

Conscious Discipline
September 3, 2010 by Trish
Filed under Parenting From Balance©
We are always looking for ways to define what we practice at Riviera PlaySchool. What we have is a unique meld of non violent communication, attachment parenting, mindfulness, abundance, gratitude, and self-awareness, along with the academic and structural aspects from Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia.
I stumbled across a website by a woman named Becky Bailey, who happens to have authored a great description of what we do here at Riviera Playschool! Becky calls it conscious discipline, and it all starts with being who you want your children to become (Joseph Chilton Pearce).
Letter to my Child
August 30, 2010 by Linda
Filed under Parenting From Balance©
Dear Kian, As you prepare for kindergarten, I wanted to write a letter to you, my love, to document my hopes for you, my love for you, and my admiration of you. I hope you will live in a world of peace, nature, community, egalitarianism, and high ideals.
I want you to be fulfilled and happy, and value the importance of life’s simple pleasures. This is where you will find true bliss.
Just today you said to me “I believe anything is possible,” and with that, I felt I had achieved the bulk of my intentions with you.
The “No Child Left Behind” Paradox
August 23, 2010 by Linda
Filed under Parenting From Balance©
Today’s kids are not failing the academic standards – the academic standards are failing our kids! “No Child Left Behind” has inadvertently placed undue emphasis on elements that have nothing to do with academic success. The entire system has instead created a generation of button-pushers who lack critical thinking skills as well as the emotional and social intelligence to get their needs met independently. We have to take another critical look at this system before we churn out yet another generation of unmotivated, unskilled, and incapable graduates.
Television and Media, and FREE WEBINAR!!
August 20, 2010 by Linda
Filed under Parenting From Balance©
Free Webinar August 24, 8:00 to 9:00 pm! Media and technology are evolving at a rapid pace, affecting young children in both positive and negative ways. Join us to learn about the impact of media on young children and most importantly, hear expert guidance about how to raise and educate children in today’s 24/7 media world.
Ready to Learn: Defining Kindergarten Readiness Once and For All!
August 17, 2010 by Linda
Filed under Parenting From Balance©
Kindergarten readiness, a hot topic among politicians, is also a hot topic among parents. With this in mind, let’s look at how kindergarten readiness goes far beyond learning the ABC’s and starts way back in infancy. Here are some general indicators that early childhood educators agree show children are prepared to enter kindergarten.




