We Nurture - A Kimberton Waldorf School Podcast Series

Parenting wakes us up, sometimes in jarring ways especially when we begin to be more aware of our actions and behavior. In fact, it can sometimes be a surprise to us. It can be frustrating, scary, confusing and leave us feeling helpless. When we become conscious of our behavior, our words and actions we see that we actually have a choice, we can choose to raise our consciousness and live in alignment with the person we're striving to become. Being conscious brings us closer to making the changes that we want to see in ourselves.In this episode, I dive into talking about 10 ways you can parent with greater consciousness. The 10 ways I focus on are;  Becoming conscious of your behavior, words, actions, and gestures.  Working on self-development.  Working on your personal challenges and triggers.  Modeling behavior you want to see in your child.  Creating healthy home rhythms.  Slowing down and simplifying daily routines. Communicating clearly and limiting choices  Being intentional with your words & limiting adult information  Listening with interest Having Compassion and Empathy for your child's big feelingsThere's a lot that I cover in this episode, including where I describe a foundation that's needed for the young child's healthy development. I hope you'll join me!WebsiteInstagram

You're in for a real treat in this episode! Listen in to my in-depth conversation with guest Catherine Read, PhD author of 'The Genius of Home' - Teaching Your Children At Home With The Waldorf Curriculum. Catherine and I met about 30 years ago when we attended a Waldorf Playgroup at a Waldorf school in Southern California and then after moving across the country we reconnected again on the East Coast when we both moved at different years to Pennsylvania. Catherine and I share immense respect for the Waldorf method not only for the curriculum but also for how it provides wise guidance for healthy family life and a way of living.Catherine shares her experience homeschooling her two children with the Waldorf method and how this awakened her to her own self-development and how the child awakens to the world as well as the development of consciousness during childhood. Catherine also shares how she approached homeschooling her two children and so much more!Whether you're thinking of homeschooling and/or want incorporate the Waldorf method or way of living in your home, listening to this episode is a great starting point. I'll be going deeper into conversation with Catherine in my upcoming webinar with her on Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 1:30 - 2:30 pm EST.  All who register will receive a Replay.Register for our upcoming webinar: Homeschooling the Waldorf WayWhen: April 29th at 1:30 EST (all registrants will receive the recording)The Genius of HomeLearn more about Catherine's work hereWebsiteInstagram

Boundary expectations are connected to how parents choose to raise their children. The way you both think, the decisions you both make are informed, consciously or unconsciously, by what you both value and perhaps even more so, the personality traits you want to see in your child. But you both will not know what characteristics or traits are important to you unless you both talk about it.  Because it takes being sensitive to each other's perspective, communication is key.  It's the best way to build a bridge of understanding and it means being sensitive to each other's perspective.In this episode, I talk about three important steps to take and I give step and step advice to  build a bridge that will help you and your spouse or partner come together with greater understanding. It's not only with boundary expectations that you will have differing opinions, there will be other aspects in parenting that will  challenge how you communicate and this is why creating a foundation for how to communicate is so important.Listen to hear more!WebsiteInstagram

Young children thrive in the ordinary, to them it's reliable, predictable and feels safe. There's less anxiety, less overwhelm, less to be nervous about especially when the ordinary is nourished by a healthy rhythm.It can be hard to slow down, be present and fully embrace ordinary moments and ordinary days. How you wash the dishes, do the laundry, sweep the floor, set the table; these and more can make you feel like you're not seen and perhaps this is what makes simple, ordinary moments and days so hard.In this episode I offer advice as well as inspiration for finding joy in ordinary days. I also tell my story of how I embraced ordinary days as a first time mom. Here are two episodes from Season 4 that offer more on this topic.The Key to More Joyful Days with Your Child (part 1)https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-nurture/id1481862269?i=1000528963100The Key to More Joyful Days with Your Child (part 2)https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-nurture/id1481862269?i=1000529682364WebsiteInstagram

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For young children sleep is a sacred time that needs to be protected.  Sleep is often a vulnerable time for young children and when they need us by their side.  In this episode, I talk about what it means to nurture your child's sleep as soul care. How slowing down life supports a child in "digesting" their day and also in being able to let go of the day in order to fall asleep. I touch on emotional overload and overwhelm and what happens when we view sleep as a holistic experience.Join me for a different, perhaps wider perspective on how to help your child have better sleep.WebsiteInstagram

Over 30 years ago when I was first introduced to Waldorf education I heard about the immense value of observing my children and how it would help me know them better. This concept was new to me as a valuable parenting tool. I was intrigued and decided to try it out. In this episode, I share what I learned from observing my children. I also talk about a good starting place should you choose to practice observing your child as a  way to know them better. I'm so glad you've joined me!WebsiteInstagram

Why do rhythmical meals work? And What are the benefits?It's no surprise that young children do best when life is consistent and dependable. They feel safe when life happens in the same way over and over and even in the same order. They want daily life to be reliable and this is one reason why rhythmical meals work. When your rhythm includes a rotation of weekly meals that your child can count on then mealtimes are more likely to go smoother. Creating a rhythm with meals will also create more harmonious family mealtimes.Listen to hear the other benefits of rhythmical meals!In the episode, I give some healthy snack suggestions as well as dinner ideas. I dive a little bit into seasonal eating and offer some inspiration for meal planning.If you're intrigued and want to explore rhythmical meals in your home, we have created a FREE printable to help you get started. All you need to do is subscribe to The Journal (there's no cost to subscribe) and you'll be on the list to receive the printable.  Subscribe hereWebsiteInstagram

Being a parent is so rewarding but also hard. There's so much that you need to surrender to much of which you were not even aware of before having a child. Finding balance in daily life is definitely one as well as  balancing your needs with that of your child's.  It's really a constant challenge. What does the heartbeat in your home feel like?Do you have clear intentions for your family's lifestyle?Is there a rhythmic heartbeat in your home?Join me in this episode for advice and tips that will reduce overwhelm and help you navigate balancing daily life.  I've created a beautiful and unique Seasonal Family Rhythm Planner to help guide you in intentionally crafting a rhythm that aligns with the heartbeat you want for your home. The Rhythm Planner guides you step by step in creating a rhythm that will bring more balance to your days! Visit wenurturecollective.com to learn more or purchase your copy.WebsiteInstagram

Welcome back to the We Nurture Podcast!  We are so excited to announce that Season 7 will be starting next Monday.  Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss the first episode.Subscribe to our newsletter, The We Nurture Journal, to be notified when the season has begun and to receive updates throughout the season!

Join Chinyelu for a talk on How to Create a Restorative Daily Rhythm: The key to reducing stress in your child's day. A good rhythm is the foundation of a peaceful, low-stress home life with your children. In this webinar, you will learn the steps to creating a rhythm for your family and how to implement it each day. Learn more!Register

Spending time outdoors is real food for the soul, real food for the senses, as it nourishes the young child's senses. Spending time outside helps your child breathe deeply and be better regulated.Nature reduces overwhelm and eases tension. It will bring your child to a calm peaceful state. One of the great benefits of being out in nature is that it also gives your child time away from screens, and makes it possible for them to intimately reconnect with themselves. Join me in this episode as I talk about the Foundational senses, outdoor activities that strengthen these senses and how you can create an outdoor play area in your own backyard with toys that you curate that will interest your child and encourage them to spend hours in play outside.

In today's episode, I'll be talking about the benefits of creating a summer seasonal table - I'll give ideas and inspiration for bringing the essence of summer into your home and how you can involve your child in this process.Creating a summer seasonal table is a natural way to get your child outside every day exploring nature and living fully into the summer. What's also beneficial about creating a seasonal table in your home is that not only does the experience encourage an interest and respect for the natural world, your child learns about nature in a more personal way and it's another way to develop in them a caring, helpful attitude for nature and the earth.Listen to this episode to learn about the many benefits of a summer seasonal table and how to create one in your home! 

Welcome to a new episode on The We Nurture Podcast! Today is Inspirational Wednesday, and I will be talking about five Waldorf-inspired practices that I believe will help you cultivate a more balanced, nourishing lifestyle for your family (and for you too!). No matter your parenting situation, looking after little ones is no easy task. While focusing on the five practices, which are self-care, rhythm (one of my favorites!), daily routines, family values, home life and connecting with nature, I will help you understand how to cultivate balance when you live intentionally! While looking at sleep times, mealtimes, and play times, I help you understand how to better meet your child's needs. I also give you some tips on creating simple, nurturing, doable, and nourishing self-care practices for when life feels like an overwhelming balancing act.Key Points From This Episode:A new perspective on how to view balance in our lives.Why parenting requires so much energy.Five Waldorf-inspired practices to cultivate in day to day life.1: self-care (creating simple, nurturing, doable, and nourishing practices). 2: rhythm (sleep times, mealtimes, and play times).3: daily routines (building with intentionality to restore a sense of balance).4: family values (the tools you give your child, defining your family story, and creating healthy values).5: home life and connecting with nature (a place of security, safety, and cultivating a sanctuary).Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:We Nurture CollectiveWe Nurture on InstagramWe Nurture on FacebookWe Nurture on YouTubeThe Three Little Deers and the Great Storm

Stories help children process life challenges and we can use stories to help manage behavior that has become disruptive or developed into a negative pattern.Stories are healing and when you use language that conjures up picture images you can guide your child to a calm state especially when they're having a difficult time with change whether it's a change in the rhythm or routine or a bigger life change.  I have found that telling stories that you create in the moment or plan ahead can really help to calm a young child help them feel secure. In the early years, children do well when we use descriptive language; picture language as I like to call it. By picture language I mean words that describe an event in a way that the young child feels like they're stepping into a story.There's more in this episode on this topic. Listen in and you'll also hear two stories that I tell, both spontaneously created, as examples to inspire you.

Welcome to a new episode of the We Nurture Podcast! Today is Mindful Monday, and I will be discussing why giving a child a timeout doesn't work. Timeouts, which are ineffective and punitive, never serve their intended purpose. While delving deep into the topic, I explain why we need to change our perception of dealing with negative behavior, and how by doing this, we create an opportunity to support our children, connect with them, and build a relationship. I try to help you understand the importance of being present when your child reflects and processes their behavior, how to teach your child emotional regulation, the ways to guide them with your own strengths and boundaries, and how timeouts cause our children to create beliefs that they are worthy of punishment.  Plus, I give you suggestions and helpful strategies on what to do instead of timeouts, how to acknowledge why you desire to send your child to timeout, and the importance of giving your child autonomy and choice. I hope you can join me!Key Points From This Episode:How to change our response to our child's negative behavior. How to figure out what our child is trying to communicate when they have negative behavior.Helpful strategies to use when dealing with a child's misbehavior. Understanding what the flawed goal of timeout is.Why we need to be present when our children reflect on their behavior. How we help our children with emotional regulation by being present.Why our children need to feel comforted and guided when they are presenting negative behavior.The lessons to teach our children when they are processing their feelings. How to reflect on why you are sending your child to timeout.The power of giving a child autonomy and choice.How to incorporate the outside when you're dealing with misbehavior. The importance of reflecting on your child's negative behavior. We Nurture CollectiveWe Nurture on InstagramWe Nurture on FacebookWe Nurture on YouTubeThe Three Little Deers and the Great Storm

Welcome to a new episode of the We Nurture Podcast! Today is Q&A Friday, and I am going to be talking about how to manage bedtimes when you have children of different ages. I am going to talk about the power of healthy, daily rhythms and having a holistic overview of the day. Before I get deep into today's episode, I recap the six foundations of a healthy rhythm and give some quick examples of how to make sure you achieve these. Then, I will help you understand the effect a busy day has on the tiredness of your child, and I will draw on my own experiences to give you tips, tricks, and advice on how to juggle managing bedtime routines. I help you understand how to let go of the day and make peace with what has been, in the hopes of finding harmony tomorrow. From reading books before bed and having early dinners, to managing bathing and showering routines, this episode is helpful for parents and caregivers with children of all ages!Key Points From This Episode:Chinyelu discusses why she was at home with her three children (of all different ages).The power of a healthy, daily rhythm and having a holistic overview of the day.Talking about how different emotions are expressed at the end of the day, normally at bedtime.Why children can become clingy at the end of the day.How to have a harmonious bedtime.The link between the end of today and the beginning of tomorrow. Investing in a front carrier for your baby.Why you should have early dinners, and how to create a bathing/showering routine.Why you should read books (and the different kinds of books to read) before bed.How you can put your day to rest and give yourself peace during bedtime.

Welcome to a new episode of the We Nurture Podcast! Today is Seasonal Thursday, and I am going to be chatting about how to create, and maintain, a nourishing, balancing summertime rhythm to nurture your child and family. We all know that the summer season is notorious for unplanned, changing activities. So, when reflecting on our rhythms, we need to focus on creating predictable and consistent routines that will support our child's ability to self-regulate, have a sense of normality, and support their sense of wellbeing. I discuss the three essential cornerstones of support (sleep time, mealtime, and playtime) and how they promote a healthy daily rhythm. I will help you recognize when your child is expressing, their feelings of being unsettled and overwhelmed; whether it is through behavior or actions, and how to approach and implement a balanced routine to get them back to feeling their best. I hope you tune in to hear my personal summertime rhythm guide, which includes estimated times of the day, for creating a sustainable and supportive rhythm!Key Points From This Episode:How the summer season brings a change in rhythms.Creating predictable and consistent routines.The foundation of rhythm and the three cornerstones: sleep time, mealtime, and playtime. How to help your child self-regulate, have a sense of normality, and support their sense of wellbeing.Understanding your child's negative behavior (and boundary-pushing) as communicating feelings of being unsettled and overwhelmed. The major role of balancing your day-to-day lifeThe power of slowing down (and expanding) the activities we do with our children.A framework for creating your summer rhythm.Sleep time: the correct number of hours for restorative sleep. Mealtime: helping keep the system in balance, nourishment, and blood sugar regulation.Playtime: nourishing cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being and language and communication skills development. The power of being in nature during your summer mealtime.A summertime rhythm guide, based on times of the day, for creating a nourishing routine. Sleep FoundationWe Nurture CollectiveWe Nurture on InstagramWe Nurture on FacebookWe Nurture on YouTubeThe Three Little Deers and the Great Storm

Did you know that when your child plays with a toy, they actually build a relationship with the toy and the material that the toy is made from can affect how they play with the toy. It's important when we are intentional about the kinds of toys or play materials that we give to our child. Does it have warmth? Does it invite your child to play? How does it feel? How does your child engage with it? These are all good questions to ask. Just  by watching your child, you can see how much their toys stimulate their imagination, their curiosity and approach to exploring their world. Children learn about their world through play and the toys and play materials that they use are a medium for this exploration.The less formed a toy is the more room there is for your child to imagine and create their own ideas. Open-ended toys give children freedom to create and because they aren't fixed they can be used in any number of ways. Join me in this episode to learn more!

Today on Mindful Monday, I will be talking about the four temperaments as a tool to better understand your child's personality. By understanding temperaments, we, as parents, can meet our child's needs in a more effective way. The four temperaments, which can be defined as traits and characteristics, are known as air (sanguine), water (phlegmatic), earth (melancholic), and fire (choleric). “Although each temperament has specific qualities, we can expect that every one of the qualities will be seen in each individual.”— Chinyelu Kunz [ I talk about how, although each person has one or two dominant elements, qualities of each temperament is present in everyone. I advise on how to recognize, observe, experience, and manage each temperament in your child. Plus, I offer a guide to understanding how to bring all four elements into balance and harmony. I hope you will join me for this episode!Key Points From This Episode:The power of understanding your child's personality.The four temperaments and how they relate to the four elements.How Waldorf uses the temperaments as a tool to bring children to balance.Exploring how each element can present itself in children. A perspective from a Waldorf teacher and Waldorf mother.How to support our children by understanding and recognizing their characteristics as a part of their elements. Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:We Nurture CollectiveWe Nurture on InstagramWe Nurture on FacebookWe Nurture on YouTubeThe Three Little Deers and the Great Storm

In this Q & A Friday Episode , I'll be talking about Self-Care for Stressed Parents.This question was asked on our instagram poll when we asked parents to submit their questions for Q & A Friday on the podcast. It received a lot of votes which made it the clear choice for this episode. If you would like to ask a parenting question you can submit it on Instagram @we (underscore) nurture on Mondays during season 6! Listen in as I guide you through how to acknowledge your stress, process stress triggers, and even potentially prevent stress altogether. You'll learn the negative effects of high-stress levels and how you can recognize this through your elevated emotions. When your self-care practices make it possible for you to have a deeper understanding of why your stress exists, this helps you understand ways to heal yourself. However, you need to remember that your stressors and emotions are valid, even if they make you feel like you are an incapable or imperfect parent. With examples such as going for a walk, having a bath, and resting when your child does, you'll begin to understand how you need to nurture the parts of yourself that needs it the most. I hope this episode will inspire you to dig deep and start your daily self-care practices today!Listen to hear more and learn ways to reduce your parenting stress!Key Points From This Episode:The knockdown effects of high-stress levels. Recognizing the beginning stages of elevated stress levels.The implications of emotional disconnection.The feelings of regret at the end of the vicious stress cycle.How to determine the origin of your stress.Examples of emotions that trigger stress.Different practices to incorporate into your day-to-day life to alleviate stress.The deepness that should take place during your self-care practices. Examples of self-care practices that nurture the parts of yourself that need to be nurtured. Different parts of self: emotional, social, physical, sensory, intellectual, creative, and spiritual. How to achieve personal growth while you're on the journey of reducing your stress. Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:We Nurture CollectiveWe Nurture on InstagramWe Nurture on FacebookWe Nurture on YouTubeThe Three Little Deers and the Great Storm

In this episode, I talk about Forest Bathing, the benefits and why it's a healthy activity. What is it about forest life that draws us, heals us, and brings us joy? What does it mean to bath our senses in the atmosphere of the forest?In the forest, nothing is asked of us so we find ourselves listening, observing and noticing what's around us. We relax. And when we are in a place where we can calmly take in our surroundings, particularly in a forest where our senses are bathed, we become peaceful just by the very fact that our body is in a restful state and that we're breathing more deeply.Join me as I take you on a journey through the forest to experience how and why it's healing for the senses and the soul.Key Points From This Episode:Understanding what forest bathing is.The health benefits of forest bathing.Why I built a forest at a Waldorf pre-school program.Why forest life heals and nurtures our emotional well-being, physical bodies, and soul.What it means to bathe our senses in the atmosphere of a forest.How to craft and cultivate a simple and better forest experience.Nature as a powerful antidote for sensory overload and challenging behaviors.The ways children absorb experiences and how to use this to foster healthy development.The four foundational senses as our child's sensory building blocks.How to observe your child in a  forest bathing experience. Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:We Nurture CollectiveWe Nurture Instagram   We Nurture Instagram  Association for Healing Education - Article - Observations Based on the Lower Senseshttp://box5157.temp.domains/~healipj6/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/12sensesahe.pdfWe Nurture on FacebookWe Nurture on YouTubeThe Three Little Deers and the Great Storm

As parents, we know how important play is for young children. For the young child, play and learning are one and the same. Through play, children try out their ideas and develop new capacities at their own pace and in their own timing. It's been said that the most effective way for a young child to be educated is to let them learn through play at their own pace. - To let them learn when they are ready and interested. The types of play that I'll focus on is based on research that was used as a tool for assessing whether play in early childhood programs was providing adequate opportunities and materials for all types of play. Although this research came out of this need, it's also a useful tool for us as parents to know if we are providing the variety of play that our child needs and if they have access to different types of play in the program they attend. Listen to learn more!Here are a links to Alliance for Childhood articles Crisis in the Kindergarten - Why Children Need to Play in Schoolhttps://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d24bb215f3e850001630a72/t/5d389f785f713d0001a33797/1563991929109/Summary+Crisis+in+Kindergarten_8-page_summary.pdfAlliance for Childhood - Importance of Playhttps://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED485734.pdf12 Key Types of Playhttps://images.shulcloud.com/1039/uploads/docs/Resource-Bank/Parent-Resource-Bank/Twelve-Key-Types-of-Play.pdf

Welcome to another inspiring edition of Blossoming Tuesday on the We Nurture Podcast. Today, I talk about how to nurture your child's ability to self-regulate. I highlight three stages of learning - supporting self-regulation, co-regulating, and achieving self-regulation  that, when nurtured, builds your child's ability to regulate. You'll come to understand what role your triggers, as a parent, play in your child's self-regulation journey.  I share insights on the importance of breathing, talking, seeking help, and, of course, the undeniable benefits of play. Finally, I take a detailed look at the importance of self-regulation in children and adults alike.  Tune in to listen and  please share this episode with family and friends. Key Points From This Episode:The three stages of learning that build your child's ability to self-regulate.Stage 1: Supporting self-regulation.How to be a calm, nurturing presence for your child.  Stage 2: Co-regulating. Stage 3: Achieving self-regulation.Why understanding your triggers as a parent will help your child's self-regulation. How children develop self-regulation through self-directed play. The reasons why self-regulation is essential. 

Welcome to a new episode of the We Nurture Podcast! Today on Mindful Monday, I will be chatting about the effects of screen time on our young ones. I'll open a dialogue around why screen time should be limited for younger children. I'll talk about how I raised my children, the research and resources I used, and the methods of observations that better equipped me to create and maintain a screen-free home. While acknowledging that this is a difficult task, I'll give advice, tips, and powerful questions to ask ourselves which will help listeners to better observe and perceive the ways children behave and interact when having screen time. From understanding important cognitive, sensory, and physiological nervous system developments in our children, to the power of boredom and nature, I talk about how to take on the challenge of minimizing screen time in your homes to improve all aspects of your child's life. I'll talk about how chronic stress, overstimulation, and concentration barriers can be combated with simple play-oriented, movement-centered, grounding techniques. I hope you can join me to feel empowered to tackle minimizing screen time in a world that revolves around screens!Key Points From This Episode:A brief look at my personal parenting style with regard to screens. The age at which I introduced screens into my children's lives.Discussing the development of a young child's brain with respect to certain age markers.The developmental processes a brain misses out on when a child is having screen time.Why I avoided screen time when raising my children in their early years. The importance of children feeling and processing their boredom.The effects of screen time on children's cognitive, sensory, and physiological nervous systems.How screen time can affect your child's focus, attention span, and sleep.A scientific understanding of a child's developing brain. Three critical questions you can ask yourself when making decisions around children's screen time.How to look out for and pay attention to the negative effects of screen time.10 key points from Dr. Dunckley's book, Reset Your Child's Brain.The power of observing your child.PDF Reset Your Child's Brain - A Four Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades and Build Social skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen TimeReset Your Child's Brain by Dr. Victoria DunckleyWhat Do We Really Know About Kids and ScreensThe Case for Screen-Free ChildhoodAssociations between screen-based media use and brain white matter integrity in preschool-aged children

Today on Q&A Friday, I talk about how to mindfully navigate resistance and aggressive language in our children. With no simple one-size-fits-all approach, I guide you in understanding that each situation requires a personal tailored response: one that is in the best interest of your child. You'll learn the importance of a child being able to express themselves, and how to look beyond their behavior with kindness and empathy for underlying issues that they may be trying to express. Discover seven reasons that can cause resistance and aggressive language, which include being overwhelmed, the inability to express emotions, mimicking their personal experiences, and changing communication styles. Plus, you'll get some suggestions to navigate this behavior, from creating consistent home rhythms to holding boundaries, remaining calm in resistant situations, and acknowledging major developmental milestones. I hope you'll join me for this informative and encouraging episode!Key Points From This Episode:Navigating your child's resistance while considering potential underlying causes.How allowing your child to express themselves builds connections and strengthens relationships.A list of seven things to consider when understanding resistant behavior.Suggestions on how to combat resistant behavior. Why adults must make bigger decisions and let children choose between two smaller choices. How being overwhelmed can mirror being resistant. The ways an adult can support their child through situations that trigger resistance.What the Waldorf Education system defines as the individuation process.The healing power of telling stories.How to tame, work with, and deal with aggressive language and behaviorLinks Mentioned in Today's Episode:We Nurture CollectiveWe Nurture on InstagramWe Nurture on FacebookThe Three Little Deers and the Great Storm

“Gardening isn't just an activity that we do. In so many ways, it shows us the essence of the cycles of life, from the seed to the aging, dying plant.” Today on Seasonal Thursday, I'll be talking about a Waldorf inspired approach to gardening with young children. Once again, I will invite you to place yourself in the young child's world of feeling instead of knowing, experiencing instead of overthinking. I'll take a look at the importance of nature in early childhood before taking a deep dive into ‘the willing phase'. Then, onto gardening, where you'll learn how to plan your garden and decide what to plant, making sure that you have the right tools, as well as the importance of designated gardening clothes, and so much more! And, of course, you'll get some ideas for fun gardening activities, some of which are there to extend the experience beyond just gardening. Make sure to tune in and come grow with us. Key Points From This Episode:Living into an experience, instead of thinking your way through it. How ‘feeling‘ is more important than ‘knowing‘ for the young child. The importance of nature in early childhood.Waldorf Educations's three phases of the growing child, paying closer attention to ‘the willing phase‘.  Planning your garden and deciding what to plant.The importance of organic seeds/food. Making sure that you have the right tools. How to create a separate play area for your child.Another reminder that children play themselves into life. Some fun gardening activities for children aged 18 months and older. The importance of having the right clothes and why distinctively different clothes for gardening matters. I talk about how to keep it simple. Little things that you can do to add to the experience, beyond just gardening.Creating a small, personal garden bed for the slightly older child. 

Welcome to a new episode of the We Nurture Podcast! Today is Inspirational Wednesday, and we will be chatting about the power of cooking with your child. In this episode, I share personal experiences I had with my mother, my experience as a Waldorf educator, and experiences  with my children in their early childhood years. I use all of these experiences to guide you through the benefits of cooking and preparing food with your child. From social-emotional and cognitive development, building self-esteem, promoting hand-eye coordination, and creating an awareness of their senses, the list of benefits seems endless. You'll begin to understand how, by allowing your child to participate in the kitchen, you'd can create lifelong memories, foster positive relationships, and cultivate a connection to the natural world. My aim is to provide comfort in the face of this potentially daunting task, and encourage a shift in your mindset to move away from your potential fears of mess and imperfection. I hope you can join us for this informative and advice-filled episode!Key Points From This Episode:Children's interest in adults' day-to-day tasks.A look at my childhood in Nigeria as the beginning of my relationship with food.Cooking as an early childhood experience is integral to the Waldorf curriculum.The holistic perspective of nourishment as an experience that promotes a healthy relationship with food.The importance of children being immersed and included in their surrounding environments.Accepting that including your child in cooking may be messy and be imperfect.How cooking nurtures your relationship with your child and builds their self-esteem.How helping prepare food promotes pre-maths thinking and helps build hand-eye coordination skills.How cooking develops language skills, social-emotional and cognitive development, and problem-solving skills.Age-appropriate considerations to make in the kitchen.Recommendations on how to ensure your child's safety while preparing food. 

Do you feel like your home needs more calm? Well, get ready for some peace at home as we welcome you to another episode of the We Nurture Podcast! Today, on Blossoming Tuesday, I talk about activities that you can do to ground and calm your child. Behavior is something that needs to be carefully considered and in this episode you'll learn how your child's behavior determines which calming activity best suits their needs. You'll also discover just how important it is to identify your child's individual needs. You'll come to know why the ‘time of day' makes a difference in your child's behavior. There are four foundational senses that we are made aware of and there is a calming activity that speaks to each one of them. I talk about about warmth as a calming essential, water as therapy, and the benefits of creating a little fort for your child. Make sure that you tune in to find out how you can bring calm to your home!  Key Points From This Episode:Things to notice about your child's behavior. How behavior determines the necessary calming activity. The importance of identifying the ‘need' of your child. What different types of calming activities look like.Why time of day is an important factor to consider. How sense is important when choosing the right calming activity. Looking at the four foundational senses. Four calming activities that relate to the senses. Grounding experiences for the imbalanced child.Why warmth is used as a calming essential tool. How water is akin to therapy. The importance of cozy nooks and blanketed forts for you.You'll find our recipe for Homemade Warm Lavender Scented Play dough in today's instagram post.Link to Waldorf Play Frame Link to Waldorf Play Stands

Welcome to another exciting edition of Mindful Monday on the We Nurture Podcast! In this episode, I'll be talking about the importance of letting children know that there is goodness in the world. Life is hard, so children need to know that even in difficult times, goodness does exist. You'll learn that parents need to protect our children from our adult fears and anxieties and that we, as adults, need to be a model of happiness that our children can look up too. We come to understand that fear can make a child shut down and that we shouldn't expose them to news and other adult content while they are still young. We should, instead, shower them with love and positivity. Positive affirmations can help your child develop a sense of being safe. And, we can positively affirm that today's episode is not to be missed!  May this episode encourage you and help you to discover hope and joy in life everyday and that you'll find the strength and courage to show your child that there is indeed Goodness in the World!Key Points From This Episode:• Why it is important for children to know that there is goodness in the world. • Why children need to be protected from adult fears and anxieties.• The way Chinyelu's childhood experiences of war formed her beliefs!• Discovering ways to be a model of happiness for our kids. • How to help your child develop a sense of safety.• What it means to meet the world with warmth and an open heart.• How to create moments of stillness.• The importance of positive affirmations.

Long ago, in a tiny house at the edge of the forest lived grandmother.  Grandmother loved to spend her days in the garden tending to the flowers.  She grew more than she needed so she could share with the birds and small animals that came to visit.  Grandmother had a tiny root cellar beneath her house where she stored her carrots and pumpkins in the winter and in the summer it was cool. in the summer. It was where she always went when there was a storm and she needed to be safe.   “This protection story was written for the children of Ukraine. It is in loving memory of my beautiful grandmother who passed away last winter, a first generation Czechoslovakian farmer with Ukrainian ancestry. Her name meant “one who comes from where the wild roses grow.”  And in gratitude to my Ukrainian friends whose light and beauty sustained me for 10 years when I was away from home. There is nothing more important than home and kin.  We recommend this story for ages 3 - 7About the AuthorDarla Barrows was born and raised on a small family owned dairy farm in the Driftless region of the Midwest.  She and her family recently moved back to the Driftless to be near her parents who have turned their 70 acres of farmland into prairie flower conservation. Darla holds a degree in ASL Interpretation and Transliteration from Saint Paul College and is a graduate of the Birth to Three Program at Sophia's Hearth in Keene, New Hampshire. Darla first began teaching Parent and Child classes twenty years ago in ASL before becoming a Waldorf Parent and Child educator and running her own program in Canada for nearly a decade. Darla is a mother, a gardener, and works as the Online Programming Coordinator for Sophia's Hearth. To discover more please visit wenurturecollective.com/stories-for-children

In this episode, I talk about my parenting experience with bossy and aggressive behavior.  I discuss the importance of having unconditional love, compassion, and empathy as a way to understanding how our child's behavior stems from their internal fears and desire to control (because of their fears). In sharing my personal story my hope is that it will help you if you are facing this kind of behavior. If you think my story and advice might help a family member or friend, please share it with them.Throughout the episode, I challenge you to shift how you view aggressive behavior to see that what your child is actually needing, is actually asking for is you. They're asking for your unconditional love, your compassion, your empathy, your understanding and your kindness. Key Points From This Episode:My personal experience with bossy and aggressive behaviorThe power of judgment-free observation.A consistent approach to moving through the locked aggressive feelings of a toddler. How to understand your child's behavior with unconditional love and empathy. How to support all your children when one is hurting from the actions of their sibling.Remodeling aggressive actions to become respectful communication and healthy interactions. The main goal when dealing with challenging behavior.The importance of a parent's kindness, empathy, unconditional love, and compassion.Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:We Nurture CollectiveWe Nurture on InstagramWe Nurture on FacebookThe Three Little Deers and the Great Storm

Today, the We Nurture Podcast is all about making your child blossom like a spring flower! We have the added pleasure of being joined by health and beauty coach, Jolene Hart.Jolene speaks about the importance of getting your child into the rhythm of eating with the seasons from an early age. And that it's possible to make healthy eating fun for them! Tune in to hear Jolene's advice and tips from her own personal and professional experience.Key Points From This Episode:Jolene's most important food recommendations to include in family meals.Making healthy eating, vegetables in particular, fun for children.Detoxing: why this is not a scary concept but one to be embraced. A bit about Jolene's research process.How you can cultivate a foodie curiosity in your own home.Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:Jolene Hart WebsiteJolene on TwitterEat Pretty: Nutrition for Beauty Inside and OutEat Pretty Live Well - A Guided JournalEat Pretty Everyday - 365 Daily InspirationsShine OnIgnite Your LightWe Nurture CollectiveWe Nurture on InstagramWe Nurture on FacebookThe Three Little Deers and the Great Storm

Today on Inspirational Wednesday, I'll show you ways in which you can nurture your child's confidence and I'll share the value of raising a self-confident child, how to achieve this, and how a child's early experiences lay the foundation for their life. For a child to be self-confident, they need to be given the freedom to experience new things in their world of “play“ and you, as their parent, need to allow them the opportunity to be governed by their own will. Moreover, parents need to practice what they preach, as children learn as much from observation as they do from activity. Make sure you tune in to hear how you can raise a self-confident child!Key Points From This Episode:• Self-confidence is developed and driven by the child's own will (impulse and desire to do what interests them).• Nurture your child's will by giving them opportunities to help in daily life activities.• Give your child plenty of time for unstructured play.• Engaging a child's will harnesses their inner strength and thus builds their confidence.• As a parent, work on your own self-confidence.• Mindfulness of your words and actions that are directed at your child.• Being a strong role model for your child to imitate.

Once upon a time, in a green meadow dotted with wildflowers, there was a cozy earthen hollow that went deep into the ground. This is where a family of groundhogs lived. Every morning they climbed out of their hollow and ate handfuls of yellow dandelions and red clover. But it was not enough food for little groundhog because he was always hungry. So the family scurried to Farmer John's compost pile to look for good food to eat. We recommend this story for ages 3 - 7About the AuthorChinyelu Kunz, is the founder of We Nurture Collective. In 2020, after 25 years as a Waldorf early childhood educator, her growing passion to support parents of young children, on a bigger platform, led her to leave classroom teaching. She created the parenting podcast, We Nurture which was quickly followed by The Stories for Children podcast. She loves writing stories for children and hopes to do this more in the future.To discover more please visit wenurturecollective.com/stories-for-children

Today on Blossoming Tuesday, I am continuing the discussion of how to understand your child's drawings. I'll explain the importance of being patient with your child and allowing them freedom of expression as they transition through their developmental stages. You will begin to understand that something as simple as the ability to draw a circular shape, sun-ray shapes, dots, and lines sees a child go through many processes and developmental stages. We start to understand the significance of drawing as allowing a child to begin their exploration of their path to self-discovery. We follow along as Chinyelu explains how drawings can represent ego-consciousness, self-awareness, and cognitive connections. We are left with many examples and interpretations of the meaning behind drawings. Tune in to understand how to use these interpretations to better understand your child!  

Today on Mindful Monday, I will be exploring what it means to cultivate a habit of mindful eating. You will learn, through my personal stories and tips, what wholesome food is and how to introduce it into your children's lives. First, I'll begin with the understanding that food needs to be seen as much more than just what we eat. I will guide you through what a good relationship with food looks like and how to foster this in your children. Secondly, I will share insight into the healing properties and connections that come with being present in all aspects of your food purchasing, preparation, and eating. I will then share tips on how joy, gratitude, and experiences shape the way your child will grow up thinking about food. Tune in to explore all the ways you can help your child connect with wholesome food!Key Points From This Episode:Understanding Chinyelu's inspiration behind the book, Farmhouse Manna.A background of her relationship with food and her love for cooking and gardening.The importance behind our intentions when preparing and eating a meal. Exploring what it means to feel our soul senses.How children develop life skills by participating in meal preparation and food shopping.The power of observing our child's reactions and behavior towards different foods.Rhythm, repetition, and joy allow a child to develop a positive relationship with food.Minimizing pressure around finishing food 

Today is Q&A Friday on The We Nurture Podcast and our Instagram followers voted for todays topic on how to end non-stop begging. First, I'll discuss why begging is a learned behavior and the importance of teaching your child to accept your decision. I also discuss why suppressing your child's emotions is not helpful for establishing healthy communication. Next, I'll talk about how you can calm yourself and really listen to your child and then I'll go through some steps you can take to help your child stop begging. I'll look into three examples of how you can help your child learn to wait before discussing three things you can avoid doing in a begging situation. Finally, I'll discuss the role you may be playing in modeling this learned behavior and encourage you to self-reflect in order to help your child learn how to wait. Tune in to end your child's begging today!Key Points From This Episode:Why begging is a learned behavior. The importance of teaching children to accept their parents' decisions. The importance of allowing your children to express their emotions and not suppressing them.Establishing healthy communication. Some steps to help you stop your child's begging. 

Today on Seasonal Thursday, I'll discuss how to create spring rituals as a way to refresh, restore, and reconnect. Spring is known as a time for an evaluation of what we should keep and let go of, mindfully connecting to areas in our life that need focus. I'll explore how these rituals are a way to inspire fresh ideas and shift focus in the home, body, and soul. During today's episode, you will learn how to implement a slow and intentional daily practice and the benefits it has for a child's well-being. With the goal of creating self-care, love, and joy, you'll understand how consistency and predictability are key to nurturing your child's growth. Don't know where to start? Tune in to learn simple and effective techniques to create mindful and engaging day-to-day practices.Key Points From This Episode:The positive outcomes of using spring rituals for refreshing and restoring your home, body, and soul. How you and your child can nurture areas of your day-to-day life with valuable intentions.How cornerstones and healthy rhythms promote balance in a child's life.Exploring the importance and benefits of creating rituals.How rhythm, reverence, and rituals lead to peace, calm, and joy.Incorporating spring rhythms into your rituals to promote reconnection to increase a child's wellbeing.How to use each day to focus on individual rituals. Four examples of simple, consistent rituals to create and shape your own daily practice.Rituals that nourish your body.The importance of mindfulness when creating new rituals for your child. 

Trust is the foundation of all relationships. Today on inspirational Wednesday on the We Nurture Podcast, I am helping you find ways to build a trusting relationship with your child. First, I'll discuss why trust is so important for the development and blossoming of children and look at what happens when there is no trust between children and parents. I'll then talk about how to build trust with your child in the early years of infancy and toddlerhood before discussing how keeping your word and building a healthy rhythm builds trust. Lastly, Ill delve into a few other ways to build trust and look into some signs that your child trusts you. Tune in to be inspired to build a trusting relationship with your child!Key Points From This Episode:Why trust is essential for children.What happens when there is no trust between parent and child. How to build trust with your child in the early childhood years.The importance of thinking before you speak as a parent to build a trusting relationship.How a healthy rhythm or structure to the day builds trust. 

The ability to understand your child's drawings gives you a new perspective into their own, private world. Today on Blossoming Tuesday, I explore drawing as a process of developing interconnections and expressing emotions through different shapes and images. I'll describe the positive exploration, expressive, and anchoring processes a child goes through by drawing. I will  guide listeners through the sequences and phases of development to give  a glimpse into the growth of a child's individuality. I will talk about how to better understand the beginning of a child's thought, separation of their inner and outer world, and development into their own human being. Drawing is a unique experience through movement and impressions, and it allows us to follow along with a child on their developmental pathway. Tune in to discover why you should not ask a child to explain their drawings, but rather attempt to understand a child through their drawings. Key Points From This Episode:The positive, explorational processes children go through while drawing. A look at children's developmental stages in relation to their drawings.Looking at the early phase, middle phase, and late phase of children's development.The importance of a child's experiences of drawing with no need for explanations.How a sense of individuality and being human emerges through a child's drawings.The connections between the phases of a child's drawings and their phases of play.How to understand and follow the journey of the shapes and images your child draws.Explaining different theories and potential meanings of different-shaped drawings.

Welcome to the We Nurture Stories for Children podcast. We utilize the power of storytelling to encourage language development, inspire moral growth, and enliven the imagination. We hope you enjoy the timeless activity of getting lost in a good tale.There was once a little bunny rabbit named Billy who lived in a burrow with his mommy, daddy and brothers and sisters. The burrow was very snug for the bunny family and as the baby brothers and sisters began to grow bigger, it became rather squashy.  Billy was the youngest and the smallest of the family and he found it most squashy of all. One day Billy had an idea that would keep him from being squashed all the time.We recommend this story for ages 3 - 7About the Author - Jill Tina Taplin Jill Taplin was born and brought up in the UK, graduated from university with a degree in philosophy and was busy until her early 30s as a gardener, house builder and mother.  Then she joined a group of parents founding a Steiner Waldorf school in the north east of Scotland, near a spiritual community.  Soon she found herself working in the kindergarten and discovered that was where she really wanted to be.  She worked as a kindergarten teacher in Scotland and Devon until 2008 when family reasons brought her to a new part of the UK with no Waldorf school nearby.  Since then she has expanded her interest in working with adults - students, teachers and parents – through working as a kindergarten mentor, workshop leader, adult education tutor and writer. She has completed an MA in Education (Steiner Philosophy) and now has commitments to support Steiner Waldorf early childhood training mainly in several countries around the world.  In addition to magazine and newsletter articles, she is co-author of Understanding the Steiner Waldorf Approach, published by David Fulton.To discover more please visit wenurturecollective.com/stories-for-children

After a full day of work, school, or daycare, you and your child may have been apart for many hours. Today, on Mindful Monday, I'll share some strategies for reconnecting with your child at the end of the day. Firstly, I discuss how important it is to reconnect with yourself before you reconnect with your child. Next, you'll learn a simple breathing exercise to help you do so and I'll discuss how important it is to slow your thoughts down in these moments. Lastly, you'll discover four ways that you can reconnect with your child through physical touch, by creating rituals, and more. I hope you'll join us!Key Points From This Episode:The importance of reconnecting with yourself before reconnecting with your child. I'll offer a breathing exercise to help you reconnect with yourself.How important it is to slow your thoughts down.Four ways you can reconnect with your child. 

Today is Q&A Friday on the We Nurture Podcast, and I will be sharing tips on how to create a Waldorf atmosphere for your children at home. I'll discuss the foundation of the Waldorf education system and how you can begin to create a similar atmosphere in your home. You'll learn how important it is to develop yourself as a parent, as well as how rhythm contributes to the Waldorf atmosphere, and I'll delve into what it means to embody a space before listing the three most important rooms in a house and what you can do to create a Waldorf atmosphere in them. Lastly, I'll list some helpful tips to turn your home into a Waldorf education-inspired space, so make sure to join me to make the most out of this incredible philosophy within your home!Key Points From This Episode:A few foundational insights into the Waldorf philosophy How you can begin to create a Waldorf atmosphere in your home.The importance of self-development in creating a Waldorf atmosphere.How rhythm supports the creation of the physical space.Kitchen: something to stand on to include your little ones in cooking and cleaning.Family room: organize toys in baskets or shelves to develop an orderly way of thinking. Bedroom: a less busy room that creates a peaceful and restorative environment. Tips to help transform your home into a Waldorf-inspired atmosphere!

Have you ever noticed changes within you as seasons change? Well, your child feels those changes too! Today is Seasonal Thursday on the We Nurture Podcast and I am talking about changes in your child during Spring. First off I'll discuss how spring affects children's movements and growth. I also delve into how temperature changes can affect health and what your body craves in terms of nourishment from food. I then discuss how a child's rhythm changes during spring as well as why it is so important to have a consistent rhythm to make your child feel safe while allowing it to be flexible. I'll  give an example of a spring rhythm. Next, I talk about in-breath and out-breath activities as well as some ways to connect with the energy of spring. Lastly, I talk about how important time spent outside is for development and nourishment during this season. Join me for the full episode to learn more about how spring rhythms can be used to nurture your child.Key Points From This Episode:How spring affects children's movements. How spring affects your child's growth.The way in which the changes in temperature can affect your child's health.How your rhythm changes during spring. The importance of rhythm for nurturing your child. How we bring together a rhythm that's predictable, consistent and still flexible.The importance of sleep time for children. An example of a spring rhythm. Examples of in-breath and out-breath activities. The importance of movement for children.Some ways to connect with the energy of spring.The importance of being outside during spring

Watch the video version on YoutubeFor this episode of Inspirational Wednesday, we are unpacking the important concept of setting boundaries with your child. You can expect to hear all about how to create and hold healthy boundaries, with a focus on kindness, connecting, and love. It should come as no surprise that boundaries are absolutely  necessary, as they help to build trust and put your child on the path towards a manageable adulthood. In this episode we look at boundaries from two different angles; firstly giving three points of consideration before setting up a boundary, and then the three steps that you can implement when holding and reinforcing the limitation you have put in place. Listeners will come away with some great practical tips for certain scenarios, as well as a few reminders about what it means to model healthy behavior, so make sure to join us to hear it all!Key Points From This Episode:Implementing a proactive approach to creating boundaries instead of a reactive one. Using a loving and kind approach to setting boundaries with a child.  The importance of a child's age, development, and personality when setting boundaries.  Why consistency is so vital in determining the efficacy of a boundary. 

While it is true that all children develop at their own pace when it comes to speech, there are ways you can nurture their development. Today on Blossoming Tuesday I talk about how you can support your child's speech development to help them blossom. I discuss how language develops from birth to preschool age and I break down the first five years of speech development. I also explain how important it is to understand that your child's communication abilities may not parallel their emotional age until age seven and I  give tips to help with speech development and explain the connection between language and movement. I discuss games and activities that can support speech. Finally, I explain the importance of solo play to assist in language development. Tune in to We Nurture Podcast to help your child's speech blossom! Key Points From This Episode:Introducing today's topic: Speech Development.A brief overview of how speech develops from birth to preschool age. Year one: crying and the dangers of letting them cry.Three to six months: laughing.Six to nine months: two-syllable words and understanding meaning. 12 to 18 months: imitating sound and pitch. 18 to 24 months: two-word sentences. Year two: naming things and the dangers of correcting your child. Year three: multiple words, even sentences with lots of words, asking why and the use of “I”. Year four: complex sentences.Year five: good vocabulary and complex sentence structure. The importance of understanding your child's emotional age. Tips to help with your child's speech development. The connection between movement and speech development. How reading, songs, and nursery rhymes help with language. How rapid movement games and household chores support speech development. The importance of allowing your child alone time to digest what they've learned. Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:We Nurture CollectiveWe Nurture on InstagramWe Nurture on FacebookThree Little Deers and the Great Storm

Join me in the first episode of season 6 as I talk about how you can  resolve conflict of needs (your's and your child's) through understanding and connection. The focus of this episode will be on parenting with loving kindness instead of fear,  fear that is communicated through threats. When you parent with loving kindness, your relationship with your child strengthens. Although, it will take time, in fact years of consistently meeting your child's needs in loving kind ways, there are steps you can take that will guide you. I'll mention these steps in the episode.Key Points From This Episode:The focus of Mindful Mondays. Introducing today's topic: parenting through love instead of fear. The opposite of parenting with loving-kindness: threats. The negative effect of fear on a child. An example of a scenario where you can choose to parent with kindness.The importance of understanding why your child has a negative response to an instruction.Some helpful steps to parent mindfully.Step one: pause to reflect and gather yourself. Step two: connect then connect with touch. Step three: validate your child's feelings. Step four: hold a boundary if needed.Step five: connect and comfort. Step six: restate the boundary if needed. Step seven: follow through with loving words and actions. Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:We Nurture CollectiveWe Nurture on InstagramWe Nurture on FacebookWe Nuture on SpotifyWe Nuture on PinterestWe Nuture on Apple PodcastsChinyelu Kunz on LinkedInThe Three Little Deers and the Great Storm

Welcome back to the We Nurture Podcast!  We are so excited to announce that Season 6 will be starting next Monday.  Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss the first episode.Subscribe to our newsletter, The We Nurture Journal, to be notified when the season has begun and to receive updates throughout the season!

This story was written by Susan Perrow and is a therapeutic story. Children will enjoy it whether it is used for therapeutic reasons or not. It is a story "about the wonder of rain and water - written to encourage children to drink water instead of asking for sweetened drinks every time they are thirsty. The story was inspired by an intricately carved Chinese scene set in a glass box, with mountains and valleys and two white cranes feeding in the grasses by a curved wooden bridge."We recommend this story for ages 3 - 7Therapeutic Storytelling by Susan PerrowPublished by Hawthorn PressTo discover more about please visit wenurturecollective.com/stories-for-children