Lighting the Way

As the plants fade and die each day, there comes a call to wake up. Outer nature does not offer the same solace, excitement, and wonder that it did in June and July. Big questions about life begin to stir. Do I need to make a change of direction in my life? Who do I want to be? Am I happy with what I am doing? Where is my soul connected? Where is my spirit grounded? One would think that after many years these questions would be resolved. However, that is not the case. Like the horses on a carousel, they come around again each year offering the rider another chance to catch the brass ring.

As autumn progresses, the fall season can support in addressing these larger questions of life. Often outer situations, either of a personal or global nature, heap challenges upon us as well. Feelings of sadness, overwhelm, exhaustion, and hopelessness may begin to creep in. As the daylight diminishes, the dark and the shadows may seem depressing. However, if perspective shifts, these feelings can point human beings inward to seek the light within.

As the children journey through the fall festivals, images of the increase of the light can be presented. In community with them we are given the opportunity to find our own way through the dark and into the light of hope, peace, and love. The children have already experienced the lighted faces of golden pumpkins and for some a Lantern Walk, a walk in the dark carrying a lighted lantern — a light celebrating the love and care offered by a kind soldier named Martin who cut his warm, woolen cloak in two and gave half to a beggar, an image of compassion to guide their future lives.

Soon comes Thanksgiving with yellow squash, burgundy beets, orange pumpkins, and sheaves of golden grain. The bounty of the harvest is celebrated with family and friends in a glow of warmth and gratitude.

This year Thanksgiving is followed three days later by the beginning of Advent, a time of an intensification of the search for the light. Whatever your personal beliefs, for everyone there is the reality that in the air is the longing for the light. The sun will return, the days grow longer, and the darkness will recede. During this time of preparation for the return of the light, parents can bring to their children moments to savor what can be found in the dark. The stars cannot be seen in the day; the lighted lantern loses its magic in the sun.

Late November and Early December: Things to Do

These are a few of things you can do with your children during late November and early December:

• Go out at night and say hello to the stars and the moon.
• Pause at dinner or bedtime and quietly spend a few moments treasuring the glow of a lighted candle in the dark.
• Move more slowly; savor the moments.
• Without explanation, bring images, stories, songs of the light of the human spirit with its possibilities for love, caring, compassion.

Practical Preparations for the Winter Holidays

In preparation for the approaching winter holidays thoughts may be turning towards gifts for your children. In addition, grandparents, aunts, and uncles may be asking for suggestions for holiday presents. If you offer ideas, you may be able to steer family members to give the presents you would like for your children — objects that are made of natural materials, are beautiful, stand up to wear and tear, and are age appropriate. In addition to toys, in New England warm clothing made of natural fibers and books are always a bonus!

Toy Suggestions for Each Age

Following is a list of some toy suggestions suitable for the ages and stages of development of your young children.

One to Three

• Large knotted doll
• Soft balls for inside, rubber for outside
• Simple doll carriage
• Small wooden cart or wagon for inside
• Outside wagon
• Basket of blocks of different shapes
• Rocking horse
• Wooden scoops
• Rocking board
• Pound-a-peg
• Small broom
• Sturdy scoop — plastic or metal for sandbox
• Boxes, baskets that nest like Russian nesting dolls or simple nesting dolls
• Wooden bowl and small wooden spoons for kitchen play
• Play silks
• Sheepskin
• Books with moveable pictures
• Rigid wire frame with sliding beads
• A small scoot ride-on toy for inside
• An inside swing if that works in the house

Three to Four

• Large pieces of solid color natural fabric for house building
• Play stands
• Large wooden clips
• Finger knitted cords
• Doll bed — can be a basket or simple wooden bed
• Baskets of all sizes
• China tea set
• Wooden top
• Doll-perhaps a heavy, weighted doll
• Moveable toys — chickens pecking on a board, two
• Lumberjacks sawing
• Child sized real tools — broom, mop, shovel, rake
• Bubble bath
• Block crayons

Five to Seven

• More formed doll
• Doll clothes
• Stand up puppets
• Project basket with “stuff” for making things — paper, paper punch, yarn, lots of masking tape,
• scotch tape, glue, etc.
• Sewing basket with pin cushion, needles, needle case, thimble, fabric, thread, yarn, embroidery hoop, scissors
• Basket of clothes pins or large clips for house building
• Large wagon
• Jump rope
• Beeswax for modeling
• Stockmar stick crayons or similar kind