Personal Care for Young Children

This is a long overdue post, and I am excited to reflect on my thoughts and findings on this important and often overlooked aspect of Waldorf Education and homeliving....The bodily care of young children!
Diaper changes, handwashing, bathing, hair combing, nail trimming, dressing and undressing...
These necessary tasks make up much of the day for any caregiver to young children. Sometimes they aren't pleasant (I think of my 22 month old and how he abhors having his face wiped...), yet they ought to be filled with love, involvement, and a feeling of unhurriedness.
   When it comes to the cornerstones of Early Childhood Waldorf Education (bodily care, warmth, imitation, nutritious food, indoor/outdoor imaginative and self initiated play), the important element of bodily care is what I have found to be most challenging. A toddler who strongly dislikes laying still for a diaper change, hates to be in the bathtub without me, bites me while attempting to brush teeth....young children who don't want to wash their hands....tangled hair.....the list could go on, and I am sure many of you know what I mean:)

  How do we complete these necessary tasks with honest joy? The love is there...but what about the joy? The following are some tools and notions I have learned over the past few months:

  *Keep a personal care basket. The Waldorf Early Childhood teacher I have been lucky enough to observe maintains a personal care basket which she brings out during handwashing time. The basket is beautiful, mindful, and, of course...useful.

   This lovely basket contains a hairbrush for the children to use themselves and a balm for post handwashing. It is applied to the child's hands while singing a special song. What a special and worthwhile moment to stop and share!
  *Set up a personal care "station" in a designated space. I created our "station" a few months ago...it contains a small bowl, a vial of lavender oil, and a space for a beautiful postcard, all resting on a smooth piece of wood. (I do have a few for sale in my newly opened Etsy shop!)

I mix the lavender oil into the bowl while the children wash their hands. After they are through, they come to me and I gently and slowly pat their hands dry with a soft towel. They hold out their hands as I massage the "magic drops" into their palms while reciting a verse. They enjoy it so very much, and it has made handwashing a joyful task for all of us. Little W, 22 months old, has come to realize that "magic drops" always come after handwashing. It is so sweet to watch him come running over; hands held out in front of him:)

   Your station could also include a personalized hairbrush, comb and fingertowel for each child....a special bar of soap, beautiful, but simple hair ties...I'd love to hear your ideas!
  *Unwanted behaviors may come from a child who is experiencing physical discomforts....hot, sweaty hair in the face and eyes, an itchy tag on their clothing, a strap that keeps falling down on a dress or tank top (have you ever been incredibly irked by a bra strap that incessantly falls down! It's so annoying!!), chapped lips, dry hands...to a child, a true sense organ, these things may cause real frustration. Keep a watchful eye out for these things and repair them with love and a gentle hand. Find special moments in these times of care...One of my most favorite times of the day during playschool is our rest hour. Before rest, I brush the youngest girls hair into a loose braid, but not before gently running my hands through it for about 10 minutes while humming softly. She falls right to sleep (I once had to catch her from falling over!), and it is such a precious moment for me (and hopefully for her, too!)

 *Diaper changes for a child who is highly active is a real challenge! I don't think I have quite "gotten" this yet, but here's what has worked thus far...
-A colorful mobile above the changing table
-Diaper changes on the super soft lambskin have worked best for us...it's like laying on a cloud and I think he very much enjoys the feeling of sinking into the fibers...who wouldn't? They are a worthwhile investment; look for them on Ebay.
-Something to distract or entertain, such as a book, a song, or special plaything reserved for the occassion.
-Incorporate sweet moments of gentle stroking or massaging while speaking in a soothing voice.
-A wipe warmer in the colder months has worked well for us. I'm also loving these honey bun drops for a soothing wipe solution!

Bodily care involves both the caregiver and child alike. Yes, we are always gently and slowly guiding our children towards independence, but I believe that genuine time and effort should be placed on modeling and assisting (even with the older 5 and 6 year olds).
I should include a sort of disclaimer here that I am not a Waldorf teacher! In fact, I am probably the biggest "wanna be" you'll ever meet. That very real want is driving our entire family to somehow afford teacher training over the next 3 years or so. I begin an introductory class this July (!!!), which will bring me one (small) step closer. As a very new student of Anthroposophy I continue to educate myself by reading books, magazines, essays and observing fantastic teachers at our local waldorf schools. However, my greatest guides on this journey are the 4 magnificent children I care for during playschool, and our beautiful son, my biggest inspiration of all.

RV Waldorf School
...I also wanted to share with you one of my new favorite online shops: Two Tall Trees, Lifeways inspired products for home and center. Such beautiful and useful accessories! If you're not yet familiar with the Lifeways program (which is a tremendous inspiration to me!), please read more here:) You'll be glad you did!