Many times, we hear misunderstood ideas about free play. From those who say it is “letting children do whatever they want,” to those who believe it is simply “an excuse to avoid doing pedagogical work.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Well, perhaps the idea of “letting children do…

To close out the fall season, we took two family trips. Both in Queens and Brooklyn, we spent time together visiting farm spaces. The dynamic seems simple and innocent: a family day with the children who attend our early childhood programs. However, the intention is much bigger—more optimistic, more ambitious.

That time of year is approaching — you know exactly which one I’m talking about. You start asking long before it begins whether we already have funds available to purchase materials. And as soon as someone on the team says “yes,” the list frenzy begins.

“I applied for child care three times and was denied. I didn’t know what I was going to do with my baby until I came to your network. I got help, I got approved, now my baby is in a safe place and I’m working.” That’s what a parent told…

Summer is in full swing: it’s already August. Yes, keep the children hydrated. Yes, be mindful of the temperature before outdoor activities. Yes, let children play in nature and explore their surroundings. Let every moment become a learning experience. But… our little ones in 3-K are about to return —…

No, decision-making is not a trait exclusive to adulthood. Nor is it something we learn once we become adults. Even less so is it something that magically comes with turning eighteen. The practice of making good decisions begins in the earliest stages of childhood. We simply need to ensure that…

June doesn’t yell. It taps you on the shoulder. Which, honestly, still feels too aggressive for most parents in Brooklyn. This is the season where structure slides. School ends. Routines blur. And somehow, in the middle of it, you’re supposed to parent like you’re running a bilingual Montessori spa.

One of the most refreshing moments of my life was interviewing Anna Tardos. She is the daughter of Emmi Pikler and a respected voice in early childhood development. She is also the first Pikler baby.

In this week’s highlight from our interview with Anna Tardos, daughter of early childhood pioneer Emmi Pikler, Anna shares a surprising and encouraging truth: what it really takes to learn and implement the Pikler approach in a daycare setting.

On February 8, 2024, we were honored with a rare and extraordinary opportunity: to sit down with Anna Tardos, daughter of Emmi Pikler—the pioneer behind what’s now known around the world as the Pikler Approach.