Shana Tova

We've been exploring things 'bee' and 'honey' to get ourselves in a seasonal frame of mind. We went along to a JCC event at Kentish Town City Farm where we learnt all about bee keeping (and got inspired to consider keeping them ourselves one day?! - If we do we'll be sure to get support from Capital Bee). It was fascinating to learn that when a bee finds a good source of pollen, it returns to the hive and does a 'figure of eight' dance which gives the other bees the exact co-ordinates of where to go. It was upsetting to hear about the bleeding canker disease, coupled with the devastating leaf miner moth, that are afflicting horse chestnut trees to such an extent that we may not have any of these majestic trees left in a few years.

Meanwhile, Eden is enjoying his new beeswax crayons. Conventional wax crayons are made from paraffin wax and pigment dyes. Paraffin is a byproduct of petroleum (processed from crude oil) and although considered non-toxic and acceptable according to government and industry standards, I wanted to seek out a natural alternative.

These crayons are a great, chubby shape that's easy for his little hands to grip, they produce really vibrant colour and they smell absolutely delicious!

I'm interested in many aspects of Steiner Waldorf educational philosophy and take Eden to a Steiner parent and toddler group (indoors) and a woodland group each week. 

The woodland session keeps us in touch with the changing seasons. The session has a set rhythm, beginning with ring-time where we join in action songs and verses, these always include songs about the season, and its associated symbols, colours or animals. This is followed by a long walk in the woods to explore, peer, collect, climb, wander, touch, feel, smell... Eden loves scrabbling around, getting dirty and hugging trees (literally - his Dad taught him that!). His favourite activity at the moment is moving heaps of acorns one by one. We finish with a picnic lunch, perched on logs gathered around a 'table' (mat) decorated with things we have collected on our walk.

I've found it helpful as I approached Rosh Hashanah to be outdoors so much and really feel and notice the year progressing and changing - though it has been somewhat confusing, what with the 'false' early autumn and the heatwave! We have brought home leaves, acorns, conkers and other colourful seasonal additions for our 'nature table', which makes an attractive table centrepiece that will evolve as the year unfolds. 

The indoor session begins with a period of free play alongside baking - the 'teacher' sings as she prepares and kneads dough, the children can join her at the table to knead (or, more often in Eden's case, eat) their own ball of dough. Or they can play with any of a wide assortment of pots, spoons, blocks, dolls, or push and pull along toys. Then comes 'ring-time' again including action songs and seasonal verses. Following this, the children get ready for 'snack time' sitting at the table. The afternoon concludes with 'story time' which reprises a song or animal or theme from ring-time. Characteristic of Steiner environments is that careful consideration is given to the impact of everything in the room upon all the senses of the child. There are no 'hard' corners, no strong colours and the furniture and toys are all made of natural materials.

In both settings, and intrinsic to the Steiner ethos, I like the fact that behaviour and activities are 'modelled' by the adults, and encouraged through 'cue songs', rather than instructions being given. I love the fact that there are no plastic or battery operated toys. The group of children is small and a range of ages is represented so the children can learn from each other. 

Here's to a good, green, healthy, happy year ahead for us all.

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