The Montessori Method
What is experiential learning in Montessori education? All ages Maria Montessori, a pioneer in the field of neuroscience and child development, was the first to...
Innovative Learning, Endless Possibilities
Look for alternative education methods that meet your child's needs by exploring different methods of learning, like homeschooling or Montessori education.
Editor's Picks
A Guide to School Types
From private to online, we explore school options now available for families post-pandemic. Schools have no doubt changed since 2020 and its difficult to choose
AI in OC
How artificial intelligence may impact the future educational landscape here and beyond. Baby Boomers were the first to be raised with television.
Recent Articles
The Montessori Method
What is experiential learning in Montessori education? All ages Maria Montessori, a pioneer in the field of neuroscience and child development, was the first to recognize the connection between movement and cognition. Her scientific observations led her to conclude that physical action helps to create stronger neural connections in the brain. Her idea of the “absorbent mind” clearly describes a process where the child integrates information from the environment through experiences gained from sensory integration. She stated, “What the hand does, the mind remembers.” To put it simply, children learn by doing. They need to explore and discover through hands-on...
A Guide to School Types
From private to online, we explore school options now available for families post-pandemic. Schools have no doubt changed since 2020 and its difficult to choose
The Montessori Difference
LiMai Montessori Academy directors weigh in on why to choose a Montessori education. Why should I choose a Montessori preschool for my 3-year-old child?
Montessori Prep
A Montessori mom and educator offers tips for preparing for your child’s early school days. Montessori education instills important values and life lessons.
High Expectations
Special education teacher Nicole Messick has a deep passion for helping nurture student potential. They may look different. They may behave differently.
AI in OC
How artificial intelligence may impact the future educational landscape here and beyond. Baby Boomers were the first to be raised with television.
A Growth Mindset
LiMai Montessori Academy is setting the bar for expansion of the famous method…
YMCA of Orange County
We are a place where everyone belongs. We are a place to be healthy and make meaningful connections. Our 5 fitness facilities provide equipment and classes for all fitness levels and abilities. They provide a place to build and foster friendships, reclaim healthy habits, overcome challenges and set new goals. We are a positive place for kids. With 80 before and after school enrichment locations, we offer children K-8th grade the opportunity to learn, connect, and thrive in a safe and educational environment.
Teaching Kids to Give Back
(Photo Courtesy of Ismael Paramo/Unsplash) With summer break coming up, it’s a good time to think about activities to teach children how to give back locally. Sometimes it can be uncomfortable for us to talk to our kids about giving back, because then we have to go into deeper conversations about why other families may need our help. By teaching our children at an early age that giving back to those who need a helping hand is the right thing to do, we can set up the trajectory of their path to giving for years to come. And when they’re...
The Prentice School
The Prentice School is designed for students with language-based learning disabilities, including dyslexia, and co-occurring conditions like ADHD. Located on a beautiful 6.6 acre campus in the central Orange County foothills, Prentice offers a premiere educational environment for our students. Our research-based, multisensory teaching methods focus on how students learn. Our innovative program is common-core aligned and includes Orton-Gillingham Structured Literacy, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies/History, Social Communications, Social-Emotional Learning and PE. www.prentice.org | 714-538-4511
Dreams for Schools
Dreams for Schools is hosting four exciting live virtual STEAM Classes! Any student in 1st to 12th grade (6 to 18 years old) is invited to attend. Your child can get an introduction to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math with Let’s Explore STEM, learn to code with Coding Games with Scratch, build and create with Engineering Inventors, or make their own website in our Web Development class. Visit www.dreamsforschools.org/programs to sign up today!
Kids in a Pod: Parents Seeking Educational Alternatives
In a COVID-19 world parents are now forming ‘pandemic pods’ for their kids. When her 7-year-old twins’ Los Alamitos school shut down in March — along with the rest of the state — Eunice Shin started thinking about alternatives. “I've been talking to two other families that are from my kids' classes about possibly doing a group learning,” said Shin. “All of the families have moms working full time from home and it has been challenging juggling both work and school for kids.” Following the school shutdowns and resulting move for education onto virtual platforms, parents were thrust into new,...
Experts Point Towards Success in an Online Learning Environment
Gone Virtual: Orange County distance learning experts share advice for helping students thrive. Gov. Gavin Newsom had not yet finished his July 17 briefing when Corinne Mosqueda, a teacher in the Fullerton School District, got the first text message. Newsom’s announcement that counties on California’s COVID-19 watch list — including Orange County — would not start their school year with in-person instruction or hybrid models but with distance learning only, sent some parents into panic mode. A friend and parent reached out to Mosqueda via text asking if she knew of any student teachers who would be willing to work...
Solutions to Summer and Pandemic Learning Loss for Students
Left to right, Ivy Marshall, Everett Lewis, Ellie Marshall, Eliza Lewis, Emma Lewis Though the pandemic, distance learning, and summer break may all contribute to more brain drain for students this year, there are simple things parents can do to help. The summer struggle is real. While summer vacation is typically a time for students to kick back at home, the extended break can also lead to regression in academic proficiency or what is more commonly known as “summer slide.” “We always encourage students to engage in activities that challenge their critical thinking skills and pique their curiosity any time...
At-Home Learning for the Working Parent
Don’t miss these valuable expert tips for adapting to the new home environment for both learning and working. Orange County families have probably heard “education starts at home.” Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, however, this adage takes on new meaning. Some parents are working from home while also taking the lead on their child’s education. Managing your workload while ensuring your child doesn’t fall behind can be stressful. Fortunately, there are many experts in Orange County with sound advice. “Start from a place of empathy,” says Sarah Shawesh, CEO and founder of Orange County-based Building Resilience in Communities and Kids Consulting Group. “[Children]...
Camps and After-School Programs Teaching Academic and Life Skills
Storymakery in Laguna Hills teaches children a passion for writing by giving them the tools to create stories. Camps and after-school programs can teach important academic and life skills while creating a memorable, enjoyable experience. Faith Vidal was only 6 when she started attending the Storymakery writing camp. And she wasn’t super excited about writing then, according to her mom, Gina. But that quickly changed for Faith, who is now 8, and has attended the camp for the past three summers. “For the past three years, writing is her favorite subject in school,” says Gina. “She loves to write all...
Outdoor Education
Dyllan Stanfield’s eyes lit up when she saw the hedgehog … and the opossum … and all the goats. The 6-year-old—an aspiring veterinarian, according to her mom—had many questions for the Orange County Zoo zookeepers on a recent visit. And she got many answers in return. “We are able to educate children on the importance of wildlife, and how to have a respect for nature, since we share many of the same spaces, and may encounter wildlife at any time,” said Marcy Crede-Booth, curator of education for the OC Zoo. “Our zoo primarily has animals that are native to our...
OC Cooking and Baking Classes
Whether it’s girls’ night out or family bonding time, these OC cooking and baking classes will make you feel like a domestic goddess with fun, food, and laughter. Sweet Crumb Bakery Every little girl dreams of owning a pet unicorn, and while they can’t be bought, they can be made. Sweet Crumb Bakery runs a class that teaches moms (and children ages 10 and up) how to bake a cake that takes the form of the mystical and elusive horned horse (pictured). Students begin the class by learning how to assemble, cut, fill and level their cakes. Next, they crumb...
Vacation with Education
Avoid the summer slide in learning by incorporating these fun ways to maintain and improve learning while on vacation. Learning, especially with young minds, is assisted when children see how the skills they are being taught in school are useful and can be applied in “real life.” Abstract concepts are hard for young children to grasp, so applying their lessons not only makes learning more fun, but also gives it some purpose. Reading Reading won’t be a chore if you ask your children’s help with road signs, airport information, menus, visitor guides, etc. Read about where you are going and...
A Knott’s Education
A Minuteman stood outside Knott’s Berry Farm’s replica of Independence Hall regaling students from Purch Avenue Elementary School in Gardena with the exploits of those Revolutionary War heroes. Meanwhile, over on Knott’s Silver Bullet roller coaster, students from Orange County’s Kestrel Learning Academy were riding it – not just for fun, but to learn about physics. “They see the world around them and learn more outside the classroom than inside,” said Harriet Goren of the Academy. The students were at the theme park participating in its educational programs that have been offered since 1955. “Walter Knott started the program by...
Tutoring Success Stories
Education is no longer confined to the walls of a classroom. A stretched-thin public school system — coupled with an increasingly competitive economy — have families turning to tutoring services for an academic boost. Indeed, tutoring is becoming big business. The global private tutoring industry is expected to reach more than $100 billion by this year, according to a Global Industry Analysts report. There’s good reason for the investment. Studies show that tutoring can have numerous short- and long-term effects on students. It improves academic achievement, boosts entrance exam scores, and helps students better understand core subjects. Here are some...
School Houses
Home-schooling rocks for these OC families While many of us are checking supply lists, picking out new shoes and clipping the tags off this year’s backpack, many OC parents have chosen a different educational route for their kids. Here are a few we’ve met and why out of the box learning gets an A in their book. Carol Freeman School for an Athlete’s Schedule While there are many reasons to look outside of traditional school, for some kids with extraordinary talent in sports, acting or dance, it is a practical choice that offers freedom to pursue greatness. When the immensity...
Government Getaways
Miss Abigail Goes to Washington (and So Can You!) Twelve-year-old Abigail, a native of Huntington Beach, was born with a congenital heart condition. She has endured three open-heart surgeries and additional operations throughout her short life. Although she has faced many challenges because of her condition, she doesn’t let it get in her way from succeeding in school. Abigail has always enjoyed learning and has developed a fascination with the government and how it works. On Friday, March 17, Abigail learned her Make-a-Wish wish to go to Washington D.C. to learn more about the nation’s history, would soon be granted....
Little Peeps Storytime Yoga
This new mobile children’s yoga and mindfulness business has earned rave reviews from many parents of children with Autism. The instructors call on their Montessori Method background and adjust classes to meet the sensory needs of all children. Every month has a theme that is translated into yoga. A Space theme might start out with a Darth Vader pranayama breath. Instructors would then read a Star Wars story and invite children to act out the poses, like Luke Skywalker (Warrior Pose). Classes include stories and yoga, Sensorial color sorting, Science projects, Language development, Cooking projects, Art, Cultural and Physical Geography,...
Get Smart
Kids will have so much fun playing with these finds, they won’t even notice they are getting a good dose of education in the process. Fairy Tales Problem Solving STEM Kits Kids engineer happier endings to fairy tales—design a house that can’t be blown down, construct a bridge that keeps three goats safe from the troll and build a chair even Goldilocks can’t break. Each of the three included sets feature a STEM-focused story card, building materials and student/teacher lesson plans. $149, www.lakeshorelearning.com Tinkering Labs’ Electric Motor Catalyst This 50-part project kit includes electric motor prototypes to build and test...
Girl Power
Celebrating Women’s History Month in OC In the field of women’s history, Orange County is a goldmine. It is home to the fastest woman on record, a former First Lady, world-famous actresses and singers, Olympic medalists and more. And so, with March’s National Women’s History Month before us, parents needn’t look far when seeking ways to teach and inspire children. Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Anaheim, www.nixonlibrary.gov Beside every man stands a strong woman – and that’s especially true when he happens to be president of the United States. Learn more about one former president’s right-hand woman at the...
Time for Camp? Pack your Brain!
Benefits of Educational Summer Camps and Programs Summer is rapidly approaching, and while your children are most likely looking forward to the lazy days of summer, as a parent you will want your child to continue developing the skills they have obtained over this past school year. Luckily, summer provides an excellent opportunity to take advantage of the rich array of educational activities Southern California has to offer. Our area gives access to amazing summer programs and courses. Why is this great news for your child? Summer learning programs have the potential to help children improve their current standing or...
Thinking About Homeschooling?
Here’s what it is and what it isn’t. Today, homeschooling looks and feels very differently than it did decades ago. Homeschooling is practically mainstream; everyone seems to know someone who is homeschooling and most moms have thought about it themselves. As opposed to traditional schooling, homeschooling is when parents or guardians take on the role of teacher and the responsibility of educating their children. In contrast to public or private school, children receive a personalized, individualized education — one of the main benefits of homeschooling. According to the U.S. Department of Education, from 2003 to 2012, the number of homeschooled...
The Bank of Mom
Educating Kids on Money Matters Scheduling annual wellness exams for our children is a high priority, but complete wellness goes beyond mental and physical health. Raising kids to become happy independent adults includes teaching them to be financially responsible. A recent study by the Council for Economic Education shows that children who receive financial education have higher credit scores at the age of 22 as opposed to those who do not. We can boost our children’s financial health by talking about money matters in our daily life both early and often. Unlike hiring tutors or paying for travel team trainers,...
The Inner Leader
Camp can allow children the chance to take charge. Camp offers the camaraderie of building friendships, problem-solving tasks from campfire-starting to color-war-strategizing and freedom from the responsibilities of daily family life. But one benefit that doesn’t always spring to mind is its fertile environment for growing leadership skills. Some children seem to effortlessly fall into the role of leader, no matter what the situation. However, there are those children who are late bloomers. These are the ones who blend in early on, but blossom with maturity and become presidents of their high school class or captains of a varsity team....