Spring and Me! Weekend Parent and Me Class Los Angeles, CA

Though our Mini May Faire may have been wee, I am replete knowing I pursued a vision of toddlers enjoying a sweet "Mommy and Me" based on Waldorf principles.  Over the course of 6 weeks, our sunflower seeds sprouted and grew so big (and will hopefully flower quite soon).  We learned many fingerplays and poems, made beautiful Spring-inspired artwork together, met baby animals, and made new friends.

We walked around the maypole saying good-bye to our class with this song,

Sow the seeds in the ground below

Add the sun and the rain

Watch a garden grow,

I can see in front of me,

A garden by "Rosie" just as pretty as can be.

(Each child grew a miniature garden in a picnic basket to take home at the last class.)

DIY: to make the Maypole I found a thick stick and nailed ribbons to the top, stuck in a flower pot with soil, and covered with cloth and flowers.

If you are in Los Angeles, please join the next session, visit http://playgrouplosangeles.com

Down to Connection

A genuine love of family, a profound feeling towards children propels my consciousness, guides me through my life's work.  I can't seem to listen to enough (conversations about) children, period.

I have been fortunate to attend two interesting lectures concerning early childhood in the past month.  One with Dr. Reggie Melrose at Maple Village Waldorf School and the other with Polly Elam at the RIE conference.  (I intend to write about those in more detail.)

A practical approach to parenthood and personhood is what I crave from life first and foremost--when I  am not doing it, I am learning about it.  Ultimately, there is a marked difference between knowing about something and being it.

And, though I imagine I will always attend and engage in conversations about the ways to see children and be with them, I probably have most singularly been influenced by my spiritual teacher, David Hawkins.  When asked how to be the best teacher for children, he offers, just love them, they know when you love them, they get it instantly.

When I reflect on what informs or at least navigates my approach, I would say I rely most heavily on an instant connection.  I feel the rainbow bridge, I see One, when I look into the eyes of my young friends.

Very grateful to pause for a moment and acknowledge that I am in the vortex of what I want to be when I grow up.  

I suppose out of love arises all of the right suggestions.