Friday: Porridge Day
Morning
Morning Verse
Morning has come, night is away
We rise with the sun to welcome the day
To Earth I come
To greet the sun
To greet the moon
The stones that rest
The plants that grow
And animals that run
To greet all people in this world
Love greets me in all I do
And I and you and the world are one.
Cleaning Day
Of course your child has their daily chores and responsibilities. When the young child is entrusted with meaningful work, it builds their self-esteem, skill set, and relationship with the world they live in. Research even shows that chores and responsibility in the early childhood years lead to higher academic achievement later in life.
Perhaps Fridays become your laundry day, deep clean day, special tasks day. Your child can clean their toys, disinfect door knobs and surfaces, pay particular attention to tidying their room or play area. Here are some songs and verses to inspire the cleaning process:
Story
Song
My Lady Spring
My Lady Spring, my Lady Spring
She wears a primrose crown
And all the little buds and twigs are clinging to her gown
The sun shines when she laughs at all
And when she weeps the raindrops fall
My Lady Spring, my Lady Spring
Porridge Recipe
Who doesn’t love a big bowl of warm, sweet oat porridge? It’s the perfect breakfast on a chilly morning and a hearty and filling snack at any time of day.
We use steel-cut oats in Cedar Rose, which take a little longer to cook than the rolled variety, but yield an unparalleled flavor and texture. The proper ratio is 3 cups of liquid to one cup of oats, so adjust according to your family size. Add more liquid for thinner porridge according to your preference.
Ingredients:
1.5 c steel cut oats
2 tbsp Earth Balance or butter
3 c almond or coconut milk (or milk/milk substitute of your choice)
1.5 c water
1/2 apple, peeled and chopped small (optional)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
Toppings:
Raisins
Maple syrup (for a special treat, heat the syrup in a small saucepan on low)
Butter
Flaked coconut
Instructions:
Add the oats and Earth Balance or butter to medium-sized pot or large cast iron skillet. Stir frequently over medium-low heat until oats are fragrant and slightly darker in color.
Add the milk, water, salt, and cinnamon and increase heat to bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and add the chopped apple (if using). Allow to simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
When most of the liquid is absorbed, turn off the heat and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving with your choice of toppings.
Afternoon
Evening Wind
Adapted from Wilma Ellersiek
Blow the evening wind so mild
Rest my little flower child
Lu lu lu lu lu, lu lu lu lu lu
Flowers Grow
Words by Monica Stone
This verse can be accompanied by gentle therapeutic touch to help your child come to a state of rest and wellbeing.
The flowers, they grow on your ten little toes
With forefinger and thumb, gently caress and massage each toe
All the way up to your little nose
Gently draw finger down the length of child’s nose
The petals, they softly brush your cheek
Gently brush each cheek with back of your hand
As you lay down and fall fast asleep
Gently run fingers along child’s brow
The Windmill
If I could have a windmill, a windmill, a windmill
If I could have a windmill, I know what I would do.
I'd have it pump some water, some water, some water
I'd have it pump some water, up from the river below.
And then I'd have a duck pond, a duck pond, a duck pond
And then I'd have a duck pond, for ducks and geese to swim.
The ducks would make their wings flap, their wings flap, their wings flap
The ducks would make their wings flap, and they would say "Quack! Quack!"
The geese would stretch their long necks, their long necks, their long necks
The geese would stretch their long necks, and they would answer "S-S-S-S-S!"
If I could have a windmill, a windmill, a windmill
If I could have a windmill, I know what I would do
Fairy Dough Activity
Sculpt with your hands and have fun with this wonderful tactile and sensory experience.
Make anything that you please! Perhaps a wiggly worm or snail? Include treasures from nature like acorns or leaves to press into the dough and make prints!
Find our favorite recipe for fairy dough here.