Early Parenting Archives - Page 12 of 12

May 16 2017

What Should You Consider When Selecting Your Child’s Preschool?

Each spring, parents struggle when making a decision about selecting the appropriate learning environment for their preschool child. Important considerations should include the following:

What type of learning environment supports your child?
Does the school provide both academic and play centered learning activities?
Is the school day structured to meet your child’s needs?
Does the school provide for outside activities, free play, arts exploration, and creative expression?
Does the school’s curriculum accommodate a variety of learning modes?
Should you register for a school that requires parent participation?
Is the school accessible from your home and work place?
How much can you afford to spend on a preschool program?
Does the school provide flexible extended care hours beyond the regular school day?
Do the students represent the demographics of your community?

[Read more…]

Joyce Iwasaki, Early Parenting

Joyce Iwasaki has over thirty years of educational experience working with diverse students in grades from preschool through high school. Joyce’s extensive background includes teaching elementary school, serving on early childhood advisory boards, and advocating for educational initiatives as a legislative aide. During her tenure as a legislative aide, she helped create legislation that allowed incarcerated mothers to keep their newborn babies with them while in prison. Additional legislation was enacted to allow incarcerated pregnant mothers to remain unshackled during labor and delivery. Ms. Iwasaki established and served as the president of an educational scholarship foundation for fifteen years. Her foundation awarded college scholarships to emerging student leaders who provided service to their schools and communities. Joyce is active in performing arts and cultural organizations. She also provides ongoing support to her daughter and family by raising her grandson in her home.

Mar 19 2017

Encouraging Your Child’s Interests

From a very young age, children demonstrate different interests. As parents and grandparents we can encourage their interests in several ways. We can follow our children’s lead choosing our time and the activities we do together. We can set up an environment that encourages free play and exploration. We can introduce our children to a wide array of resources such as libraries, museums, parks or books, the internet or field trips. [Read more…]

Karen Salzer, Special Education

Karen Salzer has over thirty years’ experience as a resource teacher in the Palo Alto public schools. She earned a doctorate in education from Stanford University. Her areas of expertise involve working with culturally diverse students with special needs including autism, emotional disturbances, learning disabilities, and health issues. As a special educator, Ms. Salzer served as a liaison between parents of special needs students and school staff. She guided parents and staff in identifying an appropriate education for each student in the public school setting. Additionally, she aided students and parents in navigating the educational requirements for graduation, test-taking and in finding support services within the community. Through her leadership, Ms. Salzer encouraged collaborative problem-solving between parents and school staff – such as accommodations for test taking, extended time and use of technology. She loves to follow-up with her students when they become adults and to highlight their many successes in education and careers. Ms. Salzer uses these success testimonials to reassure parents of other children and to encourage them to help their children pursue their full potential. Ms. Salzer is the mother of four adult children and helps care for her five grandchildren

Nov 15 2016

Manage Conflict in the Moment: Stay Calm

How do you manage conflict when you are in the middle of a power struggle with your child?

You are out grocery shopping with your three year old who starts crying for the candy strategically located at the check-out line.
Your teenager has just passed the driving test and wants the keys to the car but you need your car.
Your middle-schooler has broken curfew and not contacted you. What do you do?

Once the struggle has begun, how can you change direction? The first thing you have to do is calm down. Second, help your child to calm down. Third, move on. Here are some strategies for doing this. [Read more…]

Karen Salzer, Special Education