Category Archives: Imagination

Gloria and the College Football Player

Gloria has been away every weekend.  Her adventures have been numerous, and what she brings to children cannot be measured.  I will post her journal excerpts after Thanksgiving.  In the meantime, I have to share one of my favorite photos: … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , | 66 Comments

Gems at the Eric Carle Museum

Eric Carle Every visit to the Eric Carle Museum is a wonder, because I always discover something new.  I know what the current exhibits are and I plan my visit…but something ‘else’ happens along the way.  This visit was about … Continue reading

Posted in art, Book Review, children's books, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, Nature, picture books, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 54 Comments

Play + Nature and “The Giving Tree”

When play occurs outdoors in natural elements, it draws children in.  It whispers, “Come and play, I have everything to give you.” The leaves were bursting with color. Ladybugs were everywhere. Sticks and rocks are great for building. The playground … Continue reading

Posted in children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, Play, preschool, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 63 Comments

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