Category Archives: Imagination

Halloween At School

~Happy Halloween~ Today at school was a Day in the Dark. Children wore pajamas. Gloria did, too. We played with glow sticks and black playdoh on tin foil. We built with MagnaTiles creating structures that housed light. We painted with … Continue reading

Posted in Giving, Gloria, Halloween, Imagination, Inspiration, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , | 64 Comments

A Magical Evening at School

As the sky darkened, families enjoyed a pizza dinner on the playground. It was the first time everyone was together. Families brought pumpkins and went to work carving them into jack-o-lanterns. We set all the jack-o-lanterns along the stone wall. … Continue reading

Posted in Halloween, Imagination, Inspiration, jack-o-lanterns, music, Singing, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , | 67 Comments

Clouds

I’ve always loved looking at clouds, even as a child.  When we moved to New England I appreciated clouds even more.  Were they different or more beautiful?  No, I think it was me, especially the preschool teacher in me.  I … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , | 66 Comments

Heaven

Heaven in my own backyard. Jennie

Posted in art, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, wonder | Tagged , | 48 Comments

Chapter Reading Throughout the School Year

Here is my annual end of school year letter to parents: Chapter Reading June 9, 2023 Chapter reading is one of our treasured moments of the day.  We bring to life the imagination, the world, and the past.  The anticipation … Continue reading

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , | 58 Comments

Roots and Wings, They’re Now More Important Than Ever

Tonight is the first night of thunderstorms.  I’m thrilled, because I sit on my porch to listen and watch as the storms unfold.  As I type, I hear rumbles.  I have always loved thunderstorms.  Growing up in the Ohio River … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, self esteem, wonder | Tagged , | 74 Comments

Play is Everything

I took this video of children playing on their own. No adults, no guidance or suggestions for play. Everyone loves happy times of playing, especially when nothing is scripted, and the play, well, evolves.  And grows.  Children are especially drawn … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Play, Teaching young children, young children | Tagged , , | 86 Comments

The Annual Art Show

Every April my preschool class has an Art Show on display for the community at the post office.  Every year I say, “This is the best!”  And it always is, year after year.  Why?  Because children naturally love art.  When … Continue reading

Posted in art, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, music, The Arts, young children | Tagged , , , | 102 Comments

Make Way For Ducklings – Happy Easter

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, children's books, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 57 Comments

The Art of Disguise, “Swimmy” and Snow Geese

Cindy Knoke’s photography cindyknoke.com is nothing short of stunning.  From birds to wildlife to nature, she captures it all in breathtaking detail.  When I saw her recent photo of snow geese flying from a predator, I nearly jumped out of … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Leo Lionni, literacy, Nature, picture stories, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , | 53 Comments