Category Archives: Inspiration

Rainbows

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Jennie

 “Jennie!  Come quick!  There’s a rainbow in the bathroom.” What a surprise. Everyone clamored into the bathroom for a look, to put their hands onto the rainbow. The rainbow miraculously appeared on little hands. Sometimes wonder needs no words. The … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Inspiration, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 42 Comments

My Teacher Lightbulb Moment – Part 2

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Jennie

In Part 1 I wrote about the moment a child and I smiled together, and how that was the start of my becoming a ‘real teacher’. Part 2 is how I continued, and how my teaching grew. I became ‘one’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, joy, Love, preschool, quilting, reading aloud, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 90 Comments

My Teacher Lightbulb Moment – Part 1

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Jennie

Fellow blogger Don at Don Ostertag: Off Stage recently commented, “If only other teachers were children at heart.” It hit home with me, because that is when I became a ‘real’ teacher.  That’s when I found my heart.  No, that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, joy, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , | 93 Comments

Never Underestimate Children’s Creativity

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Jennie

I am still learning.  After 39 years of teaching preschool, I still learn from children.  Thank goodness!  Today was one of those days, or I should say one of those ‘moments’. It happened like this… We’re learning about woodland animals.  … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Diversity, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 68 Comments

An Oxymoron Sky

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Jennie

Bright sun, black sky late this afternoon. An oxymoron, Mother Nature’s playful way. Did she want us to look up? Take in the last color of fall? I was captivated. People walked by, never looking. I was the winner, others … Continue reading →

Posted in E.B. White, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 62 Comments

Veterans Day at School

Posted on November 11, 2022 by Jennie

Today children thanked a veteran.  That in itself is a big deal, because the children are preschoolers.  In order to thank a veteran, I need to give children a context of understanding.  That starts with songs, and my preschoolers love … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, military, patriotism, picture books, preschool, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 66 Comments

“Charlotte’s Web” and a Parent Conversation.

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Jennie

Dad (Michael) picked up his son (Bradley) from school this week.  We had a brief but powerful conversation, one I will long remember: Dad:  “You know, Bradley talks a lot about chapter reading at school.  He talks about Charlotte’s Web.” … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 74 Comments

The Fog Calls a Teacher

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Jennie

Halloween was over, and a thick fog settled in. This was a fog never seen.  Never. The fog called me. I wanted to run, be with the fog, get swallowed. I am a child at heart. I have the eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Halloween, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 57 Comments

Gloria’s Weekend

Posted on October 30, 2022 by Jennie

Gloria had her first weekend visit with a child this year. Year after year, Gloria becomes a well-loved member of the classroom.  Why?  Because children naturally want to be loving.  They need a platform to do that outside of their … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 85 Comments

Robots…Again!

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Jennie

Over the past two years children in my class have loved Boston Dynamics’ robots.  Well, that’s actually an understatement.  Children have been over the moon, and they have embraced every video from dancing to technology. A new year just began.  … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 61 Comments