Old Firehouse School Chat

AI has quietly crept into almost every corner of our daily lives—but what does its rise mean for the future of early childhood? In this episode, Alexandra Dutton sits down with veteran educator Darcy Campbell to discuss how we can protect the sacred realm of early education. Together, they explore why young minds desperately need time to think creatively, build a tolerance for frustration, and lea...

Summer is just around the horizon, and for many families, that means big travel plans are finally on the calendar! But let’s be honest: the thought of a long flight with a toddler or preschooler can bring on a wave of travel anxiety. How do you keep a young child content, contained, and calm at 35,000 feet? In this episode, host Alexandra Dutton sits down with seasoned parents who have been in the...

Our children are set to inherit a planet facing unprecedented environmental challenges. How do we ensure they meet those challenges with love rather than apathy? Host Alexandra Dutton sits down with Old Firehouse School educators Maylis Treuil and Liza Pevzner to explore how meaningful, hands-on projects can bridge the gap between kids and the great outdoors. Join us for a conversation on shifting...

At Old Firehouse Schools, the groundbreaking work of Dr. Daniel Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson is more than just a philosophy—it’s the backbone of our teaching. Following an intensive two-day conference with the authors, Program Director Alexandra Dutton and teacher Maylis Treuil sit down to demystify the "Whole-Brain" approach. Join us as we explore how our own histories shape our parenting, an...

We finally did it—we’re talking about sleep! As parents who have spent many late nights in the trenches, we’ve always wanted to tackle this topic, but we weren't sure we had the answers. That’s why we brought in the expert. Join hosts Alexandra Dutton and Judy Haus as they sit down with sleep consultant Mariana Castaman to deconstruct the bedtime struggle. From understanding the 'messages' behind...

How does play-based learning actually translate to "big school" success? Join Directors Alexandra Dutton and Judy Haus for an inside look at the magic of the TK year at OFS. In this special community event recording, we dive into how project-based exploration builds the foundation for handwriting, literacy, and math—while prioritizing the social-emotional confidence children need to thrive. Featur...

When an early educator spends half their day on essential care routines—diapering, feeding, and settling for naps—how can we logically separate the concepts of 'education' and 'care'? We can't. Host Alexandra Dutton and Sue Britson welcome author Carol Garboden Murray to discuss her influential book, Illuminating Care. Murray makes a powerful case for valuing the interwoven nature of care and lear...

OFS Lafayette Program Director Alexandra Dutton sits down with Dr. Robert Schechter, a pediatrician and former OFS parent with decades of experience supporting families and guiding them through questions about immunizations. As your child enters group care, what does that mean for their health—especially during the winter months? Dr. Schechter and Alex explore how vaccines help prevent severe illn...

The pandemic changed a multitude of things, including parenting and teaching. Alexandra Dutton is joined by Anne Bauer from All People's School in Berkeley to discuss the ways communication, welcoming families, and the act of teaching itself has changed in the last 5 years. As educators who have been in the field for 20+ years, they offer their observations, reflections, and insights about how the...

Welcome back to the second part of our essential discussion on setting boundaries with children. In this episode, host Alexandra Dutton and Katrinca Ford, MFT, pick up where they left off, continuing to explore the impact that well-defined limits have on a child's emotional development and their ability to navigate the world. Building on our previous conversation, this episode dives even deeper in...

Setting boundaries for children isn't just about safety; it's crucial for their emotional growth and future interactions. In this episode, Alexandra Dutton welcomes back Katrinca Ford, MFT, to delve into why establishing appropriate limits for children is so vital. Saying "no" to your child can be tough, but the powerful messages it conveys about safety, coping with disappointment, and understandi...

OFS takes a field trip to the California Academy of Sciences! Our teachers wrap up two years of science and nature education with a special trip to experience wonder, awe, and curiosity among the exhibits. Listen to hear about the teachers' encounters with butterflies, fish, and other wildlife, what they learned from this trip, and what messages they want to pass on to their children about nature...

In this episode, we dive into the key considerations young families should keep in mind when looking for a new home. Join Program Director Alexandra Dutton as she talks with OFS Mill Valley parent and realtor Emily Schaffer (Engel & Völkers) about this complicated process. From affordability and floor plans to schools and community connections, we discuss how to buy a home that fits your current n...

Want to understand how gender biases take root in early childhood? Did you know children as young as 3 years old exhibit bias, and girls may start believing they're less smart than boys by ages 5-6? In this insightful episode, Judy Haus (Walnut Creek Program Director) speaks with Michele Bailey and Alexandra Dutton, uncovering the unconscious ways we share our own gender biases and how media reinf...

Children are often drawn to animals, and having a relationship with an animal teaches responsibility, love, and compassion. Join Alexandra Dutton as she speaks with OFS Bayview program director Jackie Buhl and Laura Hislop from Jessica's Haven, a small dog rescue center. They share why it is important for everyone, but especially children, to connect with animals, and most importantly, how to do s...

We often say: children can control only three things, and one of them is eating. (Can you guess the other two?). Join Judy Haus as she talks with author and educator Emilie Dupont about how to make mealtimes less stressful and more enjoyable. When we understand the children's development and how it impacts how they may approach food, we may be able to avoid the power struggle! Emilie's book is ful...

When are young children ready for competitive sports? Are sports good for children? Alexandra Dutton, Lafayette program director, talks with longtime baseball coach Monte Stott about parent involvement in children's sports, appropriate expectations, and why sports matter. You'll be surprised at what makes a child's experience a good one!

Relationships with our children are supposed to be easy -- right? Join Dorothy Stewart, Executive Director and Owner of Old Firehouse Schools and Alexandra Dutton, Program Director, talk with Aki Raymer of Parenting Paths. They discuss how building relationships with our children will actually decrease many power struggles and how understanding our own limitations and boundaries can help our child...

OFS Lafayette Program Director Alexandra Dutton talks with teacher Rachel Turtledove about something we have to think about much too often: when, if, and how to talk about difficult news events with young children. Whether we are worried about a recent school shooting or a fire that's burning too close to home, we are sending signals to our children about their world. Join them to hear about how t...

When your child is 2, are they supposed to play well with others? What does it really mean when a 4 year old says to their friend, "You can't come to my birthday party!" Alexandra Dutton talks with Michele Bailey and Maylis Treuil, two veteran OFS teachers, about social skills and friendships from age 1-5. They explain the motivations behind children's behavior with peers and why friendships are a...

Join 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,...

Dorothy 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...

Nature 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...

Music 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. Som...

When 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...