Having already enjoyed the first family seaside holiday of the year, I’m hoping for much more of the same: Lots of sun, days out and all the beautiful food and drinks of the summer season, including strawberries, ice-cold drinks, salads and barbeques. This newsletter includes some ideas for local days out and get-togethers so we can make the most of the Summer. Please come along to any of the events below, it would be lovely to see you all, Steiner families past and present.

WALKS IN THE WOOD

So we can meet all the “other halves” and members of peoples’ families we’re having a group walk – just a gentle potter round Spring Wood near Whalley, so they’re ideal for any age.
This walk is for anyone Steiner past and present. If its not raining we’ll have a picnic too, so please bring some food, your children, husbands, wives, dogs, etc. The walk will be at 10.30am on Saturday 4th July, meeting in Spring Wood car park.
Please come along, even if your children have grown up!

DIARY DATES 20/21 June: Midsummer Health and Well-being Festival at the Sanctuary of Healing, Langho, BB6 8AF. The Sanctuary is a wonderful place with a great organic, child-friendly café and we will have a stand with crafts for little people to get involved with, so please come along and say hello. For more information please check out www.thesanctuaryofhealing.co.uk 30 June, 7.45 for 8pm at the Sanctuary of Healing: Enriching Our Children’s Lives: open to anyone interested in child development and a good opportunity to ask questions and meet other parents and carers. 7 July: Acorn AGM at the Sanctuary of Healing, Langho. 7.30pm prompt. All welcome. We will be following tradition by keeping the meeting as brief as possible to allow time to enjoy a really lovely banquet and social catch-up.

Last places left!

There are a couple of place left for the Tuesday group, which takes place between 10am and 12pm.
Please call Leone if you are interested.
We also have room for a couple of families on the Monday, Wednesday and Thursday parent and
child groups.
Please call Leone on 01200 427988 for more information.


Harmony through Rhythm: Some thoughts on Steiner approaches to creating structure throughout the day By Ailsa Nicholson

Nothing threw my world into a spin like having my child, Sophie. I remember turning the radio on about five days after she was born. I heard the news headlines and thought, “Oh yes, there’s an outside world - I TOTALLY FORGOT!”
My whole world was about my new family and existed within four walls. However, I knew that I needed to get on with life’s tasks like cooking, eating and dog walking not to mention all the other pursuits. And therein lay the problem – How to function again: The needs of the baby were so overwhelming and I knew nothing about being a mother, not to mention my sudden loss of pregnancy glow and re-arrangement of hormones and body shape. I just couldn’t see how I would ever eat dinner before 11pm ever again!
I remember saying to someone, “I just can’t get into a rhythm! It’s all just one big mess!” They understood me to be looking for harmony in my home life, but that wasn’t it, it was the rhythm I craved. I didn’t care whether is was harmonious or not (I needed sleep to feel harmonious!) – I just wanted a sense of flow, moving from one aspect of the day to the next, not the blur of day/night/not too sure, that I was existing in. Being a new mum I thought I was forever destined to muddle through in a quite literally, milky haze of feeds, tears, sick, strange smells and ignorance, trying to figure out What This Baby Really Wanted.

I came to Acorn parent and child group in month seven of motherhood. One of the greatest insights of the morning was experiencing the emphasis on the morning rhythm and this was pivotal to the session: Free play, wash hands, snack, story and walk outside. This format was repeated in every session, giving a real sense of security through structure – we all knew what was going to happen next and we had things to look forward to. In turn I felt more confident in translating this microcosm of life’s rhythm into my daily home life. We too could move through our days in a meaningful and constructive way, (with singing!) even though things were very often full of the unexpected (“Hello baby Sophie, you’re covered in mess! This is the third time this morning I’ve changed your outfit!”)

SO NOW…
It’s never going to be like, say, my previous world where pretty much everything was timed, from leaving home to lunch time, to coming home, to going to a yoga class, etc.
I don’t want to be uncompromising in my use of the day – that would be miserable and boring. But there will be time and space for breakfast, going out for a walk, coming back in and having a mid-morning snack, getting the toy box out, tidying away for lunch, etc.

What I’ve picked up about Steiner’s thoughts on this aspect of rhythm is that we both benefit. It means we’re not run ragged trying to do too much in one sitting, our days are broken up into nice pieces to look forward to and we get to fit a bit of everything in each day. Steiner views rhythm to be hugely beneficial to the physical and emotional development of the child. Our days take fairly similar formats, although the details vary, but we both know there will be time for playing and time for resting. And I think that’s hugely important. Whether we choose to adhere to them or not, there are a lot of expectations on us primary carers, way above and beyond “Just Child Rearing,” (like that’s not a full-time job!) such as careers, pleasing everyone, etc, etc. Parenthood can be one of the most trying times and on tough days it’s good to remember that nothing stays the same for long. But on Good Days, knowing everything changes, that we have time for play and quiet times, means we can really cherish each moment.


WANTED:

Any ideas for days out, activities for parents/carers and children, recipies, etc. for the newsletter. Please either leave artices at the parent and child room or email them to me, Ailsa, at ailsanicholson76@yahoo.co.uk

CRAFT IN HEBDEN BRIDGE

The Craft Market will be running on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 11am to 5pm at the Holme St Arts Centre, Hebden Bridge. Free Admission. This is a wonderful opportunity to see many local craftspeople at work, take part in some crafts and enjoy some delicious home-cooked food. Call 01422 843186 for dates and details.

YORK STEINER SCHOOL
STEINER EARLY YEARS (0 – 3yrs) PARENT/CARER WORKSHOPS

We still have free workshop places for the events below and many parents have already enjoyed these days. The talks are aimed at parents and anyone that works with young children. Please contact Leone if you are interested. The next workshop, entitled “Foodwise,” is on Saturday 27 June. Please get in touch with Leone if you’d like to attend.

CALLING ALL TREASURERS!

We’re still on the lookout for anyone who would like to help us with Acorn in this way. Maybe you know of someone who would enjoy getting involved with the group. It’s thoroughly worthwhile and the social aspects of the job are hugely rewarding! Please call Rosie on 01282 774118

DAYS OUT…
Undoubtedly we are situated in a beautiful part of the world, but some hidden gems are worth mentioning. The suggestions below are all natural beauty spots perfect for spontaneous making the most of a sunny day type places to go and all are a relatively short drive away: (up to an hour or so)
• Stainsforth : Natural Jacuzzis, a waterfall to jump off, sunny banks for picnic-ing. West Yorkshire’
• Linton Falls: A beautiful spot for paddling and picnics.
• Bolton Abbey: A little pricey, but absolutely stunning place. A whole day out for beautiful walks.


WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

Acorn Steiner Initiative meets every month at various members’ houses. You don’t need to be a committee member to come along and we would really value your imput for decision-making. In particular we are looking for locations for additional Parent and Child groups in the East Lancashire region. Being involved with Acorn is hugely rewarding and the group relies on people doing whatever they can to help If you feel you could contribute to Acorn at all, please contact Rosie on 01282 774118 or by email: zyzygy@wildmail.com

                                     

STEINER CONTACTS – CUT OUT AND KEEP Parent and Child Group Enquiries: Leone Wilson 01200 427988 or Rosie Fenwick 01282 774118/ Email: zyzygy@wildmail.com Tuesday 3 – 5 year old group: Leone Wilson as above Newsletter Items: Ailsa Nicholson 07904 376432 / Email: ailsanicholson76@yahoo.co.uk General Information: Shelia Clarkson 01254 826506