Girls Entering Puberty Younger and Younger...

Recently I have seen a few articles that speak of how girls as young as 7 years old are entering puberty.  I'm sure that all conscientious parents would want to delay their child's entering puberty as long as possible so as to avoid their child having to deal with the emotional and physical challenges that accompany it.  But not only that...early puberty is being linked to increased chances of breast cancer.

I bring this to your attention...so you can keep your eyes out for those things that are speculated to trigger the early development...and to keep your child away from them!

So what is causing this?  Most of the articles have "experts" saying something similar to the following...

"He speculates that its primary driver may be overweight and obesity, because estrogen is sequestered in fat tissue.  But environmental exposures to chemicals - including pesticides and endocrine-disrupting chemicals like bisphenol A, commonly found in plastics, and phthalates, which are contained in many personal-care products - could also play a role."

Many in the Waldorf community already believe that those things are poor for your health...and have adjusted their lifestyles.  Using metals and glasses instead of plastics.  Avoiding growth hormones in foods and other pesticides and herbicides by eating organic.  Watching the things that come into our bodies by eating and even what we absorb through our skin.

Here is some good advice...

"Until we know what the cause is, the best way to slow puberty may be to “start living green,” says Biro. “It may help for families eat together and to consume well-balanced diets. Regular physical activity may help, too.”

Floating Swimsuits...

It's summertime again...and time for swimming!

Just wanted to give you a recommendation if you are need of finding a way for your non-swimming child to stay buoyant this season. We are big fans of the "floating body suits". Here is why we like them...

1. They offer decent sun protection.
2. The floats are on the chest...not the arms...which allows the child full range of motion with their arms. It seems this helps them to learn to swim on their own faster.
3. If the child still feels they need more to keep them up...they can still fit a floating ring around their bellies.
4. They are comfortable for the child.
5. They look cool!

They make them for boys and girls...and are available most everywhere swimsuits are sold.

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!

The Childcare Industry Struggles...

Here is an article from a recent edition of the Sacramento Bee about the state of the childcare industry in our region. While it is not our intent to close our doors anytime soon...I thought it would be good for you to see how this business (like many other industries) can be a fragile one...and what is taking place in our area. When the parents lose their jobs...move...etc...childcares take a hit in their income as well. If it is substantial enough of a hit...and the childcare is unable to keep up with expenses...they ultimately close down. While we have lost some families to losing employment...under employment...and other reasons...we have continued to increase our enrollment with the word of mouth from happy parents.

We hope that you will continue to spread the good word!...and thank you for doing so in the past.

Snack Time Opening...

Here is a video of our current opening to our snack and lunch...



The words go as follows...

"Fire fairies...little flame so warm and bright...give to us your golden light"
"Hands together...hands apart...hands together we're ready to start"
"We thank the Creator for the harvest of the earth...we thank the earth for it's food...we thank the food for it's gift of life...to the one who prepared it...we give our gratitude".

Tortilla Day!!

If you didn't know already...Thursday is tortilla day!  A day loved by all of the children...and adults!  We are often asked for the recipe and about the process...so here it is!

Ingredients

1.5 cups unbleached flour

1.5 cups wheat flour (I’ve used millet flour and bean flour…be creative!
2 tsp. baking powder (preferably non-aluminum)
1 tsp. salt
4-6 Tbsp butter

1 1/4 cups warm water

I also throw in some flax seed and/or flax oil

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Add butter. I squish it together with my hands.

Next add warm water a little at a time until your dough is soft and not sticky. You do not need very hot water.

Knead the dough for a few minutes.

Now you will pull off pieces of dough to form about 12 small balls. Let them rest for at least 10 minutes, longer if you like.

This is a good time to heat up the cast iron skillet.  You will want to set it at medium to high heat.  The higher it is...the closer you need to stay to make sure they don't burn!

Now you can roll out the dough with your rolling pin. It is a good
idea to dust each ball with a little flour just before you roll them out. Lay the pin in the center of the dough ball and roll up, center and roll down. It is good to lift the dough and turn it. Again, rolling pin in the center and roll. Roll them out thin and roundish.

Lay your tortilla on the hot and dry cast iron skillet. We don't use any oil on the skillet...as we find that it smokes. Flip it after it loses it's "wet" look.  I flip it with my fingers...but you could use a spatula if you are afraid!  When it comes off we put it on a plate...quickly run a stick of butter over it and serve them hot.  We eat often eat them with beans...cheese...rice...and salsa...but they are great just on their own too.  Enjoy!