Old Firehouse School Chat
54 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsWhat do all parents need to know? Listen to child development expert Dr. Dorothy Stewart, owner of Old Firehouse Schools, talk about your every day problems with children. With a variety of guest speakers, she tackles everything from potty training to kindergarten readiness.
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Episodes
Deepening Relationships with your Child
June 13, 2024 22:35 - 38 minutes - 29.7 MBJoin hosts Alexandra Dutton and Rachel Turtledove for a wonderful discussion with Todd Sarner, MFT, about how to deepen your relationship with your child. Todd shares ways to connect with a child after a separation (like being apart all day with work and school) as well as why some children will seemingly reject you or your overtures of support and love. His strategies focus on Attachment Theory, which is at the heart of Old Firehouse Schools. Together they share some of the day-to-day strug...
A Family's Role in Anti-Bias Education
May 16, 2024 18:04 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBDorothy and Alex return to a topic from our first podcast: Anti-Bias Education. They talk with Shaquam Edwards, who is part of the early education faculty at the College of Marin. She discusses the role families can play in exploring culture, diversity, and equity. She shares activities families can do together to learn about each other, as well as developmentally appropriate ways to build bridges to learning about other cultures, celebrations, and traditions. Books mentioned: Anti-Bias ...
Nature-Based Education: An Introduction to OFS Bayview
April 29, 2024 21:32 - 10 minutes - 9.65 MBNature has always been a part of the educational experience at OFS, but our newest campus, OFS Bayview, will take that to a new level! Director Alexandra Dutton is joined by Laura Hislop of St. Luke's, where the Bayview campus is located. Together they talk with Dr. Dorothy Stewart and Bayview director Jackie Buhl about their vision to combine attachment and nature into curriculum that is sure to inspire any preschooler.
The Importance of Music
March 27, 2024 19:28 - 16 minutes - 16.6 MBMusic plays an important role in all of our lives, and this is especially true for young children. Alexandra Dutton, Judy Haus, and Liza Pevzner discuss ways that music increases language development, memory skills, and motor skills for children. If you aren't a music lover or someone who is comfortable singing, listen to hear ways you can incorporate more music into your life with your child. Some of the songs mentioned: Miss Katie sings: https://youtu.be/1R8pmh8I6FU?feature=shared Snoo...
Rules of Thumb for Your Preschooler's Birthday Party
January 26, 2024 21:25 - 24 minutes - 23.9 MBWhen your child's birthday rolls around, it's a special time to celebrate! Join Judy Haus, Rachel Turtledove, and Alexandra Dutton as they talk about birthday parties for our youngest children, from the perspective of both educators and parents. Sometimes what you want in a party is not what works best for your child's age, personality, or temperament. Hear about some tried and true strategies to plan a great celebration for your child. A wonderful resource for families: https://www.pbs....
My Child Needed Therapy - Parents' Experiences
December 06, 2023 20:42 - 30 minutes - 28 MBThis follow up to the previous episode, "What do you mean my child needs therapy?" lends helpful insights into what the process can be to get outside support for a child. Three parents share the different paths they took to support their children -- one who was anxious, one who had language delays, and one who is autistic. They share the challenges they had and what they and their children ultimately learned from receiving services.
What Do You Mean My Child Needs Therapy?
November 03, 2023 17:43 - 27 minutes - 28.8 MBHosts Alexandra Dutton and Judy Haus speak with Psychologist Carrie Rodrigues and MFT Katrinca Ford about something families often feel confusion or fear about: Hearing that their child may need an assessment or therapy. But what does that really mean, and what does an assessment for a child entail? How long will my child need therapy? Should I worry about my child being labeled? Some resources mentioned in the podcast: Developmental Milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milesto...
What is the Role of Preschool?
October 02, 2023 21:11 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBHow is preschool different than, say, having a nanny? What happens with preschool turns out to be different than what you expected? Host Alexandra Dutton talks with Garrett O'Brien (OFS Mill Valley) and Susie Kohl (White Pony Preschool) about managing your expectations as a parent whose child is starting preschool and how to have a great experience. No surprise here -- it begins with trust!
Emergent Curriculum in Early Education
May 25, 2023 19:57 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBOFS Directors Alexandra Dutton and Danielle Roach are joined by Darcy Campbell, Executive Director of Cow Hollow School in San Francisco. Darcy once said, "(Emergent curriculum) is the hardest way to teach, but the best way." Hear about why our schools choose emergent curriculum, how it prepares children for the future, and how it creates children who are "problem-seekers" in addition to children who are creative, resilient, and able to take the perspectives of others.
Developing Empathy in Children
April 13, 2023 18:41 - 25 minutes - 59.2 MBUntil recently, it was assumed that young children can't really be empathetic and understand the perspectives of others. OFS directors Alexandra Dutton and Lizz Nolasco discuss the recent research that demonstrates that children can develop empathy as young as a year old. They share some strategies help adults teach empathy to young children. In order to live in a democratic society and be part of a community that considers the needs of others, we have to help children grow to understand t...
Literacy Development with Dr. Daniel Meier and Pam Remensperger
March 09, 2023 01:08 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MBAlexandra is joined by Pam Remensperger (OFS TK teacher) and Dr. Daniel Meier, SFSU professor, to talk about literacy development in children. We know that reading to children leads to later reading success, but how? What can educators and parents do to support their child's literacy skills? When should a parent expect their child to learn how to write? All this and more will be discussed in this educational and insightful podcast! Daniel mentioned the podcast, Sold a Story: https://feat...
Inclusion in Preschool
January 27, 2023 22:32 - 29 minutes - 68.6 MBOFS Directors Alexandra Dutton and Lizz Nolasco talk with author and educator Mike Huber about inclusion in preschool. It's becoming increasingly common to see children of diverse abilities in mainstreamed settings. What does inclusion look like in preschools? What are the benefits of classrooms designed for children with a diverse range of abilities? Mike answers all of these questions and helps us understand that inclusion is wonderful for every child. Find more of Mike's work: Inclusion...
Language Development in Young Chidlren
December 15, 2022 22:06 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBLanguage develops in young children at such a wide range, how is a parent to know when something is a concern? Dorothy and Alex are joined by Seven Bridges Speech Pathologists Shannon Kong and Jordan Weck to discuss language milestones for children 0-5, and when to seek additional support. Learn more about Seven Bridges Therapy: https://www.sevenbridgestherapy.com/ American Speech and Hearing Association: www.asha.org
Dr. Monica Gandhi On RSV, Covid, and Flu in Young Children
November 04, 2022 18:30 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBWe invited Dr. Monica Gandhi back to share her expertise on the illnesses we are seeing in all of our preschools. Recorded on Nov. 1, 2022, Dr. Gandhi talks about RSV, vaccinations, long Covid in children, and how to protect our children and families in the holiday season. Her extensive knowledge on Covid and public health allows us to look ahead to plan for illnesses this winter. Some articles mentioned by Dr. Gandhi: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(22)005...
How Are The Kids Doing?
October 14, 2022 19:35 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBDorothy talks with Chelsea Bryson (OFS Assistant Director) and Madison Montoya (OFS Preschool Teacher) about how children are doing 2 1/2 years into this pandemic. They share their insights about children's mental health, current research into children's development, and how to help children move forward. Follow Madison on TikTok and Instagram @theteachmadison
Strength Based Parenting/Teaching
August 19, 2022 19:07 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBOFS Program Directors Alex and Lizz are joined by strength-based coach and educator Emma Tempest to discuss how strength-based teaching/parenting can change your perspectives. We all have a negativity bias that highlights things that we don't like or that go wrong, but what if we instead looked for strengths in ourselves, and in our children? Her ideas help us to see how teaching and parenting can be more joyful for us and for our children. Find your strengths: https://viacharacter.org/ac...
Covid Vaccines for Kids
July 18, 2022 19:26 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBWith Covid vaccines finally being approved for children under the age of 5, we have a lot of questions! Alexandra Dutton (OFS Lafayette) is joined by Lizz Nolasco (OFS San Rafael) to talk to Dr. Yasuko Fukuda. Dr. Fukuda is a pediatrician in San Francisco who is the current chair of the California AAP, and has been on the board of the California Immunization Coalition. She will answer questions about the new vaccines and help us understand how Covid has affected young children's health. W...
Dual Language Learners
May 10, 2022 19:38 - 20 minutes - 20.3 MBEver wonder how children learn language? What about children learning more than one language? Alexandra Dutton, OFS Lafayette Program Director, is joined by OFS San Rafael Program Director Lizz Nolasco and Elodie Resurrection from Ecole Bilingue to discuss the way dual language learners acquire language. They put to rest some of the myths about learning multiple languages as young children, and share ways to support language development at home.
Growth Mindset with Michele Bailey
March 22, 2022 22:55 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBWhat do you do when you're frustrated and can't complete a task? How do you model resilience and perseverance to your children? Michele Bailey, MA Ed. joins OFS Program Director Alexandra Dutton, MA Ed. to discuss Growth Mindset. Growth Mindset is an idea coined by Dr. Carol Dweck about helping children see the value in their potential and their efforts, rather than only in their results. It's a game changer for both children and adults. The books discussed were: Rosie Revere, Enginee...
COVID and Preschoolers with Dr. Monica Gandhi
February 04, 2022 23:26 - 19 minutes - 17.3 MBIf you have children under the age of 5, January 2022 may have been one of the most stressful months since the beginning of the pandemic. The Omicron variant shuttered classrooms and left families and educators with questions about vaccines, masking, and the safety of being at school. Dorothy and Alex talk with UCSF COVID expert Dr. Monica Gandhi about how COVID has impacted families with children who can't be vaccinated against COVID yet, and what may be coming in the near future as we con...
How Do You Find Quality Childcare?
December 09, 2021 19:28 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBFinding the right preschool for your child is a daunting experience. Dorothy and the directors, Alex, Judy, Lizz and Danielle, share what they think families should look at when they are exploring childcare and preschools. Does curriculum matter more than the educational level of the teachers? Why is it so hard to find good schools? Childcare is also being impacted by the Transitional Kindergarten expansion. You can read the full letter from the podcast written by Holly Gould owner ...
How Are Preschools Faring Right Now
October 21, 2021 18:38 - 20 minutes - 15.6 MBWe keep hearing about the ways that child care programs and preschools are struggling right now. Listen as Dorothy, owner and executive director of Old Firehouse Schools, talks with educators Judy Haus, Lizz Nolasco, Danielle Roach, and Alexandra Dutton about the state of the Old Firehouse Schools. How are teachers really doing? How are children handling starting school after being mostly at home for the last year? We discuss what we have noticed in our programs and lessons we have learned.
Importance Of Play with Deya Hill
February 05, 2020 18:38 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBWhy is play so important? Dorothy Stewart and Alexandra Dutton are joined by Deya Hill, author, former preschool director and college professor. Deya explains the value of play and what children are learning from play. Dribble Drabble Art: Process Art Experiences for Young Children by Deya Brashears Hill Why Play? by Chris Pancoast
Trauma Informed Parenting with Julie Kurtz, MFT
January 15, 2020 21:32 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBThis episode has it all -- neuroscience, parenting, and real life stories. Dorothy Stewart and Alexandra Dutton are joined by Julie Kurtz, MFT who has written two books on trauma. She works with young children who have experienced trauma as well as their teachers and caregivers. Trauma is experienced by 50% of children under the age of 8. The good news: With knowledge of how to help children feel safe and discuss their emotions, we can help them move past events that can otherwise perma...
Trauma Podcast With Julie Kurtz
January 15, 2020 21:32 - 26 minutesThis episode has it all -- neuroscience, parenting, and real life stories. Dorothy Stewart and Alexandra Dutton are joined by Julie Kurtz, MFT who has written two books on trauma. She works with young children who have experienced trauma as well as their teachers and caregivers. Trauma is experienced by 50% of children under the age of 8. The good news: With knowledge of how to help children feel safe and discuss their emotions, we can help them move past events that can otherwise perma...
Preparing for Emergencies
December 11, 2019 19:34 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBWith the new reality of fire season and power shutoffs, the discussion of emergency preparedness is important. Dorothy and Alexandra Dutton talk with an OFS family, Annette and Dan McCormick, who had to evacuate their home due to the fire in Lafayette in October. They share their experience, what they learned, and what they will do differently -- and we hope their experience helps all of us be more prepared.
Navigating the Holidays
November 15, 2019 19:37 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBThe holidays are a wonderful time to spend with family and friends, and to introduce your children to special traditions. Sometimes all of these new people, new expectations, and new foods are a bit overwhelming for young children, so what is a parent to do? Dorothy, Judy Haus (OFS Walnut Creek Director) and Alexandra Dutton (OFS Lafayette director) share ways to make the holidays more enjoyable to for everyone, relatives and children included! We referenced this fantastic article from th...
Traveling With Children
October 17, 2019 23:11 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBAre you traveling with your children soon, or thinking about how to take a vacation with your little ones? Let us help you! Dorothy speaks with Alexandra Dutton, OFS Program Director, and Lisa Kallen from Alamo World Travel and Tours, about all the things to consider when traveling with children. From tips on flying, to tips on hotels, Lisa covers all the bases. For more information about Alamo World Travel, please see their website: https://www.alamoworld.com
Making Doctor's Visits Easier
October 03, 2019 23:43 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBDo you have a dreaded doctor's visit coming up and you already know your child will scream like a banshee when getting a shot? We are here to help! Dorothy speaks with Rachel Turtledove and Alexandra Dutton on the best ways to prepare children for routine doctor's visits as well as more serious ones. Rachel and Alexandra both have children who have required special medical care and have tried many of these strategies to soothe their children. You'll be all ready for your child's flu shot ...
Making Transitions Easier
September 13, 2019 23:47 - 10 minutes - 9.79 MBThe new school year is under way, and if you're having a hard time saying goodbye at drop off at preschool or daycare, this podcast is for you! Dorothy is joined by Judy Haus and Alexandra Dutton, and they share some strategies to help ease the pain of saying goodbye. The most important rule: Never sneak out!
Introducing Young Children to Nature
July 24, 2019 17:44 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBListen to this while you're on a walk! Dorothy and Alex talk with Sharol Embry (naturalist with East Bay Regional Parks) and Cindy Margulis (Executive Director of Golden Gate Audubon Society) about how to explore nature with young children. Nature can be a destresser and offers ways to build compassion -- but only when you allow your children time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Sharol and Cindy share stories that show it's simple to get children to love nature. https://goldengateaudubon...
The Importance of Grandparents
July 10, 2019 18:37 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBDorothy speaks with Alexandra Dutton and Dr. Judith Van Hoorn, author and professor, about the art of grandparenting. As a grandparent herself, Judith is writing a book about the role of play and the art of being present and available to support both her children and grandchildren. They share insights on how powerful grandparent figures can be in the lives of children.
Separation
June 21, 2019 17:28 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBShakespeare wrote, "Parting is such sweet sorrow," but it's not always sweet when you have children who are loathe to let you go! Dorothy speaks with Alexandra Dutton and Judy Haus about ways to ease separations, whether you're going to be apart for just the school day, or gone for a longer trip. (And pardon the noise of the fan in the background -- it was 100 degrees when we recorded this!) Books Judy mentioned: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn The Invisible String by Patrice Karst Bye By...
Circle Of Security With Valentina Torres
June 04, 2019 18:06 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBIn a special episode of Fireside Chats on the Young Mind, Alexandra Dutton speaks with Valentina Torres, who did a workshop on the "Circle of Security" for parents and teachers. The Circle of Security offers ways for families to understand how attachment plays a role in children's development and behavior. Lydia Benevides and Mona Kim, two OFS teachers, share their takeaways from the talk and how it has affected work in the classroom.
How To Handle Grief With Preschoolers
May 17, 2019 18:06 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBGrief is something we don't want to have to talk about with young children, but saying the right thing can make a difference in how children process a sad event. Dorothy talks with Judy Haus and Rachel Turtledove about handling grief with young children, both as parents and as educators. They discuss why it's important to NOT say that someone has "passed away" or "We lost him," and how parents serve as the model for this challenging emotion. For more resources, check out these websites: h...
Technology With Preschoolers
April 26, 2019 18:11 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBDo you feel guilty about how much your child uses technology? Dorothy talks with Alex Dutton and Danielle Roach about the ways preschoolers and parents can use technology -- and you may be surprised at what they say! The truth is, the more educators and parents know, the more they can make informed decisions about appropriate use of the technology in our world. Websites recommended for viewing: commonsensemedia.org zerotothree.org naeyc.org Games/Apps we recommend: YouTube Kids Bugs and B...
Keeping Kids Healthy with Dr. Nazia Sheriff
March 22, 2019 19:42 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBDorothy is joined by Dr. Nazia Sheriff of Olive Leaf Pediatrics, who shares some hints about keeping healthy all year long, which can be challenging when you have little ones! Learn about what you can do to prevent illnesses in your children, and when you should bring your child to the doctor vs. just riding it out. Learn more about Dr. Sheriff's practice, which includes doing house calls, at https://www.oliveleafpeds.com/
Math with Preschoolers
March 06, 2019 21:26 - 11 minutes - 10.1 MBWhile we may not all have great memories of math, we can shape our children's minds about math through simple and easy strategies and games. Dorothy talks with Alexandra Dutton and Michele Bailey, an OFS Lafayette teacher about how to create an environment where children will love math. They discuss the importance of Sets, Number Sense, and Counting.
Executive Function With Zero To Three
February 14, 2019 23:00 - 13 minutes - 12 MBIn August 2018, Old Firehouse School hosted the speakers from the national organization, Zero to Three. The speakers, Christy Stanton and Katrina Macasaet, discussed brain development in children 0-5 years old -- specifically executive functions, which are key skills, like problem solving, that all children need. Listen here to learn more about executive function, how it relates to your child's development, and how you can help it further develop.
Sibling Rivalry
January 14, 2019 18:54 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBWhen siblings fight, it can drive parents crazy! Dorothy Stewart talks with Judy Haus and Alexandra Dutton about how to help create positive relationships between siblings and specific language to use. They discuss why comparing your children is unhelpful (02:23), what to do when name calling occurs (05:30)and how to handle the classic, "That's not fair!" (10:56) We were greatly inspired by Todd Sarner's Transformative Parenting video about sibling relationships, as well as Adele Faber & E...
Holiday Sanity
December 07, 2018 18:08 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBHolidays are a time of joy -- and stress -- for us all! Alexandra Dutton and Judy Haus, Old Firehouse School directors, share some strategies to help all of us enjoy the holidays more by simplifying our expectations and schedules.
Gratitude
November 20, 2018 20:35 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBOFS Program Director Alexandra Dutton talks with teacher Madison Montoya about the importance of Gratitude. Gratitude is shown to help improve mental health and ward off negative emotions, while helping us to be more present and positive. Madison and Alexandra share activities and games that encourage building the gratitude muscle.
Halloween Tips with Rachel and Alex
October 24, 2018 20:44 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBHalloween is a fun, but sometimes scary, holiday for young children. Alexandra Dutton, OFS Program Director, and Rachel Turtledove, OFS Lafayette Preschool Teacher, discuss ways to make this holiday fun, safe, and memorable for our young ones.
Biting
October 04, 2018 19:32 - 10 minutes - 9.39 MBAll living things bite! But when that means your little one is biting you, or worse, biting other children, that is not an easy pill to swallow. Dorothy speaks with the OFS directors, Amy Baker, Judy Haus, and Alexandra Dutton, about why children bite, how to stop it, and how we deal with it at our schools.
Nutrition With Cary Berkley
September 13, 2018 00:25 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBSometimes it can seem like an uphill battle to get children to eat! Nutritionist and former OFS parent Cary Berkley talks with Dorothy about how to help your children eat better and why it can be such a challenge. Get some really good, interesting tips about making mealtimes more pleasant for everyone. For more information on Cary's work, or to consult with her, check out her website: http://www.newfamilynutrition.com/
Kindergarten Readiness
August 10, 2018 05:37 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBKindergarten is around the corner for many of our children! Dorothy and Alex talk with former Old Firehouse School teacher Stephanie Vollmer, who has taught Kindergarten up to 3rd grade. Stephanie shares her insights about the big transition for children and families as they enter Kindergarten, as well as the important things to consider for these first few months of school -- like getting fingerprinted! Hear more about how that's important in this episode.
Mindfulness With Maylis And Katharine
July 26, 2018 18:21 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBMindfulness has been a part of Old Firehouse School's work with children for many years. Alex talks with Katharine Peck (OFS Mill Valley)and Maylis Treuil (OFS Lafayette) about how and why they use mindfulness in their classroom, both for the children and for themselves. Being able to be present in the moment is a skill that you can develop at any age. They share some activities they use with children and also some other resources. Some of the resources they mentioned are here: Sitting ...
Self Regulation
July 11, 2018 04:31 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBFor young children, self regulation is a skill they are developing. They are still working on understanding how to respond to both positive and negative moments. Dorothy and Alex talk with Cheryl, an OFS Walnut Creek teacher and MFT, about how to help children develop self regulation and what our role is as parent or teacher.
Discipline Part 1
June 13, 2018 19:40 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBEver wonder how preschool teachers manage so many children throughout the day? Judy, OFS Walnut Creek director and Alex, OFS Lafayette director discuss some of our tried and true strategies that help make the day go better for everyone! They also share some child development knowledge that helps to understand what is happening in those little brains.
Attachment: The Importance of Relationships
May 22, 2018 02:46 - 13 minutes - 12 MBOFS Mill Valley Director Amy Baker interviews Dorothy, who discusses the importance of attachment. People have an innate need to feel love and be connected to others, and these attachments are formed in the earliest years in our lives. Dorothy talks about how our parenting is affected by how we were parented, as well as how advancements in neuroscience support attachment relationships.