remove or push a distracting mobile to “Children are far more concerned
enough tables,” says Butler, “so find
the side when it’s not playtime. Also, with what they can make than with be-
clever ways to create them and teach
choose furniture with rounded edges ing neat,” observes Katillac. “Like magpie
the kids to clear them while waiting in
and keep a window open or a ceiling nests, their rooms are typically a collec-
anticipation of the next project.”
fan on low to let air and energy circu- tion of favorite things—baubles, souve-

late through the room, suggests Rodika nirs, picture of their heroes: scientists,
Pre-teen
Tchi, a feng shui consultant in Vancou- superheroes, athletes, musicians and
From junior high through high school,
ver, British Columbia. movie stars. They collect stamps, dolls,
privacy and respite become crucial for
rocket ships, planetary models, horse
children weathering the turbulent ado-
Young Child
statues, records and books. Ant farms
lescent years. Doe suggests that “If your
Toddlers and grade school kids need
and musical instruments sit side-by-side.”
child wants a cozy, private, snug nest,
calm and quiet periods, too, but they
Over time, however, all those
suspend sheets from the ceiling on all
also require a place to be creative.
dinosaurs, pretty rocks and doll clothes
four sides of the child’s bed. Purchase
“Children paint every day, and love to
can pile up. More and more stuff can
curtain rods from the hardware store
show their works on walls and refrigera-
crowd a room and seem chaotic, so a
that screw into the ceiling; sew tabs on
tor doors. We assume, I suppose, that
good storage system is a must. Closet
the sheets and hang them up for a low
children are just learning motor coordina-
systems, bookcases, toy chests, bulletin
cost, royal canopy bed. If two or more
tion and alphabets,” comments Thomas
boards and shelving can help corral
kids share a room, ensure that each has
Moore in his classic Care of the Soul.
kids’ collections and art projects. “Kids
privacy—bookcases or rice paper pan-
“But maybe they are doing something
like structure, although they would
els to divide the space is one solution.”
more fundamental: finding forms that
never ask for it, so giving it to them in
Adolescents also need as much freedom
reflect what is going on in their souls.”
their room is a real gift,” says Butler.
as possible to change room colors and
Mimi Doe, publisher of the online
She suggests making an art proj-
posters, arrangement of furnishings and
magazine SpiritualParenting.com,
ect space out of a closet or a corner
even bedding, in order to reflect their
agrees. “Allow your child’s room to be
space in the room. “Keep it set up so it
growing individuality. Thus, their room
a safe base for soulful exploration,” she
encourages art to be happening at any
becomes a welcome respite from the peer
counsels. “Give him a choice in color,
moment.” For example, the door can
pressure to be just like everyone else.
fabric, and furniture. Allow her to deco-
be removed or closed when not in use.
rate the door with silver paint, if she
Mount an extra table on the wall to
Judith Fertig is a freelance lifestyle writer
so desires, or collage her closet with
be dropped down as needed, like old
in Overland Park, KS; for more, see
images she loves, cut from magazines.”
ironing boards did. “There are never
AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com.
March 2010 13
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