Category Archives: Teaching young children

Childhood Anxiety is Real

Posted on June 1, 2026 by Jennie

Out of the blue a former Aqua Roomer popped in to visit.  It was Lizzie. Lizzie visiting in 2018 My goodness, it was so good to see her.  Lizzie is now Hadrian, a they, but with the same smile and … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Love, School, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 54 Comments

Not All Days Are Good Days

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Jennie

Today was a tough day.  Nothing seemed to go right.  If you know the classic book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, you know what I mean. It started with drop-offs.  Children who never cry cried.  For … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Mindfulness, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , | 50 Comments

A Memorial Day Remembrance

Posted on May 24, 2026 by Jennie

Every year at school we have a Memorial Day Remembrance.  It’s important for children, well…for everybody.  Making it meaningful for young children is not easy, but Retired Master Sergeant Michael Kennedy does a remarkable job. He asks children, “Who likes … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, children's books, Community, Death and dying, history, military, patriotism, picture books, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 36 Comments

Talking Death With Children

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Jennie

Death is the dreaded “D” word when talking with children, but it doesn’t have to be.  It can be an open door to a much needed conversation.  Here’s what happened at school: Our Memory Garden at school is visited by … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Death and dying, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 61 Comments

Welcoming Gloria Back to the Classroom – Katy!

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Jennie

Gloria, we missed you!  You made a friend from England?  Yes, and her name is Katy.  She brought you into the classroom.  The children were thrilled.  She wore an English hat, a boa, and long white gloves. Katy is famous … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Diversity, England, Family, geography, Gloria, Inspiration, Learning About the World, preschool, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 62 Comments

Gloria’s Return From England

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Jennie

Gloria is back home, safe and sound… yet she’s a little different.  Yes, she misses Willow (and Earl and Olivia), but do you see how different her necklace is?  She now wears, with pride, England’s Royal British Legion’s 100th anniversary … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, England, geography, Gloria, Heart, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, School, teaching, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 104 Comments

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 , , , , | 51 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 , , , | 68 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 , , | 83 Comments