Category Archives: Teaching young children

Storytelling To High Schoolers – Part 2

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Jennie

The work was done.  Well, almost.  High schoolers wrote their stories, turned it into a book, and I returned to listen to them read their stories.  After all, they would be reading the story they wrote about the kindergartner they … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Community, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture stories, reading aloud, School, storytelling, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , | 49 Comments

Goodnight Moon Keeps Growing

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Jennie

Yes, Gloria is off to England, clutching her favorite book, Goodnight Moon.  Pierre was the one who told her to take her favorite book on the journey, and of course Gloria’s favorite book is Goodnight Moon, because she hears it read … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, preschool, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 66 Comments

Bon Voyage, Gloria

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Jennie

Gloria is going to England!  Yes!  Fellow blogger/writer/poet Willow Willers at willowdot21  invited Gloria to come and visit her.  Willow has always loved my posts about Gloria.  Well, she just loves Gloria, and when you love someone, you need to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, geography, Gloria, Inspiration, Learning About the World, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 120 Comments

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 , , | 81 Comments

Writing With Children Makes a Difference

Posted on November 24, 2025 by Jennie

Language is the key to literacy, and literacy is the key to writing and reading.  That’s the pattern, how it develops.  So, what do I do in school to make this happen? I sing.  Singing cements words.  I sing “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 73 Comments

Thanking a Veteran

Posted on November 11, 2025 by Jennie

Veterans Day is one thing.  Thanking a veteran is another thing.  Making it ‘real’ for children is what I did. Retired two star General, Bruce Z, was our guest at school today. Can you imagine what it was like for … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Giving thanks, military, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , | 76 Comments

Gloria’s Halloween… and More

Posted on November 5, 2025 by Jennie

Gloria went trick-or-treating!  She was Spiderman. She was so excited!  She went with Miles, who was Optimus Prime, and his granddad who was Superman. Gloria got a piece of candy.  Mom was a little worried, but she told me, “Gloria … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 65 Comments

Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Jennie

Halloween is exciting for children.  At school we had a ‘Day in the Dark’, using flashlights and glow sticks for light.  Playing with black playdoh on shiny foil, painting with neon paint and using a black light, and playing with … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Halloween, Imagination, Inspiration, jack-o-lanterns, picture books, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 61 Comments

A Magical Evening at School

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Jennie

Tonight was a magical evening.  Pizza dinner at school is pretty cool; yet carving a pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern with your family is a memory builder.  We so enjoyed all the activity and excitement with each family.  As the sun … Continue reading →

Posted in Halloween, Imagination, Inspiration, jack-o-lanterns, Nature, Singing, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , | 66 Comments

Gloria’s Wonderful Debut

Posted on October 12, 2025 by Jennie

Welcome, Gloria!  Children loved her from Day One.  After all these years, I often think about the wonder of her magic, connecting with children.  They want to be her friend.  They want to take care of her.  Here she is … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Family, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 56 Comments