The Tables Have Turned

Have you ever heard of a nature table?  I hadn't either, until I started reading about Waldorf and Charlotte Mason education methodologies. 

What is it, you may ask?  It is an area where things are brought in from outside to reflect the changes of the seasons. Things on the nature table are meant to be gently played with and inspected by the children of the house and let them explore the wonders of God's creation as it changes throughout the year.

I have been holding off on incorporating a nature table at our house, as I was concerned with little hands breaking things, little ones choking on things, and honestly, what others may say.  I've really only seen it done in one other house.  And I must admit, I always look at it with longing...I realized that Jenn, our nanny was already doing a nature table if she knew it or not.  On the outside table one day last week, there was an assortment of black walnuts, leaves, sticks, and chicken feathers.  I asked her what it was, and Pyper said, "Mommy, these are my treasures!"  While outside, Jenn had the little ones pick up things on their adventures that interested them and put them on the table.  She told them they were treasures.  How true.  I realized I needed to change my perspective.  We have the perfect table to dedicate to God's treasures.  I'm looking forward to starting it. 

 My friend, Brandy, has been incorporating a nature table into their family's rhythm and home for quite some time.  I hope she doesn't mind me stealing showcasing her autumn table.  I did try calling her to ask permission, but she didn't answer.  I think she makes the prettiest ones.

This is a pretty winter table.  I might use a white play silk to cover the table since we live in an area with snow. If you live in an area without snow, you could use a light tan one, or even a piece or burlap to reflect the brown that most of the earth is as it goes through winter. We might have a bulb in a jar that we are 'forcing' and it is still dormant, but ready to spring forth with life soon. We could have some pine cones that fell from the tree out back, as well as a vase full of evergreen boughs. We could have some pebbles that we found on our walk, and arrange them in a path shape that leads up to a little house we made of bark that fell off a tree. We could have angels out of wool, or even use wool on the 'ground' of our scene to look like snow. We could have a ball of yarn that we are going to knit into mittens, with the work in progress. Which reminds me, I would LOVE to learn to knit!!!  We could have a mirror on the ground to look like a pond that has turned into ice, and we could prop up a branch that has no leaves on it to reflect all the trees that have gone dormant for the winter.

 I really like this Spring table and how it incorporates books with a Spring time theme.  I think I will do the same, as Pyper loves books and narrating what she "reads" in the pictures. 

A nice summer table.  Your creativity can really take off as you explore the different items you could display for each season.  I think if you had a beach vacation, perhaps you could collect sea shells, save some sand, maybe add a live hermit crab, and add a favorite mermaid to the table to make your vacation last longer. 

Do you think you'll start a nature table?  I am.  I can't wait!

Felt Fishin'

When the weather is rainy, or it's too hot to play outside, Pyper and her friends love to go fishing.  I bought a wonderful book called, "Creative Play for your toddler."  It's Waldorf inspired and the tutorials are amazing!  If you haven't seen it, check it out at the library, buy it ($10) or if you're near me, I don't mind lending it out!

I made some felt fish, sewed them together, added some poly-fill, buttons for eyes and a metal washer where the mouth is. I went out back and found 3 sticks, braided some yarn (different colors for the 3 different kids), and added a magnet to the each of each pole. I had a piece of blue material that came with the Learning Tower, so I put that down to be the water.

The kids get on "the bridge" (the Learning Tower) and go fishing. It's a great way to encourage hand/eye coordination, color recognition, and counting.  It's a hit at our house!  Even Naki loves to fish!

 I set up the introduction for the kids.

 The swimming fish.

 Their poles (I added hot glue to the yarn on the ends to ensure a secure knot.)

 Heavy duty magnets.  I had to special order these magnets on Amazon, but well worth the cost. 

 The concentrating kids!

First thing in the morning, Pyper goes fishing!

Look at that smile!  Makes my day!

All Natural

I've been reading this great book, Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier and More Secure Children by Kim Payne. Isn't that what we all want? Happy, secure and (GASP) CALM children??? The basis of the book is to de-clutter your home and your life. Children don't need things, they need you. They need to know they are loved, they need comfort, discipline and of course food, shelter and clothing. I've started really looking into this since Pyper's last birthday. We requested no toys at her party, instead requested craft items such as play-doh, glue, markers, crayons, coloring books, paint, etc. Everyone pretty much respected our request. Most understood why. Like so many, we had toys coming out of our ears. Containment was an issue. Until we started purging. And we continue to purge. What got me at Pyper's 2nd birthday party was that when she was presented with a gift, she ripped off the paper, peered at what she got, tossed it aside and started on another gift. It was disgusting. One friend and her two sons lovingly made the wrapping paper their gift came in. Pyper didn't even pause to admire the love and workmanship it took to make it, and I only got a quick peek at it. Sad. I am normally very good about writing out personal thank you cards for gifts, but I was at a loss this year because I had no idea who got her what. It was literally a blur. Then came Christmas. It was one of the best Christmases I can remember in a long time. We had a great time playing games, dancing with the kids, cooking, etc. Pyper and Raegan both got toys, but not so many that we needed a U-Haul to bring them home. It was a "respectable" amount for their ages. One gift was this Elmo (below) from mom and dad. Pyper loved it. It sang and danced, played the drums and tambourine. Please note that I am using the past tense. Elmo no longer works. It's just March 7, and this toy that cost $60 is broken. Pyper was very sad, and I was again, disgusted. What has happened to quality???


RIP Elmo, may you sing with the angels.

This toy is a very nice VTech ABC toy given to Pyper at her first birthday. She has played with it maybe 5 times. Again, sad.

Pyper got this computer from her Great-Grannie. An expensive toy that captivates her and holds her attention to the point that she wants to sleep with it. We have had to put it away...far, far, away so that she will actually play with other things, eat and even sleep without the constant lights and beeping.

A few months ago, I posted about unplugging my kids. Unplugging our parenting style. This, I have found, includes uplugging the toys. In the book, Simplicity Parenting, it discusses how less IS more. When you introduce a calm, clutter-free environment for your child, they have more focused and imaginative play. I'm slowly starting to weed out all the toys that beep, light up, talk, sing (how many of you out there would LOVE to never have another annoying noisy toy brought into your house???) and even those that merely require batteries.

I've found with my very limited parenting experience, Pyper prefers the boxes to toys. Bowls filled with dried beans to "make soup." Making forts out of sheets and ladder backed chairs, and playing in the sink or bathtub. She rarely picks up the blinky, battery operated toy (the exception being that crazy and annoying computer!).

This was a difficult decision, and one that I thought a lot about. I have read books and endless blogs on Waldorf style education, Charlotte Mason's methodologies, Montesorri and even classical education. I have taken a bit here and there and leave the rest. I have decided to start buying wooden or natural toys for my children. Not only is the quality superior to those made of plastic (remember Elmo?) but often times they are open-ended and engage her imagination. This is a sticky subject that I try not to discuss too openly, because I get comments about how I'm a tree-hugger and I'm all crunchy now. I guess I am. But that also doesn't mean I'm not appreciative of the gifts we have received. We have been blessed beyond measure with hand-me-down toys and clothes, and gifts. I just know when I'm purchasing the items, it's going to be all natural. Below are some examples.

I just bought this mixer for Pyper from Magic Cabin for 50% off. It will either be one of her birthday presents or Christmas presents. It's made from wood and natural fibers. As much as she loves to cook, I can really see her enjoying this.

I also got her this ironing table with iron from Magic Cabin. Again, 50% off and again, a future present. The one she has, is so low to the ground, she doesn't really use it and wants me to pull her learning tower up to my ironing board.

I got her these blocks a few weeks ago. She really likes them. She and the boys play on the floor and make all kinds of things from them. I love to see her little mind race with possibilities with open-ended toys.

Another epiphany I've had, and I haven't even discussed with Shannon, is to either fore go the birthday parties all together, or request any gifts be donated for needy children at either the Family Resource Center or Toys For Tots.