Brella

Brella Mantra #5: Language matters - The way we speak to children shapes how they understand themselves and others. At Brella, we use needs-based language and non-violent communication to help children understand the why behind a situation, so they can problem solve with confidence and build empathy for those around them. When children feel understood, they learn to understand others.⁣
⁣
🏡 Try this at home:
✔️Say what to do instead of what to stop.⁣
✔️Name feelings to help your child make sense of their emotions.⁣
✔️Explain the “why” in simple, clear language.⁣
✔️Encourage problem-solving by asking “What can we do?”⁣
✔️Model calm, respectful communication.

"...Brella Playa Vista is hands down the best child care you can get. The staff and teachers truly feel like family and I’m as excited as my kids are, to see them every morning for drop offs."

Recently, Lilac Class explored the magic of the ✨Northern Lights using color, movement and conversation to better understand natural phenomena and how they differ from familiar experiences like rainbows. This exploration encouraged curiosity, imagination and early scientific thinking.

What the children explored:
✨ Painting vibrant “light patterns” inspired by the Northern Lights
✨ Comparing rainbows and auroras through observation and discussion
✨ Responding to open-ended questions about weather, color and light
✨ Expressing their own interpretations through creative choices

By connecting science to art and conversation, children were able to explore complex ideas in a way that felt accessible and engaging.

Learning Outcomes:
✔️ Motor — Fine motor skills through painting and hand coordination
✔️ Social Emotional — Sharing materials and ideas with peers
✔️ Science/Earth — Understanding natural phenomena and environmental concepts

Who are you rooting for this World Cup? ⚽️ It’s so special to see little ones watch the game and experience moments of excitement and pride. Cheering together helps children begin to understand teamwork and what it means to be part of something bigger. Are you watching Team USA tonight?

🇺🇸💥Happy 4th of July... and a big one at that. Today we celebrate 250 years of America. Wishing you a safe and joyful holiday!

PARENT WORKSHOP: Raising Healthy Eaters (Even the Picky Ones) led by Elyse Bennett, MSW, CLE

Join us for a practical, supportive session on building healthy food habits. We'll cover:
🍎Positive food routines from the start
🍎Introducing variety without pressure
🍎Managing picky eating & power struggles
🍎Simple, balanced lunch ideas
🍎Making meals more fun & less stressful

Perfect for parents starting solids or navigating toddler eating challenges.

Pasadena: Tuesday, July 14 from 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Playa Vista: Tuesday, July 14 from 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Hollywood: Wednesday, July 22 from 4:00 - 5:00 PM

✏️ Sign up at hellobrella.com/villages

This July we'll take a stroll through ! While modern life may not be a scientific biome, it's certainly a bustling ecosystem of its own! From skyscrapers to suburbs, and rural landscapes, our July curriculum is all about exploring the diverse habitats of modern living. We'll explore the sights, sounds, and stories of urban, suburban, and rural areas found around the world.

Brella students will explore modern life with hands-on experiences like:
🏙️ Trying their hand at Urban Planning in STEAM Workshop
🐶 Opening up their own veterinary clinic to learn about different domestic animals
📚 Reading stories in Literacy Workshop like Zoey's First Plane Ride
..and so much more!

(Photos: Yes Magazine, NASA Earth Observatory)

Worried about summer learning loss? At Brella, learning continues year round through our play-based curriculum. While our summer days include more outdoor and water play, children are still building critical skills, from language and early math to problem solving and social development.

Our monthly biome studies and STEAM-based activities continue through the summer, giving children continuous opportunities to explore science, nature and creativity.

☀️Interested in Brella summer programming? Send us a DM or reach out to your local center:
Hollywood ➡️ [email protected]
Pasadena ➡️ [email protected]
Playa Vista ➡️ [email protected]

We’re excited to announce the first cohort of participants selected for the Brella x Stanford FIND Coaching Program. Please join us in congratulating:⁣
⁣
⭐ Nardin Moussa⁣
Brella Playa Vista Green Class Teacher⁣
⭐ Jackie Torres⁣
Brella Pasadena Rose Class Teacher⁣
⭐ Maria Zuniga⁣
Brella Pasadena Coral Class Lead Teacher⁣
⭐ Tricia Lau⁣
Brella Playa Vista Rose Class Teacher⁣
⁣
We’re proud of this group for taking this step to grow as educators. We look forward to seeing the impact of their learning across our classrooms and centers.

It's officially summer! ☀️But if bedtime suddenly feels harder, you’re not imagining it. Summer changes light, routines and stimulation levels, all of which impact how children fall asleep.

Here are some simple tips to support your little one's sleep:
💤 Start your wind-down routine earlier, even if bedtime stays the same
💤 Use blackout curtains to support melatonin production
💤 Keep bedtime rituals consistent (bath, books, lights out)
💤 Limit stimulating activities right before bed
💤 Aim for consistent wake times to help regulate their internal clock