Mamas Make It Happen!!

    This past weekend, I was lucky enough to be a presenter at a Mom's Mini "Retreat" called Mamas Make It Happen. This day of inspiration was so lovingly put together by two friends of mine, and the outcome was fantastic. Over 50 mamas gathered together to connect, find balance, and become inspired. Throughout the day, we held hour long workshops on topics such as knitting, publishing a book, becoming a 'Mamapreneur', healing herbs, decluttering the home, and yoga, just to name a few. The energy was very real and contagious.

Goodie Bags!

Happenin' Mama milling around..

   Throughout the day, I chatted with old and new friends, all the while realizing how lucky I am to be a part of such a fantastic natural parenting community. I participated in a meditation session where we embarked on a guided visualization process to help manifest our dreams into a reality. It was pretty awesome. Me? I visualized myself completing the week long Waldorf early childhood introductory course I am planning on taking this July. There are still details to consider....like how in the world I am going to drive back and forth from New York every day for a week, in rush hour traffic, and remain sane for my 8am-5pm class. (Staying overnight is not an option. I'm not taking W out of his home environment and leaving him with a family caretaker. It's just too disrespectful of his needs as a 21 month old. And quite honestly, I couldn't handle it, either.)

Presentation Materials

  I presented a workshop on Crafting Natural Toys to a small group of women....how fun to be able to talk for an hour about what I'm so passionate about to people who actually want to listen! We wet felted, created simple wool roving fairies, and had very inspiring conversation about parenting choices and crafting on a budget. Here are some brief notes from the presentation:

"Play is defined by noted psychologist Bruno Bettelheim as any activity characterized by freedom from all but personally imposed rules (which are changed at will), by freewheeling fantasy involvement, and by the absence of any goals outside of the activity itself.1 Such imaginative play, which is an expression of the child's inner nature, has long been recognized as being important for healthy development. In fact, it can result in a wellspring of creativity that continues into adulthood and is found in artists, inventors, musicians, and adults who still know how to play. Creative free play is an expression of the magical world of early childhood; it is not the same as the experience provided by "educational toys" designed to teach concepts like "triangle" or "heavier and lighter."
(source: Waldorf in the Home)

*Open ended toys are multi-purpose and versatile.
 Many open ended toys will grow with the child. Consider blocks as an example. Babies play with the blocks by banging them together and exploring them with their senses. Young toddlers delight in stacking the blocks in a tower and knocking them over. Older preschoolers use their imagination to create buildings or design patterns from the shapes. These toys offer a longevity of use and duality of play.

*The importance of a "home" (or permanent spot) for each and every toy.
-Personally, I feel this is very important. A child feels a sense of security when they know that playthings will always "live" in a certain spot. It also makes clean up a much easier task! Baskets and knitted bowls work well.

The dollies are always tucked in bed after playtime..

*An overabundance creates disregard. Carefully select your playthings, and store everything else. Rotate your toys seasonally.

*Crafting on a budget
-inexpensive peg dolls
-knitting animals/dolls
-create your own tree blocks
-dye your own playsilks, muslin, or cotton cloth (I've used birdseye cloth diapers in the past!)
-use natural materials (pinecones, twigs, acorns, willow tree branches, smooth river rocks...)

I hope this was useful for some of you! It really was a fantastic day...
Don't forget to enter my giveaway...entries close this Friday.
Happy May!!

Spring Breeze at Kimberton Waldorf School