Old Firehouse School Chat

This 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 ultimat...

Hosts 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 me...

How 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!

OFS 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...

Until 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...

Alexandra 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...

OFS 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...

Language 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 Asso...

We 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 me...

Dorothy 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

OFS 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...

With 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 ab...

Ever 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 sh...

What 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 g...

If 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...

Finding 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...

We 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...

Why 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

This 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...

With 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 mor...

The 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 t...

Are 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 Wo...

Do 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...

The 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!

Listen 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...