Giving children time for free play helps them develop valuable life skills and build a foundation for learning.

Experts dive into how play supports growth and learning in developing children. According to a story aired on NPR's Innovation Hub, play is a powerful tool that children unknowingly use to establish important life skills. 

Our guest blogger and school counselor, Christa Marvenko-Athas, has some useful insight for coping with our feelings during this stressful time. Take a look at her simple mindfulness practice.

During highly stressful times I find it difficult to stay grounded in the present, although that is one of the best ways of coping with the stress response. Tara Brach, a psychologist, author, and proponent of Buddhist meditation, explains the use of the acronym RAIN as an easy-to-remember tool for practicing mindfulness.  I recommend creating reminders to take moments throughout your day and take a moment to:  

During this hectic time, children can be ushered into developing valuable life skills.

Allowing children to have ample amounts of self-directed, independent play is part of our Children’s Garden daily rhythms. Waldorf children are able to develop imagination while working through challenges with free play during their earliest developmental years and experts say these skills can last a lifetime.

Digital School Spirit Week

Don’t let distance learning completely disconnect you from our community. Next week we will be taking part in a second spirit week in an effort to bring us back together digitally.

Take a look at the list below and snap a photo each day and send them to Lindsay: Lmachak@twsb.org

At the end of the week she’ll post a gallery on our website and across social media platforms.

Experts say children who are openly talking about the worldwide pandemic are having a normal, healthy response.

If your child is casually mentioning COVID-19 in their day to day activities, you shouldn’t be alarmed, experts told The Atlantic.