Old Firehouse School Chat

When your child is 2, are they supposed to play well with others? What does it really mean when a 4 year old says to their friend, "You can't come to my birthday party!" Alexandra Dutton talks with Michele Bailey and Maylis Treuil, two veteran OFS teachers, about social skills and friendships from age 1-5. They explain the motivations behind children's behavior with peers and why friendships are a delicate balance at these young ages.

Join hosts Alexandra Dutton and Rachel Turtledove for a wonderful discussion with Todd Sarner, MFT, about how to deepen your relationship with your child. Todd shares ways to connect with a child after a separation (like being apart all day with work and school) as well as why some children will seemingly reject you or your overtures of support and love. His strategies focus on Attachment Theory, which is at the heart of Old Firehouse Schools. Together they share some of the day-to-day struggles parents may have about connecting with children, setting boundaries, and understanding their child's shifting needs.

To learn more about Todd's work, visit: https://transformativeparenting.com/

https://www.youtube.com/transformativeparenting

Other useful books/websites mentioned:

https://www.simplicityparenting.com/

https://neufeldinstitute.org/resources/hold-on-to-your-kids-book/

Dorothy and Alex return to a topic from our first podcast: Anti-Bias Education. They talk with Shaquam Edwards, who is part of the early education faculty at the College of Marin. She discusses the role families can play in exploring culture, diversity, and equity. She shares activities families can do together to learn about each other, as well as developmentally appropriate ways to build bridges to learning about other cultures, celebrations, and traditions.

Books mentioned:

Anti-Bias Education by Louise Derman-Sparks

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/books/anti-bias-education

You Can't Celebrate That by Nadia Jaboneta

https://www.redleafpress.org/You-Cant-Celebrate-That-Navigating-the-Deep-Waters-of-Social-Justice-Teaching-P2497.aspx

Nature has always been a part of the educational experience at OFS, but our newest campus, OFS Bayview, will take that to a new level! Director Alexandra Dutton is joined by Laura Hislop of St. Luke's, where the Bayview campus is located. Together they talk with Dr. Dorothy Stewart and Bayview director Jackie Buhl about their vision to combine attachment and nature into curriculum that is sure to inspire any preschooler.

Music plays an important role in all of our lives, and this is especially true for young children. Alexandra Dutton, Judy Haus, and Liza Pevzner discuss ways that music increases language development, memory skills, and motor skills for children. If you aren't a music lover or someone who is comfortable singing, listen to hear ways you can incorporate more music into your life with your child.

Some of the songs mentioned:

Miss Katie sings:

https://youtu.be/1R8pmh8I6FU?feature=shared

Snoop Dogg:

https://youtu.be/1XYoduQMAjU?si=7J0bQFfD5vOGOo7-

When your child's birthday rolls around, it's a special time to celebrate! Join Judy Haus, Rachel Turtledove, and Alexandra Dutton as they talk about birthday parties for our youngest children, from the perspective of both educators and parents. Sometimes what you want in a party is not what works best for your child's age, personality, or temperament. Hear about some tried and true strategies to plan a great celebration for your child.

A wonderful resource for families: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/age-by-age-birthday-party-guide

This follow up to the previous episode, "What do you mean my child needs therapy?" lends helpful insights into what the process can be to get outside support for a child. Three parents share the different paths they took to support their children -- one who was anxious, one who had language delays, and one who is autistic. They share the challenges they had and what they and their children ultimately learned from receiving services.

Hosts Alexandra Dutton and Judy Haus speak with Psychologist Carrie Rodrigues and MFT Katrinca Ford about something families often feel confusion or fear about: Hearing that their child may need an assessment or therapy. But what does that really mean, and what does an assessment for a child entail? How long will my child need therapy? Should I worry about my child being labeled?

Some resources mentioned in the podcast:

Developmental Milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html

Speech Milestones: https://www.asha.org/public/developmental-milestones/communication-milestones/

Contact Katrinca Ford, MFT: https://www.familyplaytherapy.com/

How is preschool different than, say, having a nanny? What happens with preschool turns out to be different than what you expected? Host Alexandra Dutton talks with Garrett O'Brien (OFS Mill Valley) and Susie Kohl (White Pony Preschool) about managing your expectations as a parent whose child is starting preschool and how to have a great experience. No surprise here -- it begins with trust!

OFS Directors Alexandra Dutton and Danielle Roach are joined by Darcy Campbell, Executive Director of Cow Hollow School in San Francisco. Darcy once said, "(Emergent curriculum) is the hardest way to teach, but the best way." Hear about why our schools choose emergent curriculum, how it prepares children for the future, and how it creates children who are "problem-seekers" in addition to children who are creative, resilient, and able to take the perspectives of others.