Wildflowers Child Care and Preschool

Merry Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere! That alignment happens at approximately 4:47 pm EST tonight.

We tend to brush aside this sacred day, a day that our ancestors and cultures all around the world have celebrated for thousands of years.

When we repress these nature-bonded anchor points, we also push down those same wilder aspects within ourselves.

May you take a moment to stand on this threshold with awareness and an open heart. May you take a moment to welcome back the light. ✨🌞

Art by Tijana Lukovic

Holding the warmth in our hearts through the long winter’s night. Out love shining brighter than any star.

Another great day with a wonderful outdoor nap time. It was around 0 Celsius today. We live in Quebec, 🇨🇦. They are all wearing their full winter gear!! They are all warm and comfy and slept very well!! ❤️

Thank you to Audrey Marchand for sharing this wonderful picture with us!! ☺️😍

Celebrating festivals with our families is a special part of each year. We share the warmth of community with one another as the days grow short. “Shine your light right next to mine. I’m gonna let it shine” Happy Martinmas.

💗 Yes!

WOW! 😯

Photos from Sparkle Stories's post

Timeline photos

Explore these four ideas for no-carve pumpkins that are fully beautiful in their own right.

(We don't guarantee that these ideas are less messy than carving a pumpkin, but they are both fun to look at and make!)

Find them on the Sparkle Blog here: https://bit.ly/3STRty1

We agree! It’s wonderful to see children participate in preparing food confidently.

Teaching your child to use a knife can feel scary but it is an important skill to share with them from an early age. Working with knives and cutting not only builds fine motor skills but it also gives children the skills they need to cook and create in the kitchen. Most of all, explicitly and directly teaching our child to use a knife is much safer than deciding they are old enough one day and handing them one.
There is a progression of knives that can be introduced at different developmental ages/stages to help a child learn how to safely use a knife. There are lots of opinions on the subject and a simple google search will provide an abundance of information. As always, take time to reflect on the needs of your family and child and go from there. This information is meant to be a suggestion; there is not not a golden standard for knife introduction and progression.

Here is the progression of knives I used:
Simple butter knife (start with cutting playdough, bananas, or another soft item)
Wavvy chopper knife
Opinel knife with finger guard
Paring Knife

WAVVY CHOPPER: This is the first sharp knife I introduce after a simple butter knife. These are the choppers the children used in my Children’s Garden program. These are quite sharp and you must show your child how to use them. I suggest purchasing two of these so you and your child can chop at the same time and you can model the proper technique. Remember, what you do means a lot more to young children than what you say–watch your own technique and make sure you want it copied!

Link to Wavvy Chopper: https://amzn.to/3fXfzsU

Although it will feel like four consecutive nights of full moons (tonight through Tuesday night, lucky us!), the Hunter's Moon will reach peak fullness tomorrow night. It's a sight not to be missed!

And be sure to catch the moon early as it rises above the horizon, where it will appear even larger than normal (thanks to the 'moon illusion' phenomenon) and with an orange hue.

Enjoy, skywatchers!

What’s yours? What’s your child’s?

Yes this is they key.

Our crafts are always seasonal and beautiful to keep for years. Wonderful for self expression and discovering.

Cuddlebug Kids ❤️

Every time!

Welcome autumn in all her splendor.

How Finland Keeps Kids Focused Through Free Play - Teachlands.com

How Finland Keeps Kids Focused Through Free Play - Teachlands.com In Finland, primary school teachers send kids outside—rain or shine—for their frequent 15-minute recesses.

This message might not be for everyone, but I wanted to share it here. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Gratitude 🙏

Timeline photos

Words of wisdom from our favorite neighbor.

Discover What’s In Season With This Idaho Produce Calendar

Eat what's in season. Find out here.

Discover What’s In Season With This Idaho Produce Calendar Ever tried to buy apricots at a local Idaho produce market in May, only to find they’re not available? That’s because although apricots can be found in grocery stores year round, they’re truly in season in the summer, between July and August. We’ve created an in-season produce calendar for I...

Holding on to the last of summer. Water, park and fairy gardens.

Beauty it’s everywhere.

When the sun hits the outside of these ice caves at Mt Rainier just right, they turn into rainbow ice caves!!! I could not believe my eyes 🤯 I went up to Mt Rainier specifically to explore the ice caves and never imagined they would be SO COLORFUL 🌈

BE WARNED these ice caves can be extremely dangerous and are constantly at risk of collapse!

I did not enhance the colors at all in the images I will share with you all!! It was really THAT COLORFUL!! I will post a video I took of the moment in the comments 😀 I never would have guessed that this existed in America much less so close to home!!! The hike really wasn't that difficult either!!!

We happened to be there at just the right time!! The colors lasted for about 2 hours then the vibrancy diminished as the day progressed!

I have so many more photos to show you all!! This was one of the best experiences of my life so I took a ton of photos that I can't wait to share!!

This was by far one of the most magical things I have ever witnessed!! Even though it was very cold exploring these ice caves I did not want it to end!! I can't wait to go back and explore some more!!! The beauty of the Pacific NorthWest is absolutely mind boggling!!! 😍

❤️💚❤️

A work in progress

Container Syndrome is a term used to describe the lack of skill in infants who are not allowed ample movement opportunities. Container Baby Syndrome is the result of an infant being placed in a container for an excessive amount of time during the day. This extended time leads to structural, movement, and behavioral challenges as a result.

Baby containers include baby equipment and items such as:

👣Restrictive playpens
👣Crib
👣Car seats
👣Strollers
👣Bumbo seats
👣Bouncy seats and swings
👣Rockers
👣Nursing cushions
👣Vibrating chairs
👣Jumpers
👣Exersaucers
👣Positioning pillows
👣Slings
👣Floor seats
👣Infant swings
👣Walkers
👣Jumpers

All of the time spent in these baby containers adds up! When in a positioning device such as the ones listed above, little ones are limited in the motor development that results from stretching, wiggling, turning, reaching, and otherwise moving.

https://www.theottoolbox.com/container-baby-syndrome/