Max Plank said, "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." Have you experienced that paradigm shift? It is exhilarating! What does it mean to change the way we look at things? What…
Tender Loving Communities
Communities are groups of individuals who create culture; hubs for good or ill. Without sincere empathy and concern, our best selves fail to thrive. WE are the community. Communities can challenge us to bold new heights of empathy, compassion, kindness.…
We Are in the Pink!
We are strong and healthy for good reason! We are evidenced-based and in sync with Pink, Daniel Pink! We use his MAP -> Mastery! Autonomy! Purpose! I learned about the hidden costs of extrinsic rewards some thirty-five years ago. I…
Spontaneity
There is an inherent excitement in adventures. Sugarwood's stimulating environment intentionally encourages adventurous exploration. Flexibility in thought, movement and creativity lead us into the unknown, into worlds waiting patiently in the open spaces. Creative schedules are ripe with artistic possibilities.…
StoryLove Time
Years ago four year old Katrina called our read aloud time "Storylove Time" and it stuck. During Storylove Time we snuggle on the couch and listen to the Friend of the Day read their prepared book to us. We all…
Interactive conversations
My personal experiences and observations confirm that conversing with children - not talking at them or quizzing them or displaying any number of bossy behaviors parents/teachers have acquired - these conversations develop strong ties, trust, and language skills that benefit…
Learning, unlearning, relearning
“The illiterate of the future are not those who can’t read or write but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” – Alvin Toffler Human brains have the unfortunate proclivity to be controlled by our preconceived and misconceived notions, false assumptions…
Ocean Invertebrates
After reading the Smithsonian book about Octopi We built a community fence for our octopi as we discussed their habits, disguises and behaviors.
Hello Parents, Educators and Friends
For more than forty years I have been experimenting with optimal ways to develop fundamental executive skills. I did what was asked of me as a teacher, got the credentials, followed protocol as much as I could stomach. I often…