Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer
Many suns and moons and summers ago, when I was a young child, I remember this
song playing on the radio, and I also vaguely remember singing it along with Mitch
Miller and his “Sing Along with Mitch” hour on television. He would ask the audience
to “Follow the bouncing ball,” while providing the lyrics on the screen so we could
follow along with Mitch and his chorus. Fond memories. Our first month back caring
for children at LifeWays has brought me back to my memories of “those lazy, hazy,
crazy days of summer.” (Minus the “days of soda and pretzels,” as I save those for at
home consumption, and “beer.”) Our days have been relaxed and filled with plenty of
time outdoors experiencing simple pleasures. We enjoy a gentle rhythm of the day,
good food, good play, and good rest. It feels like time is suspended, and we live in the
delights of the present moment. And speaking of delights, it has been absolutely
delightful observing the children’s summertime, outdoor play. We’re not only blessed
to be located on a land preserve that provides play spaces with both sun and shade,
surrounding us with the beauty, wildlife, and sounds that only Mother Earth can
provide, we have had the great fortune of having a few “old” LifeWays friends return to
the fold for the summer months. Our friend, Adeola, from the Sunshine Garden, and
our friends, Luci and René (Coco’s big brother),
from the Violet Garden, have proved to be helpful
additions to our group dynamic. Being older and
having had “school” experience, they are our
benevolent leaders and role models of ways to play
and interact with one another as well as helping to
work through challenges.
So, in what delightful ways have I observed the
children in their play? Because we caregivers
strive to not interfere in their play, (as much as
possible) allowing them the freedom from adult
“eyes,” and adult ideas, it is absolutely amazing to
watch their imaginations take flight and to see how
capable they are of discovering and experimenting
on their own.
Here are a few things I’ve observed:
- Games of chase
- Using wood planks,
blocks and logs to create
slides, teetertotters,
bridges, shelters, towers,
etc. – it’s awesome to see
how they work together
on these projects. It’s
also fun to see who
steps up to be the
project “foreman”, giving
instructions and
directions to the others
on how to complete a
project.
- Mixing and baking
cakes, ice cream,
muffins, cupcakes, etc.
using sand, water and
outdoor kitchen
containers
- Hunting and collecting
creepy crawlies – inchworms, caterpillars, bugs, and other crawly things to
show to friends and caregivers
- Running with absolute joy through the sprinkler
- Hanging out in neighborhood “packs” and “gangs” – especially the four to sixyear olds. Sometimes their younger siblings will accompany them. Now when I
use the terms “packs and gangs,” I mean it in a nostalgic, good way. The
“Spanky and Our Gang” and “How to Kill a Mockingbird” way. The way I did
when I was younger as well as my own children. They’ll go explore in the
wooded area, and then you may find them in a circle just chatting, making silly
jokes, laughing, or observing a little earth creature. Then, they may get up
again, run through the sprinkler and move on to coloring with chalk on the
sidewalk, kicking a ball, playing chase, hanging from the poles of the bike rack,
etc. When someone needs to rest or craves some alone time, they’ll disengage
from the group and sit on a bench or the grass, or go off and do something on
their own. When they’re ready, they rejoin the group.
- Swinging on the Hammock – a favorite activity for sure! Learning to wait for
your turn provides valuable lessons in patience and perseverance.
The children do a very nice job of washing their
hands after toileting and before/after meals. I can
tell they’ve had lessons at home. After finishing the
noon meal and saying “Good-bye” to our half-day
friends, our full day friends ready themselves on
their beds for an afternoon rest. Before turning off
the lights for rest, I’ll read a story. In June, I read a
book of Nursery Tales that included, The Three
Bears, The Three Little Pigs, Chicken Little, The
Lambikin (a Tale from India and one of my personal
favorites as a young child) and others. Now that I’ve
finished reading the tales in that book, I have moved
on to reading a Treasury of Animal Stories by James
Herriot, a British veterinary surgeon and writer who
wrote the “All Creatures Great and Small” series.
After napping and resting, those who’ve awakened
early make their beds, go to the bathroom, and then don their shoes and sunhats to
head outside to play while others are still napping and snack is being prepared. Once
most or all of our friends have awakened and joined us outside, we head inside at
3:25pm to wash up for afternoon snack. After partaking in the afternoon meal, the
children prepare to once again head outdoors to play as parents begin arriving to
gather up their child/children.
It has been a gift to be with the children in such a relaxed, joyful, simple manner
during these lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Thank you for entrusting your
children in our care.
With Gratitude,
Miss Belinda
