Customer Reviews

Seven Times the Sun: Guiding Your Child Through the Rhythms of the Day

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is a resource of rituals for parents to help guide their children through the rhythms of the day. This is a book inspired by the works of Rudolph Steiner (called Anthroposophy) and the Waldorf Education method that he created. This book is recommended for parents of Waldorf students. Those homeschooling with a Waldorf-inspired flavor will definitely be interested in this book. There are Anthroposophical statements peppered throughout the book that are not explained at all. Those not interested in Anthroposophy can just ignore these statements and use the various songs, verses, etc.

The book is very well organized by general theme. This book is about rhythm in daily life, so the topics are: waking up, mealtime, playtime, work, quiet time, healing from injury, bedtime, and weekend family time. Special chapters for parents only are "personal renewal" and parents as peacemakers. A long appendix offers resources for music, verses, and stories. Every section is organized by the following topics: general discussion about the author's reflections, simple rituals, insights, songs, a listing of pertinent stories in various books, and an actual story to tell (text of story written out). The songs include sheet music and all the notations so that an instrument may be played along as it is sung. Music is in the pentatonic scale as recommended by Rudolph Steiner. Many of the songs and verses were written by the author.

What impressed me most about this book was that it is so well organized and contains so many topics. This is a wonderful jumping off point for beginning to celebrate rhythm and rituals into normal daily life with our children. There is enough material here for the parent to design their own circle time. Another bonus is the personal insight and opinion that Ms. Darian includes. Unlike other books on the market, this is not just a listing of verses and songs. I highly recommend this for any Waldorf parent who wants to add some ritual into their day, or for any homeschooler wanting the same.

This book changed my life!
Establishing rituals with my child was difficult and I lacked the creativity to aid in making our difficult "transitional" times more peaceful. Seven Times The Sun helped me not only with their recommendations but it fostered my own creativity on how to modify particular "ideas" that fit our lifestyle.
I don't think this book is for everyone, but if you have an open mind and are not afraid to try new and different strategies to enrich your children...buy this book. This book opened me up to creating rituals and making the most out of everyday situations....and cherishing each and every moment with my child. It opened up an even greater spirituality than what we had prior!
Peace

I purchased this book to use with the children in my preschool story-time groups.Though this is not the purpose for which it was intended, I have found it useful not only to use with children, but to reach my own "inner child".

It has excellent ideas to incorporate into family routines, to build family rituals and establish your home as a safe haven for all family members. It includes songs, poetry, stories and parental suggestions for use thoughout the day, from waking your child gently in the morning to putting him gently to bed at night.

I would like to think that parents are nurturing their children in the manner suggested by Ms.Darian--it would certainly be a healthier environment than the isolated rush to maturity that seems to be the norm for many children.

Seven Times The Sun is not for everyone. It could be a springboard, offering times of the day and night where parents might want to incorporate some kind of rituals to provide their children with a stable and balanced life. But the songs, poems and traditions offered in Shea Darian's book are hokey and contrived at best, cumbersome and artificial at worst. None of the other reviews indicated the religious or spiritual aspect of the book. Darian is a minister, and all of the poems and songs have a subtle religious bent. True, parents should teach children to be thankful for all they have. But I'm just thankful Amazon has a customer-friendly return policy!

I have 5 children and adore this book. My children range in age from 3 years to 13 and we have found things in here for all of us to enjoy. I wish I had found this book earlier in our homeschooling adventures.

I got this book secondhand, and am so very pleased with it. This book discusses the importance of a daily, weekly yearly, etc. Rhythm to children, which is so very lacking in our society! I especially enjoyed the reccommended book lists and the sample daily schedules based on a family's basic constitution. This is a book i won't be getting rid of anytime soon!

This was a very beautiful and peaceful book that came in a time when it was very much needed. It helped me slow down and understand that every day is very spiritual; that life maintenance is a part of who we are and if we just accept that, it makes everything much more simple. It helped me enrich my children's life, to finally accept them for whom they are and in so doing enrich my own life. Besides, if you have a little chant or song to sing while you're doing chores, handwork, settling down for a nap, or whatever, it always helps make it more fun. And I liked the tips and ideas on how to incorporate different rituals into your day. This book won't be for everyone, or for every lifestyle, but for those it speaks to, it is wonderful book. I highly recomend it.

This is a book you keep out and available. We use it often and enjoy the rhythms of our days. The songs and poems are the best -I find the stories too brief and bare. But this book is worth it just for the songs. There are songs for acknowledging the whole range of feelings - and the different ways of being from calm early morning to active play to naps and sleepytimes.

If you have small children, get this book. You'll be glad you did.

I have been involved with Steiner/Waldorf School for many years, and due to our current location have begun homeschooling. When you take that step on your own sometimes you require a little support and guidance. For me this book has been exactly that. I wish I had known about this book years ago. We, as a family, are enjoying Shea's perspective.

This book was recommended by an instuctor of an early childhood class I am taking. I love the easy and quiet way that the writings take the reader through the day, year and life. While reading this book, my grandmother passed away. The pages of poems were great comfort to my family and myself. Thank you to Shea Darian for the peace her words brought to us.