“People are people no matter how small”

“People are people no matter how small” is as close to a school motto as we have at Riviera PlaySchool; and it’s fitting that it is quoted from Dr. Seuss’s character Horton. The cornerstone of our program is Non-Violence. Ghandi and Krishnamurti both base their work upon this, as do many western advocates including Rosenberg, […]

New Events at PlaySchool! Fall Enrollment Has Begun!

Dear Parents, We have some exciting new events happening at PlaySchool! – CULTURAL EXCHANGE DAYS Susan Hong, mentor teacher, is organizing a cultural exchange unit for PlaySchool. Parents are invited to come in and exchange information about their native cultures or culture of heritage, with the children at PlaySchool. If you would like to participate […]

OmmmmmMy God! Compassion is a Two Way Street

OmmmmmMy God!   Compassion is a Two Way Street

You Can Reach Enlightenment in 1 Easy Science-backed Step!

I have been waiting for this one!!  Science now has documented evidence that anyone CAN reach enlightenment, (or at least find peace, joy, or satisfaction) in one easy step!   I am tossing my meditation beads!! They have found the holy grail!

http://rivieraplayschool.com/parenting-from-balance/ommmmmmy-god-compassion-is-a-2-way-street

Riviera PlaySchool in Redondo Beach, CA
TEACHING FROM BALANCE
A Mindful program for the ‘Whole Child,’ inspired by the best of Attachment Parenting, Reggio Emilia, Bev Bos, Montessori, Waldorf and Non-Violent Communication.

www.RivieraPlaySchool.com

Kindergarten Round Up TIme: Issues to Think About When Considering School Options

This is broken down into questions that you as parents might ask when visiting various schools and things you might notice and consider. It includes a list of local alternative kindergartens for your consideration.

Taking a Step Back

We all know that our children are not reflections of us, but every once in a while we get tricked into that lie again! It sneaks in, and we spring into RE-action, rather than mindful response. That way of “reflective” thinking is a trap that often leads us to seek approval from the random parents around us. It can throw us into a tizzy of self-judgment: Oh my gosh my child is screaming (at me)! What is that father/store clerk/woman thinking about us/me?! Instead of, “Oh my gosh my child is screaming… what does my child need that I can give him?” The irony is that those parents who we are trying to please in that hot moment of crisis don’t actually matter to us as much as our children do, nor are they even in line with our own core values!

Stop Psychiatric Labeling of Kids

This is a good, short little piece about how misleading labels can be!

Creating a Place of Belonging and Empowerment for Children

Wherever you go, it is the teachers who make the school what it is. And the teachers at PlaysSchool are all grounded in the same philosophy — that of non violent communication. Therefore, when any conflict occurs, it is a true learning moment, and teachers are on hand to hold space for the children to resolve their own conflicts. We are never in a rush to resolve the conflict. Sometimes children can take 20 minutes to sort a conflict out, if we let them. And we do. We pay particular attention to where we are during the conflict. We stay on the sidelines. We don’t jump into the fray energetically. If we notice our speech becoming more rapid, or our voice becoming louder, then that’s a signal to us to take a step back and let them have their own emotions about the conflict at hand. It’s pretty tricky, and it keeps us more awake as people.

EDUCATION OPTIONS: Invitation to participate in DaVinci School’s focus groups re: An Alternative Model for K-8 Education

Hello Parents, I wanted to pass this on to you, in case you hadn’t yet heard of Da Vinci’s newest endeavor: a K through 8 school, to be built in conjunction with TIDES (formerly Pacifica Charter), and UCLA.  (UCLA’s involvement was announced at our education department board meeting this month.  We discussed ways in which […]

Needs and Desires, part 1

Parents commonly say things like, “You need to put your toys away and get ready for bed.” A shift in focus from needs to desires is the key that will unlock your creativity…

No Child Left Behind… What?

“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 are not creating people who are following in the footsteps of our forefathers: independent thinkers, inventors, and self-sufficient pioneers who have the skills and tenacity to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps in Horatio Alger fashion.

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