The Importance of Warmth in Development

The Pacific Northwest is an enchanting and magical world of trees that kiss the sky, mosses that blanket the ground, mists that swirl through the hills, and mushrooms that pop up unexpectedly in the most wondrous ways. However, the wet weather and winter chill can dissuade even the most adventurous children from embarking on a playful outside journey. Further hindering play, a cold chill can quickly sour the mood of a happy child.

It has long been thought that warm hands lead to a warm heart, but in 2008 NPR reported on two studies that actually proved that warm hands could have a lasting positive effect on the brain. In one of the studies, college students were asked to hold a stranger's hot coffee or cold coffee depending on the participant, and shortly after answered questions about the interaction they just had. Students who held the hot coffee overwhelmingly reported that the stranger was warm and the interaction was positive compared to those who held the cold coffee. In the other study from the same article, students were asked to hold a temperature pad used for injuries, half were given a warm pad, and the other half were given a cold pad. Participants were given a reward at the end of holding the pad and were asked if they wanted to keep it for themselves or give it to a friend. Participants who held the warm pad were more likely to give the reward to a friend than those who held the cold pad suggesting that those who held something warm were led to feel more generous.

Much like the students in these studies, our children in winter are affected by the cold, and the importance of warmth becomes paramount in maintaining positive interactions. In “Inner and Outer Warmth for a Healthy Early Childhood” Meagan Rose Wilson takes this idea and explains that outward warmth is needed for children to maintain inner warmth. Some of the suggestions she gives are layers of breathable fabric like cotton, silk, or wool which can be removed or added based on the needs of the child, eating soups, stews, and porridges which can be more easily digested, including spices in food or drinking room temperature or warm drinks, using candles to make kids feel cozy, and including warming touch in bedtime activities. These ideas are all part of the Waldorf pedagogy and are used as a way to warm Cedarwood children's heads, hearts, and hands. 

From early childhood, our students are encouraged to wear layers and we work with them to learn how to dress themselves, how to add or remove layers as needed, and how to make soup, bread, and tea. We provide warming back rubs and feet rubs during rest periods with the children’s consent, and we provide warm drinks to children while outside playing. Our rooms are lit with dim, warm lights and filled with cozy fabrics and calming colors. These environments give our students a sense of comfort and help to increase feelings of happiness, compromise, and generosity. That continues as students grow and conflicts arise. Rather than punishing children, teachers hold their hand and have the student walk with them as they go about their duties with the idea that perhaps a struggling child simply needs the closeness and strength of a caring adult. Kids in older grades are encouraged to have warm meals and snacks, classrooms have candles and natural light with pastel-colored walls. All of this warms the student and invites feelings of positivity on even the coldest and gloomiest days. 

In the Pacific Northwest where happy lights and seasonal emotions arise our students remain calm and compassionate. They call all of their classmates friends and they never hesitate to go outside and play because they can trust that they will be warmed and held by their class upon their return. In Waldorf education children really are warmed head, heart, and hands. 

For more information about our approach to education see our why Cedarwood page, early childhood curriculum, and grades curriculum. For more information about the articles mentioned above visit:

NPR - Warm Hands Warm Heart or Meagan Rose Wilson - Inner Outer Warmth Healthy Early Childhood

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