SUMMER CAMP for Toddlers! NOW ENROLLING!

At Riviera PlaySchool’s summer morning toddler program, you will learn how to put into practice the mindful, compassionate, responsive way of being that we employ at Riviera PlaySchool. It isn’t just “lingo,” but learning some of the key phrases and responses can help get you there!

What Are Your Biases?

you see a 5 year old child who is crying and screaming, sobbing about something troubling him. His parents are sitting with him, soothing him. You might think “That child cannot control his emotions. He is emotionally immature. He needs to learn how to control his emotions. His parents should teach him to control himself…!”

Mommy “Fix-It”

My son Kian has always been good at conjuring up plans… but bringing them to life is another matter entirely. The pieces wouldn’t fit, the parts would fall off, or the wheels would not turn. His grand visions just needed his building expertise to catch up a little more…. and his ensuing frustration would start to leak out sideways, screaming like steam from a kettle. It was impossible for me to ignore: his loud keening was a veritable curse to the gods. It penetrated me. I could feel his chafing frustration in my heart, seeping in like hot oil. It would sit and simmer then, until something would finally snap. There was no turning back! I would lose all control, and spring into “Fix It Mode!”

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.

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….

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.

Ready To Learn: Defining Kindergarten Readiness Once and For All!

Now: Everything you need to know to Get Your Child Ready for Kindergarten! 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…

THINGS THAT COME UP AT SCHOOL – a workshop on getting through homework with positive connections

The Knowing Garden, along with Melody Elder M.A. E.d. is hosting a Parenting
Workshop on Monday, Oct 17th. The subject is “Things That Come Up At School”
and it focuses on getting through lessons and homework with positive connections
as well as being the best advocate you can be for your student.

All families are welcome. Please click here for information and
registration: http://knowinggarden.org/parenting-workshop/

Growing Through the Pain

My son Kian has always been good at conjuring up plans… but bringing them to life is another matter entirely. The pieces wouldn’t fit, the parts would fall off, or the wheels would not turn. His grand visions just needed his building expertise to catch up a little more…. and his ensuing frustration would start to leak out sideways, screaming like steam from a kettle. It was impossible for me to ignore: his loud keening was a veritable curse to the gods. It penetrated me. I could feel his chafing frustration in my heart, seeping in like hot oil. It would sit and simmer then, until something would finally snap. There was no turning back! I would lose all control, and spring into “Fix It Mode!”

The Thrill of (vicarious) Success

It is so hard, as a parent, not to be seduced by the thrill of having our child “succeed.” And what exactly defines “success?” In early childhood, we often judge success on how much a child knows. This leads many parents to put their children into “academic” programs that focus on abstract knowledge, rather than experiential, play-based programs

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