Nurturing the Magic of Childhood

And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. Roald Dahl

We are the gatekeepers of the magic, that sprinkles joy on each and everyday. Safeguarding the wonder of childhood, in a world that some times seems less than magical. It is a pretty big job when we really sit down and think about it. It is so easy to fall into despair over the latest news headline, to loose our footing and our will falling down with sadness in our hearts. The world is and can be heavy. Sometimes, it is easy to get lost in space within our inner worlds, when there is so much going on out there. As a mum I have worked out how important it is that I develop and cultivate an attitude of trust, within myself and the wider world around me and most importantly within my children. By choosing to live life in a way that I am displaying openness and gratitude towards myself, my children and life more widely, I am actively showing them that they are safe and there is much goodness in the world. By showing up daily, and giving them a rhythmical and predictable daily life I am safeguarding their world and providing them the foundation they need to safely explore their own inner worlds.

I have often asked myself, How do I show up and nurture the magic of imagination and creativity within my children?

By putting a mindful focus on our home environments, we are literally setting the scene for the next big masterpiece to play out. Ensuring the environment is quiet, simple, warm, peaceful sets the mood to allow children to participate and feel safe exploring. Choosing toys that are simple and made out of natural materials, means the children get to choose how it is they use them. Straight away we are leaving that space open for the imagination of the child.

I know it can sometimes be hard but I have noticed that, I have literally trained myself to tolerate a good mess. When children are engaged in creative play what they are seeing looks far different to what it is that we see. When I literally see toys strewn everywhere, I challenge myself to dig a little deeper. By choosing to quietly observe their play I learnt much from my children. I have noticed in their dialog needs that they may not know how to voice in other ways. I have noticed how play inspires big thoughts within them!

Noticing within myself when I need a good rest is also very important and scheduling regular cup of tea breaks in when they are busy has been a very important and radical act of self care, especially when there is always so much to do! while we are on this topic, I have written a post on grounding daily rituals for parents, if you would like to check it out click the link! – Grounding Rituals for Everyday

Ways we can provide the foundations to nurture the unique magic of each individual childhood may look like:

• Showing open and loving interest in and acceptance of each child’s individual interests.
• Providing a safe space where play makes it possible for children to express and make sense of whatever it is they may be experiencing in their inner worlds.
• Plenty of opportunities for self-initiated play with simple play and craft materials. Firstly choosing the role as the observer unless invited into play or creative projects. Knowing when is a good time where they may need a little assistance with play or encouragement to explore their creativity further.
• Putting a big focus on real world experiences rather than virtual ones. We spend a great deal of our weekends away camping, I actively try and re-enact these experiences through dinner time conversations and when invited into their play.
• Holding space and awareness that young children learn through imitation, through the experience of diverse sensory impressions, and through movement. Their natural inclination is to actively explore their physical and social environment. Taking them outside regularly for unstructured time to play and explore with no limits on how messy loud and fast they may get, is one of the richest, magical and nurturing experiences we can offer them.
• Providing time for shared creative activities such as storytelling, music, drawing and painting, rhythmic games, and role- modelling our own creative pursuits regularly .
• Asking them thought provoking conversations. We have created a conversation jar that we often dip into full of fun and imaginative questions, “What do you think would happen if an elephant could fly?” “If you had one magical power what would it be?” that kind of thing. Their answers are seriously golden!
• Actively showing enthusiasm when they share their discoveries ideas and games. Nurture their imagination by seeing the fairies too, the magic is there we just need to see it within our hearts!
• Having an understanding and trust that children are magical beings who have a naturally curious and fairy-tale lens when it comes to the world around them. They live magic because they are magic. By taking the moment and noticing curiosities around you, pause and ask your children their thoughts. It is a beautiful way to initiate imagination. “Look at those tiny mushrooms, do you suppose that is where the fairies live?” “Why do you think the raindrops look like diamonds in the spiders web?” – Sometimes the best way to nurture magic is to slow down and see it for ourselves.

I would love to hear if you have any more suggestions! leave them in the comments box below.

A VERSE FOR OUR TIME

We must eradicate from the soul
All fear and terror of what comes
out of the future.

We must acquire serenity
in all feelings and sensations a
bout the future.

We must look forward
with absolute equanimity
to everything that may come…. and
we must think only
that whatever comesis given to us
by a world direction full of wisdom.

It is part of what we must learn
in this age, namely,
to live out of pure trust…
without any security in existence.

Trusting in ever present help
of the spiritual world.

Truly, nothing else will do,
if our courage is not to fail.

Let us discipline our will
and let us seek the awakening
form within ourselves
every morning and every evening.

Rudolf Steiner