This is the first post in a three-part series about trust in swim lessons: earning it, repairing it, and teaching respect for the water. Swimming lessons with small children are physical. I hold children, move them through the water, and ask them to do things they sometimes don't want to do. There's no version of teaching a four-year-old to swim that doesn't involve my hands and their body. And because most of the water in my pool is over their heads, they depend on me comple

When parents think about flotation devices, the first question is often, "Which one should I buy?" I think the better question is: "What is this flotation device teaching my child?" At Tiny Pool Swim School, I use flotation as a teaching tool—not as a substitute for learning to swim. The goal is always independent swimming. The best teaching tools help children discover how their own bodies float, balance, kick, and move through the water. Why I Don't Recommend Puddle Jumpers

Tried and tested in real lessons—find a pair your child will love After you choose your goggles, read on for my thoughts and suggestions for flotation aids for new swimmers, shampoo for après swim, and sun protection swimwear for beach trips and outdoor pools. Finding the right swim goggles for your child sometimes takes a little trial and error. That’s why I keep a basket of goggles by the pool at Tiny Pool Swim School—so kids can try out different styles and see what works

The National Park Service says what I’m about to tell you is a “myth.” I'll share the facts so you can decide for yourself. Have you ever looked closely at Abraham Lincoln’s hands on the Lincoln Memorial statue? After hearing this story, you may see them with new eyes. And next time you are in Washington DC, in addition to taking an extra-long look at Lincoln’s hands, you’ll probably want to visit another, lesser-known statue created by the same sculptor, located less than

Basic Concepts First: The Earth is Made of Land and Water I designed my stock market course the Montessori way. While there are no stamp games or multiplication boards to manipulate for math understanding or pink towers to build, I do build something just as powerful with my students: a clear conceptual framework. It helps them see the big picture before they start choosing investing strategies. That foundation matters more than you think. From Kindergartners to Investors: Wh

Saying “I’m sorry” is the least important part of an apology. During my years teaching elementary school, I spent a lot of time...

Watching the presidential debate last night moved me to share something I wrote just over two years ago. You can read about my...

I have negotiated a lot of elementary school conflicts. In most cases, just placing two friends across from each other and having them...

Fluent language allows students to explain their thinking process, and learning precise terminology deepens their mastery of concepts.

The focus of most early grade learning is about skills, not content.

"All right everyone, it's time to clean up and move to your next center!" This announcement used to make me die a little bit inside every...