Kindergarten Testing and the Shocking Results…

New Kindergarten Readiness Test … if kindergarten is the new first grade, then when do our kids attend preschool? Is the logical extension that we begin teaching our children social skills in utero?

Why Preschool Shouldn’t Be Like School

Without a teacher present, children look for a much wider range of information and consider a greater range of options. Knowing what to expect from a teacher is a really good thing, of course: It lets you get the right answers more quickly than you would otherwise. Indeed, these studies show that 4-year-olds understand how teaching works and can learn from teachers. But there is an intrinsic trade-off between that kind of learning and the more wide-ranging learning that is so natural for young children. ..

Compassionate Listening = Listening to Ourselves with Compassion

The reason why I created a non violent preschool for my son, and the reason why I am on the hunt for a humanitarian school (or at the very least a compassionate teacher) for his elementary school experience, is completely selfish: I was a troubled child. I was the hard one. I had BIG emotions, and they were usually not understood. (OK, I admit it…I am STILL the troubled child, and I STILL have BIG emotions!)

PlaySchool for Big Kids?

Whoo-wee! PlaySchool for older kids! What will THAT look like?

Hiking, Collaborating on BIG plans, building, creating, exploring…….being free (like a kid should be….) (do you remmember those days? Wish you had them back? Why not provide that for Your child?)

Kindergarten through 2nd grade welcome!

What About Those Boys?

Boys are 6 times more likely to be “misdiagnosed” with ADD or ADHD….Bonding and attachment must occur before the age of five

Roughhousing is essential for bonding

Hugging, handshaking, back slapping, punching, pinching are modes of bonding

Parenting Class Series: Echo Parenting Empathy- Lead Paradigm for Raising Children.

Have you ever been surprised at the level of frustration you’ve felt toward your child? Raising children is so difficult, yet most parents don’t get much support to build skills and techniques! This six session private course will help parents to learn a philosophy and practice of parenting that is based on empathy and compassion, yet is not permissive. Topics will include: The science of brain development, setting and holding limits, learning from our own childhoods, emotional intelligence, anger, self regulation and much more.

Setting Limits Compassionately (Don’t Miss This Amazing 1-Night Workshop!)

PUNISHMENTS and REWARDS: What to do Instead  Setting boundaries that work with children    Parenting is a life-long learning process of nurturing our connection with our children.  Parenting is “messy” business.  There is no “prescription” for dealing with the day-to-day challenges of raising children.  There are however, basic communication tools that can assist parents in […]

What Writing Is…..

One day a little girl in our school tilted her head toward me and asked “Linda, will you write my story?”
Now, typically I would simply agree, but something told me not to on that day. So instead of putting pen to paper, I said “Nandu, I will write it. But why don’t you?”
Linda! Nandu puffed out in exasperation “I CAN’T write! I’m just 4!!”
“I looked at her “Nandu” do you know what writing is?”

Yelling “No!” Actually Works!

Exclaiming “No!” to stop a child works!

It is guaranteed to stop a child in his tracks and turn their happy, healthy, neuron-growing science exploration into a tirade of tears in seconds.

So what do we do instead?…..

The Knowing Garden Open Enrollment for 2012-2013 School Year!

We are pleased to announce that The Knowing Garden Open Enrollment for the 2012-13 school year will begin on Tuesday November 1, 2011
and will run through Friday, February 17, 2012. Enrollment for the 2011 year is on-going. We hope you will join one of our Parent Information Nights
which will be held in our classroom at St.Andrew’s Church in Redondo Beach.

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