Category Archives: parenting

The Importance of Social Emotional Learning

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

At a recent Parent Involvement Association (PIA) Meeting, our accomplished Division Heads and our amazing School Counselor shared our SEL curriculum with parents. We like to say the “the social emotional curriculum sets the table for the academic and cognitive … Continue reading →

Posted in empathy, kindness, leadership, parenting, parenting middle school aged children, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Importance of Social Emotional Learning

Common Sense Media: New Year, New Rules Around Tech for Students/Children

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This is a big topic of conversation at our school, and so many others. The right age to give a child their first cellphone is really up to you. Age isn’t as important as your kid’s maturity level, their ability to … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, childhood development, children and sleep, Common Sense Media, education, global skills, parenting, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning, technology, the science of emotion | Comments Off on Common Sense Media: New Year, New Rules Around Tech for Students/Children

The difference between nice and kind…

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

At Seven Hills, we often say to students “when you have a choice, be kind…” This is a great distillation of the “why.” There’s a difference between nice and being kind—even our bodies recognize the distinction. Kindness not only pours … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, education, empathy, kindness, mental health, mindfulness, parenting, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The difference between nice and kind…

On David Brooks’ Op-Ed Dateline October 20, 2023, Tanzania, Africa

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I am here in Africa for only the second time in my life, the second time in 12 months, as it turns out, preparing for a personal challenge to climb Africa’s tallest mountain. It is sunrise. I am listening to … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, childhood development, David Brooks, NY Times, early childhood education, ECE Early Childhood Education, education, empathy, global skills, mental health, mindfulness, new york times, NY Times, parenting, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, the science of emotion | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on On David Brooks’ Op-Ed Dateline October 20, 2023, Tanzania, Africa

Safely reopening for the sake of the students (and their families!)

Posted on July 11, 2020 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

The editorial below, like so many articles and items popping up in all of our newsfeeds, makes the case for the fact that children need to be in schools. At Seven Hills, we are preparing for a safe reopening for … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, early childhood education, ECE Early Childhood Education, education, global education, global skills, mental health, mindfulness, new york times, NY Times, parenting | Tagged , | Comments Off on Safely reopening for the sake of the students (and their families!)

NPR, Kwami Alexander and The Undefeated

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Kwami Alexander has been sharing poetry on NPR for a few years now, and each time I hear him, I get inspired. His latest children’s book, The Undefeated, just won the Caldecott Medal. More about the book, which I have … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, education, global skills, leadership, leadership in children, literacy, parenting | Comments Off on NPR, Kwami Alexander and The Undefeated

Interesting topic at the holidays

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This reminds me of many conversations with parents about navigating life and adult relationships with different parenting styles.  

Posted in adolescent development, adult development, new york times, NY Times, parenting | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Interesting topic at the holidays

Why we ned to value kindness over achievement… The Atlantic Monthly

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This article by Adam Grant and Allison Sweet Grant reinforces so much of what we mean when we say “Whole Child” at Seven Hills School. Enjoy! Stop Trying to Raise Successful Kids  

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, adam grant, childhood development, education, global skills, kindness, Making Caring Common at Harvard, mental health, mindfulness, parenting, parenting middle school aged children | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Why we ned to value kindness over achievement… The Atlantic Monthly

EDUTOPIA: What happens when we rush children through childhood…

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Some great reminders about the role of wonder in childhood and resisting the “adultification” of childhood. This is something our early childhood educators in Rainbow and RedBarn know so well! EDUTOPIA: Let’s Not Rush Children through Childhood  

Posted in 21st Century Skills, childhood development, early childhood education, ECE Early Childhood Education, education, leadership, leadership in children, parenting, Seven Hills School, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on EDUTOPIA: What happens when we rush children through childhood…

NY Times Parenting tips at home for schoolwork…

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Some easily implementable ideas here. And similar to what I am hearing teachers discuss in faculty meetings about what works best in school, it’s also true at home: Remember that consistency is key.   Happy Opening!

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, adolescent development, childhood development, ECE Early Childhood Education, education, global skills, new york times, NY Times, parenting, parenting middle school aged children, resilience, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning | Tagged , | Comments Off on NY Times Parenting tips at home for schoolwork…