Category Archives: Inspiration

Gloria Goes to Missouri – Part 1

Posted on April 30, 2025 by Jennie

Gloria has been visiting Zeb the zebra in Missouri.  Back in January, Zeb came to visit Gloria in Massachusetts.  Both were lonely, and together their friendship blossomed – thanks to the children. Children – that’s the magic word.  It was … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, geography, Gloria, Heart, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, Play, School, teaching | Tagged , , , , | 78 Comments

Happy Easter from Boston’s Make Way for Ducklings

Posted on April 20, 2025 by Jennie

Photo courtesy Universal Hub Robert McCloskey’s classic story, Make Way for Ducklings, is immortalized in bronze statues in the Public Garden on Boston Common.  Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack  are all … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, history, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, The Arts | Tagged , , | 73 Comments

Real Connections With Children – From a Carpet Sweeper to a Princess Phone

Posted on April 16, 2025 by Jennie

Teachers need to connect with children.  That’s a given.  The smiles, hugs, and laughing are always the foundation for developing relationships with children. While these positive interactions are the most common, sometimes unexpected moments – bad moments – can become … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Mindfulness, preschool, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 76 Comments

The Art Show

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Jennie

My art palette pin.  I wear it every year.  I introduce art for the Art Show step-by-step, easy to difficult.  Since we studied Italy in March, our first art was ‘spaghetti art’.  Children stood on a table (that was exciting), … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 99 Comments

More on Music

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Jennie

Yes, we have been playing music on my old record player to inspire art for the Art Show, mostly musicals which the children thoroughly enjoy.  My record albums are well loved, slightly yellowed and musty – much like a good … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Inspiration, music, preschool, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 61 Comments

Music Inspires Art

Posted on March 30, 2025 by Jennie

Music plays a huge role in preschool.  It fills the hearts of children and inspires them to ‘be’, to open up and express their feelings.  They dance to music and soak up the feeling it gives them.  While young children … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, music, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 78 Comments

No Captain? Brilliant!

Posted on March 22, 2025 by Jennie

The Boston Bruins hockey team had a major change of players last week.  The team captain was traded, along with three other terrific players.  It was a shock. The ‘front office’ announced there would be no team captain for the … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 59 Comments

Jim Trelease, His Million-Copy Bestseller Book, and Me.

Posted on March 16, 2025 by Jennie

This is a blog repost of Jim Trelease, the (late) author of the million-copy best seller, The Read-Aloud Handbook.  This week I had a  lovely, heartfelt comment on this long-ago post from Jamie Trelease – Jim’s son.  “Thank you, Jennie, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Early Education, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, literacy, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud | Tagged , | 70 Comments

A Visit to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Jennie

I have always loved Paddington Bear.  My two books are well worn, including puppy teeth marks.  I’ve read the books a zillion times to our children and to my preschool class. When I learned that R.W. Alley, the current Paddington … Continue reading →

Posted in art, books, children's books, Eric Carle, Eric Carle Museum, Inspiration, literacy, museums, reading, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 63 Comments

Gloria’s Journal Entry

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Jennie

Gloria’s journal is a treasure.  We’re nearing the end of #3.  Yikes!  Photos and stories are rich in experiences.  While the journal’s written words are always full of stories and adventure to accompany photos, her recent weekend with a child … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, storytelling, Writing | Tagged , , | 67 Comments