Category Archives: Inspiration

My Favorite Christmas Ad – Repost

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Jennie

My favorite Christmas Ad, every year. The Spirit of Christmas That’s what it’s really about. This is the year we need to keep that spirit alive. This is the year we need to find happiness. If we are happy, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, joy, Love, wonder | Tagged , , , | 70 Comments

Best Children’s Christmas Books – Annual Post

Posted on December 18, 2022 by Jennie

Christmas books are often more meaningful to read to a child after the holiday, once a child has experienced the joy of Christmas.      Red and Lulu, by Matt Tavares is the story of two cardinals who live in … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Family, Inspiration, joy, picture books, reading aloud, wonder | Tagged , | 50 Comments

Grandma Moses

Posted on December 14, 2022 by Jennie

THEGUARDIAN.COM Queen of Christmas: the wondrous snowy landscapes that made Grandma Moses as big as Jackson Pollock. As soon as I saw this article, shared by the Bennington Museum in Bennington, VT, I knew I needed to tell her story, … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, quilting, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , | 72 Comments

Army Navy

Posted on December 10, 2022 by Jennie

This is a post from last year’s Army/Navy game.  I couldn’t say it better, and it bears repeating.  Today’s game was equally exciting.  I must add that next year’s Army/Navy game will be held at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.  Yes, … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, Learning About the World, military | Tagged , , | 43 Comments

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 , , , | 67 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 , , | 104 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 , , | 98 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 , , , , | 71 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