Rhythm saves the day

As we begin to head out of Summer holiday mode and settle into this new year, we can also put some attention on what we would like to do in our daily lives to help create harmony for ourselves and our children.

Young children thrive in a rhythmic environment. Unless we have had this as a child ourselves, it can be quite difficult to bring that for our children. I certainly find it difficult to maintain! However, when we as a family are in rhythm, flowing from one thing to the next in a way we are used to, things just go better for the children and for me as a parent.

What is rhythm? Let’s take a moment to be clear that rhythm does not mean routine. Routines are set to happen at a certain time each day and create an external structure that we live in, this is not always necessarily what is best for the young child.

The idea of a rhythmic day lives in the order of things, when one activity flows on to the next. First we do this, then we do this… In this way, children learn to expect what is coming, making almost everything easier. There is a comfort in it, and it’s less thinking effort for us along the way.

For example, a lovely morning rhythm could be on rising each day, your family all goes outside and stands on the grass for a few moments to greet the sun, followed by preparing for breakfast, saying a simple verse together at the table, and sharing a meal. By the way, if you do nothing else, set a morning rhythm; the effort put in here will pay in dividends!

Rhythm helps us create space in our day so there is breathing room. It does not have to be attached to time, although of course external life often dictates timing to us... The amazing thing is that when you have an established rhythm, you’ll find that things actually are calmer and more efficient. So you get back more time!

Speaking of the breath, another way we often describe rhythm in Waldorf early childhood spaces is an in breath, followed by an out breath. If you’ve been to our playgroup or a homeschool group, you will have seen this manifested in, for example, having a circle time (in breath) followed by some play time (out breath), then making buns (in breath), then another out breath with playtime.

If we can follow this sort of rhythm throughout our days, as our children grow, this creates implicit boundaries and they feel held and safe, with an understanding in their body of how their day is going to unfold.

Here’s an example of a simple morning verse you could say to help start your day:

Walk Softly*

Walk softly towards the dawn,

Bow to the rising sun,

Breathe the morning,

Wake to the bright and early air.

It often amazes me how much a verse can shift the energy. Some say it creates space for help from the angels, which sounds good to me.

We look forward to continuing this conversation about rhythm at our first Saturday Session on February 4th at 10.30 am, hope to see you there!

Podcast recommendation:

P.S. We recommend listening to Kim John Payne about all things parenting. He is big on rhythm! He also has a great book, Simplicity Parenting. Find his podcast here.

*from Seven Times the Sun, by Shea Darian

Article written by Raechel Carr