THE IMPORTANCE OF WARMTH

 “There is physical warmth, emotional warmth- the warmth of love, of generosity, of true morality-and all of these “warmths” pour over and merge with each other. Perhaps most importantly, warmth is the essential ingredient in transformative work. Without warmth we cannot change, and the life of the small child is consumed with processes of growth and adaptation. Warmth helps us be healthy human beings on many different levels. A healthy education model understands that a child is indeed actively striving to integrate: to learn to feel comfortable in her body, to find the means for expressing outwardly what she feels inwardly, to develop a sense of security and understanding about all the new and unusual experiences brought by the world around her. To bring what is in, out; to make what is foreign, one’s own. Warmth helps that process.” ~Adam Blanning, MD.

Inner and Outer WarmthAs the seasons change and shift all around the world I am reminded of the importance of warmth. Keeping our children warm is essential during the colder months for their physical, cognitive and emotional development. When a child is sufficiently warm there is enough energy to support the development and growth of their brain and inner organs (especially heart, liver and lungs).
Warmth is one of the most simple gifts we can give our children on a daily basis,  physically and emotionally. Woolen undergarments and hats are complimented by a warming touch, aromatic baths, warming drinks and nourishing food.  
Children have an extremely high metabolic rate and therefore they very seldom "feel" cold even when they actually are. Woolen/silk long underwear are ideal for the colder months so the children can easily take them off and put them on when the weather may shift. My little one lives in her marino long undershirt. I very rarely wash it and often after I take her out of a bath at night I will put it right back on for sleep. The undershirt should cover the child's entire torso making sure their kidneys stay sufficiently warm. Some schools of thought believe this method to strengthen and hold the child's etheric body (life-force, energy) and so the garment is best worn for a prolonged period of time without washing. The type of fabric you chose to put on your children's skin is crucial. Natural fibers such as silk, wool, linen or cotton breath and insulate easily encouraging healthy circulation and warmth. As many of you know, wool has anti-bacterial /anti-fungal properties and can be self cleaning.    Therefore you don't have to rush to wash these clothes. This can be very helpful for us busy parents!  Merino is soft and not as irritating to the skin.

Nourishing your family through food
​Warming food is an important part of nourishing and supporting your family's health and immunity during the colder seasons. Home made bone broths, soups, stews, spiced milks and hot porridges are a few yummy choices. And because these foods are slow cooked as opposed to raw they are easier to digest leaving more energy to keep our bodies warm.
Here are a few great recipes to get you going
Bone Broth recipe adapted from Nourishing Traditions

ingredients

• 2 pounds (or more) of bones from a healthy source
• 2 chicken feet for extra gelatin (optional)
• 1 onion
• 2 carrots
• 2 stalks of celery
• 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
• Optional: 1 bunch of parsley, 1 tablespoon or more of sea salt, 1 teaspoon peppercorns, additional herbs or spices to taste. I also add 2 cloves of garlic for the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• You'll also need a large stock pot to cook the broth in and a strainer to remove the pieces when it is done.

Cooking instructions

1. If you are using raw bones, especially beef bones, it improves flavor to roast them in the oven first. I place them in a roasting pan and roast for 30 minutes at 350.
2. Then, place the bones in a large stock pot (5 gallon pot works well). Pour water over the bones and add the vinegar. Let sit for 20-30 minutes in the cool water. The acid helps make the nutrients in the bones more available.
3. Rough chop and add the vegetables (except the parsley and garlic, if using) to the pot. Add any salt, pepper, spices, or herbs, if using.
4. Now, bring the broth to a boil. Once it has reached a vigorous boil, reduce to a simmer and simmer until done.
5. During the first few hours of simmering, you'll need to remove the impurities that float to the surface. A frothy/foamy layer will form and it can be easily scooped off with a big spoon. Compost this part. I typically check it every 20 minutes for the first 2 hours to remove this. Grass-fed and healthy animals will produce much less of this than conventional animals.
6. During the last 30 minutes, add the garlic and parsley, if using.
7. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Strain using a fine metal strainer to remove all the bits of bone and vegetable. When cool enough, store in a gallon size glass jar in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for later use.

Warming Spiced Milks

Children's Chai

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pinch of ground cardamom, nutmeg and cloves
• 2 tablespoons honey
• i cup of your favorite milk (we use hemp, almond or goat)

whisk all ingredients together over low heat and simmer until it is hot. Let it cool for 5 minutes and pour into your mug over a fine strainer. Sip and enjoy.

Traditional Ayurvedic Spiced Milk

• 2 cups Whole Raw Organic Milk (I recommend local, pasture-fed, happy cows or goats)
• 1 cup water
• 3 cardamom pods (crack pods open so the seeds are exposed)
• 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg (Only add nutmeg at night/nap time- it acts as a mild sedative)
• dash of cinnamon
• dash of fresh ground black pepper (if your child is ok with hotter spices)
• 4-5 strands of saffron 
• 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup (to taste)

Put all ingredients (except maple syrup) in a medium sized pot- on med low heat, bring to a boil (watch it carefully, when milk boils it tends to boil over) Let it simmer for 15 minutes or so. Take off heat, add maple syrup, cool and pour into mug over a strainer. Enjoy!
Warming up your space
The physical environment must be understood in the widest sense imaginable. It includes not just what happens around the children in the material sense, but everything that occurs in their environment, everything that can be perceived by their senses, that can work on the inner powers of the children from the surrounding physical space. – Rudolf Steiner, The Education of the Child

Early learning is deeply connected to the child's physical and sensory experiences. Therefore everything the child hears, smells, touches and sees has an effect. Thus, we begin to understand how the space a child inhabits will play a large role in their learning and development. As the weather grows colder, the spaces we provide for the children should become filled with warmth physically and emotionally. Whether it be outside or indoors, the location can provide varied and nourishing learning opportunities. Creating a safe comfortable area for the child is essential for the enjoyment of self education in touch, balance, movement and inward listening. In any season, all of these experiences are created by the space we provide for our children and have the ability to instill a sense of warmth.

There are many ways to set up a space of warmth and comfort. Creating a beautiful seasonal nature table or making a little cozy nook for children to play, read or rest in are just two  recommendations. The color of a space can create warmth. You may want to drape a pink, golden or peach colored cloth over a table or along any surface to warm your space. You can also choose to dress yourself or your children in warming colors to keep things bright in the cold winter months.

"The care, love, and intention expressed through the outer materials and furnishings of the classes are experienced unconsciously by the child. The child experiences the immediate environment as ensouled and nurturing." ~Susan Howard