A link for you and your little one

In case you're looking for wonderful underwear, I just ordered something myself from http://www.floweringchild. Plus, cheaper than Amazon!! Keep warm and comfy this winter dear readers.

THE FOUR TEMPERAMENTS

In my book 'Magical Motherhood', I only deal with the four temperaments in passing. This is because the focus of the book is more on the infant than the toddler and growing child. Here is the link to four excellent articles that will give you an idea what it's all about. I consider that recognizing your child's temperament and learning how to respond to that is one of the most helpful keys you can have.

Childhood is a time, of course, when the happy, sanguine temperament can often hold sway, in the same way that we tend to grow melancholic in old age.

So, dear readers, without more ado, here is the promised link for you to follow:

http://earthschooling.info/thebearthinstitute/the-four-temperaments-in-rhythm-of-the-home/

A SWINGING CHANT AND A SONG

Last night we were visiting the grandsons. In their front garden they have a rope swing that hangs from a branch of their sturdy and tall maple tree and I can tell you they make good use of it. This reminded me of happy times in our nearby park when they were little, and how even from tiny tots they loved to swing, and, unlike some adults, seemed to never tire or suffer any ill effects from the back and forth motion... probably because of the rhythm.

Yes, this is healthy and fun for the little ones.

What came to me also was the chant and the song I used. The chant is a simple one:

'Swing swong, all the day long... ' to be repeated as long as you wish, each time you push the swing forward.

Now for the song. Take a look at this website: http://www.jacshootblog.com  It's worth the read and you'll enjoy the happy photos.

I wanted also to share the tune with you. Unfortunately I couldn't find a direct link, nor a good sound quality video. But take a look in any case because the tune is an easy one to pick up and certainly enhances the experience for the child. On youtube, search for    swing me higher obediah  sung by Florrie Forde on Vintage British Comedy.

So, dear care-givers, get swinging!

Protection for your sleeping child

Most weekdays, we have the pleasure of picking the Blue-eyed Boy up from school and he stays with us for about an hour before Mom or Dad comes to collect him.

So the other day I arrived a bit too early and sat in my car a few minutes before going out to meet and greet him. Next to me a van was parked. A lovely young mother was there to fetch her little one from kindergarten. She had a baby daughter in the car seat and as I watched her lift baby out so sweetly and tenderly, I realized the child had been fast asleep. How touching to see the way she snuggled into her mom's shoulder, eyes still closed.

To switch to your own experience, I want to ask how you feel when you first wake up. Unless you have some sort of covering over you, I would suggest your skin feels a little chilled. You're vulnerable, somehow, exposed. This has to do with what we call the life body (i.e. not simply the physical), and it's worth noting.

My mother taught me always to put a light (or heavier in winter) covering over a child when you move them when they're sleeping, or have been sleeping. Easy enough to do and a caring gesture.

SCHOOL READINESS AND THE CHILD'S DEVELOPING BRAIN

Our four children all began their schooldays in the southern hemisphere, which meant... in January. So there are parents in that half of the world who are wondering 'Is my little girl or boy really ready for this big step?'
   
Almost every week I read about new research that proves the benefits of starting school later rather than earlier. This applies even to kindergarten, although I'd say if you find a really good Waldorf kindergarten you might happily entrust your four year old to the teacher's tender care. In any case, as a parent who yearns to do the best for your child, you might ask, "How can I judge when my child is ready for formal schooling?" The usual way is to go by age, but each of us is a unique individual, right?

Actually the subject is a complex one. Waldorf schools employ a process, and usually prefer a 7 year-old rather than a 6 year-old start. Dr. Rudolf Steiner actually indicates that the best way is to remember when your child was conceived, sometime before the middle of November, or toward the end. A simple guideline can be what usually happens around the age of six: i.e. the milk teeth begin to loosen and fall out. This signals a new development of the brain, one you can foster by... wait for it... teaching your child to knit! This is an ideal activity when for when your children are around seven or eight years of age.

I thought of this yesterday when I had to go for a routine blood test. Expecting to wait, I took a book with me. When I was done, I passed through the waiting room again. There sat a woman, happily engaged with her knitting. I was struck by delight, especially as everyone else was engrossed in the cyber-world rather than the real. But there she sat, content with her productive activity, and I thought, "Good for you!"

These are the needles and wool (yes, wool, not artificial yarn) I bought for my grandsons. It's a good idea to cast on a few stitches for them. I clearly remember having to ask my gran for help with this when I was young. And there's a nice Waldorf verse you can use to help the child. Here it is:

In through the front door,
Once around the back,
Peek through the window,
And off jumps Jack!

Advent tide

Here we are, approaching the second Sunday in Advent, a week when we specially think of our debt to the plant world and acknowledge our gratitude. Last Sunday the grandsons, now nine and seven years old, came over with their parents for a simple celebration at our house.

They came about an hour before we sat down to share a meal together. When they arrived, the house was in darkness (the sun sets soon after 4.20 p.m. these days). I met them in the entrance hall, and gave each of them a candlestick to carry.

We lit their candles and they carried them into our living/dining room and placed them carefully on the mantelpiece. Then we lit other candles around the room and the children sat down to hear a Christmas story read. Over the years I've collected quite a few and they work well for setting a mood... especially in candlelight.

So there mom and dad sat, each with a boy on the lap, listening by candlelight. This was such a lovely sight that I thought I should take a photo. I even went so far as to fetch my digital camera. But then I thought... 'No, a flash, the taking of a photo, will totally intrude and interfere with this special moment. So I refrained.

After the story we sang a song together 'People look East'. Cheryl had never heard that before. Luckily I'd thought to print out four copies of the words so we could all join in. The lyrics are easily found on the web.

Over the years I've also collected art postcards of the Annunciation. I selected a couple of these to have as images around the room. In these days when so much of what meets our eyes is hideous, not to mention evil, it's helpful to look at the beautiful and true.

So here is the Angel Gabriel to salute you on this Advent Friday. I send you a virtual lily and wish you a quiet, lovely moment or two.

Your baby's journal: reminder and excerpt.

We have our two older grandsons staying with us. They are now 12 and 11 years old and are amused and delighted when I tell them funny things they said when they were small. I know it takes effort, but if you can record these kinds of things in your baby's journal (well, they'll be toddlers and older when they learn to speak, of course!) you'll find it well worth while.

Here's an excerpt from Letter Thirteen of my book 'Magical Motherhood, A Series of Letters to Cheryl' as an example.*

     I found it fascinating to observe the different ways Josh and Rory took hold of language. Josh loved adverbs and adjectives — sticky, slow, fast – and especially liked three syllable words. One day I swept the kitchen floor. As I finished, I commented, “Well, that’s better, but not marvellous.” He went around muttering “marvellous, marvellous.”

    Don’t miss the opportunity to record such things in your child’s journal. One of my regrets is that I didn’t make more detailed notes, starting with Miranda. By the time Ben came along I recognized how much of what I believed I’d remember I’d forgotten! So I have more of his delightful ways and sayings – sometimes funny, sometimes wise – than of the three others. I brought out my notebooks when we celebrated his twenty-first birthday, still the true time of our coming of age. When I read out some of the amusing things he said, the questions he asked, he nearly fell off his chair, he was laughing so hard!

     And now I’ve also recorded things that Josh and Rory say when I’m with them. Ah, how the heart sighs and smiles to read and be reminded of those precious moments.

* available from http://www.magicalmotherhood.com  

or email magicalmotherhood@rogers.com