While here in Sacramento, I was blessed to attend the Early Childhood Symposium at Rudolf Steiner College, featuring Dr. Adam Blanning as keynote speaker.  He mentioned that there is a window at 6-9 months wherein it may be easier for a child to learn to self-soothe, so the parents are not still doing all the steps that lead to the child's sense of well-being.  Rather, the child has learned to do most of the steps for her- or himself.  
     Then he offered the following ideas about healthy sleep progression:
     I think many people were surprised by the "Strong Touch" factor, especially since he first listed it as wrestling  just to get everyone's attention!  I imagine it confirmed something for us mothers of sons or grandmas of grandsons, but Dr. Blanning noted that little girls also need this strong touch as well.  After her bath yesterday, I made sure to give Eloise a few leg and arm compressions which she seemed to enjoy.  Strong touch does not have to come in the form of wrestling, particularly with a two month old!   But if she remains the little chunky monkey she is right now, I think we'll just have to give it a go a year from now!  Besides, at the end of February our grandson number three arrives in Chicago, so surely I need to prepare her for all those boy cousins!!  
     Many thanks to everyone who contributed to this newsletter.  It is a crucial theme for all of us, and I appreciate that Rahima started out by talking about the importance of our sleep as adults.  Taking care of ourselves is always going to be a key factor in our capacity to take care of others.
     In that vein, I am pleased to announce that the LifeWays North America board has gifted me with an adjusted job description.  Starting 2014, Rahima will help the new training directors as they form new groups.  Blessedly, I will continue to teach in all of the trainings, but I will not be as integrally involved with directing them.  Instead I am hoping to start writing again and to help in the creation of new endeavors for LifeWays.
     And, of course, I will continue to catch up on my sleep!  You will read a variety of approaches to sleep in the articles below.  I appreciate this as, once again, it helps us to understand that there it typically not a single right way to do things.
     I wish you all a most blessed Thanksgiving, and insightful and warming Holy Days ahead.
Much love,    

Cynthia

Rahima questions why so many programs and parents are using some form of "white noise" at nap time. 

 

Rahima has recently retired from  Rainbow Bridge LifeWays Program in Boulder and is traveling and consulting with LifeWays and Waldorf programs.     

 

            Click here to read Rahima's article                          

"LifeWays is bringing beauty to the lives and families
        of young children."   ~  Elisa Rios