Category Archives: Inspiration

Making Picture Books Come Alive – With Props at Home

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Jennie

How to Expand Literacy and Reading Picture Books When You are Quarantined at Home One of the mainstays of teaching children is reading aloud books.  Why?  Children are drawn to stories.  They love hearing the words, and for good reason.  … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, play performances, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

Little Things are Really Big Things

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Jennie

In difficult times, like now, the little things we do for others become most important. They’re really the big things. Yet, it has always been this way. Perhaps we never had the time to truly appreciate those little moments. Now … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 65 Comments

Teachers’ Video Thank You to Parents – Updated

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Jennie

Our teacher video thank you to parents and their children has been updated to a far better song and a more appropriate artist.  Enjoy! Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 54 Comments

“Gloria” and National Superhero Day

Posted on April 28, 2020 by Jennie

Today is National Superhero Day.  Gloria wanted to celebrate.  She dressed up for the big day.  She wanted to be a Superhero. I had a talk with Gloria.  She needed to know that a real superhero doesn’t need a costume. … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 95 Comments

First Day Out

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Jennie

Today we had a drive-by birthday party for a fellow teacher.  It was the first time ‘out’ except for occasional trips to the grocery store, which are somber and depressing.  The masks and one-way lines and store monitors will one … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, joy, music, Singing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 82 Comments

Earth Day – “What a Wonderful World”

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Jennie

Earth Day is the day to give back to our earth, our world. When we take care of our earth, the earth takes care of us, and we have a wonderful world. “What a Wonderful World” I read the book … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Learning About the World, Mother Nature, music, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 36 Comments

Shining Stars

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Jennie

I looked at the stars tonight. I thought about the children in my class. I wasn’t sad, because children are shining stars. Jennie

Posted in art, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 51 Comments

The Past Two (and more) Weeks – School Then and Now, Part 3

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Jennie

In Part 2, I detailed our annual Art Show over the years, with stories of children and major works of art.  I also described how music played a major role in helping children feel inspired to create masterpieces.  The magnitude … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, Mindfulness, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 82 Comments

My Words To a Parent

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Jennie

To all parents out there, worried about their young child, and trying to keep school and learning going at home – here are my words to a parent who was concerned that her child often wanted to play: “When you … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Play, preschool, Quotes, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 90 Comments

Making Lemonade Today Out of Lemons – Birthday Parade

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Jennie

Today was Amelia’s birthday.  It turned out to be a grand event.  Life has given us lemons recently.  It has given everyone lemons, and we made the finest lemonade. We had a Birthday Party Car Parade! I arrived at Amelia’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, preschool, young children | Tagged , , , , , | 77 Comments