PIFS Tag

29 Oct

Published on October 29, 2015 in Guest Contributors by

  Most likely, few of you readers of this column are grandparents. Most of you who have young children, however, probably have one or more parents of your own who play a role in your children’s lives. As a grandparent myself, I offer this column to encourage you to give some thought to the nature of the grandparenting relationship. Perhaps it will even encourage you to open up a conversation with your parents that will make...

22 Oct

Published on October 22, 2015 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

  The annual Book Fair is one of my favorite events of school life. And a most enjoyable job for me was advising parents on which books their children would love. The classics and the favorites were easy. But every once in a while, we would encounter a book that flew under parent radar, but that children responded to in fresh and authentic ways. Mem Fox is an Australian author of many wonderful children’s books. Two of...

01 Oct

Published on October 1, 2015 in Guest Contributors by

  Now that school has started, children will frequently be bringing home papers, drawings, craft projects and things they have collected that they want to share with their parents. Behind each of these offerings is a message. Often, however, our parental response fails to take into account the subtleties of the messages children are trying to convey. Too often we respond with a stock phrase such as “Good job!” or “It’s beautiful!” without really considering why...

24 Sep

Published on September 24, 2015 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

  Most parents understand that children learn primarily through play. Yet, when their child attends a play-based nursery school, they may wonder whether he or she is being challenged, being thoroughly prepared for elementary school, being exposed to “academics.” Studies show that rote learning at a young age does not stick. Children may develop a temporary edge over their playing peers, but it is just that, temporary. And while they are being taught and drilled, they are...

16 Jul

Published on July 16, 2015 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

  The answer is simple: EVERYTHING! You know the saying, “If I’d known grandchildren were so great, I’d have had them first.” Of course it doesn’t work that way. But I understand why people say it. Grandchildren are pure joy, without the mixture of love, anxiety and expectation we have for our own children. One thing that makes the grandparent/grandchild relationship so special is the quality of the time together. Because most grandparents don’t see their grandchildren...

02 Jul

Published on July 2, 2015 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

Of course you do! They are in camp, or playing on a baseball or soccer team, or at the club pool or taking a tennis lesson. You or another adult is with them. Or maybe they are at home, watching a movie, TV, playing a video game or being tutored. Maybe they are in your car, being driven to an activity. They are not out on their own. Children’s free play has all but disappeared from...

18 Jun

Published on June 18, 2015 in Guest Contributors by

  In my last column I explored the concept of “good stress,” the idea that healthy cognitive and emotional growth requires the opportunity to meet challenges and discover that one can deal with minor frustrations and failures. The essential concept is that good stress is experienced as welcome challenge and does not become overwhelming. In a perfect world, we would design our environment to provide just the optimal level of challenge meted out in optimal doses. Our...

17 Jun

Published on June 17, 2015 in Education & Programs by

Not many summer camps accept 2-year olds. Putnam Indian Field School does. It is a perfect place for young children to experience the fun of summer camp. June 22 – July 23, 2015 Staffed by caring and experienced professionals, PIFS Camp helps children transition from home to school with a minimum of stress. Inside and out, the school is sized for young children. Safety is paramount. Each of the 5 weeks features a different provocation. Your child will love...

28 May

Published on May 28, 2015 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

Reggio Emilia burst upon the early childhood scene in 1991 when Newsweek described their schools in Northern Italy as “the best early childhood experience in the world.” Suddenly educators everywhere were studying their philosophies and practices. There was a lot to study: books, videos, tours to the schools, conferences led by Reggio educators in the U.S. Throughout, the Italians told us, “Don’t try to copy us. You have to find your own projects based in your...

21 May

Published on May 21, 2015 in Guest Contributors by

  On May 5th and again on May 12th a number of parents gathered at Putnam Indian Field School to discuss issues prompted by the book Mindful Parenting by Kristen Race. Most of the discussion centered on ways in which parents can be mindful of the effects of the stressors in our overstimulating and over-programmed 21st century environment and can make changes in their home environments to reduce stress. While no one questions the pervasive unhealthy effects of...

07 May

Published on May 7, 2015 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

  As the end of nursery school approaches, inevitably parents wonder about how their children will fare in the big next school. Have they been “prepared?” Many parents associate preparedness with academics, but social development is more essential for success. If the children have learned to renounce biting, punching, crying, whining and tattling as problem-solving techniques and have taken responsibility for negotiating their own issues verbally, peacefully, they are prepared. If they know how to self-regulate, to...

04 May

Published on May 4, 2015 in Mom of the Week by

What do you love to do with your children? How old are they? And what is your greatest wish for them?  On September 24th, 2014 my husband Matthew and I briefly relocated to a remote Texas town of 3,400 people where a young doctor with cowboy boots under his hospital scrubs brought our beautiful baby boy into this world. My son Griffin Charles is now 7 months old and I cannot believe how quickly the time...

30 Apr

Published on April 30, 2015 in Education & Programs by

[caption id="attachment_5972" align="aligncenter" width="288"] Children Gather to Honor Mr. Wierdsma and Their School[/caption] On April 26th, children at the Putnam Indian Field School had a lot to celebrate. It was the 37th anniversary of the school’s incorporation. Sue Donaghy, in her first year as Head of School, had decided a Founder’s Day party was in order. The whole school gathered together to sing “Happy Birthday” to PIFS. The celebration was attended by the former Head of School,...

28 Apr

Published on April 28, 2015 in Education & Programs, Giving Back by

At the Putnam Indian Field School, the children love to express themselves through their art work. At their annual Art Show on April 24th and 25th, they got to prove to their parents how beautiful their work is. The projects they exhibited were multi-faceted and long term, featuring elements of language, sculpture, paper-making, drawing, and painting.  One Pre K class made their own colorful paper and then used it as a frame for a family portrait...

20 Apr

Published on April 20, 2015 in Mom of the Week by

What do you love to do with your children? How old are they? And what is your greatest wish for them?  I love to visit local farms and Audubon centers with both of my children. Our older son, Chris, is 25 and our little one, Izzy Jane, is 4 (same husband)! My greatest wish for them is that they love each other and stay connected to each other despite their vast age difference.  When and where are...

16 Apr

Published on April 16, 2015 in Guest Contributors by

  I bet you’ve heard the term bandied about a good deal recently. Perhaps you’ve wondered what it’s really all about and whether it has any relevance to yourself or your parenting. Although the concept has its origins in Eastern religious meditation practices, it has now gained a broad range of meaning and critical relevance to raising happy, healthy, and capable children of the twenty first century. A simple definition of mindfulness is that it involves living in...

09 Apr

Published on April 9, 2015 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

  We’ve all heard children doing it – deciding who will be the mom, the dad, the sister, the puppy. Or maybe they’re playing restaurant, with a chef, a waiter, and a hungry customer or two. Or assuming the roles of a serious but kind doctor, a sick person who needs an operation, a mom with a feverish baby. Children love to make-believe. The more they do it, the more nuanced their performances become.  What may not...

02 Apr

Published on April 2, 2015 in Education & Programs by

If you have a rising 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grader who loves exploring the natural world, Putnam Indian Field School has a great mini-camp. Each morning the group will meet in the PIFS Science room to gather a little knowledge, and then set out in the school’s bus for pond, woods and seashore exploration. Your child will gain awareness of woodland, marine and freshwater ecology while having a great time doing hands-on exploring. Taught by...

19 Mar

Published on March 19, 2015 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

  When I wrote about Self-Regulation, I related it to a child’s ability to take on an unattractive or difficult task when necessary. What does a child do when the teacher announces clean up time? Children with a good sense of self-regulation pitch right in and begin putting things away. They deserve immediate positive attention. Another child may ignore the general command to clean up and either continue playing or just dance around the room contributing nothing....

13 Mar

Published on March 13, 2015 in Education & Programs by

Putnam Indian Field School is a perfect place for young children to experience the fun of summer camp. Staffed by caring and experienced professionals, PIFS Camp helps children transition from home to school with a minimum of stress. Inside and out, the school is sized for young children. Safety is paramount. June 22 – July 23, 2015  Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM  Each of the 5 weeks features a different provocation. Your child will love them all...

28 Feb

Published on February 28, 2015 in Bro of the Month by

  Fred Wierdsma - Educator, Sportsman, Friend, Father & Grandfather Fred founded and became Headmaster of The Putnam School in 1973, following years of being a beloved teacher and hockey coach at Greenwich Country Day School. Fred invented the famous Smokey’s Bounders Program. In 1978, when the school merged with Indian Field School, Fred took the helm for 23 years until his retirement in 2001. He remains there today as Development Officer, nature teacher and a fun...

26 Feb

Published on February 26, 2015 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

  My last column discussed emotional self-regulation, the ability to control impulses and behave in a way appropriate to the circumstance. By developing this skill, children become more productive and socially competent.  There is a cognitive aspect to self-regulation as well, which helps children overcome their reluctance to engage in challenging school activities. Again, children initially need lots of help from adults. They need encouragement to keep trying even when the activity is difficult or unappealing.  As a...

12 Feb

Published on February 12, 2015 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

  What is self-regulation? How do children develop it? We are told all the time how important that development is to future success in school and life.  Self-regulation may be defined as the ability to control one’s own behavior and emotions and adapt them in response to a particular situation. For young children, self-regulation begins as external control by teachers, parents, and caregivers. As the child grows, hopefully that ability to control initial impulses and respond appropriately...

03 Feb

Published on February 3, 2015 in Education & Programs by

Putnam Indian Field School - An independent day school for children Two through Five years old. Tuesday Tour Days: February 17, February 24, March 3, March 10 PIFS looks forward to meeting you. RSVP to Maria Sabito 203-869-0982 maria.sabito@pifs.net Tuesday Tours begin at 1:00 p.m. Private tours are also available. 101 Indian Field Road, Greenwich, CT 06830 Tel. 203.661.4629 - www.PIFS.net ...

29 Jan

Published on January 29, 2015 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

  My last column described “hypothesis testing” as a mindset children need to develop to become successful learners. Hypothesis testing can be defined as learning by hands-on trial and error until understanding is acquired.  Another helpful mindset to encourage in children is risk-taking. Don’t worry. Encouraging risk-taking doesn’t mean letting your child jump off the roof, or point his skis straight downhill on his first run ever. For a young child, willingness to risk means being willing...

08 Jan

Published on January 8, 2015 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

  Parents wonder what they can do to help their children become successful learners. There are certain “mind sets” that are important for young children to develop which will help them considerably later on. One is known as “hypothesis testing.” Children have a lot of questions about the world. Often they make a wrong assumption about why something happens. You can provide the correct explanation, but a better way is not to provide an immediate answer. Rather,...

20 Nov

Published on November 20, 2014 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

  One of the best gifts parents can give their young child(ren) is a sensory table. Children learn and retain knowledge best when their senses are engaged; a sensory table offers so many opportunities for learning. You will be amazed at how centered and calm your child becomes when offered a table filled with – you name it – sand, water, cornstarch, snow (real or artificial), dirt, goop/gak, gelatin, shaving cream, bubbles, flour – the list...

06 Nov

Published on November 6, 2014 in Marianne's Early Childhood Column by

  Parents are getting used to being told not to overschedule their children. Yet the enrichment classes, the sports clinics, the many after school activities offered continue to be full. Why? Some parents want to give their child an “edge,” whether it is a leg up in a sport, an ability to play brilliant chess, or to learn a new language. Others fear that their child will be bored if left with open time, and “get into...