Rhythm: Supporting our Littlest Ones through Back-to-School Time

Rhythm and consistency are truly the healers in life.

Following the same sequence of activities each and every day (wake up, get dressed, brush teeth, eat breakfast…) helps children to feel secure. There’s a special comfort in knowing what happens next when you’re very small and new to the world!

Rhythm needn’t be complicated; the simple gesture of sharing a meal at the end of the day, lighting a candle and reflecting on all the day held for the family, provides a beautiful anchor for children trying to keep pace with the busy world around them.

Allow for plenty of time.

We can ease gently into the morning by making sure we have enough time to softly wake up, get dressed, have a hearty breakfast, and gather things for school.

Choosing clothes the night before, or having a designated drawer for “school clothes” and another for “home clothes” can make getting ready so much smoother in the morning!

Try to avoid screen time in the mornings (this includes TV, tablets, phones, radio, etc.). These external images tend to take up a great deal of space in young imaginations, and it’s important for young children to approach their school work with a free sense of self.

Take a walk.

The morning drop-off at school is a very busy time!

Consider parking a few blocks away so that you and your child can take in the morning air and get the blood flowing as you walk to school.

Finding time to take a walk with your child can be a dreamy addition to your daily rhythm. Walking outdoors creates an opportunity to connect with nature, notice its gifts, and observe changes throughout the seasons. It also brings more oxygen and blood flow to the limbs and integrates the brain hemispheres, helping your child be more balanced and grounded in their body.

Model and practice “our very best manners.”

Whether we’re in the hallways at school or the checkout aisle at the grocery store, it’s always helpful to practice walking feet and indoor voices.

When you arrive at school in the morning, you can guide your child in doing their own work of changing into their slippers and putting their things away in their cubby.

Quick goodbyes.

You are your child’s compass. If you are feeling certain, secure, and happy for your child’s day at school, they will feel it too.

When the teacher welcomes the children into the classroom, say goodbye once and off you go!

If your child has tears, it will likely not be for long. Your teachers will hold them and their friends in the classroom will support them.

We all take care of each other in our Kingdom of Childhood!

Ending the school day.

It can be so difficult to let go of the challenges and stresses of the adult day, but our children are so hungry for our complete presence when we meet them after school. They may have much to share about their day at school, or they might simply crave quiet to process all the experiences of the day.

While you may want to ask questions about what they did at school, it’s important to keep in mind that the young child lives in the moment and often cannot think back on their past experiences when asked.

They may end up sharing more details about their day later, when they think of them. Being an active listener can often give parents a glimpse into the happenings at school, from the child’s point-of-view.

Working together.

Young children often live out of imitation and love to try the big work that the adults around them are doing!

Whether you’re making dinner, doing laundry, or washing dishes, try to find something your child can do to help in the work.

If your child is playing happily on their own, then you, too, can do your work without interrupting them. But if they are needing your attention when you are busy making dinner, let them know that their help is truly needed and give them a task to do near you.

Children love to feel that they are needed, and often take up the work eagerly!

Entering dreamland.

Setting a healthy night time routine is a wonderful gift for parents and children alike.

The evening rhythm supports a winding down of the day in preparation for bedtime. A warm bath, quiet play with toys, and a book read together can truly nourish your child’s need for calm and relaxation as they move gently towards bed and deep sleep.

The more that the night time rhythm becomes a trusted routine in your home, the easier it will be for your child to simply do as they always do as they prepare for bed.

It’s important for media to rest in the late afternoon and evening, as the loud images can be awakening in a time that we’re aiming to bring our little ones to rest. These images can also tend to play on repeat in their minds, dominating their dream life.

As our youngest children thrive on 11-13 hours of sleep each night, it is a tremendous blessing for the whole family to have this gentle routine to enter into dreamland!

Susan Andrews has been a long time Waldorf early childhood teacher in the Portland area, having taught at the Portland Waldorf School before helping found Cedarwood Waldorf School. She currently teaches the Parent Child program at Cedarwood.

After working with several community development organizations, Julie Sauton realized she wanted to work with community in a deeper way through education. She came to Cedarwood most recently from The East Bay Waldorf School, where she was a lead preschool teacher and director of the preschool program. Before that, she taught at San Francisco Waldorf School and was a member of the Red Lantern Marionette Troupe.