we can do as parents to best support our children during this time.
These courses build on the foundations you’ll gain here and offer deeper insights and practical tools to support your parenting journey.
Danica Ondrusova: Sleep
Program Structure
Two Worlds - Sleeping and Waking (6:04)
Lesson 1Our Spiritual Nature (8:53)
Lesson 2Lesson 10Rhythms of Sleep (11:19)
Lesson 3
Routines for Rest (6:10)
Lesson 4Creating Routines that Work (10:45)
Lesson 5Using Observation to Create Routines (5:25)
Lesson 6Strategies for Sleep Struggles (6:59)
Lesson 7Adjusting Routines for Growing Children (3:54)
Lesson 8Managing Transitions (9:39
Lesson 9The Child’s Journey (4:21)
Meet the Instructors
Julie Frew
Paediatric Occupational TherapistJulie has worked in the field of child development for over 17 years. Her practice is grounded in postgraduate study in sensory processing for diverse populations, alongside additional training in attachment, psychosensory trauma interventions, neurobiology, and polyvagal theory.
Her professional understanding of the human being is also deeply shaped by a Steiner/Waldorf worldview. As a mother of two young children, Julie weaves both professional expertise and lived experience into her work with families.
She is passionate about helping parents understand their children’s sensory and emotional needs, offering practical tools that support resilience, regulation, and secure attachment. Julie’s compassionate, research-informed approach empowers parents to create nurturing, connected environments where children can truly thrive.
Danica Ondrusova
Waldorf Kindergarten TeacherDanica is a trained primary school teacher specialising in Waldorf education. Her first teaching qualification was completed in Slovakia, and she later continued her studies in Scotland, undertaking further training in special needs education and care at Aberdeen University. She spent five years there working within a community supporting children with diverse needs.
After moving to New Zealand, Danica continued in this field before transitioning into early childhood education. She is now a kindergarten teacher in a Steiner setting, where she nurtures young children through play-based learning and a warm, rhythmic environment.
As a mother of three young children, including twin boys, Danica brings both professional expertise and rich lived experience to her work with children and families.
Nadine Siedel
Early Childhood TeacherNadine is a qualified Early Childhood Teacher and parenting coach with over 20 years of experience working with young children. Her journey has been deeply rooted in the Steiner community, where she has worked as a kindergarten teacher and guided families in fostering healthy, connected relationships with their children.
As a mother of two preschool-aged boys, Nadine understands firsthand the joys and challenges of early childhood parenting. She is passionate about helping parents build loving, secure foundations for their children, drawing on both her professional expertise and her own lived experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
No prior knowledge is required. While some familiarity with Waldorf Education or Anthroposophy can be helpful, it is not essential. This course is designed to be accessible and valuable regardless of your background. You’ll gain practical tools and insights either way - all that’s needed is an open and curious mindset.
-
Yes. This course offers a different approach to sleep than many problem-focused sleep programs. Rather than addressing sleep as an issue to be fixed, it explores sleep from a broader, more holistic perspective, helping you build a strong foundation for healthy sleep within your household. Danica weaves a spiritual understanding of sleep with practical, supportive strategies, offering insight into why sleep is so vital — and how it can be gently nurtured over time.
-
This course is especially supportive in that situation. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, it helps you understand sleep through a developmental and individual lens. You’ll be guided to recognise your child’s unique needs, temperament, and rhythms, and to work with them gently and realistically. The focus is on creating supportive conditions for sleep over time, building trust and consistency, and helping you feel more confident and resourced - even if sleep has been a long-standing challenge.
-
This course is offered through a direct enrolment process to ensure care around access and support for each participant.
If you’d like to take part in Sleep with Danica Ondrusova, please register your interest using the button below. A member of the Taruna team will be in touch within 24 hours with payment information and instructions for accessing the course materials.
Course fee:
$80 NZDOnce payment is confirmed, you’ll receive access to the full course content.
Contact and Course Registration
Thinking about enrolling? Curious which program might be the right fit? Whatever you’re looking for, we’re here to help.