Faith writes: When I first started working with toddlers, I also happened to read Nokken by Helle Heckmann, who tells about how she spends hours outside each day with the children in her play program, regardless of the weather. I was completely inspired! I wanted to spend hours outside each day with the children, too! […]
An Outdoor Summer, by Faith Collins Read More »
If I had to choose one point—and only one point—to share with people about my keynote address at the conference, it would be the idea that many times when children say “No” to us, what they’re really trying to say is, “I don’t feel as connected to you right now as I wish I did.”
Transforming No into Yes! by Faith Collins Read More »
“Joy and Wonder are foundations of a healthy, satisfying life. To recognize, appreciate and foster a young child’s joy we must be in touch with our own joy.” These comments opened our Parenting with Spirit workshop at the LifeWays Conference, in which we outlined the foundations for a path of joy in parenting. We looked
A Path to Joy in Parenting by Cindy Brooks and Joya Birms Read More »
During the first seven years or so of life the child’s main tasks are to come to terms with physical reality, to develop the organs of his or her physical body, and to learn to relate socially. The main learning paradigm for young children is imitation, so how the adults around them manage conflict is
Connecting with Young Children by Stephen Spitalny Read More »
Written by Jaimmie Stugard: After nearly half a year of frigid Wisconsin winter, gradually the snow and the half-foot of ice buried beneath it began to melt away. Here and there we caught a few glimpses of sunshine with a warmish 50 degree breeze, only to have the temperature plummet again the next day. The
Wind or Weather: An Elemental Experience, by Jaimmie Stugard Read More »
Get practical ideas for interacting with children when Faith speaks about 5 Ways to Transform No into Yes at the National LifeWays Conference on May 18th, 2013. She will also offer an afternoon workshop on Allowing Children to Help, looking at fostering competence in children. High Expectations vs. Unrealistic Expectations I was talking with a
Some Ideas About High Expectations Read More »
This gentle springtime story from Suzanne Down can be told or done as a puppet show for children. Learn how to write nurturing stories of your own from Suzanne’s talk, The Story Art of the Heart: Where All’s Well with the World, at the National LifeWays Conference on May 18th, 2013. Learn to make a
Spring Song: A Story for Children Read More »
[NOTE: This letter originally went out to the members of Joyful Toddlers‘ teleclass in 2013.] by Faith Collins: Most of the people I know are not very interested in New Year’s Resolutions; they either laugh a bit cynically, or they’re against them altogether. Last year at New Year’s I participated in a lovely day-long dance workshop and
A New Approach to New Year’s Resolutions by Faith Collins Read More »
It was back in the summer of 1977 and I was sitting with some awe once again in Marjorie Spock’s kitchen in East Sullivan, Maine. We spoke of numerous things, including a possible relocation to the area to help start a Waldorf school initiative. As always, she was full of robust energy, humor and
Home for the Holidays, by Pamela Perkins Read More »
For years, advent – the four weeks prior to Christmas – in the O’Connell household has been celebrated with the gradual building of an advent nature scene on our kitchen table. I love this tradition, because it blends the Christian tradition of the advent wreath with a deeper appreciation of the natural world. It begins
Advent Nature Scene, by Mary O’Connell Read More »
