January 2022

Thank you so much for joining the Whole Heart Crunchy Parents tribe and embarking on this journey of intentional parenting with me! You wont regret it. Every month I'll be adding exclusive content here for tribe members only; those who are truly invested in better themselves FOR their children. 

This month, I'd like everyone to join me in reading "You Are Your Child's First Teacher" by Rahima Baldwin Dancy. If you've already read this, check out "heaven on Earth" instead. Both books are great resources for parents beginning an exploration of Waldorf in the home, Waldorf education, or simply parents of babies and toddlers who are interested in learning more about how children and babies learn and develop. 

Child's Book List: 
Cozy, Jan Brett
Ollie's Ski Trip, Elsa Beskow
The Trouble with Trolls, Jan Brett
Winter, Gerda Muller (young children)
The Mitten, Jan Brett
The Snowy Day, Ezra Jack Keats
The Story of the Snow Children, Sibylle Von Olfers

Activities to enjoy this month with your young child:
Make snowflakes from coffee filters
Try "wet on wet" watercolor painting with the blue
Create a winter scene by making a collage from magazines or white pastels on black paper
Walk in a "winter wonderland" or build a scene using play silks and items from nature

Create a "nature table" with your child: for WINTER:
Perhaps a blue, black or white play silk as the base
Add candles, pinecones, acorns, other items one may find in the winter

Purge the home of things unused, unopened, unloved! Clutter crowds the mind and heart and takes up space the child needs to grow into. I recommend selling things online or donating to a local shelter or Goodwill. You'll instantly feel ready for a new year, new you, new changes!

Waldorf Toys/Items to add:
Budget friendly: Sign up for "Play Silks in the mail" on SarahsSilks.com and receive a new play silk each month for your child's collection
Mid-level: Add one of the Grimm's elements such as rainbow, flower, water, or fire
Larger budget: A Waldorf Playstand with arch can be anything your child wants it to be. Arches often become stores, schools, museums, banks, or simply a nook for reading and playing uninterrupted

Parenting Skill to Master: Returning Responsibility

The rule of thumb is: "If a child CAN do it, a child SHOULD do it"
Try to return responsibility to your young child by saying things like, "That's a problem you can solve" or "That is a task I know you can do" and give the child the opportunity to solve problems, find answers to questions, complete tasks independently, and even be in charge of their play. Often, while playing, a child will turn to a parent and ask, "What should I do next?" and a wise parent will not make a suggestion, but rather respond with, "That's for you to decide" and allow the child to not only be in charge of their own play, but learn they are capable of big things. They are capable of making their own decisions and do not need adult intervention. This very simple shift in your relationship with your child will hopefully transfer to other areas of your child's life. You may find them one day brushing their teeth without being reminded, playing an elaborate game solo, or picking up after themselves (gasp!)

Practice the following phrases to master this skill:

• "That's for you to decide"
• "This is something you can do"
• "I notice you have mastered new skills"
• "That's a problem you can solve" 
• "Your a person who can do big things"

Imagine a world where a child no longer feels inferior and incapable, but feels confident in their own abilities and even better- is comfortable with failure because they're loved through it! Remember, Waldorf way includes "benign neglect" which is purposely NOT doing things for your child when they can do it themselves. 

Thank you for following, listening, and supporting. Be well!