#187: Navigating School Closures with Meghan Fitzgerald of Tinkergarten

Stephanie chats with Meghan Fitzgerald, co-founder of Tinkergarten, to offer advice for parents that are homeschooling due to school closures. She helps parents redefine ‘success’ when it comes to homeschooling, especially if they have limited time to dedicate to their school’s academic requirements. Meghan also shares insights on how regressions can occur as kids process multiple weeks of social distancing. She discusses how parents can best support children through difficult emotions. Meghan also provides ideas for how to make summer fun and meaningful in the midst of social distancing, as well as advice for mentally and emotionally preparing children to return to school.

Enjoy the listen! You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify. We’d love to hear your thoughts on Instagram or Facebook.

Topics Discussed:

• How to redefine parenting success right now
• The fear of your child “falling behind” 
• How to help your child process difficult emotions
• How to foster independent play to give you more space
• Ideas to keep summer fun, despite closures
• How parents can prepare their children, mentally and emotionally on returning to school

Show Notes:

• Learn more on Tinkergarten’s website
• Find Tinkergarten on Instagram
• Blog: So Many of Our Kids are Regressing Right Now. What Can We Do About It?
• Blog: Need a Second to Breathe? Here Are Some Hacks to Foster Your Kids’ Independent Play
• Blog: Let 'Em Spin. They're Learning.
• Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell’s Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child’s number one health advocate!
• Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD’s online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood.

After 16 years as an educator, curriculum developer and school leader, Meghan has her dream gig—an entrepreneur/educator/mom who helps families everywhere, including hers, learn outside. Prior to Tinkergarten, Meghan worked as an Elementary School Principal, a Math/Science Specialist & and a teacher in public and private schools in NY, MA and CA. She earned a BA with majors in English and Psychology at Amherst College, an MS in Educational Leadership at Bank Street College, and was trained as a Forest School leader at Bridgwater College, UK. When she is with her kids, Meghan is that unapologetic mom who plays along with them in mud, dances in the pouring rain, and builds a darn good snow igloo with her bare hands.

Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only.  All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.