The Importance of Warmth

By Savannah Freier of Outside Kids

The Role of Warmth in a Child’s Development

As the winter months deepen, bringing some of the coldest days of the year, the importance of warmth is ever-present on our minds, and perhaps surprisingly, on our hearts as well. In Lifeways education, we believe warmth extends beyond physical comfort to play a central role in supporting the development of the whole child. Warmth fosters growth on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels, laying the groundwork for lifelong health and well-being.

The Physical Importance of Warmth

As well sometimes have to remind ourselves, children are not simply smaller adults: their physiology is fundamentally different as their bodies are actively growing and developing all the time. Unlike adults, children’s thermoregulatory systems are not fully matured, leaving them more vulnerable to cold temperatures. When children become chilled, their little bodies must divert energy from essential processes like growth and learning, to maintain core body temperature. Because a deep sense of bodily awareness is not yet fully developed in young children, they may need our guidance in dressing for the temperature just as they often need help resting when they are tired.

Dr. Adam Blanning, an Anthroposophic physician, highlights that warmth is an active physiological process, reflecting a child’s overall vitality. Keeping children warm allows their bodies to focus energy on critical developmental tasks, such as the maturation of internal organs like the heart and lungs. These processes are happening all the time. It is also why young children need more sleep than we do. Maintaining warmth bolsters immune function too, enhancing resistance to illness during cold and flu season. But that doesn't mean that we should hide indoors all winter either. An article from the University of Pennsylvania emphasizes that outdoor play in cold weather, when children are properly dressed, can actually strengthen their immune systems and reduce the spread of infections. Thus, ensuring children are dressed appropriately is not merely a matter of comfort but a vital component of their physical development and health.

The Emotional and Spiritual Dimensions of Warmth

Warmth also holds profound emotional and spiritual significance. We know have an intuitive awareness of this when we describe someone's affect as "cold" or "warm." A child who feels physically warm and protected develops a stronger sense of security and well-being, which forms the basis for healthy emotional development. Studies have shown that physical warmth can enhance feelings of connection and generosity, qualities deeply aligned with our core values of empathy and community at Outside Kids.

Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, viewed warmth as a deeply personal and subjective experience, beyond the physical measurement of temperatures. He believed warmth was both a physical and spiritual force, fostering a sense of harmony within individuals and their environment. By creating a warm and nurturing atmosphere, caregivers support not only a child’s physical health but also their inner sense of balance and connectedness.

Research from Yale University further illustrates the link between physical and emotional warmth. In one fascinating study, participants who briefly held a warm cup of coffee in their hands were more likely to perceive a stranger as “warm” in personality compared to those who held iced coffee. Another experiment found that, when given the option of giving or receiving, participants holding warm objects were more inclined to choose a gift for someone else, while those holding cold objects tended to select a gift for themselves. These studies show how physical warmth not only shapes our perceptions of others but also influences our own behavior, encouraging generosity and trust.

Pediatrician Dr. Susan R. Johnson emphasizes that emotional warmth, fostered by physical care and nurturing, helps children form healthy attachments and develop resilience. When we dress our children with care, we help them internalize feelings of safety and security. This foundational sense of emotional stability equips children to face new challenges and adventures with confidence and optimism. It is always easier to feel brave when we know there's a reliable base to return to whenever we need.

Dressing for Warmth: Practical Guidance

Appropriate clothing is essential for maintaining a child’s warmth. Our bodies feel most comfortable in natural fibers like wool, silk, and cotton, which effectively regulate body temperature and allow for comfortable movement. These materials support children’s natural activity levels while ensuring they stay warm and protected. Cooling cotton and linen are best left to summer, but in the winter, a wool base layer keeps our body heat close to the surface of our skin, protecting us from heat loss even when it gets wet! Above that, a thick fleece layer with a tightly-woven exterior layer (waterproof if there is snow or rain) on top shields us from cold wind and insulates very effectively.

Layering is a practical strategy to adapt to fluctuating temperatures. Dressing children in multiple layers enables caregivers to adjust their clothing as needed, ensuring comfort during both outdoor and indoor activities.

Linda McGurk, author of There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather, emphasizes the importance of equipping children for outdoor play in all weather conditions. Reflecting on her experience in Sweden, she describes a typical list of recommended winter supplies for their preschoolers: thick mittens, woolen socks, winter coveralls, warm hats, and rain gear. The message is clear: "We go outside rain or shine!" In frigid northern Europe, children would have to spend weeks or even months indoors if they only went outside on "nice" days. The developmental opportunities of outdoor play are just too important to put off for that long.

In addition to appropriate clothing, providing warming foods is another way we support children during colder months. Hearty meals like soups, stews, and oatmeal made with nourishing ingredients such as root vegetables, whole grains, and warming spices like cinnamon and ginger will help maintain internal warmth. These foods not only sustain physical warmth but also foster a sense of comfort and connection. We should include children in meal preparation when possible to further enhance their engagement and deepen their appreciation for the care and thought behind their nourishment, laying the basis for self-care as they mature.

Warmth as a Foundation for Holistic Growth

The role of warmth in childhood extends far beyond preventing discomfort or illness. It is a cornerstone of holistic development, enabling children to channel their energy into exploration, relationship-building, and personal growth. This emphasis on warmth reflects the essence of our relationship-based approach: cultivating care and love in every aspect of a child’s experience.

At Outside Kids, we integrate these principles into our daily practices. We emphasize the importance of dressing appropriately for the weather to ensure that children can fully engage with their outdoor environment without anxiety about what they're wearing. During winter, we prepare warm meals such as soups, oatmeal, pancakes, pizza, and bread over the campfire. We also offer warm drinks like cocoa and tea, providing not only physical warmth but also cozy moments of community and comfort. These nurturing "in-breath" moments help children stay focused, energized, and ready to explore during our expansive "out-breath" moments.

As we navigate the colder months, let us remember the multifaceted importance of warmth. Whenever we help them pull on a fuzzy sweater, prepare a warm bowl of oats, or offer cozy spot to sit close to us around the fire, we can reflect on warmth as a precious gift that supports our children’s growth into healthy, connected, and resilient individuals.