By Judi Remigio, Parent and Child Teacher
The daily rhythm is like breathing, in and out. Children need to expand and contract (experience you 'holding them', in and out, ... all day long).
Early Summer Daily Rhythm (slightly different on weekends):
Wake up and QUIET indoor play (brief, not more that 20-30 minutes);
Breakfast
Clean up together
Outdoor play and/or long walk together (visit local park, you decide the timing, not them, also, do not organize play-dates in the first few weeks, ideally children have the experiencing of 'missing' their friends, missing people is under rated and an excellent experience for children, and us. At this time, your family needs to recalibrate to the new home-life scenario);
Indoors for snack
Clean up together
More outdoor play
Inside for lunch
Clean up together
Rest-time, quiet time for older children - 1 sacred hour
Wake-up/emerge from room
Snack time
Clean up together
Outdoor play
Supper
Maybe indoor play if they can manage quietly, otherwise, outdoor play again!
Bath time, books, cuddles
7pm, Lights out - night-night!
In this scenario, the children are outside for approximately the whole day, they will be exhausted, tanned, hungry and sleep well. They will have fought like cats and dogs, played together, fought more, created something, explored their surroundings, been in fresh air, and with their people!
Also ideally one of those outdoor play sessions involves water play (one of them, not all, you decide, so they know what to expect).
You are the alpha.
Boredom precedes creativity;
You are near but not their entertainer.
For outdoor play, you are perhaps near by, but maybe even in the house, with your feet up, a good book, and you can see them;
When they ask to come in, say the same thing over and over again, "i will let you know when it is time".
You are the time keeper, that is to say, you hold the rhythm (i.e. if the children were bored, "oh no! How can that be?", no teacher worth their salt would say, "okay, you can go in now". The teachers hold the rhythm, and the children know this, and therefore don't even ask (much)).
Get some good outdoor gear including for yourself.
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