The Sunflower Bridge Podcast

At Sunflower Creative Arts, we believe children learn best through play. In today's episode, Susan and Lindsey explore the interconnectedness of academic subjects such as science and math with sensory play experiences like blending paint colors or mixing homemade play dough. The Sunflower Bridge Podcast is kindly sponsored by Switzer Musical Productions. Follow us on Instagram!

Susan and Lindsey share stories from their years of teaching to illustrate why at Sunflower, we believe it's best not to make a habit of pushing your preschool-age child on the swing. The Sunflower Bridge Podcast is kindly sponsored by Switzer Musical Productions. Follow us on Instagram!

"You get to decide" is a common refrain at Sunflower Creative Arts . Though we draw from many schools of thought, we subscribe to no one ultimate method for early childhood education. We support you to follow your own heart. In this episode, Susan and Lindsey discuss how the Sunflower framework is meant to serve as a foundation you can build upon in a way that works for you and your family. Ultima...

Today we give you a re-play of Episode 10 of the podcast, featuring our first special guest, Stephanie Arsht. We've brought you a new podcast almost every Monday this year and as we say farewell to 2023, we want to take a moment to say thank you for listening . Our hope is that this podcast serves as a small bright spot in your day - a moment just for you - a moment to take a breath and smile. 🙂...

It's never too young to begin sharing with children about the concept of money - what is it for? Why do we need it? How do we use it? Join Susan and Lindsey for a chat on how to address these questions and more in your own household. To share your thoughts, feelings or stories about being with children, send us an email at lindsey@sunflowercreativearts.org or message us on Instagram . The Sunflowe...

To share or not to share? You may be thinking, "Is that even a question?!" In this podcast episode, Susan Caruso and Lindsey Mills discuss the hot topic of sharing: why at Sunflower Creative Arts, we approach it a bit differently than other schools, and how we've seen that when children are given the opportunity to truly have something before they are asked to share, they have a chance to develop...

There will always be conflict - in the world and in our lives. How can we meet that difficult truth with love? Susan and Lindsey share about how perhaps peace out in the world begins with compassion and understanding in our own hearts. To learn more about Roots & Shoots, a service learning youth movement with chapters all over the world, visit rootsandshoots.org . Have thoughts, feelings or id...

Today we’re bringing you an encore of Episode 22 of the podcast, where we talk about how leaning on encouragement rather than praise can greatly benefit your relationship with your child. ~ 22. Yes, You Can: Encouragement vs. praise Why do we at Sunflower Creative Arts emphasize giving encouragement rather than praise? What's so wrong about saying 'Good job' anyway? In this episode, Susan tel...

Joining Susan for a second time on the podcast today is Lora McCoy, her best friend since their children were born more than four decades ago. These two good friends sat down for another chat en plein air, this time tracing back 30 years to reminisce on the brilliant tapestry of Sunflower’s origin story. Enjoying the podcast? Please subscribe to our feed wherever you listen so you'll never miss an...

Today's episode features interviews with members of Sunflower Creative Arts' staff and teachers in our Seedlings Preschool program. Susan Caruso continues our conversation from last week about chores, allowance and household duties. The Sunflower Bridge Podcast is kindly sponsored by Switzer Musical Productions.

The topic of "chores" is yet another area of parenting where Sunflower does things a bit differently. We don't sing a clean-up song, and we don't recommend tying a monetary reward to the act of tidying up. Our approach centers around respect for the individual - meaning we respect adults by dividing a household's labor amongst all who live there, while we also respect children by entrusting them w...

Today's episode features Kimberly Hopkins, mother of three and a Sunflower Bridge program alum many times over. Kim, Susan and Lindsey share a joyful conversation about why the conditions at Sunflower allowed Kim and her family to feel safe enough to settle in and open up to community in the middle of a pandemic.  Enjoying the podcast? Please consider giving us a like, follow, share...

We've all made mistakes, this much is sure! In this episode, Susan and Lindsey break down The 80/20 Principle: the idea that no one is going to be perfect all of the time - so how can we learn to embrace our inevitable imperfections, and try to nurture more compassion for ourselves in the process? Want to learn how you can be a part of the upcoming Sunflower Bridge Journey program we've created ov...

Joining Susan Caruso on the podcast today is Jill Erwich. Jill is a former Sunflower parent, and forever a member of the Sunflower community. Jill's daughter, Eleanor attended Sunflower programs from the age of 6 months all the way up to 6 years! Listen in to their conversation for a peek at what life was like for Jill and her family during this time. Want to experience the Sunflower philosophy in...

Today we're asking, "Whose homework is this?" The concept of homework is one that has steadily begun infiltrating the classroom at younger and younger ages. So, if it has to be a part of your lives, how can you as a family make an informed choice about your stance? Thanks so much for listening, we really appreciate your support! To help us spread the word, please consider subscribing wherever you...

“Did anyone throw up at school?” A well-timed zany question like this might just be your ticket to getting the real scoop on your child’s day. Join Susan Caruso and Lindsey Mills for this episode on the elusive art of asking children about their day at school, camp, or other away-from-home activity. They also discuss how a relaxing after-school routine can create more well-being for everyone. List...

As we welcome a brand new school year, we are also welcoming Season 2 of The Sunflower Bridge Podcast! To kick things off, Susan and Lindsey shared a conversation with the multifaceted Elizabeth Licht, an attorney and writer, turned Sunflower Creative Arts teacher and certified yoga instructor. Hear stories from Elizabeth's career as a teacher in both our Seedlings Preschool for 3 to 6 year olds a...

Last week, to mark our 30th episode, we resurfaced our second episode ever, a conversation about Sunflower Creative Arts ’ core mission and inspiration. This week, we’re replaying Part 2 of that conversation! If you’re new to the podcast, these last two episodes really provide a foundational understanding of what our organization does in the world. As usual, we are so grateful to you for tuning in...

In honor of our 30th episode, today we’d like to resurface one of our very first episodes, a conversation about the core philosophy of Sunflower Creative Arts . We are so grateful to you for tuning in over these last eight months. Thanks so much for your support as we continue to grow the podcast and the Sunflower community! Episode 2: It's not a head thing, it's a heart thing (Part 1) Join Susan...

This week, we expand on the idea put forth eloquently by the master painter, Pablo Picasso: “Every child is an artist - the problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up.” Who said you have to be formally trained to enjoy playing with art materials, exploring instruments, or moving creatively? At Sunflower Creative Arts , we recommend waiting until age 7 to begin considering formal art or mu...

At Sunflower Creative Arts , we believe everyone is born to create and express themselves through the Arts. Join Susan Caruso, founding director of Sunflower, and Lindsey Mills, co-creator of Sunflower Bridge, for a conversation about broadening our definition of the Arts to include things like cooking and singing in the shower - what we like to call artful living. Please give us a follow, rate an...

Join Susan and Lindsey as they discuss strategies for making your daily transitions just a little bit smoother. Learn how to apply the Sunflower Bridge  framework (Time, Space, Permission and Language) to alleviate the difficulties that can arise for children when moving from one place to another. Do you have a question or a situation specific to your family that you'd like us to address...

We're back with more amusing interviews with campers ages 3-7 attending Sunflower Creative Arts 2023 Seedlings Camp! The Sunflower Bridge Podcast is kindly sponsored by Switzer Musical Productions.

Have you ever noticed how when children celebrate a birthday, it seems like the very next week they are anticipating the next one? Time is a phenomenon we all experience, but the ways it can bend and change are infinite! In this episode, Susan and Lindsey discuss cyclical vs. linear time, abstract vs. measured time, and how children's understanding of time is distinct from the way we as...

Joining Susan on the podcast today is Lora McCoy, her best friend since their children were born more than four decades ago. These two good friends sat down in Lora's charming home garden to discuss their mutual love of reading, and the various ways they have passed that on to the next generation. Enjoying the podcast? Please subscribe to our feed wherever you listen so you'll never miss an episod...