Category Archives: Inspiration

Alumnus Visit

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Jennie

A senior in high school, “too soon too old” After his trip to Italy, Wesley came bearing gifts- a Pinocchio for each child and a large Pinocchio for the class.  We learned that the story and character are from northern … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Quotes, Student alumni, young children | Tagged , , , | 56 Comments

Wonder

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Jennie

Wonder definition – a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable. Last night’s view from dinner, Gibbet Hill, Groton, Massachusetts. Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder. -E.B. White- Jennie

Posted in E.B. White, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, Quotes, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 53 Comments

How To Have a Beautiful Life

Posted on April 13, 2019 by Jennie

Jennie

Posted in Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Quotes, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 58 Comments

A Field Trip to the Art Show

Posted on April 11, 2019 by Jennie

Children and families and teachers went on a field trip to see the Art Show. Seeing is believing. It’s also loving, and empowering.  In the words of fellow blogger  Laura Bruno Lilly, these children are ‘heartists’ – artists with heart. … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Quotes, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 45 Comments

Art and Music and Italy – Part 4 – the Finale

Posted on April 7, 2019 by Jennie

Weeks of hard work + joy = great satisfaction and achievement.  That is the perfect equation, exactly how my preschoolers felt when they finally saw their art, their hard work, their masterpieces, mounted and framed. You would think after a … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 69 Comments

Best Job Ever – Story Epilogue

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Jennie

Since that wonderful day last week, when a child asked me to sing “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles, there has been more.  The music exploded in ways I never expected. Well, it was more than the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, Love, music, picture books, reading aloud, Singing, The Arts, The Beatles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 71 Comments

Art and Music and Italy – Part 3

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Jennie

In Part 1, children began to learn about Italy through maps and a big atlas. First we ‘travelled’, then we learned fun facts (pretzels were invented in Italy, pasta was not).  We learned that opera is from Italy, and children … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, music, picture books, preschool, The Arts, young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 71 Comments

Best Job Ever

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Jennie

Friday was a rainy day.  I played the autoharp, and children sang and danced their hearts out.  I love rainy days.  I love music.  More importantly, children love music.  A child came up to me in the middle of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, music, preschool, The Arts, The Beatles | Tagged , , , , , , | 111 Comments

Sunshine Blogger Award

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Jennie

A big thank you to Annika Perry for my Sunshine Blogger Award Nomination. If I can be a ray of sunshine to a fellow blogger, that in itself is a tremendous thing.  While I am not a participant in awards, … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Art and Music and Italy

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Jennie

We are learning about Italy, which is just perfect as we prepare for our annual Art Show. It’s only a few days into the learning, and already we are bursting at the seams in the best of ways.  Here is … Continue reading →

Posted in art, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Learning About the World, music, picture books, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments