Week of the Young Child

This is ‘Week of the Young Child’, celebrated nationally by early childhood programs, accredited by NAEYC – National Association for the Education of Young Children.  It’s a big deal!

We celebrated by ‘filling buckets’, literally and figuratively.  Children filled pails with soil, planted flowers, and delivered them throughout the community.


Delivered to the public library.

 Filling buckets is spreading kindness.

At school we have a kindness jar.  We’ve had it in the classroom for months.  Whenever a child does something ‘above and beyond’ in regards to an act of kindness, we put a stone in the jar.  This week we filled the jar.  Children were rewarded with a pizza party.  There were 62 stones in the jar.  That’s a lot of kindness to spread!

At school we decorated Children Around the World.  We’re all different (as Gloria helps us to remember), and the art display reflects the diversity in us all.

I read many books on filling buckets, kindness, and children all over the world.  The book that stands out to bring everything together is “What a Wonderful World”, with the words sung by Louis Armstrong.  Last year at this time, teaching was all done remotely, and I sang the book to the children.  It was also Earth Day, so very appropriate to celebrate our wonderful world.

Yes, what a wonderful world, indeed!

Jennie

Unknown's avatar

About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over forty years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about. I was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
This entry was posted in art, Diversity, Early Education, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, Learning About the World, picture books, preschool, School, Singing, Teaching young children and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

65 Responses to Week of the Young Child

  1. Darlene's avatar Darlene says:

    Every day is a special day at your school. I love the idea of spreading kindness by planting flowers and delivering them. I also love that book and you singing. Have a great Sunday!!

  2. beetleypete's avatar beetleypete says:

    I love that art on the wall, and filling buckets for distribution teaches kindness and community. Great to see that, Jennie.
    Best wishes, Pete.

  3. srbottch's avatar srbottch says:

    Another lesson that will stick with the kids. And Kindness begins with K, as does Kiss, and both connote Love. Am I making sense?

  4. quiall's avatar quiall says:

    Your children are going to ensure that this world stays wonderful. They are going to go out into the world and live kindness and the ripples will hopefully last forever.

  5. Wow! Thats a very great idea! Happy Sunday, Jennie! Enjoy! Michael

  6. beth's avatar beth says:

    and as we both know, they should be celebrated!! wonderful

  7. Annika Perry's avatar Annika Perry says:

    Jennie, I’m teary-eyed listening to your singing the book – beautiful illustrations and heartwwarming song – well done to you! Your pupils must be the luckiest ever!😀

  8. It is a wonderful world, Jennie. Thanks for continuing to remind us all.

  9. willedare's avatar willedare says:

    You are the best! Planting flowers. Modeling generosity, Honoring and rewarding kindness… the list goes on and on. And then you find time to share some of what you do with us in this uplifting blog. THANK YOU!!!!

    • Jennie's avatar Jennie says:

      That is so nice, Will. Thank you! You are the role model for uplifting, so I have big shoes to fill. I’m glad I did some uplifting today.

  10. Your children are growing into such wonderful caring young people Jennie and you are amazing.. a lovely post and will share in the blogger daily in the week..hugs xxx

  11. Mags's avatar magarisa says:

    What a wonderful idea!

  12. Bette A. Stevens's avatar Bette A. Stevens says:

    Wonderful, wonderful! 😍 xoxoxo

  13. Dan Antion's avatar Dan Antion says:

    What a wonderful idea, Jennie. Noting acts of kindness and rewarding the children for the collective acts. I love it.

  14. Thank you for bringing this special day to my attention, Jennie, as I’ll have a week long book tour for my first children’s book Tina Lost in a Crowd. Great thing you’re doing work the students.

  15. petespringer's avatar petespringerauthor says:

    As always, you remind us not to take simple things for granted. I like the idea of a kindness jar that kids can see filling up. I’m sure it leads to other acts of kindness when they see their teacher adding stones.

  16. What a wonderful week the children had filling buckets and celebrating children around the world! Here’s to the kindness and appreciation for the world they’re learning in the Aqua Room lasting a lifetime and making the world a better place.

  17. Norah's avatar Norah says:

    What joyful and wonderful celebrations.

  18. Jennie, that was so beautiful. I used to sing to my students, too. Loved the video, and I’m sure the kids did, too. ❤

  19. frenchc1955's avatar frenchc1955 says:

    Jennie, thank you for such a wonderful post!

  20. This is lovely, Jennie. I enjoyed your singing story, that is a song I just love.

  21. Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – Tuesday 20th April 2021 – #Community Jennie Fitzkee, #Wellbeing Toni Pike, #Guestpost offer Beetley Pete | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

  22. mitchteemley's avatar mitchteemley says:

    It is indeed, Jenny. I couldn’t help thinking of you, your passion for teaching and empathy for your kids, when I published my memoir post today.

  23. dgkaye's avatar dgkaye says:

    I so enjoyed your video Jennie. Love the book and the reading and singing, and love the kindness rocks rewards. Again, the world needs more Jennies ❤

  24. Carla's avatar Carla says:

    What a wonderful and uplifting post Jennie. I always enjoy seeing what you and your students are up to. I love your kindness pails, and both videos. Wonderful.

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