MARCH 2025 • ISSUE 8
GEM A NEWSLETTER FROM GILLISPIE’S LEARNING VILLAGE IN LA JOLLA
THE BENEFITS OF HEALTHY RISK DR. MINDY COATES-SMITH, DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD THERON ROYER, COORDINATOR OF EC OUTDOOR LEARNING
We've all been there; that moment your child climbs a little too high, speeds a little too fast, or tries something that makes your heart stop. Instinctively, we want to swoop in and protect them. But what if, in our well-meaning efforts, we're actually doing more harm than good? As parents and teachers, our protective instincts are strong. We want to keep our kids safe from a bump and bruise. But here’s the thing, sometimes that bubble-wrap mentality can actually hold them back. When we shield kids from even the smallest risks, they can grow up to be more anxious and hesitant to take on challenges. At Gillispie, we're big believers in the power of 'risky play.' Turns out, those ‘risky’ moments - the thrilling, exciting ones where PN
IN THIS ISSUE SPECIALTY SPOTLIGHT
BRIDGING CULTURES THROUGH LANGUAGE p. 3 INNOVATION CORNER
EXPLORING ART IN THE AGE OF AI: A SIXTH-GRADE JOURNEY p. 4-5 ICARE
RESPECT: A KEY VALUE IN KINDERGARTEN p. 6 STUDENT CORNER
FOURTH GRADERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT FEEDING SAN DIEGO! P. 7 COMMUNITY
CELEBRATING CULTURE AND COMMUNITY p. 8