Preschoolers

Adjusting expectations

Adjusting expectations

One of my challenges as a parent (and a person who resists change) is to recognize and adjust to constantly changing situations. The ... read more

Recipe for Peace

Recipe for Peace

I know peace. I see, hear, and feel it whenever I’m around young children. [slideshow] I am constantly trying to find a personal ... read more

No place we’d rather be

No place we’d rather be

by Jennifer Sneeden It begins in the cozy corner. Twenty-five little bodies, squeezing into the small space that has served so many ... 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!” ... read more

Give them time (a story of watercolors and preschooler theoretical physics)

Give them time (a story of watercolors and preschooler theoretical physics)

I was walking through the room headed off to do something important somewhere else, with no intention of stopping or even lingering to ... read more

Monkey on a satellite

Monkey on a satellite

I’m leaving for vacation this afternoon, and I’m (of course, as always) bringing my camera. One of my favorite parts of traveling is ... read more

Lessons from Seedlings

Lessons from Seedlings

My daughters’ time at Seedlings shaped the big kids they’ve become today. And, while they were learning to experiment and explore and ... read more

“Uninvited Guests” Show Up at Sunflower Theatre Camp

“Uninvited Guests” Show Up at Sunflower Theatre Camp

Sunflower’s approach to theatre is a lot like our approach to everything else: it’s all about play, process and fun. Parents got ... read more

An Owl Walk

An Owl Walk

 Mom Ami Polonsky shares a story about Susan’s grandkids, who live in a suburb of Chicago. One late afternoon over winter break, ... read more

The Possibility of Something Really Important Happening

The Possibility of Something Really Important Happening

It’s always there– A tiny spark, and a space opens up. The idea bubbles, it gains momentum and cracks wide open. read more

Grandparent Adventures

Grandparent Adventures

 I really love my time with my grandchildren, ages 7 and 5. This summer we have planned Camp Susan on Mondays and Wednesdays. We are ... read more

All Alone!

All Alone!

“All alone! Whether you like it or not, alone is something you’ll be quite a lot.” – Dr. Seuss. We marvel at young children’s ... read more

Potty Learning: When they’re ready, they’re ready

Potty Learning: When they’re ready, they’re ready

I remember the day I first heard the term “potty learning” as if it was yesterday. I was at a Little Sprouts class with my daughter and read more

How to make an invention

How to make an invention

by Jennifer Sneeden Making an invention is very difficult… The first problem is that you might not know right away what you’re trying ... read more

Wonder

Wonder

Curiosity is not enough for me. There are thousands and maybe millions of things to be curious about. What really gets me going is when read more

Reading on their own timetable

Reading on their own timetable

Both of my children, now young adults, went to Seedlings. I loved the fact that there was no academic curriculum, that they spent all ... read more

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, ... read more

The essence of Seedlings

The essence of Seedlings

My daughter Emily started Seedlings last week. The first week of Seedlings, I took lots of pictures trying to capture the essence of ... read more

Crossing the Bridge

Crossing the Bridge

This morning my six-year-old son, Dylan, will cross over the Seedlings bridge for the final time (that’s Seedling talk for Graduation). read more

In defense of a magical childhood

In defense of a magical childhood

In the harsh light of this fast-paced and highly-pressured world, my childhood memories of wonder and innocence are still part of who I read more