June 9, 2019
The honey bee that fetch the nectar
From the flowers to the comb
Never tire of ever buzzing to and fro
Because they take a little nip
From ev’ry flower that they sip
And hence (And hence),
They find (They find)
Their task is not a grind. – Mary Poppins
Let’s face it, caring for young children can be grueling. I watched a mom trying to get her little one into his car seat the other day. She used all of her magic ways to charm him, engage him, convince him, and cajole him, and none of it worked. We’ve all been there, and it’s not fun. We want to be the parent or caregiver above, full of joy and song, but there are moments when we feel like this:
This week, let’s focus on reclaiming our JOY! There are some simple things we all know how to do, but in the everydayness of life, we sometimes forget. Let’s remember together some of the ways we can turn the frustration and yelling into smooth transitions and smiles.
Blessings on your week,
Mary O’Connell, Your Living Arts Weekly blog editor
Practical Activity
Coast to Coast over 2019-2020
LifeWays Early Childhood Training options have never been more accessible!
Scholarships support our ongoing commitment to help our students with financial need! If you’ve been wanting to enroll in the LifeWays Early Childhood Certification Training or the LifeWays Fundamentals Course, NOW is the time! LifeWays has received a scholarship grant and we want to help you reclaim your JOY. The first step is to apply!
Nurturing Care
Tired of negotiating every transition throughout the day? This post from Lavender’s Blue Homeschool has some very helpful tips to make transitions easier and less stressful! “You can teach transitions the same way you ‘teach’ anything else in Waldorf early childhood – with imitation, repetition, imagination, connection, warmth, rhythm, and gentle guidance.”
Creative Exploration
Cynthia shares a fun and playful game to play with your little one, and a great thigh workout as well! This is just one of the many resources available in our Living Arts Through the Seasons Summer edition.
Social Awareness
Singing with your Children
Want to sing more with children but don’t know how to start? Here is a great article from LifeWays graduate, Holly Richardson, parent-child teacher at Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork in Carbondale, CO. She talks about the special quality of songs in the “mood of the fifth”, and where to begin. Holly writes: As we sing through the day with young children entrusted into our care, there are an infinite number of songs from which to choose. Consider the songs in the mood of the fifth that bring a quality of joy, openness, and lightness. Consider songs that come from your heart. Know that you are supporting your child’s healthy development in a unique way that honors where they have come from, where they are currently, and supports their gentle landing on this exciting and busy earth.”