kacenka76

HI all, I'm currently undergoing the Steiner Kindergarden teacher training and I have to say, that while working with children (and have been working for many years), everything I learn I put into practice and see the results immediately. I work with toddlers and pre-school children so can't comment on class education but as it is based on the same principles, I'm sure my colleagues would say the same. I understand that the Steiner philosophy might seem rather different and yes, his teachings are quite deep and take time to absorb. But as I have said before, all knowledge I gained based on his teachings on child development have been very helpful to me and the children I take care of have flourished so much (I'm a nanny and even the parents now appreciate Steiner approach much more as they see the results themselves)...What I do not understand is why the mainstream educators are pushing children to learn how to read and write earlier and earlier. Most of the countries in the EU start with learning these at the age of 6 or even 7 and we all speak and write well, our literacy levels are higher than in the UK. It seems rather obvious where the problem is.

HI Bishberro, I'm really sorry to hear about your husband suffering so much, I have been there since the age of three with the eczema coming and going but my sheets and clothes looked very much the same most of my life. Two years ago I had to take sick leave because my eczema got so bad that I could not even put any clothes on, how sore it was. I agree with the diet, I would avoid sweets and sour foods, switch to Ecover detergent and use Shea butter, as this has always worked for me. No GP has, in my 34 years of suffering with eczema, come up with any solution, all they can do is prescribe these horrible steroids...I had been recommended a Tibetan doctor which comes from Edinburgh once a month at the weekend and gives consultations in Southwark buddhist centre. He is amazing, gave me three sets of powdered herbs to take three times a day and within a month all eczema was gone. This was in October and I have been clear ever since (have to point out that winter is usually the worst time of the year for me). Here is a link, it is all nature and non invasive and it really helped and I can't express how grateful I'm for getting rid of all that itchiness. Here is a link, if you are interested http://london.samye.org/london/kagyu/tibetan_doctor/consultation_guidelines.shtml Hope you find a solution Love K

All Im saying is that it has its effect on a child and we should bare that in mind...It is not natural for the development of the child to be separated from mother in such a tender age but sadly it is becoming rather a norm in today's society. Im aware that the system does not support women in staying at home with their children but I also know that there are women who chose to go back to work to pursue their career. I do not want to fuel any feelings of guilt in anybody and I do sincerely appologise to the mothers if I hurt anybodys' feelings by my comment but that is my view on the whole problem.

I have not read the book but have been interested in children development for about ten years, have been a baby massage instructor for about 7 and worked as a nanny for last two. There are many many books and studies confirming that mother love and care is so very essential for a child at the early stages of their lives because these years are formative. The amount of love and care recieved during these years have impact on the psyche of each child, on their self-esteem, etc...I just would like to point out that from my own experience by observing nannies, childminders, there is a handful of them who actually do care and find the love whithin themselves to supplement for the mother's love. It is not enough to make sure the child is safe and fed. That is not a proper childcare, I think we should really wake up and aknowledge the fact that we carry the responsibility of what is my child going to grow into, happy, self loving, confident human being or is he going to struggle, go through psychotherapy and will be trying to find that love, which was denied to him for the rest of life {Im talking out of expereince, have been in therapy for last two years}. Im just very sad and kind of bewildered at how many women and how easily abandon their precious children for whatever reason there might be. And a question arises, why to have children at all if we dont really want them. Or do we? For weekends?