What type of parent are you? Read this checklist to see if you help your child build resilience. My favorite is “Make the adage that there are at least two sides to every story a mantra in your home.”
Nurturing Resilience: Reminding Ourselves What Kids Need
By Ann Klotz featured in Independent Ideas: The Independent School Magazine Blog
Rainbow Community School has always been a safe haven for introverted children. In a world where social aggressiveness has be glorified, especially in the competitive public education model, Rainbow has always had a way of understanding and honoring the power of the introvert.
Three insights from Rainbow on educating introverts:
1. Provide “in-breath and out-breath” time. At Rainbow, we have active and “outward” times of day; but unlike most schools, those are balanced with “inward” times. Every day has moments of silence, such as when we take three breaths together at morning centering, or when we watch nature, or when we decide to have a meditational lunch.
2. Provide many speaking opportunities where introverts can share about something they are passionate about in a safe space — with their classmates. That eventually builds up to speaking in front of the whole community. However, if they are actually terrified, allow them to “pass” until they are comfortable. It takes time to build trust.
3. Allow introverts to find a role they are comfortable with. Instead of forcing a terrified child to sing in a performance, a Rainbow teacher might ask them to take on another role, such as being in charge of costumes or props. Such a role actually makes them a leader in the eyes of their peers, and builds confidence.
How Parents And Teachers Can Nurture The ‘Quiet Power’ Of Introverts
Why does Rainbow have such dedicated, mindful, creative, and loving teachers? Because we follow every single one of the recommendations in this article. Teachers are still treated like blue-collar workers by politicians. At Rainbow they are highly respected professionals who are provided time to collaborate with one another, autonomy to run their classroom, consistent and relevant professional development, and balance in their lives so they aren’t burned out. The result? Students who are dedicated, mindful, creative, and loving. Empowered teachers create empowered students.
A National Strategy to Improve the Teaching Profession
This Saturday, the incredible Hobey Ford will be performing “World Tales” at the Rainbow Community Center Auditorium. Pre-sale tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults ($7 & $12 the day of the show) Show starts at 4pm and is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased on our website or at our front desk.
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Inspired by Musical Director Sue Ford’s vision of writing all original songs on the theme of Love for December’s Winter Program, Susie Robidoux, 4th grade’s fearless Lead Teacher, developed an entirely new unit on Love. She got her students started by asking them: What is love for you? What does it look like? What does it feel like? From there they came to understand love as having three distinct forms. Love is first an expression originated in the self, then an action cultivated in community, and finally an offering given with generosity. The fourth graders learned to think of it this way: Love is fostered within us… grown among us…. and gifted beyond us. These beautiful song lyrics reflect their journey through their curriculum on Love.
Let us work together for love in head, heart, and hand.
Let us work together for love to make a better land.
Love is many things; I cannot count them all.
It is powerful. It is peaceful.
Love is many things; I cannot count them all.
It can break down every wall.
Through the woods past the valley where the sea of green grass grows.
Love is found in nature’s harmony where the holy river flows.
Friends, family, love of life; I feel the warmth from you.
Follow me to the land of love where your light is honored and true
to make a different land.
The Third Grade Penguins sing to us of the transformative power of love in this touching music video. In December’s Annual Winter Program Sue Ford, Rainbow’s Music Director, helped each grade write original songs on the theme of love. The audience was touched by the children’s simple and profound message that love might truly be the most natural and easiest gift to both give and receive.
Come by for a tour today!
