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?

We look for the need…and offer a solution:

“What’s your plan?  Are you wanting to balance things?  Hmmmm…..my antique tiffany china won’t work because it may break.  How about using these blocks instead?”

At Riviera PlaySchool, “What’s your plan?” is a common question. (And it’s a question that provides a some breathing space for us to de-charge and get into response mode!)

We, as teachers and parents, have a role where we provide some guidance, a lot of trust to allow our children the freedom to explore (and thus fuel their brain growth), and plenty of compassionate understanding that they are doing their best.

“Providing” a limit, to me, is ”giving” help to my child with where he needs to set a limit on his actions so he can then connect with society (and ultimately not be an outcast.)  Understanding limits allows my child greater freedom.  He now has a choice:  he can choose whether he wants to be part of, or apart from, society, when he understands society’s limits.  Then he has empathy for others. (It’s all in the same bucket)

All of us, including our children, really just want to connect.

The trick is that the limits must be age-appropriate.  We have greatly different expectations for 2 year olds than for 4 year old.  (If you have not had Early Childhood Development training you can read the series “Your 2 Year Old, Your 3 Year Old, Your 4 Year Old, etc. to understand what age-appropriate expectations means.)

Bev Bos uses an analogy of a child starting out on top of a mountain.  They begin on the top of their mountain of egocentricity.  As they travel through their various developmental stages, they are slowly making their way down that mountain.  Society sits at the bottom of the mountain.  It is our job to guide them, down the mountain…  And I like to add, to guide them down that mountain with their gifts intact.

—

At Riviera PlaySchool in Redondo Beach, California, we provide
a mindful program for the ‘Whole Child,’ inspired by the best of Attachment Parenting, Reggio Emilia, Bev Bos, Montessori, Waldorf and Non-Violent Communication.

A Green Hour is time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. In 2007, the National Wildlife Federation launched GreenHour.org, an online resource providing parents the inspiration and tools to make the outdoors a part of daily life.

NWF recommends that parents give their kids a “Green Hour” every day. This can take place in a garden, a backyard, the park down the street, or any place that provides safe and accessible green spaces where children can learn and play. Scientific research shows kids are happier and healthier when outdoor time is in better balance with indoor time.

And now, as part of Be Out There, Green Hour is strengthened by National Wildlife Federation’s nearly 75 years of experience connecting people with nature, including:

• Dozens of Green Hour’s outdoor activities.
• NatureFind: Find nearby parks, trails and nature centers with a few clicks.
• Frequently updated tips and articles to help you get outside every day.
• Wildlife Watch  
• Schoolyard Habitats
• Great American Backyard Campout & National Wildlife Week  

Today’s kids spend far less time outside than their parents did. For many of them, tweets are not bird calls but 140-character sound bites. Wii, the electronic game, has replaced “wheee!” – the squeal of delight.

Something important has been lost. And Green Hour has helped many families find it.

Share your Green Hour ideas with us here!  We’d love to see your posts or see your shares on Facebook and Twitter.  Have fun out there!

Parenting Workshop: Oh Siblings!

“I secretly believed that sibling rivalry was something that happened to
other people’s children.  Somewhere in my brain lay the smug thought that I
could outsmart the green-eyed monster by never doing any of the obvious
things that all the other parents did to make their kids jealous of each
other.  I’d never compare, never take sides, never play favorites.  If both
boys knew they were loved equally, there might be a little squabble now and
then, but what would they really have to fight about?

Whatever it was they found it.”

PARENTING SIBLINGS with MELODY ELDER M.A. Ed. of Awakened Heart Parenting

Tuesday, July 19th, 7pm-9pm

Feeling a little challenged (OK, FRUSTRATED) by sibling relationships?!  We
invite you to join Melody Elder, Parenting Support and Coach for a Parenting
Workshop focused on the following topics:

*       Introducing the new sibling
*       Relationship building between siblings
*       Sibling rivalry: what is the role of parents in children’s conflicts
*       Dealing with age and skill differences–younger child/older child
*       Parental expectations

For Additional Information, visit http://www.awakenedheartparenting.com
<http://knowinggarden.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=21157942244ebcd67b59
0c151&id=6f800a5d9b&e=8ee1cfa401>   The quote referenced above is from Faber
& Mazlish’s Siblings Without Rivalry.

This workshop is in cooperation with The Knowing Garden Elementary School:
THE KNOWING GARDEN is a community Elementary school for the children and
families of the Greater South Bay area. Slated to open this September, our
school supports the development of the whole child through constructivist
philosophy and the understanding that humans generate knowledge and meaning
from an interaction between their experiences and their ideas. We believe
that a project-rich curriculum anchored in academics, hands-on experience
and social plus emotional development will prepare our students to be
critical thinkers who become lifelong learners and active contributors to
the global community. With credentialed teachers, utilizing principles of
democratic education, low-ratios and developmentally appropriate guidelines,
our learning plans will be generated in partnership with each child. Our
students, from diverse backgrounds, become part of a greater community that
values respect, mindfulness, creative expression, confidence, risk-taking,
and concern for the Earth.  THE KNOWING GARDEN is a non-profit private
school with a public purpose.  www.knowinggarden.org
<http://knowinggarden.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=21157942244ebcd67b5
90c151&id=8c0283bab5&e=8ee1cfa401>

Date

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Location

Private Residence

Address will be confirmed upon registration

Torrance and Prospect Blvds.

Redondo Beach, CA 90503

~~~

Recommended by: Riviera PlaySchool pre kindergarten program in Redondo Beach, California

An organic, nature-ful, and mindful program for the whole child.

Riviera PlaySchool pre-kindergarten program in Redondo Beach, CA www.RivieraPlaySchool.com

“People are people no matter how small.” ~ Horton

Qualifications:

Teaching Credentials, AA or bachelor’s degree, earned ECE certificate or ECE units in progress, or experience.

You love being with and playing with children.

You love hiking, animals, art, music, and creating and building projects.

Plusses:

Experience working in a non-traditional, emergent, constructivist preschool environment, or

If you understand what Attachment Parenting is, or if you have experience with NVC (or even know what it is!), Reggio Emilia, Alfie Kohn, or Bev Bos, you may be a ringer for this position!

Teacher/Facilitator, Assistant Teacher/Facilitator, or substitute teacher/facilitator.

Up to 24 hours per week. We offer free training, and a fun and rewarding position in an incredibly peaceful environment full of nature and great energy — for the right person.

We offer a very competitive, generous Compensation depending upon experience and qualifications.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL.

Please send your resume to us at the email address below if you feel you are interested in and qualified for this position.

RivieraPlaySchool@gmail.com

As a result, I learned that a child who is listened to with interest, feels interesting.  And I also learned that for a child who is not heard at all, it is worse than the opposite.  They don’t simply feel uninteresting: they feel invisible.  Like if they were not here, no one would notice.  I know this because I felt it.  (Did you?)

We also all know that every feeling is valid.  We’re feeling it, and therefore it’s “OK.”  If we exclude “negative” feelings, and only allow “positive” feelings,” then the world would be a very sad place, devoid of true emotion.  Hmm…in some ways easer, huh?!  But as a parent, I have to evaluate my own feelings about the situation at hand, and then keep them separate from my child’s feelings…and allow my children to have their own experience.  (And in the process, I just might learn something from them!)

Naomi Aldort talks about taking a step back and allowing our children to have their own experience of life; and Bryron Katie talks about self acceptance in “Loving What Is.”

Then I remember: the only way I can arrive at a place of total acceptance of others is by accepting myself completely beforehand.  I have to start by accepting my own emotions, without judgment.  That’s a hard one at times…  especially when my “good mom” barometer is keeping score.  OUCH!!  But then I remember that we are all in this journey together.  It’s like Rumi says, we are all stones in a stream, polishing ourselves against each other.

For example, I still get the urge to hide my face when I cry.  I know this came from my parents telling me to go to my room, or they would “give me something to cry about.”  And that came from their inability to feel the pain that my crying triggered in them. AND because I know this, I do not repeat it with my own children.

Life is amazing.  I am so lucky to be awake for this journey with my children!

XOXO

Linda Shannon

June 23rd, 2011 7:00pm—9:00pm

SUPPORT THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN’S SENSUALITY

$50 per person, $75 per couple

REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY, Register online at:

echoparenting.org by clicking on Registration Center or contact Azucena Ortiz at 213.484.6676 ext 311 or aortiz@echoparenting.org

**Scholarships available.

Support healthy sexuality, body image, and self care from the framework of nonviolence.

When we, mothers and fathers can be comfortable talking to our children, supporting their natural curiosity about them- selves and others we can answer the hard questions children will ask about bodies and sexual

things. Through our support and openness, children will grow up with a matter-of- fact feeling that sex is natural, bodies need to be respected and that one can ask questions that the adults will be available to answer.

This class will be held in a private home in Redondo Beach. Directions provided upon registration.

Space is limited, so register now.

If you’re like me, you are your own worst critic. And there is no badge of honor in that, even though we have been brought up to believe it is so. You deserve the same “break” you are wanting your child to be given. And it has to start with you doing it for yourself, since you are their primary teacher. Ease up a little, and give yourself some validation. You deserve it!

If you are reading this, you are among the top 10% of people in the world who are in some stage of waking up. You are a special person, and a special parent, who has chosen to bring really special children into the world. And you have chosen a harder path to take in raising them. This way is much more difficult and less “efficient” than the mainstream way which uses punishment and rewards as a way to control behavior. And it will pay off both in your own relationship with your children, and also in your gift to the world, because you will have helped create a really great human being.

As Joseph Chilton Pearce says, “Your must be what you want your children to become.”  Isn’t it a breathe of fresh air to know that being your authentic self is perfect?!!

Lots of Love,

Linda Shannon

Director

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, Montessori, Waldorf and Compassionate Communication.

You have to watch this…it’s about an amazing school in Bali that teaches the 3 R’s, and so much more!  These kids come to expect a “whole” education, and the founders hope that, as a result, they will demand a “Whole” World!

http://www.ted.com/talks/john_hardy_my_green_school_dream.html

XOXO

Linda Shannon

PASS IT ON:  We are Now offering a Schedule of Enriching Classes for People ages 5 and Up!
Format: FUN, Constructivist, and Practical classes to satisfy the core standards in a way that nurtures critical thinking pathways in the brain (3 R’s plus plus!!)

Location: Riviera PlaySchool

Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Times: 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm (or fraction thereof, depending upon how many 1 hour classes you sign up for)

Cost: about $60 per session of 4 one hour classes.

Ages: 5 and Up

Typical # Students per class: 12

Starting: October 21

Classes Offered:

Money (math)
World Cultures (social studies)
Language (oral story telling, phonics – game format)
Lego Engineering (math, language arts, abstract reasoning, critical thinking)
Sciences
World languages (Spanish, Italian)
Naturalist Classes
and more!!!

First come first served… contact us now to sign up!

XO
Linda

310)408-5616
–
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, Montessori, Waldorf and Compassionate Communication.

cell: (310)408-5616

www.RivieraPlaySchool.com

Wisdom begins in wonder. – Socrates

“Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.”

“People are people no matter how small.”
~ Horton

“In our busy world, children often don’t get the extended hours to play and experiment that their young minds need in order to thrive. So the problems many children have are actually generated by too much time spent in environments in which children are expected to “behave.”  When a restricted environment isn’t balanced out by an hour or more a day when children can run hard, laugh hard, wrestle, be daring, and engage in spontaneous play, the strain shows in their behavior. The symptoms that trigger diagnoses can and often are the result of “APP”–Absence of Physical Play.”

At Riviera PlaySchool we combine a perfect balance of gross motor opportunities and FREE play in wide open environment, with fine motor discovery.  We combine the best of Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia…  read more about why play is important in this article from Hand in Hand:

http://www.handinhandparenting.org/news/177/64/Attending-to-Attention-Issues

Lots of Love,

Linda

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.