Category Archives: self esteem

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

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

You Belong!

Posted on November 7, 2024 by Jennie

At school, we have a theme song each year.  This year it is “You Belong!”, a perfect song to let children know that – no matter what – we all belong.  It has become our ‘wake-up song’.  When nap is … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Heart, Inspiration, Kindness, Quotes, self esteem, Singing, wonder | Tagged , , , | 72 Comments

Roots & Wings, and Big Thunderstorms

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Jennie

The thunder is booming, and the lightning is flashing so much that I jump as I type this post.  I love every minute of the excitement.  I’m on the porch; I wouldn’t be any place else.  So much about thunderstorms … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, self esteem, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , | 55 Comments

Three Wonderful Things

Posted on June 15, 2024 by Jennie

The school year has just ended.  I am exhausted and very happy.  It’s the little things that make the big difference, and here are three wonderful things that happened at the end of school: Lissy’s self -portrait Children draw a … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Gloria, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, preschool, self esteem, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , | 70 Comments

Sam the Eagle Scout

Posted on July 1, 2023 by Jennie

Sam was my preschooler many years ago.  He always had a smile and enjoyed playing with friends.  Sam’s mother was careful about finding the right preschool for her boy.  When she visited the public library, she found The Groton ABC … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Giving thanks, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, self esteem, teaching, wonder | Tagged , , | 59 Comments

Roots and Wings, They’re Now More Important Than Ever

Posted on June 2, 2023 by Jennie

Tonight is the first night of thunderstorms.  I’m thrilled, because I sit on my porch to listen and watch as the storms unfold.  As I type, I hear rumbles.  I have always loved thunderstorms.  Growing up in the Ohio River … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, self esteem, wonder | Tagged , | 74 Comments

What Would Mr. Rogers Do? The True Story of Sam

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Jennie

Sam was mad.  Really mad.  I watched him on the playground.  He was playing a game that mapped out all the pathways and running areas.  One place, alongside the dinosaur den was a ‘danger zone’, so anyone who ran across … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, self esteem | Tagged , , | 87 Comments

A Story of Bravery – The Piano, and the Pianist, and Me

Posted on January 12, 2023 by Jennie

The scene: It’s the holiday party for teachers and staff.  We’re at the lovely home of a fellow teacher, who is an accomplished pianist.  Actually, that’s an understatement. Everyone is in the kitchen, eating and laughing.  The big family room … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 69 Comments

The True Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Jennie

As the holiday season of 1938 came to Chicago, Bob May wasn’t feeling much comfort or joy. A 34-year-old ad writer for Montgomery Ward, May was exhausted and nearly broke. His wife, Evelyn, was bedridden, on the losing end of … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, picture books, self esteem, wonder | Tagged , , | 67 Comments