Biography - Meet the Richerts
"Cal and Carolyn have a sincere and loving respect for young children, which is the foundation of their work. They have an uncanny understanding of how children think and why they do what they do."
-Client/Parent
Calvin and Carolyn Richert are child management specialists who have dedicated themselves to understanding children. From more than 30 years experience in this field as providers, authors and trainers, they have developed the LowStress Child Management system that promotes positive management strategies to help children develop from the inside out.
Carolyn's first love in college was music, so her undergraduate work led to a bachelor's degree in that field. About 10 years later, while preparing for a teaching role with preschoolers, she became interested in the Montessori approach to education. Later, she earned her Montessori Certificate after study in Texas, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri.
Following the completion of her Montessori program, she and Calvin purchased Kiddie Kampus, a home-based childcare facility in Overland Park, Kansas. She has continued as co-owner/operator to the present time.
Calvin's background combines education and management, earning both his bachelor's and master's degrees in the field of educational administration, the latter from BIOLA University of La Mirada, California. Before joining his wife in the operation of Kiddie Kampus, Calvin had been the headmaster of a private K-12 school in northwest Arkansas.
Four years after their purchase of Kiddie Kampus, Calvin joined Carolyn in the classroom on a full-time basis. Working together in their childcare setting, they have developed many unique child management models in consultation with top psychologists and other academics.
They began sharing their findings several years ago. First, Take fiVe Publications was formed to publish The Think Space, which describes a distinctive approach to helping children process the conflicts in their lives without unnecessary adult interference.
Next came Take fiVe Seminars, founded to teach Discipline Without Damage, a coordinated child management system that trains participants in the fine art of positive child management. The course is offered in both live and home-study formats.
Then came a connection with the popular publication, "Mother and Child Reunion", that has led to a series of short articles on child management subjects, reproduced as QuikTips for LowStress Child Management.
More recently, they have developed the resource website, www.dwd.com, that shares much of the Richerts' insight on child management. The site provides specific advice to parents and professionals as well as links to many other helpful child-related websites.
The Richerts are members of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children, the Kansas City Christian Preschool Association, and the Providers Exchange. They are frequent speakers for local, regional and national events that promote training in child development.
The Richerts make their home in Overland Park, Kansas and have raised four children of their own. They are presently working on several more books on childhood issues.
