Category Archives: Early Education

The Important Things Don’t Change

Posted on August 28, 2017 by Jennie

Today was the first day back to school for teachers.  You’d think that I would be drained and overwhelmed with all the teacher work that needs to be done. Nope.  Not at all.  We talked about growing; both children and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 72 Comments

Rekindling American Pride

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Jennie

The perfect book.  Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus captures the heart of America.  The stunning illustrations by Kadir Nelson make the simple text explode with meaning.  It is history: White Rows.  White Rows When I turned to this page, … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, geography, history, Inspiration, patriotism, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Last Day of Camp

Posted on August 21, 2017 by Jennie

Summer Camp is bonding.  It’s a memory builder.  The little things stick and accumulate, and become part of a big piece.  And, that big piece is important; it shapes the good stuff, what really matters, like developing a sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, play performances, self esteem, Singing, summer camp, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 63 Comments

No Words Needed

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Jennie

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.  Knowledge is limited.  Imagination encircles the world.” – Albert Einstein- And, a picture really is worth a thousand words~that light the fire of imagination.  What if there were books that could do just that? … Continue reading →

Posted in David Wiesner, Early Education, Einstein, Eric Carle, Imagination, picture books, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 78 Comments

Meeting Yet Another Author

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Jennie

Mount Holyoke College in Western Massachusetts hosts children’s book authors, and recently Patricia MacLachlan was a speaker.  Remember Sarah, Plain and Tall?  It was the first book that made me cry as an adult.  Mandatory reading for my children when … Continue reading →

Posted in Author interview, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Patricia MacLachlan, picture books, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 45 Comments

Peace, The Real Peace

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Jennie

I talk about peace often in my classroom.  Well, that’s partially true.  When children talk about peace, I jump right in. They have a lot to say. We adults should listen more. Years ago, when I first had the the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, Kindness, Peace, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 95 Comments

Meeting an Author

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Jennie

Last week I met Eric Carle. Let me say it a little louder, “Last week I met Eric Carle!”  The man, a world renowned children’s author and illustrator, is 88 years old.  His history is fascinating.  So is he. My author … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Author interview, Early Education, Eric Carle, Leo Lionni, museums, picture books, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 73 Comments

Childhood, and Train Whistles, and My Grandmother

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Jennie

Summer evenings on the porch are quiet, except for the occasional  sound of a train whistle in the distance.  I love that sound.  When I was a little girl, a train whistle meant excitement and memories.  I was born and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, geography, history, Imagination, storytelling, Teaching young children, trains | Tagged , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Being A Late Bloomer

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Jennie

I was a late bloomer.  It’s a term that is mostly used for flowers today.  Way back when, children who didn’t seem to grow as quickly as their peers were often called “late bloomers”.  I struggled to read.  I sucked … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, picture books, reading aloud, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Childhood and Summer, Then and Now

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Jennie

On summer evenings my greatest pleasure is sitting on the porch and reading.  My porch has soft lighting and wood everywhere; bare wood and rough wood.  The ceiling is the roughest wood of all, and my husband wants to paint … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, storytelling, summer camp | Tagged , , , , , | 79 Comments