Services Available

I work with children ages 3-10 years old in one-on-one and in small group settings (in English and Intermediate Spanish), scaffolding learning and development in general:

HOLISTIC EDUCATION

“Holistic education is a philosophy of education based on the premise that each person finds identity, meaning, and purpose in life through connections to the community, to the natural world, and to spiritual values such as compassion and peace. Holistic education aims to call forth from people an intrinsic reverence for life and a passionate love of learning. This is done, not through an academic "curriculum" that condenses the world into instructional packages, but through direct engagement with the environment. [...] There are many paths of learning and the holistic educator values them all; what is appropriate for some children, in some situations, in some historical and social contexts, may not be best for others. The art of holistic education lies in its responsiveness to the diverse learning styles and needs of evolving human beings.” (Miller, 2000)

➺ Project-Based Learning modules: a student-centered pedagogy that involves a dynamic approach where students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.

➺Personal Tutoring (‘subject’ of choice)

➺ Creative Expression: Music, Sociodramatic Play, Painting, Drawing, Story Writing, Madalas, Photography, Claywork, Crafts, Dance

ECO-ART EDUCATION

“An environment-based education movement--at all levels of education--will help students realize that school isn't supposed to be a polite form of incarceration, but a portal to the wider world.”
― Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

➺ Educating the Heart Through Nature Art Program

Through exploration and discovery, these nature-based activities awaken children’s’ senses, minds and hearts and help them to express their feelings, ideas, thoughts and urges. Enabling children to better understand their deep-rooted connection with nature and one another in ways that are fun and encourage them to explore and celebrate their unique sense of creativity.

➺ General Environmental Education: Outdoor Exploration, Lessons and hands on practice in Sustainability / Conservation / Biology/ Herbalism / Gardening, Eco-Literacy, Becoming an Earth Warrior

➺ Introduction to the Medicine Wheel: A foundation of teaching and learning that shows how different parts of life are connected and balanced. A holistic and relational way of understanding the self, the family, the community, the natural and spiritual world. Introducing the significance of ancestral teachings various aspects of human well-being, the physical world, and Indigenous cultures.

➺ Keepers of the Earth Native American Stories & Activities: Teaching respect & stewardship for Earth and all living things. "This wonderful balance of scientific and indigenous people's outlooks empowers children to touch the continuum of nature pulsating within and around them. The reconnection makes possible their creation of vital new stories to cope with today's misguided beliefs about the natural world." —Dr. Michael J. Cohen, author, How Nature Works: regenerating Kinship with Planet Earth

MINDFULNESS, SELF AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

Mindfulness not only teaches us how we can handle stress and difficult situations and relationships, but it also teaches us to be more compassionate with ourselves and others. Practices like yoga help build the capacity to regulate ones physiology and integrate different parts of the self (ie: body, breath, and state of mind), and thus we develop the tools needed to face the challenges that life may bring.

➺ Meditation, Gratitude Practices, Yoga, Self-Awareness and Social-Emotional Body Exercises

➺ Lessons around the importance of kindness, honesty, empathy, boundaries, using Theory of Mind: "how my actions / words impact others" (tools for resolving conflict between peers and family members)

➺ Identity and Self-Esteem, Understanding cultural roots, encouragement through the child's unique traits

THERAPEUTIC WORK / ART THERAPY

Children can be aided by the capacity of art making to restore healthy functioning and provide mastery amidst “big emotions” and feelings of helplessness (to name a few). Art therapy is an effective means to combat many issues. For example, the process of creating art can be an outlet to channel anxiety and aggression. The symbolic images that are generated allow children a capacity to express feelings and ideas regarding psychological conflicts and life experiences that are otherwise too emotionally loaded for verbal communication. Art helps children organize the “chaos” of their internal worlds for the themselves and the mentor to begin to tangibly see, reflect upon and have guidance to resolve.

➺ Positive Parenting: aims to achieve mutual respect, facilitation of the child's social and emotional development, empowerment, setting clear rules with firm but friendly communication, and fair behavior. Building secure child-parent attachments. Developing children’s ability to intrinsically tell what is right and what is wrong and to build self-motivation.

➺ Diet and holistic nutrition advice / picky eating

➺ Youth counselling and Mentorship

➺ Working with challenging behaviors / delays including: self-regulation, defiance, sensory-motor, attention, low self-esteem, mood, anxiety, reading, speech and language, social difficulties.

I would love to speak with you to assess the needs of your child(ren). Please schedule a free 10 minute consultation through e-mail brittnihagen@gmail.com