Category Archives: Teaching young children

Goodnight Moon

Before children learn to read, first they must hear the words.  It’s developmental, like learning to crawl before learning to walk.  The auditory piece, including singing, hits both the brain and the soul in learning.  In my preschool class, reading … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

Our Wish Tree

What is a Wish Tree? Wikipedia says: A wish tree is an individual tree, usually distinguished by species, position or appearance, which is used as an object of wishes and offerings.  Such trees are identified as possessing a special spiritual … Continue reading

Posted in books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Love, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 82 Comments

Reading Aloud & Reading – There’s a Big Difference.

My greatest passion is reading aloud to children.  I thought it was time to talk about the difference between reading and reading aloud, as I often post about good children’s books.  While reading is the goal, the dream- reading aloud … Continue reading

Posted in books, Early Education, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 99 Comments

Seeds of Generosity

Charli Mills over at the Carrot Ranch posted her flash fiction challenge: Seeds of Generosity Spreading the seeds of generosity from one story to the next. April 15, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 50 Comments

Week of the Young Child

This is ‘Week of the Young Child’, celebrated nationally by early childhood programs, accredited by NAEYC – National Association for the Education of Young Children.  It’s a big deal! We celebrated by ‘filling buckets’, literally and figuratively.  Children filled pails … Continue reading

Posted in art, Diversity, Early Education, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, Learning About the World, picture books, preschool, School, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

The Art Show – Part 3 Finale

Every child is an artist. ~Pablo Picasso~ I dream my painting and then paint my dream. ~Vincent van Gogh~ Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt. ~Leonardo da Vinci~ Great art picks up where nature ends. ~Marc Chagall~ It … Continue reading

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Quotes, Teaching young children, The Arts, Uncategorized, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 78 Comments

Music and The Art Show – Part 1

The children have been preparing for our annual Art Show, a major exhibit for the whole community.  It’s especially exciting this year, as last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid. How do you help children to think like Picasso … Continue reading

Posted in art, Early Education, Inspiration, music, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 82 Comments

Picture Perfect

Seeing your favorite robot on the TV show ’60 Minutes’. “It’s Atlas!” A picture is worth a thousand words. Thank you Boston Dynamics! You make building robots cool. Even to my preschoolers. Jennie

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 48 Comments

A Children’s Book, Especially For Today – by Maya Angelou

My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken, and Me Did you know that Maya Angelou wrote a children’s book?  She did, back in 1994.  I have been reading her book to my preschoolers long before I really knew of her. I … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, picture books, Quotes, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 85 Comments

Robots! An Unexpected S.T.E.M. Moment in Preschool

S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is ‘on the list’ for educators.  America has been playing catch-up. Preschoolers?  Yes, they love science and exploring.  Yes, they love their devices.  Yes, they love building and figuring it out.  Yes, they love … Continue reading

Posted in Dogs, Inspiration, Math, music, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 84 Comments