Category Archives: Early Education

The Best Children’s Christmas Books

I want to share with you my favorite Christmas books.  I love books, and I love reading to children.  After a gazillion years, these are the ‘tried and true’, stories that children love. Me, too! Grab tissues, laughter, and wonder, … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, reading, reading aloud, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

Meeting Author Ryan T. Higgins

I was fortunate to meet Ryan Higgins, a favorite children’s book author, at the Eric Carle Museum last week.  He read aloud his new picture book, Santa Bruce.  I’m a big fan of his Mother Bruce books, so I grabbed that … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, museums, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

All We Need is Love

A big hug fills us up and fixes everything.  Love conquers all. All we need is love. Jennie

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, joy, Kindness, Love, preschool, young children | 32 Comments

Music Saves the Day

Today was a zigger-zagger day.  Oh, boy.  Children were excited, wiggly, having a hard time attending.  There were tears, and sharing toys wasn’t an easy thing to do.  Some days are just like that. I knew exactly what to do. … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, music, preschool | Tagged , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

The Guest Reader – Age 6

Aaryan has been asking me for days to come into the classroom and be a guest reader.  “Jennie, I have the book in my backpack.  It’s the fish book.  They’re red and blue.  When can I come in and read?” … Continue reading

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, joy, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Student alumni, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

The Very Hungry Caterpillar – 50th Anniversary

Fifty years.  That’s a very long time.  For a book to still be alive, vibrant, and read all over the world – fifty years later – is astounding.  The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, history, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

The Playground at Night

Light and Dark on the Playground In the dark and cold of December Children see new things The dark gives light and beauty To the starkness And when children return in the morning Blues and whites appear Colors that were … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

A Story of Reading Aloud

Author Kate DiCamillo tells a childhood story of her teacher reading aloud, when she was in second grade.  It is powerful.  She remembers every detail… including the class bully. “It’s 1972, and I’m 8 years old and in second grade … Continue reading

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling | Tagged , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Two Preschool Generations

Thirty years ago Nurse Eamonn was in my preschool class.  He was adorable (but don’t tell him I said that.)  In high school he did his internship in my classroom.  Ah, he had the touch.  I knew there was a … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 51 Comments

A Boy and Robots

Rylan is the boy who loves reading.  He is part of my library read-aloud group, a big part.  That’s because he listens with his heart, and his mind.  His body tells me so.  Rylan’s eyes are glued to me, and … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 40 Comments