Hungry birdies with their beaks, open wide, open wide

And the little birdies grow, day by day, day by day

Til they spread their wings and fly, far away, far away”

Each Tuesday morning after our circle we sit on the chairs and warm our hands, making them into a “cosy nest”.  While we sing the song above, the teacher brings a little “egg” of beeswax modelling wax, and places it into the “nest”. The wax has been warmed slightly (in a bowl placed on a hot water bottle) so it’s ready to be moulded into something, a snail, a bird, or a mushroom might emerge.  The children’s hands must be warm or the wax hardens, and it’s impossible to make something unless it’s softened with heat again.

We display our creations on a round of wood and they are softened again the following week to make something new, and sent home after about three weeks.  Once the wax becomes dirty it is difficult to model with it.  A wonderful natural material, it’s a joy to use and a great activity to  keep little fingesr busy on car trips or outings.  The wax is available to purchase from Third Stone Traders in Denmark.

As the days grow colder, we have the room warmed ready for the children, and the vigorous activity of the morning circle helps little bodies to warm up too, but unless they are warmly dressed (three layers on the top half of the body, two on the bottom, and some slippers), hands are usually cold.

Beeswax modelling works with many of the senses, especially the sense of touch, which is one of the four foundational senses we focus on in Early Childhood.  Rudolf Steiner identified a total of twelve senses, one of which is the temperature or warmth sense.  This sense is not fully developed until the age of about nine years, so little children rely on parents and caregivers to ensure they are dressed appropriately for the weather.  It’s not easy in Denmark with the weather being so changeable so dressing in layers of preferably natural fabrics works well.  Please also ensure your child has a complete change of clothes in case they get wet, as well as a pair of warm slippers to wear inside.

With warm wishes,

Denise