Category Archives: Mindfulness

Children’s Affirmations

Posted on February 1, 2026 by Jennie

Affirmations trigger those important positive feelings.  When it comes to children, they need affirmations.  Big time.  They need to know they’re important.  They need to know they matter.  Affirmations help. Before chapter reading, we listen to and recite Goodnight Moon.  … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Mindfulness, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 79 Comments

Brilliant!

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Jennie

Sometimes I read something that makes me stop in my tracks, takes my breath away: I believe we are simple creatures with a complex makeup. That may not make sense but think about it in its simplest form:  we are … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Kindness, Mindfulness | Tagged , , | 39 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

Reflections

Posted on August 29, 2022 by Jennie

Jennie

Posted in Imagination, Inspiration, Mindfulness, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , | 63 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

Music and Movement – The Brain and the Body

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Jennie

We are spending more time outdoors with children at school.  That includes music and movement.  I take my autoharp to the hill or the Woodland Grove, and we sing and dance and move.  Music is at the heart of children’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, joy, Math, Mindfulness, music, Nature, preschool, Singing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 82 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

Happy Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Jennie

Happy Valentine’s Day. Love, Jennie

Posted in Early Education, Kindness, Love, Mindfulness, Quotes, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 54 Comments

Nature Indoors and Outdoors

Posted on February 7, 2019 by Jennie

Our creeping lily classroom plant rarely blooms. When it does, the blossom only lasts one day. Today we discovered three blossoms. Outdoors was a winter wonderland of ice on the trees. It shimmered and glistened. We felt like we were … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Einstein, joy, Mindfulness, Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, Quotes, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 47 Comments

Yet…

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Jennie

Yet.  It’s a word I use often at school with children.  When they try hard and struggle, and say, “I can’t”, I add the word “yet”.  A child might not be able to do it just now, but with practice … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Mindfulness, music, Singing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 92 Comments