Fairmont Schools SJC Launches "Little Warriors" Series to Help Families Navigate Early Childhood

Expert-led community series will offer practical guidance on developmental milestones, independence, confidence, and school readiness.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Most parents are familiar with the best-selling pregnancy book What to Expect When You're Expecting. But what happens after the baby grows to be a young child and parents are no longer sure about "what to expect"?

When should a child begin dressing independently? How much should a three-year-old be talking? Is a child ready for preschool, transitional kindergarten, or kindergarten? When should parents step in—and when should they give a child more room to try?

To help families navigate these questions, Fairmont Schools San Juan Capistrano is launching Little Warriors: Play, Learn & Grow, a free early-childhood workshop series for South Orange County parents, grandparents, and caregivers.

"Parents receive so much information before their child is born, but far less guidance as they begin navigating development, independence, preschool, and kindergarten readiness," said Rebecca Lugo, Head of School at Fairmont San Juan Capistrano. "Little Warriors will give families a trusted place to ask questions, learn from experts, and feel more confident about what comes next."

Guidance From Early Childhood Experts

The series will be led by Lugo; Juanita Espinoza, Fairmont SJC Preschool Director; and Jill Thomas, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, along with Fairmont educators and invited early-childhood specialists.

Initial sessions will include:

• Raising Confident, Independent Kids — An expert-led conversation about age-appropriate independence, routines, problem-solving, confidence, and avoiding the temptation to do too much for children.
• Ages and Stages: What to Expect and When — A parent-friendly look at language, motor, social-emotional, self-help, and school-readiness milestones.
• Big Feelings, Brave Kids — Practical strategies for separation, frustration, transitions, sharing, friendship challenges, and recovering from disappointment.

Parent sessions will be paired with engaging children's activities—from bubble play and STEAM experiences to tide pool adventures and more—offering a glimpse of Fairmont's joyful, hands-on approach to early learning.

Helping Children Discover What They Can Do

Espinoza said parents are often surprised by what young children can accomplish when given encouragement and time to try.

"Children can carry their belongings, clean up a spill, communicate what they need, solve small problems, and contribute meaningfully to a classroom," Espinoza said. "When we give them developmentally appropriate opportunities to participate, they begin to see themselves as capable."

One Fairmont parent experienced that realization after enrolling her child in school.

"I kept my child home because I thought that was what she needed. Then suddenly, after enrolling at Fairmont, she was reading, doing things independently, and coming home excited to share what she had learned. I had no idea she could do so much."

Thomas emphasized that encouraging independence does not mean leaving children to struggle alone.

"Confidence often comes after the attempt, not before it," Thomas said. "Children begin to believe 'I can do this' because they have experienced themselves trying, adjusting, asking for help, and eventually succeeding."

Building a Foundation for School and Beyond

The Little Warriors series reflects Fairmont SJC's approach to early learning, emphasizing strong relationships, academic foundations, social-emotional development, independence, creativity, and hands-on discovery.

"The goal is not to make young children grow up faster," Lugo said. "It is to help them feel safe enough to explore, supported enough to take risks, and trusted enough to discover what they can do."

Open to South Orange County Families

The series is open to families throughout South Orange County. Workshop information and registration details are available at https://www.fairmontschools.com/san-juan-capistrano/news-events/events. 

For more information about the school's early education program, contact Betty Petersen at [email protected].

SOURCE Fairmont Schools