Ice cream + coffee evenings

As summer comes to an end, we are feeling nostalgic. Even if we aren't talking about it, our nostalgia has taken shape in different forms, like trying to relive our trip out West, and speaking of the good ole days of summer 2020 when we rode our bikes, bbq'd marshmallows, and picknicked on the beach.

On a whim we hopped in the car and went to explore a neighbourhood that we have never visited before. I noticed how my children just made themselves at home. In fact, I realized that children are generally happy as long as they have a few elements - food, water, fresh air, some kind of playground apparatus, and mom and dad. Well, at least my children are like this.

The hardest part of this new school year has been the reality that we are still in our old routine; not much has changed. And so here it is September in all its glory. 

I am working towards my Waldorf teacher certification. My intention was to study online...will have to chat about my studies at a later date ;). I also had grand dreams about spending time with WildRose (who I enrolled in a French class), and then focus on the other children's music and extra curricular activities (more on that later as well).

One day at a time never sounded so promising + WISE!

weekending August 3rd

Summer has been amazing! Having a small group is so beneficial because the children are all at different stages of development, and I am able to spend a bit of time with each one, as (s)he grows into his/her own.

I am 100% in favour of child-led learning. Child-led learning consists of various elements in different scenarios, but the underlying goal is to allow the child to develop in a way that serves his or her ability to maneuver in and out of whatever world (s)he has created.

Weekending July 26th

What a few weeks we've had.
I have really enjoyed changing up our rhythm sometimes on a whim, and other times when a need arises (ie. a child arrives/awakes later, precarious precipitation, or worse, when I am under the weather).

And circle time is a hoot! With the children being at various ages, and stages, summer is a perfect time to hear about their activities the evening before, what they are thinking/learning in extracurricular activities, and what they hope to accomplish during the day.

The days are up and down. The children enjoy curling up with a book on the sofa, organizing teams for games (there's not even that many of them lol), (the older ones) preparing delicious meals to serve to the babies, running in circles, yes, I get annoyed with them when they refuse to go outside but they run in the house, lol.  
It like a very deliberate dance that they do, and that I respond to it makes me crazy, and so on and so forth.

And like a parent/teacher/caregiver, I find myself sitting here when the day is done to reflect on what I saw and heard during the day. I also reflect on what I said, how I could have said it differently, and make plans to change just one small thing the next day. One small thing, is a big thing to a child.

The highlight of our week was when the children and I planned and enjoyed an ice cream social. Welp, I don't enjoy dairy so ...
The kids made signs & coloured pictures and were super excited for the "event" to take place.

Have a great week!

Earthschooling Weeks 1 & 2

“It takes time – loose, unstructured dreamtime – to experience nature in a meaningful way…”  

Last Child in the Woods,  Richard Louv

We've been busy with our Earthschooling activities. Earthschooling The weather has been very up and down. Sometimes we can only go as far as the backyard, while other days, we wander quite far away from home.

Earthschooling is all about the children, in fact, my role is that of a simple guide, supporting them in experiential learning, being close by as they engage in healthy risk-taking - climbing, jumping and twirling comes easy for some, but not as easy for others. 

I am also present to help them connect with each other. I will share snippets of how we are learning (or, nature is teaching our friends) all about cooperation, healthy boundaries, and empathy.

Earthschooling began with the children simply finding their footing, and their breath outside. The weather changed drastically on a daily basis, which was a tribute to the "exciting" western Canadian climate.
It was also important that the children were left to their devices (so to speak), on numerous occasion, because I truly believe that not every moment needs to be a teaching moment. In fact, isn't nature the best teacher after all?

Nature walk finds

some of the things your children saw on our nature walk this week...