--- title: | Kristin Crawford description: "Kristin Crawford, the Lower School Principal at Westtown School, has over 30 years experience in elementary education. In her 25 plus years of classroom teaching, she led Pre-K to 12th grade curricular review work, empowered children to restore a marsh and woodlands, initiated programs for local nursery school teachers and pushed to add Mandarin in a lower school. A fascination with how children think motivated her to develop a physics lab for young girls and a design lab at Westtown. With a Masters in Independent School Leadership from University of Pennsylvania, she moved into Admissions and then to divisional leadership. Kristin says \"By far the favorite part of my job is the children. Children always have their own way of thinking, and we adults don't always get it. They make my laugh, they make me think and they make me want Lower School to be the best school for them. When school is over each day, I want to be outside. Actually, I often want to be outside during the day and have been known to take my phone outside to the sun and air to answer emails.\"" --- [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/file-2454828850-png/Westtown-Feb2015/logo_graphic.png?width=68&height=68&name=logo_graphic.png)](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/file-2451508821-png/Westtown-Feb2015/logo_text.png) Spirited Quaker education since 1799](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1) # A Well-Lit Path: A Blog from Westtown School ## Kristin Crawford Kristin Crawford, the Lower School Principal at Westtown School, has over 30 years experience in elementary education. In her 25 plus years of classroom teaching, she led Pre-K to 12th grade curricular review work, empowered children to restore a marsh and woodlands, initiated programs for local nursery school teachers and pushed to add Mandarin in a lower school. A fascination with how children think motivated her to develop a physics lab for young girls and a design lab at Westtown. With a Masters in Independent School Leadership from University of Pennsylvania, she moved into Admissions and then to divisional leadership. Kristin says "By far the favorite part of my job is the children. Children always have their own way of thinking, and we adults don't always get it. They make my laugh, they make me think and they make me want Lower School to be the best school for them. When school is over each day, I want to be outside. Actually, I often want to be outside during the day and have been known to take my phone outside to the sun and air to answer emails." ### Recent Posts ## [It Would Be Better If...](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/it-would-be-better-if) Posted by [Kristin Crawford](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/kristin-crawford) on January 10, 2019 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hubfs/Blog%202019.jpg)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/it-would-be-better-if) --- Happy New Year!  Otherwise known as a time of optimistic self-improvement. One of the skills required of parenthood and teaching is the ability to identify areas for potential improvement in children. We can believe a little more of this or a little less of that would benefit our children greatly. But we often make such determinations from our own point of view. If only they did \_\_\_\_ everything would be better. And our children give us daily reality checks that what *we* deem needs improvement may not be what they recognize as worthy of attention. What we see as encouragement for self-improvement and growth, they could describe as nagging. Maybe rightly so.  [Read More](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/it-would-be-better-if) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/it-would-be-better-if#comments-listing) Topics: [Inspiring the Best in Kids](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) ## [The Power of Emotions](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/emotions) Posted by [Kristin Crawford](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/kristin-crawford) on October 22, 2018 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hubfs/Blog%20Emotions%20(2).jpg)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/emotions) In Meeting for Worship, a first grader was moved to share the message bubbling up in her. “*Every day isn't always going to be cupcakes and rainbows.  Some days you have to pause and take a moment for your emotions*.” Emotions are a full-blown reality for children.  Happiness, frustration, anger, joy, silliness, excitement, disappointment.  They swirl around in their minds and bodies. [Read More](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/emotions) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/emotions#comments-listing) Topics: [Help with learning](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/help-with-learning), [Raising Resilient Lower and Middle Schoolers](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-lower-and-middle-schoolers) ## [The Impact of a Teacher](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/the-impact-of-a-teacher) Posted by [Kristin Crawford](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/kristin-crawford) on May 10, 2018 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hubfs/Andy%20LS.jpg)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/the-impact-of-a-teacher) Teacher Appreciation Day made me think about my favorite teachers and why they still hold a place in my heart and mind.  There are three of them. Mrs. McCall was my first grade teacher.  This was the first time I was away from my home all day as the first grade classes were in an annex 10 miles from my house.  It was far away from my mother and I felt it. Yet, Mrs. McCall loved me and I knew that too. I wasn’t special. She loved everyone.  Her love gave me the courage to trust school. In a class permeated by safety and order, she created the conditions where risk was ok, and because I could take a risk, I unlocked the mysteries of reading and writing.   All because of Mrs. McCall. There was magic in her teaching, and believing she loved me, I was smitten and loved her back. [Read More](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/the-impact-of-a-teacher) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/the-impact-of-a-teacher#comments-listing) Topics: [Inspiring the Best in Kids](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) ## [Kindness & Teamwork: A Mindset for All Ages](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/kindness-teamwork-a-mindset-for-all-ages) Posted by [Kristin Crawford](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/kristin-crawford) on February 22, 2018 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hubfs/blog%20team2.jpg)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/kindness-teamwork-a-mindset-for-all-ages) --- It is hard to believe it was almost two months ago when many of us were developing resolutions for the new year. As we know, all too well, absolute resolutions are quickly and easily broken. This year I thought maybe a mindset resolution is better than an absolute. So, the resolutions I set out for our Lower School students are more of a mindset. We are asking the children to keep in mind two ways of thinking about others:  being kind and being part of a team. [Read More](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/kindness-teamwork-a-mindset-for-all-ages) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/kindness-teamwork-a-mindset-for-all-ages#comments-listing) Topics: [Communication and Children](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/communication-and-children), [Raising Resilient Lower and Middle Schoolers](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-lower-and-middle-schoolers), [Inspiring the Best in Kids](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) ## [Holiday Shopping: What to Give and Why](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/holiday-shopping-whattogiveandwhy) Posted by [Kristin Crawford](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/kristin-crawford) on December 7, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hubfs/Blog%20-%20holiday.jpg)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/holiday-shopping-whattogiveandwhy) --- We have all faced the question: Do I buy the latest item on the top of my child's list? Often the must-have toy is quickly discarded.  To shift away from this season's craze and give gifts that outlast the fads, here are a few insights which might help you evaluate what to put in the cart. - Children benefit from lots and lots of practice with fine motor play.  To help little fingers grow stronger so they can print, build, paint, and pour, consider toys and tools which let children cook, sew, and construct. Cook books, pie-making tools, board games, puzzles, watercolors, sewing kits, hammers, nails, clay, musical instruments, dolls with clothes, and blocks of all sizes – these toys help children develop stronger, more coordinated fingers.   [Read More](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/holiday-shopping-whattogiveandwhy) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/holiday-shopping-whattogiveandwhy#comments-listing) Topics: [Raising Resilient Lower and Middle Schoolers](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-lower-and-middle-schoolers), [Inspiring the Best in Kids](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) ## [Problem Solving for Parents](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/problem-solving-for-parents) Posted by [Kristin Crawford](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/kristin-crawford) on March 10, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hubfs/Blogproblemsolver-197339-edited.jpg)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/problem-solving-for-parents) As parents, we are quick to see the problems in our day-to-day life and even quicker to articulate a solution or how something *should* be done. And yet, when we point out the problem and the solution all in one breath, we are getting in the way of our children developing the skill of identifying problems. To find solutions, one first has to *recognize* there is a problem. We want our children to be problem identifiers *and* problem solvers. [Read More](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/problem-solving-for-parents) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/problem-solving-for-parents#comments-listing) Topics: [Communication and Children](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/communication-and-children), [Inspiring the Best in Kids](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) ## [Parent Teacher Conferences: What Parents Can Do To Prepare](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/parent-teacher-conferences-what-parents-can-do-to-prepare) Posted by [Kristin Crawford](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/kristin-crawford) on October 7, 2015 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hubfs/blog_conference.jpg)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/parent-teacher-conferences-what-parents-can-do-to-prepare) --- Anticipation of conferences with teachers creates a whole range of feelings for parents:  nervousness, excitement, curiosity, uncertainty. The most successful conferences are based on dialogue – a back and forth of sharing what the teacher and the parent know and hope for the child. You, as the parent, know the child as no one else. You are the advocate, the realist, and the holder of aspirations.   The teacher knows the child as a learner. How does s/he approach the tasks of learning?  How does the child learn and play within a community of other children? The parent sees the child as one, and the teacher sees the child as a *unique one in relation to many* other children. When those two perspectives are combined, the strongest partnership between home and school can be built.   [Read More](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/parent-teacher-conferences-what-parents-can-do-to-prepare) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/parent-teacher-conferences-what-parents-can-do-to-prepare#comments-listing) Topics: [Communication and Children](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/communication-and-children), [Inspiring the Best in Kids](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) ## [Snow Lessons: Nine Discoveries for Young Kids](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/snow-lessons) Posted by [Kristin Crawford](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/kristin-crawford) on February 17, 2015 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![kid_in_snow](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/hub/394143/file-2509234859.jpeg?width=232&name=file-2509234859.jpeg)When I was little, it seemed to snow and snow all winter.  I grew up in Maryland but if it was winter there was snow and ice.  Snow to sled on and ice to skate on.  Well, actually sledding was more like careening – as fast as you could, over the large speed bumps and landing with a thud on the frozen pond.  Skating was a process of trying and failing. What’s to be learned from hours outside in the freezing cold?  Plenty.  [Read More](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/snow-lessons) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/snow-lessons#comments-listing) Topics: [Raising Resilient Lower and Middle Schoolers](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-lower-and-middle-schoolers) ## [Tips for helping young kids find their independence](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/tips-for-helping-young-kids-find-their-independence) Posted by [Kristin Crawford](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/kristin-crawford) on February 9, 2015 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/hub/394143/file-2464127381.jpeg)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/tips-for-helping-young-kids-find-their-independence) Most of the struggles of parenting of young children stem from children’s fierce desire to be independent.  In fact, **independence is the work of childhood**.  From the moment children are born, all the milestones are about independence:  sitting up, holding a cup, crawling, walking.  Leap forward to learning to ride a bike without training wheels or jumping in the pool or go way out to the teenage years – one of the biggest milestones – learning to drive.  And what do you do when you learn to drive?  You drive away from your parents! [Read More](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/tips-for-helping-young-kids-find-their-independence) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/tips-for-helping-young-kids-find-their-independence#comments-listing) Topics: [Raising Resilient Lower and Middle Schoolers](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-lower-and-middle-schoolers) [All posts](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/all) ### Subscribe to Our Blog ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Inspiring the Best in Kids (46)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) - [Raising Resilient, Healthy Teens (29)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-healthy-teens) - [Help with learning (19)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/help-with-learning) - [Communication and Children (18)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/communication-and-children) - [Raising Resilient Lower and Middle Schoolers (7)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-lower-and-middle-schoolers) - [sustainability (4)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/sustainability) - [Building Self-Esteem in Teens (3)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/building-self-esteem-in-teens) - [How to get your teen to talk (3)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-get-your-teen-to-talk) - [How to Pick the Best Independent School in Philly (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-pick-the-best-independent-school-in-philly) - [How to manage the mood swings (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-manage-the-mood-swings) - [Student Life at Westtown (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/student-life-at-westtown) - [Westtown Picks (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/westtown-picks) - [Summer Camps (1)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/summer-camps) see all 975 Westtown Road West Chester, PA 19382 610.399.0123 [Contact Us](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=498#) - - - - [Apply Now](https://mbp.westtown.edu/SeniorApps/facelets/registration/loginCenter.xhtml?appId=AD) [Make A Gift](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=979) Westtown School, a Quaker Pre-K -12th grade co-ed, private, college preparatory day and boarding school, offers a challenging and diverse curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, service and social action. Since 1799, we have been committed to character education and innovation. We inspire and prepare our graduates to become stewards and leaders of a better world. [Apply Now](https://mbp.westtown.edu/SeniorApps/facelets/registration/loginCenter.xhtml?appId=AD) [Make A Gift](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=979) Westtown School, a Quaker Pre-K -12th grade co-ed, private, college preparatory day and boarding school, offers a challenging and diverse curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, service and social action. Since 1799, we have been committed to character education and innovation. We inspire and prepare our graduates to become stewards and leaders of a better world. 975 Westtown Road West Chester, PA 19382 610.399.0123 [Contact Us](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=498#) - - - - - [powered by finalsite](http://www.finalsite.com/)