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Family, Parenting

Sarah’s Invitation: A Weekly Candle Hour for Families

 

 

Earth Hour was observed two weeks ago on March 29, when millions of people agreed to turn off their lights for one hour from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time.

This week on “Sunday with Sarah” I share my own experience participating in Earth Hour and have a proposal for you.

Click on the link above to view the video and let me know what you think!

Below are some of the photos submitted for our Earth Hour Photo Contest. Many thanks to all who participated and shared!

by Aimee Canterbury

Winning Photo by Aimee Canterbury

 

by Sarah Baldwin

Washing Dishes by Candlelight by Sarah Baldwin

 

Family Reading by Candlelight by Phyllis Meredith

Family Reading by Candlelight by Phyllis Meredith

 

Painting by Candle Light by Allison Pennell

Painting by Candle Light by Allison Pennell

 

Bedtime Reading - Earth Hour by Shel Frolich Tscherne

Bedtime Reading – Earth Hour by Shel Frolich Tscherne

 

Earth Hour - Family Togetherness by dreadpirateautumn via Instagram

Earth Hour – Family Togetherness by dreadpirateautumn via Instagram

What do you think of my idea? Ready to commit? Willing to give it a try? Think it’s nice idea, but impractical? Please let me know your thoughts (and share your own photos, if you’re so inspired!).

 

 

 

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Family, Homemaking, Parenting, Waldorf Education

Five Verses to Sing Through the Day with Children

 

 

Sing Through the Day!

After last week’s video in which I talked about the power of verses for easing transitions with children, I had many requests this week to share more verses.

So this week, here are five verses that can be sung during transition times throughout the day. I have printed the words to each below, and you can watch the video to learn the tunes.

And here is a link to an excellent article on how singing to children helps develop language skills. So sing, sing, sing through your days! (Even if you think you can’t.)

I hope you’ll be inspired to incorporate some of these into your days with children.

Good Morning Song

Good morning, dear earth
Good morning, dear sun
Good morning, dear resting stones
And beasts on the run
Good morning, dear flowers
And birds in the trees
Good morning to you, good morning to me!

Clean Up Time

Tick-tock goes the clock
What does it have to say?
Time for us to pick up our toys
and put them all away

(Can be repeated until all the toys are picked up and the room is tidy.)

Folding Laundry

Corner to corner
Meet and greet
Fold our cloth so nice and neat!

(As above, can be repeated until laundry is done.)

Meal Time

Blessings on the blossoms
Blessings on the roots
Blessings on the leaves and stems
Blessings on the fruit

(I always sang this twice with gestures.)

Good-Bye Song

Dear friends, goodbye
Dear friends, goodbye
Now is the time of day
When we all go our way
Dear friends, goodbye
Dear friends, goodbye
Go well and safely
Go well and safely
Go well and safely
Our love be ever with you

Thanks to all of you who shared your favorite verses, blessings, and prayers for children, many of which I’d never heard before. All were delightful. Please keep posting and sharing!

 

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Childhood, Festivals, Parenting, Sunday With Sarah, Waldorf Education

Celebrating Festivals With Children

Festivals and celebrations are important for children and nourishing to family life.

Seasonal celebrations help children mark the passage of time and experience the rhythm of the year. Further, celebrating festivals connect us with community and bring deeper meaning to our lives.

This week on “Sunday with Sarah,” I share my thoughts on the importance of festivals for children.

What festivals, holidays, and celebrations does your family observe? Are there festivals that you celebrate with a larger community? Which are your favorites? Please share your thoughts here!

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