Grounded and Soaring

In this episode of Grounded and Soaring, Terry Dubow and Siri Panday, Director of Education for Toddler and Primary at Marin Montessori, dive into the complexities of separation anxiety in young children. From school drop-offs to moments of everyday goodbyes, learn how to create routines that promote confidence and help your child thrive emotionally. Episode Highlights: Spotting the signs of typic...

Welcome back to Grounded and Soaring . In this first episode of Season 3, Terry Dubow and Sam Shapiro dive into the importance of "thinking differently" about education. Based on Sam's recent blog post , this episode explores how to break free from outdated assumptions about learning, encourage deeper thinking, and prepare children for an ever-changing world. Episode Highlights: Unde...

In this final episode of our second season, we focus on how to prevent the summer slide. With insights from our level directors at Marin Montessori School, we offer actionable steps to keep your child engaged and learning over the summer. Episode Highlights: Eye-opening statistics on summer learning loss and its impact on your child’s education. Practical Montessori activities to incorporate into...

In this enlightening episode of Grounded and Soaring , Siri Panday , Director of Education for Toddler and Primary at Marin Montessori School, hosts a brief conversation with Rachel Manfredi , a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst and Behavioral Health Director from Child Development Center of Marin (Speech Marin). They explore how early intervention through behavioral support for children under fi...

Explore the evolving landscape of education in the age of artificial intelligence with Sam Shapiro, Head of School at Marin Montessori, and Dr. Alex Curtis, Head of the New England Boarding School Choate Rosemary Hall. This episode dives into the implications, challenges, and opportunities that AI, particularly ChatGPT, presents in educational settings. Highlights include: Anticipation of the upco...

Into the Wild: Unleashing Curiosity with Adventure explores the transformative power of experiential learning beyond the classroom. Join Terry Dubow and Bill Sneed from Marin Montessori School as they recount a recent snow science trip to the Sierras, delving into the profound impact of real-world experiences on adolescent development. This episode offers insights into: The Importance of Experient...

"From Diet to Dreams: Building Healthier Habits for Kids" is a must-listen episode of Grounded and Soaring , the podcast that dives deep into nurturing healthier, happier kids in today's complex world. Join Sam Shapiro, head of school at Marin Montessori, and special guest Anahad O'Connor , a Washington Post health columnist and award-winning author, as they explore the intersect...

In this thought-provoking episode of Grounded and Soaring, Sam Shapiro, head of Marin Montessori School, speaks with Noah Orgish, educational technologist at Marin Academy, in a deep dive into the role of AI and technology in modern education. They explore the impacts, challenges, and potentials of AI tools like ChatGPT in shaping learning and critical thinking skills. From understanding AI's...

In this eye-opening episode of Grounded and Soaring, Sam Shapiro, Head of Marin Montessori School, speaks with Dr. Madeline Levine , a psychologist renowned for her insights into the paradoxes of parenting in prosperity. They delve into the unexpected emotional challenges faced by children in affluent communities, from heightened anxiety and depression to the pressures of success. Dr. Levine, with...

In this episode of Grounded and Soaring, join Sam Shapiro and his guests – all parents at Marin Montessori and professionals in sports and education – as they delve into cultivating a love for physical activity and sportsmanship in children. Explore how Montessori principles can foster resilience, teamwork, and a balanced approach to athleticism. Episode Highlights: Cultivating Joy in Sports : Dis...

In the latest episode of 'Grounded and Soaring,' host Terry Dubow invites Marin Montessori School's Eluna Antle and Carla Rummo to explore the acceleration of adolescence that we see everywhere in our culture. Eluna, an Upper Elementary teacher, and Carla, a parent of young adolescents, describe how extending childhood with an additional year in a Montessori Elementary class nurtures r...

Navigate school breaks with ease and creativity in our latest Grounded and Soaring episode. Whether embarking on a family trip or enjoying a staycation, Siri Panday , Marin Montessori School's Director of Education for Toddler and Primary, offers valuable tips for a rewarding time with your young children. Episode Highlights: Montessori Methods for Memorable Family Travel: Stress-free travelin...

Join Sam Shapiro, head of Marin Montessori School, in a vital discussion with psychoanalyst Sally Weintrobe about how parents and children can face the climate crisis with honesty, humanity, and, ultimately, hope. This episode delves into managing climate emotions amid the escalating climate crisis, offering insights for parents and educators. Explore practical approaches to guide children through...

In this episode of "Grounded and Soaring," join Terry Dubow and Marin Montessori educators, Liesbeth Koning and Seth Kroschel, as they tackle the evolution of math education for young minds. Discover how the Junior High's new math program steps away from traditional methods to foster a learning environment where understanding and curiosity drive student success. Delving into the chal...

The Grounded and Soaring podcast is back for season two -- and just in time for parents prepping for the new school year. In this episode, authors and experts Sheri Glucoft Wong and Olaf Jorgenson join Sam Shapiro , Head of Marin Montessori School, to share parenting tips based on their book Raising Kids . Their guidance is compassionate, profound, and actionable.

In this episode of Grounded and Soaring, host Sam Shapiro, head of Marin Montessori School, delves into the transformative world of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) with expert guest Meena Srinivasan . Together, they unravel the significance of SEL in nurturing emotional intelligence and providing children with essential life skills beyond academics. Don’t miss out on invaluable insights and practi...

In an age where adult rudeness seems to be on the rise, how do we ensure our teens don't follow the same path? Join Terry Dubow and Bill Sneed from Marin Montessori School as they delve into the challenges of raising adolescents amidst a backdrop of adult incivility. Drawing insights from a provocative Atlantic article titled "How America Got Mean," this episode touches on: The socie...

In this episode of Grounded and Soaring , we dive deep into the challenges of parenting in an age of instant gratification and digital distractions. Join Sam Shapiro, Head of School at Marin Montessori School, in a thought-provoking conversation with renowned expert Dr. Anna Lembke , a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Dopamine: Learn...

Are your mornings a hectic rush? Discover the Montessori approach to mastering back-to-school mornings in this episode of Grounded and Soaring. Join Terry Dubow , Director of Communications and Story at Marin Montessori School, and Siri Panday , Director of Education for Toddler and Primary, as they unlock the secrets to smooth, stress-free school starts: 🌟 The Power of Routines: Learn why routin...

Feeling the weight of an uncertain world? It's common for parents to grapple with anxiety about the future, and this can unintentionally affect their children. Join us as we delve into this topic with Dr. Denise Pope, the visionary behind Stanford University's groundbreaking research-based initiative, Challenge Success . Discover how redefining "success" can lead to well-being, a...

As parents, we know our kids will face challenges and disappointments, but we don't always know how to prepare them to bounce back. In this episode, Michelle Borba , author of Thrivers, joins Sam Shapiro, Head of Marin Montessori School, to discuss a handful of practical tools parents can use to increase their children's resilience and confidence. Michele Borba is an educational psychologi...

We all know it: something is not working for the youth in our society right now. Data, scholarship, and lived experience all tell us that social media and unimpeded technology have disrupted childhood profoundly and, often, destructively. In this episode, Sam Shapiro, head of Marin Montessori School, joins to reflect a bit on the series of blog posts he penned over spring break called Real Fear, R...

What could be more essential -- and challenging -- than feeding your child food they love and that they need? It can be a struggle, but there's hope! In this episode, Sam Shapiro, Head of Marin Montessori School, speaks with Nimisha Gandhi, who runs Moon Cycle Nutrition , about her approach to inspiring a love of healthy eating in children.

In this episode, Sam Shapiro, Marin Montessori's Head of School, speaks to Varun Soni , Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, about the mental health crisis on college campuses and what we might do about it. Throughout their deeply felt conversation, they try to work backward to identify the strategies parents of young children can use to increase the likelihood that...

Children are creative creatures -- and not just with paints and clay but also with how they approach challenges. We know it's crucial to nurture their creative spirits, but sometimes that's easier said than done. Enter DrawBridge , a nonprofit organization that provides free expressive arts programs to children in domestic violence and homeless shelters, affordable housing facilities, and...