Rhythm Is...
Rhythm is a topic that comes up frequently in Waldorf circles - it's something that draws people to Waldorf because they feel instinctively that they need more rhythm, but on the other hand it can feel quite challenging and even elusive! Let's start today by painting a picture of what rhythm is and what it is not.
Rhythm is NOT:
A chaotic life with no boundaries or predictability
An ironclad schedule
A detailed plan for every 15 minutes
A plan that never changes - something you set once and then stick to for years
Governed by the clock (rather than the human beings in front of you)
A plan modeled off of somebody else’s family life or what happens in schools
Set in stone
Something to make you feel stuck or stressed
Rhythm IS:
An intentional flow to your days and weeks
Noticing and responding to the seasons of mother nature
Predictability that helps children feel secure (and not just in kindergarten)
A tool for helping all family members feel grounded, balanced, connected, and secure
Form that makes freedom and creativity meaningful
The right amount of structure to support engaged play and learning
A proactive tool for peaceful discipline
A tool for you to use in planning your days and weeks, so you can feel organized with minimal effort
Family traditions that mark the seasons
Respecting your body’s natural rhythms
Balancing in-breath and out-breath
A guide for what comes next in the day and what makes each day in the week special
A process
Responsive to the needs and energies of the people involved
A chance to check-in and make sure your life lines up with your values - are you prioritizing what you think you are prioritizing?
If you want to learn more about rhythm, please see these posts: The Essentials of Rhythm, Tools for Discipline: Rhythm, Daily Rhythms, Weekly Rhythms, Seasonal Rhythms, and Creating a Family Rhythm.