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

Students, parents, and staff members last week contributed more than 300 construction-paper “Links of Love” in a project to honor immigrants’ contributions to our country and communities. On Thursday third graders taped and stapled the links into a single chain, which they displayed at lunchtime, then hung in the Hallway Gallery on Tier 1. Students in preschool through fifth grade participated, making links and responding to age-appropriate discussion prompts. Children from p

Elementary students were treated to a colorful Pride Fashion Show at lunchtime Friday featuring 13 elementary aftercare students wearing outfits they’d designed and made. TK teacher Chloe Gilmore explains that the event was held during Pride Month “because it allowed children to work outside gendered clothing sections in stores and create unique outfits that showed aspects of their personalities.  “Stores divide clothing into ‘girls’ and ‘boys’ sections, which can be restrict

My grandson, Malakai, credits his preschool teacher “Miss Ann” Pinkas with his early passion for science and current flourishing career as a nature filmmaker. He still remembers his preschool classroom and the excitement of observing baby frogs emerge from embryos and spying birds in their nests with binoculars. Ann’s budding scientists studied the life cycle of birds, how they built their nests, found food, raised their young, and migrated. Malakai says, “We even dissected o