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: 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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