​

My name is Marlene Luneng, and I am the founder of Uffda Play.

When my second-born daughter was beginning grade eight, she often came home in tears. She cried at the supper table and in general was the most unhappy person I’d ever seen. This was a child who was on the honour roll and had the best of friends; yet, she was struggling. Something wasn’t right. I had to find a different educational path if I wanted to get my happy darling daughter back.

I studied different philosophies related to childhood development. When I stumbled upon Waldorf Education, I was immediately drawn to its holistic approach and how it embraces spiritual, mental, and physical elements of a child’s well-being. It fit my values and beliefs to a tee, and I dove right in.

Around the same time, I found Magda Gerber’s RIE Philosophy, which is based on some basic principles about respecting the child and trusting them to be “an initiator, an explorer, and a self learner.”

I pulled bits and pieces from both Waldorf Education and Magda Gerber’s philosophy to form my own unique approach to educating my children in a way that worked for us and our family.

I loved it! My daughter was thriving, and I felt grounded and completely aligned with the way that I was teaching her.

I soon craved a community of like-minded families to spend time with and learn from, so I started my own.

Uffda Play was born just after my fourth daughter. The name came from a Norweigan expression my father used when we were children. “Uffda!” is what he would say if he burnt his hand, or if he was being silly. Parenting can be both difficult and silly, so I thought Uffda was the perfect name for our playgroups.

Uffda has been nourishing my soul and the souls of our community of families, ever since.