Category Archives: Early Education

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Jennie

One of the most beloved children’s Christmas stories is How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss.  It has been a child favorite ever since it was written in 1957. I read the book aloud to my preschool class today.  When … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 71 Comments

Pearl Harbor Day

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Jennie

Today, December 7th, is Pearl Harbor Day.  I think of the children and their families on that day, caught up in the excitement of Christmas, only to have their lives abruptly changed.  Suddenly Santa must have been a far away … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Early Education, history, young children | Tagged , , , , , | 49 Comments

Why the Need for Art, Stories, Poems, and Music?

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Jennie

“Children need art and stories and poems and music as much as they need love and food and fresh air and play. “ Wise words from Philip Pullman, who received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2005: Children need art and … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, music, Poetry, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

The Reader

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Jennie

Grammy:  “Do you want me to read you a book?  It’s so good!  It’s about a little girl like you who moves to America.  Here’s the book.” A Patricia MacLachlan book. Nora moves from Russia to the prairie of North … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Particia MacLachlan, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , | 68 Comments

Real Heroes

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Jennie

There are sad events in life that turn into goodness for others.  Gabi’s Bears is a case in point.  It started as a local fundraiser in a small Massachusetts town, after cancer had taken Gabi away.  Buy a bear to … Continue reading →

Posted in Death and dying, Early Education, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, young children | Tagged , , , , | 57 Comments

A Classic Children’s Book and History

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Jennie

I read this book yesterday to children, and I only got through the first few pages.  It is one of the best books to teach history and what happens over time.  We had to stop and talk about so many … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, geography, history, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 100 Comments

The White Feather

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Jennie

Eagles, specifically the bald eagle, is our unit of study. The live video cam was on.  We watched a mother eagle in her nest taking care of two eggs. A child said, “Jennie, you have a white feather in your … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 60 Comments

Storytelling… and Ellis

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Jennie

Interestingly, my storytelling to children often happens in the bathroom.  While that might sound strange, it really isn’t.  It’s me, sitting on the bench with three or four children, squished in close.  It feels good.  We’re waiting for the child … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 68 Comments

Eric Carle and Kate DiCamillo

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Jennie

Getting more than what you expected is a wonderful thing.  When that ‘more’ lingers for weeks, that’s a bonus. I went to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art a few weeks ago to hear Newbery Award winning author … Continue reading →

Posted in Author interview, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, museums, picture books, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 97 Comments

Hands-On Math for Children

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Jennie

Often, in the flow of our day, there are unplanned learning opportunities.  Typically, this is when some of the best learning and the most fun happens.  Recently we were playing with Squigz, a toy with multiple sized rubber pieces of … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Math, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 75 Comments