The Nourished Child

☀️ A little week at The Nourished Child ☀️

It’s been a little quieter on here this week… but definitely not quiet behind the scenes. 💛

We’ve been navigating the six weeks holidays, some pretty unbearable heat and, most importantly, taking our time settling one of our newest little people into our days.

And this week we had a bit of a breakthrough. 🥹

Those tentative early days are beginning to soften. Trust is growing, relationships are forming and this week our newest little one came to me for a cuddle and was able to settle there.

It might just look like a cuddle.

But in Early Years, we know it’s so much more than that. It’s I feel safe here. I’m beginning to trust you. Maybe this place is becoming mine too. 💛

So we’ve slowed things down a little this week. The heat has dictated much of our rhythm, with lots of water play, keeping cool, plenty of drinks and, naturally, a fair few ice lollies! 🧊☀️

We still managed a lovely morning with our Grand Friends at St Fillan’s, joining forces with Karen and her childminding crew for games, songs, dancing, chatter and some really gorgeous moments between the generations. 🥰

And of course, there has still been food!

Homemade rolls with freshly cooked gammon, a big chicken tray bake, crumpets and some delicious homemade blackberry jam that was very kindly gifted to us and thoroughly enjoyed. 😋

So perhaps not our busiest week in terms of adventures.

But a week of slowing down, keeping cool, eating together, nurturing new friendships, building trust and making space for little people to feel safe and secure.

Sometimes those are the weeks where the really important stuff happens. 💛

Breaking news… 🚨

Despite looking like she’d wrestled a badger, rolled down a muddy hill and lost an argument with the forest…

She had the BEST day. 🌿

Muddy knees.
Dirty hands.
A face covered in evidence.

Some people see mess.

I see confidence, curiosity and a little girl who was far too busy being a child to worry about staying clean. 🤎

Today she walked ahead.

It might not seem like much, but if you know her, you’ll know what a huge moment this was.

For weeks my hand has been her comfort, my side has been her safe place.

Today she chose to wander a little further.

Not because she needed me less.

Because she finally knew I’d still be there.

Sometimes the biggest milestones aren’t the loud ones. They’re the quiet moments when confidence gently begins to bloom. 🌿

Sometimes the simplest invitations become the richest play. ✨

A few jugs, cups, water and soap bubbles.

Pouring, filling, emptying, watching, wondering… all at their own pace.

With time, real resources and the freedom to follow their own ideas, the learning naturally unfolds. 💛

Oh, how they thrive here at The Nourished Child… 📚😂
We do encourage a love of books, but I think Miss L may have skipped a few chapters! 🤭💛

Today started with a blank shower curtain, a handful of paint bottles, some chalk, brushes, sponges and one simple invitation…

“I wonder what will happen?”

The children didn’t need instructions.

They experimented with colour, mixed paints, sprayed, splashed, painted with brushes, used their hands, discovered new textures and even decided when it was time to clean themselves with the sponges.

Our youngest explored the acrylic easel quietly at her own pace, while the older children inspired one another with new ideas. Before long, they were collaborating, laughing, solving problems and making space for one another.

One moment that really stayed with me was watching an older child instinctively make space for a younger friend, offering reassurance without a word. It was such a beautiful reminder that children learn just as much from each other as they do from the environment around them.

That’s the magic of mixed-age play.

The artwork itself is beautiful, but it was never the goal.

The confidence.
The friendships.
The curiosity.
The kindness.
The freedom to explore without worrying about getting it “right”.

Those are the masterpieces we were really creating today.

Sometimes all children need is an invitation… and permission to wonder. 💚