Category Archives: art

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 3

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 2, Milly came onto the scene, meeting the children and Gloria.  She accepted the “challenge” – as she called it – of quilting a mural which would become a Peace Quilt.  Gloria started the ball rolling with her own … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Community, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Peace, Poetry, quilting, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 40 Comments

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 2

Posted on June 25, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 1, I discovered a Peace Portal at a museum and recreated it in my classroom.  Peace became a big deal and very real to children.  When I saw quilts that were murals, I knew I had to make … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Community, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, Peace, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , | 42 Comments

The Art Show!

Posted on April 25, 2026 by Jennie

The annual Art Show is up and running.  As always, the art is stellar.  Why?  Because I empower children.  I tell them, “You can do this!”  I show them works of art by the masters – slowly and purposefully.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Heart, Inspiration, School, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 62 Comments

Happy Easter From the Ducks in Boston Public Garden

Posted on April 5, 2026 by Jennie

This is a favorite post from Easter many years ago. Photo courtesy Universal Hub Robert McCloskey’s classic story, Make Way for Ducklings, is immortalized in bronze statues in the Public Garden on Boston Common.  Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings, Jack, … Continue reading →

Posted in art, books, children's books, Community, Inspiration, picture books, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 69 Comments

Music to Inspire My Young Artists

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Jennie

“Where words fail, music speaks.” ~Hans Christian Andersen~ Music is at the heart of every emotion- inspiring poets, writers, and artists. I use music to inspire my preschoolers to paint.  Oh boy, do I ever!  First I bring in my … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, music, preschool, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 73 Comments

Summer at the Eric Carle Museum

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Jennie

A trip to the Eric Carle Museum is my ray of sunshine, my inspiration.  Seeing original art illustrations and finding new children’s books gives me joy.  This summer visit was wonderful of course, and filled with new discoveries. The lobby … Continue reading →

Posted in art, children's books, Diversity, Eric Carle, Eric Carle Museum, Inspiration, picture books, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , | 84 Comments

MacDowell – An Artist’s Dream

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Jennie

MacDowell For all the artists out there; writers, painters, musicians, sculptures, film makers and more – there is an artist retreat open for you.  Really! It all began in 1907, founded by composer Edward MacDowell and his wife, pianist Marian … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Inspiration, literacy, wonder, Writing | Tagged , , , | 88 Comments

The Art Show

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Jennie

My art palette pin.  I wear it every year.  I introduce art for the Art Show step-by-step, easy to difficult.  Since we studied Italy in March, our first art was ‘spaghetti art’.  Children stood on a table (that was exciting), … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 99 Comments

More on Music

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Jennie

Yes, we have been playing music on my old record player to inspire art for the Art Show, mostly musicals which the children thoroughly enjoy.  My record albums are well loved, slightly yellowed and musty – much like a good … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Inspiration, music, preschool, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 61 Comments

Music Inspires Art

Posted on March 30, 2025 by Jennie

Music plays a huge role in preschool.  It fills the hearts of children and inspires them to ‘be’, to open up and express their feelings.  They dance to music and soak up the feeling it gives them.  While young children … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, music, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 78 Comments