Category Archives: Early Education

StoryWalk – An Eric Carle Book

Posted on November 15, 2020 by Jennie

A StoryWalk is a book, told with a series of signs, planted outdoors along a walk, that take you through each page of a book.  You follow along, walking from one ‘page’ of a story to the next.  It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, picture books, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 60 Comments

Preschoolers Thank Veterans

Posted on November 12, 2020 by Jennie

At school this week children made a giant thank you note and American flag for our local veterans.  Saying thank you is important, but this goes deeper.  Veterans and Veterans Day help me to teach children about core values; honesty, … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Kindness, military, patriotism, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 63 Comments

Music We Love – Our “Wake-Up Song”

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Jennie

Music is part of our school day, every day.  Thank goodness!  We have many favorite songs, from rhyming to silly, classics to new discoveries, patriotic, quiet and loud, and… well, I play all kinds of music for children.  They love … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, Love, music, preschool, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 54 Comments

Gloria – a Regular Day at School

Posted on November 7, 2020 by Jennie

Somehow Gloria knows how to make things right for a child.  Emmett left his lovey kitty at school.  Here is his mother’s email: Hi all, Emmett came home today without lovey kitty. He doesn’t remember where lovey kitty is in … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, preschool | Tagged , , | 52 Comments

Halloween and a “Jennie Story”

Posted on October 31, 2020 by Jennie

Our ‘Day in the Dark’ and ‘Pajama Day’ at school was fun.  Glow sticks and black play dough were a big hit.  Wearing pajamas to school is cool.  Things are different this year, yet the constant is storytelling. Storytelling is, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Halloween, Imagination, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 73 Comments

Trees

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Jennie

This autumn has been gorgeous.  The trees are brilliant in a variety of colors.  They make me look up.  They make me stop to really look. Summer was dry, so it is surprising that our autumn is especially colorful.  I like to … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Einstein, Imagination, Mother Nature, Nature, picture books, Quotes, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

Gloria!

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Jennie

Gloria’s first day back-to-school is tomorrow.  She is excited!  She has a new face mask with dragonflies.  I can tell she’s nervous.  I have been reassuring her all day that everything will be fine, and I’ve also been listening to … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 78 Comments

The Giving Tree

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Jennie

There is a tree on the playground that is old and big.  Its branches dip down.  Each one seems to have a mind of its own.  The boughs sway and reach, and children look up. I wonder if the tree … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 104 Comments

When Children Uncover the Learning

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Jennie

There is a teacher term, ‘Emergent Curriculum’, which simply means that a teacher pays attention and follows the interests of children in order for real learning to happen.  It means stopping to listen to what children have to say, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, music, Nature, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 80 Comments

Music and Movement – The Brain and the Body

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Jennie

We are spending more time outdoors with children at school.  That includes music and movement.  I take my autoharp to the hill or the Woodland Grove, and we sing and dance and move.  Music is at the heart of children’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, joy, Math, Mindfulness, music, Nature, preschool, Singing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 82 Comments