Keep a sense of the rhythm of the school day, based on Steiner’s concept of weekly/daily rhythm. Change out of pjs and dress for the day, to begin main lesson in the morning. Progress to downtime, reading or quiet time at midday, then outside time, games and projects in the afternoon. Focus on keeping bedtime and meal times consistent. This reliable rhythm is very important for children (and their families), to help them feel held and supported.
Set up a dedicated work space. Structure—via your child’s own desk (for grade schoolers) or table and chair—is grounding, along with a place for their materials.
Give yourself and your child recess times.
Include special set up and clean up chores for each child, so they have the empowerment of real work to help their family.
If you have little ones who still nap, what a wonderful time to do “grown up” activities with older students, such as painting, cutting paper, building, knitting, reading a chapter book together or even baking or starting dinner.
Appeal to the senses. Let them help you knead bread or make soup, take a “listening” walk or a bird watching hike, play a guessing game by touch only.
Take time for feelings and sharing.
Music is important—singing, whistling, playing music, dancing, jump rope rhymes help children move through transitions and bring a comforting feeling of calm.
The snow drops are “up,” and the red wing blackbirds are back, so this is a wonderful time to learn something new: hopscotch, skate, ride a bike, scooter, plan and prepare your garden, build a bat house or a bird house together, teach old dogs new tricks. (Your children might be amazed to know you can ride a unicycle or juggle balls!)
Let your child teach you what they know. They will enjoy teaching you how to knit, how to play a pentatonic flute or recorder, put on a puppet show, do Eurythmy or plant onions. They know lots of songs and stories, the blessing before meals and morning verse. Children take such pride and pleasure in sharing what they’ve learned with loved ones.
