Photo by Hilary Murphy

One of my favorite calming breath exercises to teach children is Starfish: with our fingers spread out wide, we trace each finger up and down, breathing as we go. I tell kids that it only takes…

Artwork by Anni Betts

Young children learn with their bodies. Yes, for some, being told information as they sit at a desk is effective, but for most? They learn in many different ways; they need to use all of their…

Photo by Hilary Murphy

Happy 2022!  

I don’t know about you, but I find the whole new-year-resolutions thing kind of exhausting.  

But picking a word? Just one, that I can focus on as we step into this new year? That…

Photo by Hilary Murphy
 

It’s starting to snow outside here, and I’ve actually been sitting just looking out the window. Not doing anything else.  

And feeling very proud of myself. 

It might sound a little silly, I know–but since I…

Happy Winter Solstice! It’s the shortest darn day of the year! ❄️✨

The term solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium, meaning “the sun stands still,” because the Sun reaches its southernmost position as seen from the Earth. The Sun…

Photo by Hilary Murphy

It’s all about gift buying this time of year, at least judging from all the hurry-before-it’s-too-late emails in my inbox. And even though I can be as guilty of overdoing the “stuff” as anyone else–and of…

Artwork by Anni Betts

Mmmm...hot cocoa. 

I grew up with Ovaltine, and would love to say that I now make hot chocolate from  organic cacao powder lightly sweetened with agave nectar, but we’re all Swiss Miss around here. Mine with…

This time of year, with so much holiday bustle, can feel kind of nuts for young children. Unpredictable weather and early darkness keep them inside too much, and when you add in craziness in the news—that they usually hear about…

Artwork by Anni Betts from Peaceful Like a Panda
 

A whole lot is written about gratitude at this time of year, mostly directed squarely at us grownups. 

But what about instilling gratitude in our young children? And why is it…

Artwork by Anni Betts from Breathe Like a Bear

On these hard-to-get-going fall days, when we just want to stay under the covers, it can be a challenge for kids (and for us) to find the focused energy we need. 

…

Photo by Hilary Murphy 

Excuse me? 

Let me explain. 

Children are talked to ALL. DAY. LONG. From teachers who give all the instructions in all the classes, to parents hustling kids out the door in the morning or into bed…

Artwork by Anni Betts from Breathe Like A Bear
 

Even though tomorrow is the official start to fall, it’s been beautiful and sunny this week where I live. I’m not quite ready for shorter, cooler days—I suppose I’m having a…