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In LifeWays principles much focus is given to rhythm. within the ancient rhythms of the natural world. Life begins as rhythm, with the rhythm of our heartbeat and our breath. This is what we will study in depth in Rhythm is Life. When we begin the study of Rhythm is Life, we will begin at the beginning, with the rhythm of our heartbeat

Now her days are filled holding a rhythm, providing a nurturing environment, making home cooked meals

It may seem as if the life of a newborn completely lacks rhythm. Our family rhythms needn’t be dull.  Discipline issues are greatly reduced when we’ve established strong rhythms.  How do we create rhythms and rituals with our children? Establishing these external rhythms allow internal rhythm to develop. 

Crafting and maintaining a rhythm is an art. As crafters of home rhythms, we must feel empowered to do what is right for our children, our family. If you are new to creating intentional & consistent rhythms for your family, below is a simple framework If you would like to learn more about rhythms for your home or program, we have many articles on our Blog  on this very topic, as well as an on-demand course, Healthy Home Rhythms , to guide you through

Let’s look at a typical bare bones daily rhythm for a small child. Typical bare bones rhythm: Rise from sleep Change diaper, dress, comb hair and brush teeth Play Eat breakfast These bare bones are solid ones that support the parent or caregiver’s ability to bring rhythm and to It is this rhythm and love, which imbues our days with grace and joy in caring for children, that gives She blogs at Celebrate the Rhythm of Life .

Before I had children I didn’t even know how to spell “rhythm.” Little did I know then how much I would come to appreciate yearly, weekly, daily and even smaller rhythms There was the daily rhythm of morning chicken and cow chores; there were weekly rhythms like Friday pizza Now rhythm is an integral part of both my vocabulary and my family’s.  We continue following a daily and weekly rhythm. 

Today’s post is from Chinyelu Kunz of WeNurture: Bath time can be an easy time or a challenging time depending on how comfortable your child is with bathing in the bathtub. What helps with making bath-time go as smooth as possible is to make it playful, and a time where you are present and able to stay connected with them. It’s best if there are no distractions during this time. Because young children experience life through play this is one of the best ways for you to connect with your child, and it will make transitions easier.  Creating what I like to call a “story imagination,” using verses or songs that appeal to your child’s imagination, is like an invitation to them to “play” and they will want to join in. Keep in mind that when using particular verses or songs for particular transitions, it’s best to only use them at those specific times. This will make the verses and songs more powerful. Your child will anticipate them at those times and they will carry a lot of meaning.  If bath time is an easy transition for your child, then they will love this time of connection through the verses that you say, and they will enjoy hearing them again and again. If bath time is not so easy because you find that your child is afraid to get in the bathtub, then use the verses to create an imagination that will put them in a more playful frame of mind – go slowly and give them time. I suggest not questioning your child about why they don’t like bath time. I believe that when you find yourself asking your child too many questions it can actually put pressure on them. You can instead observe and see if they have a fear of water. Or, is there a sensory challenge that needs attention? Can they get in the bathtub before it’s filled with water? Is it the temperature of the water? And, of course, other things to consider.  Something wonderful to try as part of your child’s bath time ritual (just before bath time) is to use any of the verses in this post as a lap game to play with your child. Place your child on your lap (best while sitting on the floor) and, while rocking back and forth, say the words and add gestures, too. Rocking relaxes the nervous system and has a calming effect. One, Two, Three One, two, three, a golden boat I see. A golden boat, that’s all a float, upon the deep blue sea. One , two, three, a sailor out at sea. In a golden boat, that’s all a float, upon the deep blue sea. I love to sail in my golden boat, my golden boat, my golden boat. I love to sail in my golden boat, out on the deep blue sea. Where all of the fishes go splish, splash, splish, splish, splash, splish, splish, splash, splish. All the of the fishes go splish, splash, splish Out on the deep blue sea. The Golden Boat This is the boat, the golden boat that sails on the silvery sea. These are the oars that lift and dip, that lift and dip, to carry the boat, the golden boat, across the silvery sea. Here are the little fairy folk, running along, running along, they climb in the boat, the golden boat that sails on the silvery sea. Here is the moon so big and round, that shines on the boat that is homeward bound back to the harbor, safe and sound From the sail on the silvery sea. One Little Duckling One little duckling waddling to and fro. Follows is mother to the pond they go. Quack, quack, quack, And away he goes. One little duckling In the pond I see One little duckling As happy as can be. Swimming, swimming to and fro Quack, quack, quack, Just watch her go. Tooth Brushing Verse Brush, brush, brush your teeth All along the gums, Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, This is how it’s done. Brush, brush, brush your teeth Around and in between Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Til they’re bright and clean!

For young children, it is good to have very clear routines and rituals around sleep.  It helps to think about what you are doing for the two hours before sleep, what you will do to prepare them for sleep, and what you will do when they first wake up.  I call this “framing” sleep.  The routines and rituals provide the frame. Here is an example of a sleep frame: An hour or two before nap, the children are outside playing.  It is important that they have a full experience of the natural world and can play as freely as possible.  When you bring them in, perhaps a special song or game gathers everyone together, and you playfully return inside. Everyone takes off their shoes and outdoor garments and places them nicely where they belong. It is wise to ask them to go back and rearrange them (or help them to do this) if they have left them in disarray. This educates their will and supports a sense of order in the environment. In planning your time with children, allowing sufficient time for these types of domestic activity needs to be considered.    A container of warm lavender water is waiting for them.  Each child receives a gentle foot bath.  Then their feet are dried and a soft cream is rubbed in. Now it is time to wash hands to prepare to eat.  Some of the children may help to set the table, while others pour the water to drink.  A blessing is sung; perhaps a candle has been lit.  One or two short finger games may be played.  Then the food is served family-style, and everyone eats. After eating, the children help to wash their dishes.  Now it is time for toileting.  Then each child is given a warm face cloth to wash faces and hands. Perhaps a story is told as they gather around their caregiver.  Or perhaps the story is told after they are laying down. It is important that they rest in the same place each time.  This becomes their special spot.  Fresh air in the room is important – even a slightly open window.  If it is too noisy outside, then air out the room for quite some time before the children come in to sleep.  It can be quite nice to warm the bed with a hot water bottle before they lay down.  If possible, a sheepskin on the cot or bed is also nice to lie on.  Each child may have a special blanket from home to sleep under, and if they have a special cuddly doll, they can sleep with that. When they are lying down, the teacher or caregiver goes to each child and gently strokes faces or hands with light fingertips. This is very soothing for most children.  If there is a child who really does not like it, then it should not be done to that child.  Perhaps instead a gentle pat on the shoulder, or a little foot rub will be accepted.  After each child has been gently touched, then can come some quiet singing or humming (or a story if it was not told earlier) or strumming a gentle instrument like a kinderharp.  Eventually everything is quiet, and the caregiver may just sit in a rocker and slowly rock or just sit still and rest herself.  What makes a difference is if the caregiver can truly feel restful herself.  This helps the children to go to sleep.  If the caregiver is busy thinking of many other things or is restless, it will be more difficult for the children to feel restful.  It is a good time for the teacher or caregiver to take a very brief moment to let her thoughts rest on each child.   Picture the child in a moment during the day when he or she seemed to be most balanced and hold that picture in your heart.  If you find yourself instead picturing a difficulty you are having with a child, then try to see the behavior objectively and with interest and warmth.  Taking the time to briefly picture each child strengthens your partnership with the child’s angel who is always interested in connecting to those who care for the child. Some older children may not fall asleep, although I find that most children do fall asleep.  It is nice if the children can sleep at least one hour, and if they are younger, then perhaps 1.5 hours, but not usually more than two.  Ideally the children would be able to go to bed at night by 7:00 p.m., and this is difficult if they have slept too long in the day. When the children begin to wake up, they may need to go to the bathroom.  They should also be encouraged to have a full glass of water.  Then, it is a nice time to brush each child’s hair and put a refreshing oil on their faces.  It is like a new beginning to the remainder of the day. If it is allowed, older children could go outside while they wait for the others to wake.  Otherwise, they can draw or be given quiet things to play or ongoing projects to work on, like sewing or finger knitting or looking at a beautiful book.  After all the children are awake, hair brushed, and faces oiled, it is time for a simple snack.  Then cleaning up and going back outside until time to go home. The important thing to remember is that sleep is a time for restoring themselves and for their angels, our silent partners, to quietly watch over them.  Nap time is one of the most sacred times of the day in our work with little ones.  This is why we want to bring so much consciousness to how we do it.

divine in each child and are “introducing him or her to earthly life through the sacred qualities of rhythm

the young child learns to revere the activities of the day- especially when held within a consistent rhythm

What is Rhythm? In music, rhythm is what makes the music move and flow. A Rhythm is built of anchors. What is fixed in a rhythm is not when but what. rhythms. Next is the monthly rhythm. A Final Note on Rhythm: Rhythm is connected to repetition.

Before I had children I didn’t even know how to spell “rhythm.” Little did I know then how much I would come to appreciate yearly, weekly, daily and even smaller rhythms There was the daily rhythm of morning chicken and cow chores; there were weekly rhythms like Friday pizza Now rhythm is an integral part of both my vocabulary and my family’s. We continue following a daily and weekly rhythm.