Winter Warmth

Do you still have the sandals of Summer laying about in the house...looking forlorn, forgotten, maybe even tired?
Ours are still hiding in the shoe basket....sand trapped in the treads, velcro worn and hanging, colors faded...
The time has surely come for the cold weather wardrobe again.
Waldorf Early Childhood teachers articulate and think a lot about the warmth of the children in their care. To be warm is a secure feeling; that of being wrapped, loved, cared for, and free to focus. How do you feel when you're cold? Often times, children do not realize whether they are cold or not. It is our job to properly dress them for the elements!

  an excerpt from Ester Delhoofen, anthroposophical doctor
 "How do you know if your child (especially your baby) is dressed warm enough? Start by feeling their little bodies! A baby needs to have warm feet, warm legs and warm arms. Cold legs and cold feet are a signal that the baby needs extra clothing. On the other hand, if a baby’s neck and the area between his shoulders feels warm (or a bit wet), take one layer off. It is also important not to overdress a baby, as being too warm can be dangerous. Especially at night do not overdress the baby, do not use duvet covers and dress according to the room temperature. Under the age of 7, children do not know that they are too cold or too warm. They typically will not articulate this, but will misbehave instead. Parents are responsible for what their children are wearing! If children are dressed warm enough during the day and during the night, it is a lot easier for them to feel at home in their bodies. As a rule of thumb, small children should wear one more layer than their parents. 

 

pictured is the much loved and super easy knit Plain Vest by Pickles

The delicate skin of a baby or toddler is best nurtured with clothes of natural materials like wool and silk. Wool is wonderfully warming. Merino sheep have very soft wool that does not itch. The wool of these sheep is further treated with natural enzymes. This makes the undergarment machine washable and also very good for children with uniquely sensitive skin. Silk, on the other hand, is like a second skin. It is calming and protects the child from over-stimulation that is part of our modern world. Therefore, silk is good for children who are sensitive to the environment. Silk takes on the body’s own temperature. Wool and silk are breathable and can absorb a lot of humidity without feeling damp."

Woolen clothing is comfortable, long lasting, relatively easy to care for, and cost effective thanks to wonderful online retailers, such as Flowering Child. This is the site where we have purchased W's entire cold weather wardrobe, right down to the soft and warm merino socks. There are other online retailers available, but I assure you; you won't find a better price than what is offered through Flowering Child! (I've looked!!)

A cold weather woolen wardrobe might look like this:
-1 pair of long john pants
-a short sleeve undershirt or singlet
-a long sleeve undershirt  
- a pair of nighttime socks
-a wool hat--- we LOVE the comfort and protection of a balaclava. 
 -woolen mittens provide optimal warmth. I made W's out of an old felted sweater. (I cut two pieces and whip stitched them together. They're not the most beautiful mittens ever, but they do the job!) 

 Flowering child carries a fantastic selection of woolen clothing in an assortment of colors, which is great for several reasons....mainly because we have come to prefer blues or reds over the natural color, due to a certain messy eater:)

Your opinions on woolen clothing? Favorite brands or resources?