The wonder of modelling wax

This months Waldorf Magic pack, includes an activity to make something from modelling wax. Ive had lots of messages from parents who are a little perplexed by this rock hard lump of coloured wax and why it seems favoured in Waldorf kindergartens and homes the world over.

As with most favoured items for play and exploration in the Steiner Kindergarten the key lies in its ability to inspire will, leave room for the imagination and provide a nourishing experience.

Whole processes

In Waldorf early childhood, we favour the child experiencing and working through whole processes, these processes can be long, where the child experiences the process as a part of the seasonal rhythm, planting and growing then making soup from the fruits of their labour for example. They can be shorter processes such as we do at home, making natural cleaners for the playroom with vinegar, cool boiled water and lemon rind - only to strain a few weeks later and use to clean. Or they can be processes which take the child on a journey of willing their imagination into being. As an open ended material modelling was is excellent for this.

The benefits of modelling wax

I have read and heard many parents suggesting that we can soften the beeswax in advance, in warm water for example to make it pliable for use , but this really is removing one of the benefits of this wonderful modelling material. Modelling wax absorbs the warmth of the body and softens as you work it, as it warms it releases its aroma its a multi sensory experience , working it to a pliable consistency is a key part of is desirability to be used in the kindergarten as it inspires perseverance a key part of inspiring children to work through whole processes. Working the modelling wax takes effort, strengthening the muscles in the hands and fingers, a key part of developing muscle memory for other activities in the kindergarten years, wet on wet painting, freestyle embroidery and finger knitting for example, these muscles are key even later on in the work of writing which begins when the child begins to lose their teeth around age 6/7 years. Once hard a child's creation will last and my little one has often played with it for days on end before deciding to give it a new life or image reflecting her latest fascination

Working with beeswax

Working with materials in the early years should always be an open invitation and i have said many times over I will usually sit and start working my child free to join alongside me if she wishes to. I allow her to begin to soften the wax, of she asks for help and is getting particularly frustrated I will help her, slowly and intentionally moulding the wax so she can see my hand movements, bringing intention and joy to everything we do is so important in encouraging that joy in work, the joy of doing and satisfaction of seeing things through. Once they are used to this wonderful material children can use it to create a myriad of wonderful things.

Tips: Keep modelling wax accessible, but if your child is prone to putting things in their mouth keep an eye on them, Stockmar in addition to their blocks of modelling wax also sell decorating wax which are paper thin sheets for decorating candles etc, I use these sheets to to add a different experience to using the material, whole palm grasp is generally used by my daughter when separating chunks of the standard wax, the decorating wax she uses pincer grip and tends to work in finer detail

Pictured: My daughter with a snowman made from modelling wax, in a modelling wax park complete with a swing and slide.

I hope this post has helped those who may be a little perplexed by modelling wax

New year planning for the vegetable garden

It’s that time of year for me to look forward, past the weeds and empty vegetable beds to spring....what goodness do I want popping up to sustain us this year?

Last year for my first growing season in the garden I think I did really well, we ate from what I grew through to autumn so I was pleased, especially as due to lockdown I had no compost a few soil nutrient pellets and old seeds.

This year I am going to be using age old wisdom from our ancestors for the most part using books such as Moon Gardening (pictured) Maria Thuns Bio Dynamic Calendar and the Moon Garden App on my phone - with knowledge from experienced growers such as @themontydon @shegrowsveg and @tberolz who is hosting a grow along in the USA (community is always nice especially in these times) I feel like I am going to have a good year.

It’s my first year really getting into the rhythm of bio-dynamics and trying this type of gardening and I am excited after seeing how Annie @thechildisthecurriculum has successfully followed bio-dynamic gardening on her little plot.

I’ll do a swipe up link in my stories for a good overview article on biodynamic gardening for those who are interested in a read, there are so many books out there I have started with ones which are simple and straightforward.

Are you planning any changes in the garden this year?

#biodynamicgardening #steiner #moongardening #growing #veggrowing #selfsufficient #growyourown

Fostering care for things in our home

If you have read any of my posts or know much about Waldorf early childhood, you will know how valued purposeful work is, that work that brings forth our willing into the world, to tend, care for and knit together our days.

When I was a child I loved polishing all my Nanna's brass plates, it gave me such an immense sense of achievement and pride, not only in what I could do but in helping and being a part of the day in a very real human and adult way.

That work I continue now with my little one and Friday mornings are reserved for this work which she undertakes with great enthusiasm. Window cleaning and outdoor gritting have been tasks of late which she has enjoyed with enthusiasm and is slowly mastering, but today called for a different kind of work, that involves all the senses.

Purposeful work is not only a nice way to describe what others would see as chores, but its the task of joyfully and soulfully caring for and tending to those tings we need to in life to thrive, its a way of showing that when care and attention is bestowed upon the most mundane task, joy can be found there. It is a process of learning that caring for things, cleaning and mending is just as important a part of looking after our planet and living a humble and sustainable life than it is to plant, and grow vegetables for example.

As a Waldorf home we have lots of natural nourishing toys made from natural materials - mostly wood and wool and if these are cared for they can be loved and played with for generations to come, only becoming more beautiful with age, wood gets richer in colour, smooth with a hand worn texture, wool may fade and bobble a little, but sometimes those work patches on a doll or puppet make it all the more loveable.

So once a month our purposeful work revolves around checking and caring for the toys we have. I usually do this on a rota, wood one month, woollens the next so as to make to process easer, wood we clean (sand if necessary) and oil before tightening any screws if need be on prams for instance. Woollens and fabric items such as dolls we mend gently spot clean or hand wash depending on the item.

I wanted to share what we use to clean our items in the hope that yours will get the longevity and care to be loved by future generations.

Wood Cleaner for heavy stained items

1/2 cup Salt

1/2 cup bicarbonate soda

A lemon cut in half.

Mix the Bicarbonate or soda and salt then rub over the wood, allow to sit for ten minutes before rubbing half a lemon over it, rinse under warm water, then wash with a natural olive oil based soap and dry with a towel. For items not heavily stained a normal wash will do.

Wood wax (use once wood is dry)

1 tbsp beeswax pellets (cosmetic grade)

4 tbsp cold pressed sunflower oil

5 drops lemon essential oil (optional)

Melt everything together, stir as it cools to keep it emulsified and then store in a jar with a lid in a cool dry place.

To use: liberally coat your item in it and let it sit for ten minutes then work the oil into the wood, use a lint free cloth to rub in any remaining wax and buff clean.

Wool hand wash solution (also works for silk too)

1 cup cool boiled water

1 teaspoon of liquid castile soap

2 teaspoons liquid lanolin

Mix all the ingredients together, add 1/4 of the solution to a bowl of warm water and gently submerge your items gently agitate and then leave to sit for around 30-40 minutes, agitate again an leave to sit for another twenty minutes then rinse well to ensure the solution is out of the fabric, dry naturally

Spot clean solution

Make a solution using liquid Castile soap and cool boiled water, it should be slightly soapy, use a damp cloth to rub onto the spot you need to clean, rub into a later then use a clean sry cloth to pat dry, hand to dry in an airy place