Communication

Just part of life

Just part of life

Last month Sierra told me she wanted to visit a “graveyard.” My first thought was ‘she’s been watching too much Scooby-Doo.’ I said, “sure we can do that,” but visiting a cemetery is never going ... read more

Barriers.

Barriers.

About a year and a half ago I stood before a group of 20 fourth graders, tasked with teaching the day’s art lesson. I had prepared ten paint tins and brushes spread evenly on the long white read more

Patience is a virtue…

Patience is a virtue…

Above and beyond, the most common thing people say when I tell them I work with small children is, “You must have so much patience!” I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I can be a ... read more

The Language of Sunflower: Feelings

The Language of Sunflower: Feelings

Today is the first in a series of Monday posts describing The Language of Sunflower. Over the next five weeks, we’ll discuss many of the ways we communicate at Sunflower. We’ll talk about how we ... read more

The Trust Tree

The Trust Tree

We allow our children to feel their emotions, but do we do that with ourselves? Do we parents respect ourselves enough to accept and acknowledge our own feelings of sadness, anger, guilt and ... read more

The Language of Sunflower: Modeling Empathy

The Language of Sunflower: Modeling Empathy

This is the second in a series of Monday blog posts describing The Language of Sunflower. Last week Jaime offered advice for talking to children about Feelings and suggested ways to encourage ... read more

Things we take and things we leave behind

Things we take and things we leave behind

"Are we gonna take this tree with us to the new Sunflower house, Susan?" A three-year-old in our Seedlings program puts his finger on a tall Florida live oak as he waits for my reply. The next ... read more

Remembering 9/11 and helping our children

Remembering 9/11 and helping our children

September 2001:  “It was burning down, down!”  Three-year-old Sarah was happily swinging just a moment ago. I gulped. “Tell me what was burning Sarah. That sounds so ... read more

We Want Them to Share

We Want Them to Share

When we ask parents in our classes to name the goals they have for their children, inevitably “becoming better sharers” is at the top of their lists. Becoming a sharer is a complex process, with ... read more

We have to move. You might hate it.

We have to move. You might hate it.

Late last year, our landlord decided to sell the house we were renting. We had to move, and quickly. We’d been living in the same place for nearly three years, and my two boys, then ages 5 ... read more

Spill The Glue!

Spill The Glue!

As I rushed to finish my snowman project my preschool teacher reminded me again that it was time to go take the class picture. I don’t remember the words she used but I remember feeling ... read more

The Language of Sunflower: Praise

The Language of Sunflower: Praise

This is the fourth in a series of Monday posts describing The Language of Sunflower. In previous weeks, we talked about expressing Feelings, Modeling Empathy and modeling Respect. Sometimes ... read more

Planting Seeds of Peace

Planting Seeds of Peace

It is so hard, and maybe even useless, to try to make sense of the violence and tragedy that we face daily on this planet. When children are killed by guns, swept away by tsunamis or die of ... read more

The Language of Sunflower: Anger

The Language of Sunflower: Anger

This is the final post in a series of Monday posts describing The Language of Sunflower. In previous weeks, we talked about expressing Feelings, Modeling Empathy, modeling Respect and Praise. ... read more

Talking with kids about sex

Talking with kids about sex

Have you talked with your children about sex? Maybe you’re thinking, “No, they’re way too young,” or “I’m dreading that moment.” I recently spoke with Susan about this important topic, which she ... read more

The Language of Sunflower: Respect

The Language of Sunflower: Respect

This is the third in a series of Monday posts describing The Language of Sunflower. In previous weeks, we talked about expressing Feelings and Modeling Empathy. Years ago a new child attended one read more

How do we grieve?

How do we grieve?

In the weeks following the heartbreaking shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, many people in our country and around the world have been experiencing grief. I myself ... read more

Patience is a virtue… understanding is a challenge

Patience is a virtue… understanding is a challenge

How does frozen yogurt, a present from a friend and something sticky add up to better understanding? Let’s talk! In our last blog post, Jonathan spoke eloquently about how it’s not ... read more

The Truth About “Ouch!”

The Truth About “Ouch!”

Talking with children about physical pain can be especially difficult - but it doesn't have to be. In fact, teaching children to understand and cope with common pain experiences (like skinned ... read more

Easing the transition from school to home

Easing the transition from school to home

All the excitement and stresses of the new school year are upon us! It is a huge transition to move out of summer mode for the whole family. If it is your child’s first year, multiply ... read more