Category Archives: Inspiration

Reading Aloud on Christmas Eve

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Jennie

I wanted to read aloud to the children on Christmas Eve.  I wanted to leave them with visions of sugar plums.  Well, I wanted to give them the gift of a story.  And that’s just what I did. Last March … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 54 Comments

Preschoolers, Christmas Emotions, and ‘Gloria’

Posted on December 20, 2020 by Jennie

The emotional roller coaster of preschoolers is in full swing at Christmastime.  Tears, yelling, hitting, not sharing – it all surfaces at this time.   I’m there to help them navigate the waters and make things right.  In the end, … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, music, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 71 Comments

Winter Wonderland

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Jennie

Over a foot of snow fell yesterday. It was a winter wonderland. Since we are alone for Christmas, it will be a treat to have a white one. Light and fluffy. Windy and cold. It found it’s way into everywhere. … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 98 Comments

Light, “Fairyland” and Preschool Poetry

Posted on December 14, 2020 by Jennie

The winter solstice draws near, and Jupiter and Saturn will come close together as the bright Christmas Star – the first time in 800 years. Light It’s all about light in December.  Holidays are centered around light. I’ve never seen … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Mindfulness, Poetry, Quotes, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 53 Comments

Kings and Queens, Writing Letters, Doctor Dolittle, and Pfizer

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Jennie

We just finished a wonderful unit on Kings and Queens at school.  What child doesn’t want to be a king or queen, live in a castle, and dream of dragons? Of course things took a turn – quite a turn. … Continue reading →

Posted in art, children's books, Death and dying, England, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Learning About the World, picture books, picture stories, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 54 Comments

My Favorite Christmas Picture Books for Children

Posted on December 7, 2020 by Jennie

This is a repost of my favorite Christmas books.  Every year they grow stronger, because children love them.  These are the books children and adults want to read over and over again.  That’s why they’re the best.  Please, go to … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 77 Comments

A Visit to the Eric Carle Museum – More Than I Imagined

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Jennie

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts is a favorite for any lover of children’s books – because it exhibits the original art illustrations of the books.  One of my first visits was to see the … Continue reading →

Posted in art, books, children's books, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, museums, picture books, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 71 Comments

My Favorite Christmas Ad 0f All Time!

Posted on November 28, 2020 by Jennie

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 is contagious. I bring you my … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, music | Tagged , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

Giving Thanks – Miles and “The Wild Robot”

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Jennie

Today I finished reading aloud to Miles, “The Wild Robot.”  I was a bit choked up.  Miles and his sister Claire (also a former student) were too.  This was the best Thanksgiving, real giving that truly matters. For bloggers who … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, reading aloud, reading aloud, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , , , , | 78 Comments

Reading Aloud “Ox-Cart Man”

Posted on November 22, 2020 by Jennie

At the request of fellow bloggers, here is a video of me reading aloud the classic children’s picture book, “Ox-Cart Man.” But first, I wanted to show you a mural the children made last year that hangs as a permanent … Continue reading →

Posted in America, art, books, children's books, Early Education, geography, history, Inspiration, Nature, Particia MacLachlan, picture books, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 69 Comments