Category Archives: Inspiration

Play is Important – Here’s Why

Posted on December 5, 2021 by Jennie

We all hear that play is important for children.  I know it’s important.  It’s their work; how they learn to make friends, negotiate, solve problems with objects, and solve problems with other children.  Play is having fun, and it’s also … Continue reading →

Posted in Imagination, Inspiration, Play, preschool, Uncategorized, young children | Tagged , , , , , | 89 Comments

Terrific Children’s Books – #3

Posted on December 2, 2021 by Jennie

Books #1 and #2 dealt with the all-important social and emotional issues – friendship, fear, worry, kindness, courage, giving…and more. Here is #3, a story on the same important path, but at a much more complex level.  Oh, this one is … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Inspiration, Learning About the World, reading | Tagged , , , , , | 91 Comments

Perseverance + Kindness = My New Hero

Posted on November 30, 2021 by Jennie

You never know when you’ll meet a hero.  On our Thanksgiving trip to see family, we stopped at an Applebee’s for dinner.  The server was delightful.  Her name is Heaven (really), and she certainly lives up to that name.  But, … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Kindness, self esteem | Tagged , , , | 67 Comments

November

Posted on November 22, 2021 by Jennie

November arrives with glorious color, splendor in the leaves on trees. The colors that began to flame in October are finally brilliant, vibrant when November comes calling. There are days of balmy temperatures and warm breezes. November is saying come … Continue reading →

Posted in Death and dying, Dogs, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Love, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 80 Comments

A Day at the Eric Carle Museum

Posted on November 21, 2021 by Jennie

There is always something new at the Carle. I say this all the time, because it’s true.  Every visit there is ‘something’ that floors me – sets me off like a sparkler. Marc Brown, author of the beloved “Arthur” books … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Author interview, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, literacy, museums, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 60 Comments

Sam and Alex, Then and Now

Posted on November 16, 2021 by Jennie

When children return to school to visit, it is always a treat for teachers.  When children return to give back, it becomes a whole new chapter.  I am the one filled with wonder, the children are just eager. Sam and … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Gloria, Inspiration, preschool, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 87 Comments

The End of the Day at School

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Jennie

It’s Friday, and the day has been blustery.  We watched the wind and rain blow leaves off the trees.  We’re learning about Russia, and we’re planning a Zoom play performance next week of ‘Peter and the Wolf’.  We listened to … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 50 Comments

E.B. White’s Letter to the Library Children

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Jennie

Early-1971, in an effort to attract as many youngsters to the premises as possible, Marguerite Hart — children’s librarian at the newly-opened public library in Troy, Michigan — wrote to a number of notable people with a request: to reply … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, reading | Tagged , , , , , | 57 Comments

What Do Children Think?

Posted on November 7, 2021 by Jennie

It’s the last hurrah.  Fall is hanging on to its beautiful colors like a child playing in piles of leaves, or carefully making a bouquet of bright colored leaves.  That’s what children do when they are struck by wonder.  And, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 115 Comments

Gloria Trick-Or-Treating Through the Years

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Jennie

After Halloween and trick-or-treat, children need to reminisce.  Of course they do!  They write picture stories about their adventures on Halloween night.  We talk about costumes and candy.  Remembering the good times is important. When a child talked about being … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Halloween, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , | 66 Comments