Category Archives: Teaching young children

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 , , , , , | 58 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 , , | 64 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

Mac, Then and Now

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Jennie

If you think reading aloud doesn’t make a difference, think again! Mac then Mac now His parents recently wrote to me: “We commented before bed that Angus is probably ready for chapter books and Mac jumped up for the opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, Early Education, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 79 Comments

The Last Hurrah, and Blooming

Posted on October 1, 2025 by Jennie

Summer is over. Flowers have finished blooming, yet one brave, red, bloom burst forth with grandeur that rivaled nature. Flowers are like children, my children at school. They bloom at different times. Some are quiet, some are vibrant. Yet, when … Continue reading →

Posted in Heart, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , | 48 Comments

Storytelling

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Jennie

Storytelling is a staple in my classroom.  It connects teachers with children, especially if those stories are “real.”  It gives children a big dose of language, because storytelling doesn’t include pictures.  They hear the words and make the pictures in … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, preschool, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 77 Comments

Charlotte’s Web – The Backstory and My E.B. White Connection

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Jennie

This is a repost from 2018, and tells an important story.  Can you believe I have typed on E.B. White’s Underwood typewriter?  Read on!  You will discover who is really Wilbur and Charlotte.  That’s something I will never forget.  Never. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Library, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 76 Comments