Celebrating The Earth's Seasonal Rhythm January 15th, 2020 Nature tables, or seasonal tables, are a special corner in our home, a calm place to rest our eyes and remind us of the changing seasons with bits of nature from our outdoor adventures. They are a beautiful way to celebrate the year's cycle. When my children w
Look Out! Look Out! Jack Frost is about! He's after our fingers and toes; And, all through the night, The gay little sprite Is working where nobody knows. He'll climb a tree, So nimble is he, His silvery powder he'll shake; To windows he'll creep, And while we're asleep, Such wonderful pictures he'll make. Across the grass, He'll merrily pass, And change all its greenness to white; Then home he will go, And laugh, "Ho, Ho, Ho! What fun I have had in the night!" * * * * * * * * Come in the garden And play in the snow, A snowman we'll make, See how quickly he'll grow! Give him a hat, stick and pipe, And make him look gay. Such a fine game For a cold winter day! * * * * * * * * Snowflakes falling soft and light, Snowflakes falling in the night, Soft and Light, pure and white. When the sun shines out so bright, All the earth is dressed in white. * * * * * * * * When the North Wind whistles and blows, Cherry red is brother's nose, Very cold are sister's toes, When the North Wind's blowing, When the North Wind's blowing. Logs upon the fire we'll throw, For, as everybody must know, We will have a fall of snow, When the North Wind's blowing, When the North Wind's blowing. (Written By: Alfred S. Gatty) ********************** Furry bear If I were a bear, And a big bear too, I shouldn't much care If it froze or snew: I shouldn't much mind If it snowed or friz- I'd be all fur-lined With a coat like his! A.A. Milne ********************** See the little snowflakes Falling from the sky, On the hills and housetops, Soft and thick they lie. On the window ledges, On the branches bare; See how fast they gather, Filling all the air! Look into the garden Where the grass was green, Covered by the snowflakes, Not a blade is seen. Look outside the window, All looks still and white; Under snowy blankets, What a pretty sight! (J.D. Macey) * * * * * * * * Finger Plays A chubby little snowman had a carrot nose. (show long nose with a closed fist like a trumpet in front of face) Along a came a bunny, and what do you suppose? (Hands show the bunny hopping) That hungry little bunny, looking for his lunch, (wiggle nose like a bunny) Ate the snowman's carrot nose, Nibble, nibble, crunch (pretend to eat the carrot) (Oak meadow fingerplays) * * * * * * * * Five little eskimos by the igloo door one went out to feed the dogs, then there were four. Four little eskimos rowing out to sea, one jumped on an iceberg, then there were three. Three little eskimos making fish stew, one burned his finger, then there were two. Two little eskimos hunting just for fun, one chased a baby seal, then there was one. One little eskimo all his work was done, went home to supper, then there were none. (Winter, p.51) * * * * * * * * Chickadee, chickadee, Flitting through the holly tree- With your cap and scarf of black, Sweater gray upon your back You're warm and happy in the snow And when I hear you call, I know My little friend has come to say That wintertime's just fine for play. (From Ladybug magazine) * * * * * * * * Verse for Lighting the Advent Wreath The first light of Advent is the light of stones. Stones that live in crystals, seashells, and bones. The second light of Advent is the light of plants. Roots, stem, leaf, flower and fruit by whom we live and grow. The third light of Advent is the light of beasts. Animals of farm, field, forest, air and sea. All await the birth in greatest and in least. The fourth light of Advent is the light of humankind. The light of love, the light of thought, to give and to understand. (Rudolf Steiner) * * * * * * * * We light one candle shining bright Upon this Holy Advent night Fill Our Hearts with loving might Lead us to Christmas Day's brilliant light! Second Week: We light two candles... Third Week: We light three candles... Fourth Week: We light four candles... M.T. Shunemann, from The Christmas Star (available below) * * * * * * * * A candle's but a simple thing, it starts with just a bit of string, But dipped or rolled with patient hand, it gathers wax upon the strand. Until complete and snowy white, it gives at last a lovely light. Life seems so like that bit of string, each deed we do a simple thing. Yet day by day on life's strand, we work with patient heart and hand. It gathers joy, makes dark days bright, and gives at last a lovely light. * * * * * * * * Riddle I begin tall and thin, I end in a muddle, sad in a puddle (candle) * * * * * * * * Christmas Verses Softly, softly, through the darkness Snow is falling. Meekly, meekly in the meadows Lambs are calling. Coldly, coldly all around me Winds are blowing. Brightly, brightly up above me Stars are glowing. * * * * * * * * Christmas Wish To every hearth a little fire, To every board a little feast, To every heart a joy, To every child a toy, Shelter for bird and beast. * * * * * * * * Mary rocks her baby, Joseph holds a light, Ox and ass are standing In the stable bright. Shepherds in the doorway Come to greet the child, Now they kneel before Him And his mother mild. One holds out a lambskin Soft and white as snow, All shall give their presents Ere they homeward go. * * * * * * * * Story & Activity There was a giant big and bold Whose feet were getting very cold. He came along to our town And walked the stairs all up and down Calling "Is no one hearing me? My toes are freezing bitterly! No single shop that I could tell Has stocking giant-size to sell." A little gnome both old and wise. He gave him very good advice. He brought two pretty bits of stuff. The giant thought them good enough. He wrapped his feet, his pain was eased. And home he walked content and pleased. Materials: Knotted cloth dolls [this could be a play silk or gauze square the you knot to show head and other body parts] with 2 extra pieces of fabric to wrap the giant's feet. Children can watch you knotting the characters. VERSE: King Winter now is in the land, he reigns with cold and freezing hand. He makes Jack Frost touch nose and toes, and gives our cheeks a shining glow. FINGER PLAY: A chubby little snowman had a carrot nose. (show long nose with a closed fist like a trumpet in front of face) Along a came a bunny, and what do you suppose? (Hands show the bunny hopping) That hungry little bunny, looking for his lunch, (wiggle nose like a bunny) Ate the snowman's carrot nose, Nibble, nibble, crunch (pretend to eat the carrot) The Snow This is the way the snow comes down, Upon a winter day, But soon the golden sun comes out, And melts it all away. Lines 1 & 2: flutter fingers down from arms raised position until arms are lowered. Lines 3 & 4: make large circle with fingers for sun. — Author Unknown Making a Snowman Roll a snowball round and round, Round and round upon the ground. Make one, make two, here's what you do, You can build a snowman too. As the sun shines down some day, Poor snowman, he will melt away. Lines 1 & 2: roll hands around each other. Line 3: make two fists, then put one on top of the other. Lines 4 & 5: hold fists in snowman position. Line 6: open hands flat out on top of each other. — Gloria T. Delamar, Author Clap for Santa Claus O, clap, clap the hands, And sing with glee! For Christmas is coming And merry are we. How swift o'er the snow The tiny reindeer Are trotting and bringing Good Santa Claus near. Our Stockings we'll hang, And while we're asleep, Then down through the chimney Will Santa Claus creep. He'll empty his pack, Then up he will come And calling his reindeer, Will haste away home. Then clap, clap the hands! And sing out with glee, For Christmas is coming And merry are we! Verse 1 - All lines: clap hands. Verse 2 - All lines: lock thumbs together and make walking motions with other fingers to indicate reindeer and sleigh. Verse 3 - Lines 1 & 2: point down with four fingers of one hand. Lines 3 & 4: put one fist on top of the other to represent chimney andd put upper thumb inside of upper fist to represent Santa Claus going down chimney. Verse 4 - Lines 1 & 2: raise thumb from upper fist as Santa Claus comes up chimney. Lines 3 & 4: lock thumbs and walk with fingers. Verse 5 - All lines: clap hands.— Emilie Poulsson, Author, 1893
Get creative on rainy days and snow days with this HUGE list of winter art projects and winter painting ideas for kids and adults!
As seasons change, so do the rhythms of a home. The beauty of a daily rhythm is that you can adjust it to fit the ebbs and flows of the unavoidable, ever-changing needs and desires of family life. Here is our current daily rhythm to fit in all the beauty and festive fun included in A Connected Christmas.
"THE TREE’S PRAYER by George MacDonald Alas, ’tis cold and dark! The wind all night hath sung a wintry tune! Hail from black clouds that swallowed up the moon Beat, beat against my bark. Oh! why delays the spring? Not yet the sap moves in my frozen veins; Through all my stiffened roots creep numbing pains, That I can hardly cling. .... But icy winter’s past; Yea, climbing suns persuade the relenting wind: I will endure with steadfast, patient mind; My leaves will come at last!" Where we live, the winters are very long, and we spend months longing for the green leaves and sprouts to return upon our favorite trees. This collection of branch watercolors was created to aid you in your Winter and Spring nature walks as you visit the trees and wait for their foliage to return. Featuring 18 tree species, this download can be displayed as two posters, or cut and assembled into a Tree ID ring for easy carrying.
Explore Millie Motts' 17536 photos on Flickr!
Homeschool Science Experiment - How different chemicals produce different colored flames (and tells you why!).
What is Candlemas and how can you create a Candlemas Tradition in your family?
"Az ünnepek az év csomópontjai, amelyek a világmindenség szellemével kapcsolnak össze bennünket" – Rudolf Steiner Az évkör...
Advent Advent is observed the four Sundays that lead up to Christmas. If you aren’t christian, you may choose for your advent to lead up to Hannukah, Yule, Solstice, etc. Advent means “anticipation” so you might use this time to meditate on the season and its meaning to you. Advent celebrates the bringing of light...
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February 1st or February 2nd ?? It’s hard to pin down exactly when we are supposed to celebrate this mid-winter festival which revolves around this fascinating woman. Who was she really &am…
Winter solstice has been celebrated all over the world for thousands of years. It occurs on the shortest day and longest night. Although this is often the first day of winter, it also promises the return of the sun after an extended period of darkness.
Explore Millie Motts' 17536 photos on Flickr!
Salty Sam’s Fun Blog for Children Number 297 Avalanches Hello Everyone Last week l told you about rain. How necessary it is, but, occasionally, how dangerous it can be too. lt put in my mind an idea to tell you on this week’s blog post about another dangerous weather phenomenon, blizzards. We don’t often get blizzards in Britain, but some parts of the world often have them in the winter. ...
Learn how to create a spiral walk ritual for your children, family & friends. A beautiful wintertime ritual. "My heart is shining like a star."
thoughts on knitting and felting and living and mothering and all things waldorf
What is Candlemas and how can you create a Candlemas Tradition in your family?
Here are a few of my favorite cold-weather fingerplays for you to learn and teach to your children! Here's a Cup Here's a cup and here's a cup And here's a pot of tea. Pour a cup and pour a cup And drink it up with me.
Show kids how pine cones open to release seeds with a simple science experiment. You can close and open the pine cones again and again!
Set up simple evergreen science with leftover branches and a bin. Practice observational skills and get a free mini evergreen pack!
Try making these hand-dipped candles with your child and help bring colonial history to life!
Do you want to know what the most popular Christmas books are in our home? Here is the list!
Let’s dive into the enchanting realm of winter with kids and learn some interesting facts about the winter solstice.
We have just entered into the season of Advent. Traditionally celebrated the four Sundays before the winter solstice, it marks a time of introspection as we all await the return of the sun and lengthening days. This seasonal remembrance of light takes place in many cultures across the globe. At our
Have fun this Christmas by exploring science and nature with these fun activites. December is a busy month, but a little planning can make science happen.
waldorfmama
Folding Waldorf window stars is a fun and simple craft. Today Liz from The Mother Witch will walk us through 3 ways to fold Waldorf window stars, varying in difficulty from deceptively simple to more complex.
Here's a beautiful Winter Verse by Rudolf Steiner. A lovely meditation for short days and long nights. Happy Winter Solstice!
What is a living book library? Check out our interview with Emily and Liz Cottrill of Livingbookslibrary.com from November if you haven’t already. The upshot is, though, these women are aficionados when it comes to books from the classic age of kids’ books. And if you’re wondering what Charlotte Mason would recommend as some of…
We enjoy exploring traditions from a number of cultures. Although we are a Christian family, I try to introduce my family’s Jewish heritage to my children, as well. We made a Sephardic apple …
Explore fefemangopoppyfreckle's 52 photos on Flickr!
