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“The sun was out and a rabbit was under the sun and an acorn was under the rabbit—a Christmas acorn.” So begins the exciting first page of preschooler Finley’s first book, A Hundred Acorns. As the book continues, the story’s protagonists, the acorns, face dangers: a ghost, a storm in a rain forest, and falling boulders. The plot finally resolves as the acorns escape and glimpse the magical presence of a sloth. Finley was extremely proud of his eight-page literary accomplishme

Izzy introduced her students to ultraviolet light by stamping her hands and theirs with “invisible” ink (ink visible only under UV light) and shining the UV flashlight on them. “The children came up to me all day during breaks to see if the ink was still there,” she says. “Did you wash your hands?” is a question asked throughout the day in preschool, TK, and kindergarten, often followed by “Did you do a good job?” But how’s a kid to know if they really did a “good job”? TK te

What did my child do? If your child’s personality seems to change at this time of year, try not to worry. In spring a child’s fancy turns to pushing limits and boundaries. The same process that incites spring flowers into what Rilke called “blooming most recklessly” propels children’s instincts for expansion. In the past people called these surges of energy “spring fever.” Wasn’t it nice when there was a name for it? Mark Twain once wrote about the condition. “It’s spring fev

Does your child feel lucky? St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish holiday coming up on March 17, is usually connected to the tradition of the “wearing of the green.” The holiday also involves long-held beliefs about what brings a person good luck. Legend has it that finding a four-leaf clover or witnessing a rainbow is a sign that our day, or even our life, will be charmed. The concept that there is such a thing as good luck involves believing in a realm where seemingly random occurre

Quiet as a cloud that tiptoes through the sky, Quiet as a cloud am I. Hushed as a fish, gliding through the sea, Hushed as a fish will I be. —From “The Quiet Song” by Hank Mindlin Images of silence from the Meher Schools’ “Quiet Song” prompt me to ask an unusual question: “How do children today learn about the nourishing resource of silence in a noisy world?” Research shows that experiences of silence promote neurogenesis—the growth of new brain cells—and can enhance learning

What’s the difference between reading a book on your own or as the member of a book club? Elementary children in second through fifth grade have had the opportunity to find out. Next week Meher School librarian Mari Ponghamsing will welcome families to the third session of her Parent-Child Book Club to discuss bestselling author Kelly Yang’s book Finally Seen. This book tells the compelling story of ten-year-old Lena, who moves to America to live with her parents and younger

Imagine building your very own tree house, a refuge in nature where you could have complete privacy from the world. Maybe you had a structure like that as a child, but this endeavor is pure fantasy. What would your dream tree house look like? Who would be allowed to come inside? These are questions elementary art educator Lara Cannon posed to second graders as part of one of their art projects. First the students talked about and painted trees with gouache paint, a mixture of

What we call “light bulb moments” can occur at any age. Picture playing a game of peek-a-boo with an infant. The joy is always the moment when the baby is suddenly awe-struck by seeing your face reappear after it was hidden. How could that be? Do you still exist even when I couldn’t see you? To an infant that burst of new reality feels miraculous. Scientists note that “aha experiences” can be catalysts throughout life for reorganizing the way our brains process information. I