Twelve Senses (from Dyanne)

Dear parents,
As mentioned in my recent newsletter, William and I will be looking into the sense of balance and sense of self movement at our upcoming parent meeting.  Although Kim John Payne has created a tidy outline which we plan to pass out that night, it can also be said that tidy outlines can be misleading without enough contextual information to fill out the bullet points. To that end, we decided it would be wise to offer up a little more background information for those interested.

Rudolf Steiner presents a picture of the human being having "windows" through which the earthly can meet the soul.  Through our senses, we receive information about our earthly and incarnated experience.  Common to us all is the idea of five senses; touch, sight, smell, taste and hearing.  However, another model suggests 12 senses, which include these five and add seven more.   In this model of 12 senses, there are four that are considered foundational to the others and are developed in the first seven years of life.  This is not to say that the other eight are stagnant during this time period.  Rather, that their full development will ride on the backs of the development of the first four.  These four foundational senses are the Sense of Touch, Sense of Balance, Sense of Self Movement, and Sense of Life or Well Being.

William and I have chosen a chapter in the book "Beyond the Rainbow Bridge" by Barbara Patterson that covers sensory development in the young child according to this model.  It is a fairly easy read and a nice overview, especially for those not so familiar with the model of 12 senses.  Some of you will likely already own this book.  We have a few copies of this book in the library for check out (in the lobby).  We also have made 6 photo copies that are stashed in the little wooden pocket shelf to the right of the Sunflower door.

May I also recommend (for those who would like further reading, and a good read it is) "Our Twelve Senses, Wellsprings of the Soul"  by Albert Soesman.  And yet another title (whose title is left wanting), "Working With Anxious, Nervous and Depressed Children" by Henning Kohler which presents a very thorough and accessible picture of the four foundational senses as they relate to parenting.  These books are also available in the library upstairs.

Any time you can take in advance to orient yourselves will be helpful.  Also, we would like to suggest using this week to observe your child during free movement activity in light of what you have read on this topic.  We are hoping for a lively and fruitful conversation at our parent meeting.

With anticipation,
Dyanne