Air is the element of spring and hope is the mood. As we say goodbye to winter, we’re already dreaming about spring and the warmth it will bring. It’s at this time of year when the ever-present early spring winds are cold and frosty until one glorious sunny day when cold winds give way to warm spring breezes. Spring is the season of new beginnings, growth, awakening, and hope. Every day we anticipate witnessing new life blossoming like the daffodil that pops its bright yellow head up through the earth or when we see baby bunnies hopping across meadow grasses and baby deer with their spotted backs nibbling on fresh leaves. This season is joyfully saying, “wake up, wake up, it’s a new day”.

The hopeful mood that is so palpable in spring symbolizes the rebirth of new life after a long winter sleep. Optimism grows in us as the natural world around us wakes up and energy rises with the budding of new life. Birds sing as they gather leaves, twigs, and feathers to build their nests. Daffodils, tulips, and other spring bulbs pop up in garden beds. If you listen closely, you can hear the high pitched trilling sounds of peepers in ponds, streams and wetlands. The air in spring is in constant movement, whirling and twirling, perhaps blowing away what might have gotten stagnate after a long winter’s sleep. Flowering trees call us to gaze up to rosy pink, yellow and fluffy white branches against bright blue skies.

Like spring’s rain showers that cleanse the air and water the earth so new life can grow, let this season help you to see, with more clarity, the beliefs that you are still holding on to that no longer serve you. Imagine rolling away a stone in your garden bed that’s blocking the way for a spring bulb trying to push up to the sun’s warming rays. Moving that stone is like moving blockages in your life so growth can happen. 

Spring is the perfect time to notice the growth you see happening in your child as well as the blockages that need to be removed so they too can freely grow.

Just as the sap rises, which energetically requires a lot of upward movement, you might notice that your child is more energetic, very active indoors and needing more movement. Head outside so that they can move their bodies in big ways by running, jumping, rolling and skipping.

In Spring, there is an awakening happening not only in the earth but in us too and you might notice your child has developed greater awareness. They too have woken up with more consciousness. Like spring bulbs pushing their shoots up through the earth, your child is also blossoming. Spring is the time of year when you’ll notice that your child has outgrown their clothing. Pant legs will be above their ankles while shirt sleeves might be up to their elbows. 

Seasonal transitions can feel really big for children and us too and this is because we are deeply connected to the earth’s rhythms. Growth that’s happening in your child in spring might be reflected their behavior. They’ll have a lot of energy, they become more talkative and the volume of their voice might increase. The need to have their voice heard will also be seen in their growing independence and ability to express and do more on their own. The spring season energizes them in every way. 

Just as you mindfully approach everyday transitions with your child, you’ll want to be mindful of the daily rhythms you’ve put in place. Rhythm gives a child a sense of safety and security when it is consistent and predictable. Use your spring rhythm to support the seasonal transition from winter and bring balance into your days with your child. Here are a few tips to start you on your way; 

Take it slow & move slow

Balance spring’s high energy by slowing life down to avoid overwhelm. Decisions don’t have to be made as quickly as we often think they do. Give yourself time to think things through. Beginning this spring, discard the belief that life must be fast. Instead, take it slow, move slow and you’ll be more aware of your energy, your words and your actions.

Allow lots of time to do anything

When you find yourself rushing your child to get out of bed in the morning, get dressed, eat breakfast, leave the house and on and on, it’s time to pause and re-evaluate if you’re allowing enough time for them to move from one transition to the next. Instead of rushing, commit to planning for more than enough time. When you do, everyone will breathe easier and your days will go smoother.

Know that sometimes your child will take steps back before making forward steps in their development – Like the ebb and flow we experience in the spring season, one morning it’s sunny and warm, the next there’s fog and frost on the ground, there will be an ebb and flow in your child’s development. Growth isn’t a straight trajectory and just like it takes nature time to complete its transition from winter to spring, your child will need time to fully settle in a new phase in their development. Watch how spring breezes dance with ebb and flow of the season so that you too can come to understand the unique ebb and flow in your child’s development. Know that your child’s growth will soon be firmly rooted and become the supportive observer ready to step in when they need help.

Strive to be patient

Being patient will help you remain centered and calm. A calm attitude supports you in listening as well as speaking in a way that makes it possible to be heard. Really listening and being heard leads to better communication which strengthens relationships. Taking the first step to cultivate patience in your daily interactions with your child is an important step as it will will deepen your connection with them.

Sing often

Singing lifts everyones mood and has amazing benefits for overall well-being. When you sing, your body releases tension and stress and this happens through the release of endorphins and oxytocin. Not only is singing a mood booster, it lowers anxiety and feelings of loneliness. Let spring’s hopeful mood inspire you to sing and you will embrace this health giving benefit. 

Get enough sleep

Everyone needs to get enough sleep, not just your child. Getting enough sleep supports both you and your child in being your best self. You’ll also find that with a good night’s sleep, days with your child will be more joyful instead of everyone feeling tired, stretched, and unable to cope.

Spring is also the time to reconnect with nature. Reconnecting with nature supports you in welcoming new beginnings with renewed energy and brings a lot of joy to your days. Reconnecting with nature awakens and nurtures the senses.

You can nurture and awaken your child’s senses in spring by including these 5 practices in your daily rhythm.

1.Nurture your child’s sense of joy for life by creating a springtime ritual where you have simple picnics with family and friends in a garden, park, or your backyard. There’s so much joy in getting together with others you love to spend time with. This is one way that you also nurture your child’s social self which is important as it gives them opportunities to learn how to be with and get along with others.

2. Nurture your child’s sense of movement by taking walks in a forest, meadow or along a beach. With movement there is levity and with levity there is joy! Taking quiet walks helps your child connect with the sounds of nature as they hear birds singing and see other animals and insects in their natural surroundings. They’ll get to practice deep listening as well as mindful awareness and this is a great activity for developing self-regulation.

3. Nurture your child’s sense of smell by getting out and smelling the flowers, grasses, flowering trees and forest foliage. You’ll also be nurturing gratitude for the gifts that mother nature so generously gives us

4. Nurture wonder and reverence by noticing rainbows that come and go with springtime’s rain and sun. Make rainbows to hang in your windows as this is an activity that will nurture your child’s observation skills and creative side.

5. Nurture your child’s sense of well-being with predictable and consistent daily rhythms. The daily rhythms you create are just as important as your mindful presence as they carry qualities of spring that offer nourishment for your child’s sleep. The pace of the day is reflected in the energetic flow of air surrounding you and your child and when your mindful, you’ll notice how this affects everyone’s breathing. You’ll notice if there’s a steady, gentle pace, like warm spring breezes, or if there are blustering winds swirling around you both causing chaos. When the air is stuck or stuffy between you and your child, it lets you know that connection and communication is needed. When speaking, notice your tone of voice and if you’re speaking in a way that lets your child know that you’ve also made space to listen to them, you’ll see how this opens and relaxes the flow of air between the two of you. 

Over the years, I’ve been giving a lot of thought and observing the transitions that happen not only between but also within each season. I love to experience the ebb and flow that spring offers, the shifts in weather and temperature, rainy and sunny days and the slow blossoming of flowers and budding trees. 

The ebb and flow we experience in nature is a transition that we experience in our daily life as we attempt to balance home life while connecting to the season. 

Early spring’s cooler weather and misty mornings lets us know that winter is melting away. This is a time to see what needs to “soften” in your rhythm as you say goodbye to winter. When we feel the earth soften under our feet or in our hands it’s an experience that tells us that spring has arrived. Starting seedlings is a wonderful activity to cultivate in your early spring rhythm. 

Mid-spring has us hopeful for warmer weather and more sun. This can be reflected in your spring rhythm by bringing flowers into your home like daffodils, looking for cherry blossom trees, taking time to look for rainbows, listening for peepers and frogs, and tuning into bird calls and songs.

Late-spring definitely calls on us to spend more time outside and gardening is a wonderful spring activity to do with your child. If you don’t have space for a garden, growing a few flowers and vegetables can also provide a beneficial gardening experience. You can purchase seedlings to get started or start seeds indoors in late winter and when they are seedlings in early spring, transfer them into pots outdoors after the last frost date. You’ll want to create a spring rhythm that focuses on a lot of time spent outdoors. Plan visits a farmer’s market, pick strawberries at a farm, take more walks in your neighborhood, plan weekly picnics when the weather permits.

Although the daily rhythm you create for your child and family ideally shouldn’t vary drastically from season to season, it will be necessary to make adjustments. With more daylight in spring, you’ll find that your child is waking up earlier, full of energy and ready to start their day. When it comes to rhythm, every family has different needs. What is important, no matter your family’s needs, is maintaining the anchors of a healthy rhythm. Remember, sleep, mealtimes, playtime, and rest time need to be consistent and reliable.