Imperfect Landscaping Good for Kids!...

Ahhh....the smell of cut grass is in the air! For many of us...that means at least a portion of our weekend plans are going to be out in the yard...tending. Now...in my pre-organic days...I used to purchase all of the potions that were designed to kill everything but the grass...but now...my perspective has changed. Now because I have youth playing in the yard...I don't care to have those sprays on the lawn for fear of poisoning them...but in addition to that...I like having the variety of "weeds" that grow in the lawn to be a part of their outdoors experience.

This of course defies the culturally ingrained belief that only a mono-cultured grass can be a thing of beauty! And...I don't deny that it is a beautiful thing. I just feel that there is also beauty and value to be found with some dandelions poking up here and there ready to be blowing into the wind or some white clover flowers begging to become ingredients in their "soup" that the children make daily. To me...it is one step closer to getting the children a to a true "nature" experience. Less altered by man's hand to become perhaps too unnatural.

I also like for the children to see how the native plants develop and flower. Many of them are more beautiful in my eyes that the plants I'd have to pay for and nurture to keep alive!

Now...I know about social pressures. I know about the struggle to keep good home values by keeping homes looking nice. Lawns can be a sore spot for neighbors who don't like seeing weeds. Perhaps what most people could stand to do as a compromise is to strive to keep their front lawn manicured and green...but the backyard a little unkempt for the children to play.

I am not advocating never cutting lawns or letting things get out of control. When the lawn get's too long...it can actually be an impediment to some forms of play as they can't run through it effectively...or kick a ball through it. When I do my lawn duties...I mow everything...but leave some weeds here and there to grow. It still can look pretty sharp...and allow the children a slice of the "wild".

Just some food for thought to make your own homes a bit more Waldorf!

Melty Crayons and Scratch Paper...

On rainy days like today...we often do "melty crayons". Two trays are plugged in...and they get just warm enough to make crayons melt when placed on the tray. It's like painting with crayons! The kids love it and never seem to tire of it. It also serves to warm up rainy day cold hands.

They are often to be found at your local thrift store...as they were really popular a few decades ago. They look like the one in the photo above...only without the soup!

Or...they can be purchased at places like Amazon for like $50 or more! (I say look at a thrift store!)



When the kids really start getting into their art...it doesn't take them long to go through a good amount of paper. Instead of giving them brand new paper for the 5 masterpieces they might do in one sitting...we prefer to give them recycled..."Scratch" paper.

As a request...if you think to...will you please save your paper that could be used as scratch paper? It can be any size...any color...it just needs one blank side. Just make sure that it doesn't have any sensitive information on it!

You may find that your contribution comes back to you like a boomerang...only with priceless art on it...and a meaningful and often lengthy conversation about it's meaning! Wonderful!

Story Time...

During freeplay today a child decided that it was time for "Story Time". With the help of two other girls her landscape was set. The puppeteers announced to the other children that the show was about to start. They quickly stopped what they were doing and sat down quietly to get ready for a story.

She sat down a glockenspiel...perfectly dinged out each note (the same as her teacher)...and then recited the entire opening sequence that her teacher does during storytime (I was too late to record it). Here is the text...

Quiet as a butterflies wings

Quiet as a snowflake falling

Quiet as the light of a butterfly

Quiet as a seed beginning to grow

(Sung) Quiet...quiet...make not any noise.

Listen...listen...to the holy voice.

Wonder is now coming near...as we still ourselves to hear

Quiet...quiet...make not any noise.

She then embarked on a story that went on for some 25 minutes!! The audience...mostly age 3...sat perfectly still and listened until she was done! The story was serious...had adventure...and lots and lots of humor.

I hope that everyone can grasp how remarkable this "Story Time" is that happens on a regular basis at our home. I think it is a blaring example of how Waldorf education excels. This was not instigated by the adults in any way. We did not preach to them about how they should do a puppet play...what the story should be about...or that they should sit still. We simply do our best to repeatedly model good behavior...and they follow because they want to.

They are learning that there is a time to play...a time to work...and a time to be still and concentrate...Wonderful!

Plasma Car...

After the kids are released from snack...they race to get a "car" to ride. The most coveted cars are the "Plasma cars" pictured to the right. We just added a new yellow one to the fleet...thanks to Leah receiving one for Christmas!

We like the Plasma Car because...

1. All ages enjoy it. A child old enough to sit down and hold on...up to a pretty heavy adult can ride the plasma car! After the preschoolers leave...our older children come home ride it around.

2. They are sturdy. We leave them outside. While they have faded...they are still in good shape. It would surely last a lot longer if it was stored in between usage...or was entirely an inside rider (if you have the space!)

3. They are pretty good exercise...and they require some balance. They teach a young child the basics of steering and motion.

4. They are stable...and the child is close to the ground so if they were ever to fall...it would be a minor spill.

They go for around $50 or so and are worth every penny. We have purchased bicycles for quite a bit more that just ended up rusting and being a waste of money. These see use and abuse every single day and keep on truckin'.

There are several knock-off brands out there. We purchased one and it wasn't made nearly as well...but still works fine.

You might consider this for a future present for your child. The both of you will not be disappointed!