Rhythm allows us to get in sync with one another. And what exactly is rhythm? It’s an easily recognized, regular pattern. Poems and verses contain rhythm within, and they are great tools to help us bring rhythm to our days. They provide a way to build both rhythm and ritual. Here are some verses for lessons, mealtimes, and bedtime.
Where can we build a place for a pause in our day? Where can we create a place for calm and connection, maybe a ritual? Here are a few ideas: before lesson time, after lesson time, at mealtime, and at bedtime.
The goal is to establish anchor points of connection throughout the day. Because moments that are predictable allow children to feel safe and relaxed.
Verses for Lessons, Mealtimes, & Bedtime
Here, I offer you four verses for these different points throughout your day. Plus my three favorite books for finding more verses.
Morning Verse
O golden sun, so fair and bright,
Warms the world with all its might.
It makes the dark earth green and fair
Attends each thing with ceaseless care.
It shines on blossom, stone and tree
On bird and beast, on you and me.
Oh may each deed throughout the day,
May everything I do and say
Be bright and strong and true,
O golden sun like you.
After the Lesson
Now that all my work has ended
What I’ve learned, I’ll put to rest.
Always knowing, always seeing
That I have done my very best.
Wisdom and power and love will grow
And I will bless all people I know.
Mealtime Blessing
God, we thank you for this food,
For rest and home and all things good.
For wind and rain and sun above
And most of all, for those we love.
Bedtime Verse
The angels watch over my sleeping and waking;
They guard me by night and guard me by day.
So to all of earth’s creatures, my warmth I’ll be taking,
In each deed I do and each word I say.
Wondering where to find more verses for your family? I’m including my favorite resources for that below. These are affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
Best Books for Finding Verses
A Child’s Seasonal Treasury by Betty Jones
Favorite Poems Old and New selected by Helen Ferris
The Waldorf Book of Poetry edited by David Kennedy
I have always loved sharing verses with my family. And nowadays, my twenty-something-year-old sons will still sit at our table, hold hands, close their eyes and recite or sing a verse! Because that is what we do. That is what we have always done. It warms my heart. And I think it warms theirs, too!
What are your favorite verses for touch points throughout your day?
If you want help in creating ritual touch points for your family, consider setting up a Mentor Session with me.
Hi Jean
I notice you using God in the meal time verse. I like waldorf philosophy, however I want to involve Christianity. Are you Christian? Do you do this?
Interesting questions, Sarah. One of the things that I love about the Waldorf approach is that it is truly multicultural. And as homeschoolers, we can weave in our own religious customs as we see fit. Our family happens to be Jewish. These verses can really work for families from any religious background, including Christian. And some families who might not use the word “God” could substitute another word such as “Spirit” or something else that they are comfortable with. The unifying thread of Waldorf is that it recognizes the sacred in all of our lives.