As much as our children need to develop their academic skills, how much more so do they need to learn about appreciating those around them and demonstrating kindness and respect. As such, we make a point of interspersing our general themes with themes that encompass values that we hope to impart.

Inside: 80 of the best conversation starters for kids! Conversation starters are organized by category and kinds of questions: Getting to know your child (even) better, questions to encourage gratitude, questions to foster a resilient mindset, questions to develop critical and creative thinking, questions to foster emotional growth and empathy, fun and funny questions, and what fills your cup? Favorites! For kids of all ages from toddlers to teens.

The Reggio Emilia approach is an educational philosophy and pedagogy focused on preschool and primary education. This approach is a student-centered and constructivist self-guided curriculum that uses self-directed, experiential learning in relationship-driven environments.

Tu B'Shvat is the day when the sap begins to rise through the tree. In other words, we can’t see the fruit yet, but we are celebrating the process of growth itself, most of which we can’t see because it’s beneath the surface of the ground.

The question arises: Why would we celebrate by eating fruit which has not yet started growing on the trees? Furthermore, why would we celebrate a process that we cannot see and that is only beginning to take place beneath the soil?

The answer lies in the lesson we learn from this. Life is not a destination; rather it is a process and a journey. Such is the journey of early childhood.

We as parents often forget that it is more what we do and what our children see us do when we don't realise they are watching, that guides their beliefs and behaviours than what we say.

Back-to-school jitters are to be expected even in normal times, which 2020 is surely not. After months at home, children leaving the nest may fuel intense separation anxiety. Add to that new rules about masks and social distancing, not to mention fear of the virus itself, and you can expect an army of kids clinging to their parents when that first bell rings

If you are supporting kids and teens through this, they need to know that whatever they are feeling is normal.

Being home with children means learning which battles to fight

There is currently a lot happening at Mina, Zoom classes, one on one sessions, activity packs, crafts, experiments, and lots of learning. There are too the frustrations, technical issues, expectations and of course the children who just want to go back to school to play with their friends.

We advertise Mina Lopato Nursery School as an Inclusive community that celebrates diversity, curiosity and kindness. Many of you have enrolled in our school for these reasons (among others). We love that about you which is why we journey together challenging that we are living up to our motto and making sure to better ourselves as and when we find ourselves falling short.

In my conversations with you and other parents over the last few months you have shared many varied concerns with me. Talking about what bothers you (as well as new ideas and suggestions) is one of my favourite parts of of being involved in children and their parent's lives.

People generally are stressed and worried about their job security, the economy, schools reopening and and and — but in all of that I have a sense that the stress of the new situation has now settled somewhat into the new (almost) normal.