Beauty and play

picture by gyst

We live in a community with a Steiner School, also called Waldorf in other parts of the world.  Two of my boys began their preschool education in the Steiner School but for various reasons did not continue.  We are happy with our education choices for now, but no matter what your educational philosophy,  it is impossible not to appreciate the aesthetics that Steiner education brings to early childhood.  And a huge part of that is the value placed on imaginative play in a naturalistic environment.

There were aspects of Steiner education that didn’t sit easily within our family values, but the children have gained from their experiences with Steiner Ed an immense respect for the physical and natural environment and its impact on the psyche.  In other words, an appreciation of natural beauty and the seasons.  In a developed world that takes the natural environment so very much for granted, that appreciation is such a valuable thing to instill in our children.

And so, Miss Four is truly blessed to be able to attend a family day care one day each week that blends the Steiner and Montessori philosophies with extreme awareness of the sensibilities of the child.  The room is furnished with natural materials, cloth and wooden toys, and soft colours.  The garden is built more for stimulation than for ultra-safety, with flowers, texture, edible and toxic plants alike.  It is interesting to note that not a single parent in the family day care community is concerned that a child might fall from the tree house, or eat a poisonous berry from the garden.  Instead, we all delight that our children have an environment that stimulates their imaginations, and encourages them to take a few risks and push their boundaries; to grow and explore their potential - in a well-supervised environment.

It was Miss Four’s birthday last weekend and the room was prepared for her birthday celebration.  An ‘alter’ was laid out with a wooden candelabra,  a hand made card and a lovingly created felted wool crown detailed with beads and sparkles.  I choked with emotion just to see it and and know that today was her day to play and be the focus of attention.

Another parent brought her mother into the room and showed her around, and I pointed out the alter and explained that it was my daughter’s birthday.  She commented on the wonderful environment the day care mother had created for the children.  I said, “Who wouldn’t want to play here?”

She said, “You want to know my first thought when I walked into this room?  I got a knot in my throat because when I saw this space, I realised that, as a child, I never played enough.”

It really makes me feel sad that, for all our wealth and knowledge, we educate our children in spaces devoid of beauty and inspiration … and danger.  The magic stuff that feeds the imagination.

November 18th, 2009 - Posted in childhood, play, community, duty of care, ritual, beliefs | | 0 Comments

Swimming in the ocean

picture by james_michael_hill

It’s interesting how having children forces you to remove so many ‘risks’ from your everyday life.  Before kids, hubby and I were avid motor bike riders.  We used to ride in groups with our friends, or ride as a couple, with a bike each (those were the days) or we’d take turns riding pillion.

But falling pregnant and having babies put paid to that.  No, actually, I was still a bit of a rebel at times and did my very last solo ride at five months pregnant in my first pregnancy, and still sat in the pillion seat a few times (I could count on one hand) in subsequent pregnancies, even while heavily pregnant.  But it always felt like such a taboo, and in truth, my tolerance for adrenaline became so low that one ride every couple of years was really enough to satisfy me anyway.

Another risky behaviour, one I quit cold-turkey, was swimming in the ocean.   Not that it’s even that risky, but I’ve witnessed a few close calls at the whim of an unpredictable tide, enough to fill me with fear when certain seaside conditions are prevalent.  And ocean swimming can be rather too scary to do with small children.  So I’m pleased to say that last weekend, thanks to the encouragement of a beautiful friend, I tackled the breakers and the undertow for the first time in ten years or more.  It felt incredible to be thrown around by the water; to submit to something so much bigger than myself, yet maintain, with white knuckle grip, a flimsy measure of control.  Risk is something I have only just begun to welcome back into my life.

Not that I’m typically one to spurn risk entirely.  Since starting uni, I’ve got back on the bike, for purely practical reasons, and I’m rediscovering the adrenaline rush.  I feel so much better for having ticked one more box, addressed one more fear, and now I’m hanging to go swimming in the ocean again.

Parenthood can sometimes become an exercise in denying ourselves the things that previously thrilled us, or fulfilled us.  I’m pleased to share that it’s a temporary state and that, eventually, it becomes possible to appreciate those thrilling activities all the more for their having been absent for so long.

November 13th, 2009 - Posted in gratitude, nostalgia, play, beliefs, wisdom | | 6 Comments

External validation

picture by hapticflapjack

I didn’t think I needed it, but it’s so very nice to have.  It answers all my questions about whether I’m being indulgent with my writing hobby, going back to uni and all, or whether I have a talent I can somehow develop.  Never before, in my tertiary learning, have I achieved a high distinction in my assessment.  Not ever.  But now I have.  Not just once, but twice!  Yes, I do feel validated.

During high school I managed, now and then, to get a high mark in my subjects but overall, I’ve always been a pass-grade kinda girl.  On my report cards, teachers would often comment that the potential was there, but unfulfilled.  Now at least I know I have excellence in me.  And now at least I know that I’m not throwing good money at a fantasy. If I’d got pass marks this semester, I might have doubted my decision to turn things around and go back to school.  I mean, really.  What was I thinking?

So now that I’ve achieved that elusive high distinction, the expectations I hold for myself have inevitably been jacked a notch or two higher than they were before.  Where I might have been satisfied with a passing grade, I now won’t be satisfied with anything less than my very best work.  I think that’s a good thing and I’m feeling very grateful right now.  And very motivated to keep writing and raising that bar.

November 12th, 2009 - Posted in personal growth, gratitude, happiness, money | | 2 Comments