Category Archives: Teaching young children

Parent Newsletter, Robots, TED Talk

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Jennie

One of the hardest things this school year has been communicating with parents.  That all important face-to-face greeting and conversation, every day at drop-off and pick-up, is limited to distancing in the school lobby while wearing masks.  We Zoom, write … Continue reading →

Posted in Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, picture stories, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 74 Comments

My Portrait

Posted on February 5, 2022 by Jennie

Can you tell I’m a robot?  Isn’t this the best portrait of me, ever? We’re learning about robots in school this month.  It’s exciting for children.  So far we have built our own giant classroom robot,  played with Snap-Bots and … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, Uncategorized, wonder | Tagged , , , | 63 Comments

When I Became a ‘Real’ Teacher

Posted on February 3, 2022 by Jennie

 ‘TheHundred Little Things’ The hundred little things- that’s what it’s all about, in teaching and in life.  It took me many years as a teacher to figure this out.  Thank goodness I had a ‘lightbulb moment’. As a teacher, I … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Love, museums, preschool, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 125 Comments

Goodnight Moon – There’s More!

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Jennie

My recent post on Goodnight Moon, a classic book and certainly a staple in my classroom, was well received. Fellow blogger Beth I didn’t have my glasses on… has her school’s Spanish teacher read the book aloud to her Pre-K … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, picture books, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 50 Comments

Goodnight Moon – A Staple, Every Year

Posted on January 23, 2022 by Jennie

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 books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, literacy, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 84 Comments

Words and Moments of Endearment – They Last a Lifetime

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Jennie

When children leave my class and move on to Pre-K or Kindergarten, we often see each other in the hallway.  A wave, a smile, and sometimes a big hug, comes naturally.  Those moments are genuine.  You can’t make children feel … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Love, preschool, Quotes, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 65 Comments

The Morning After the Snow- Memories of “Katy and the Big Snow”, a Classic Children’s Book

Posted on January 8, 2022 by Jennie

At last the sun appeared, shining brightly. Yesterday’s first snow was in full glory. The first thing that popped into my head was, of course, a children’s book.  I wrote this post years ago, and it is as poignant today … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, geography, Inspiration, Math, Nature, picture books, preschool, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 101 Comments

Memories of Romana

Posted on January 5, 2022 by Jennie

This was my New Year’s gift from Romana, seven years ago.  She made this bracelet for me from paper, tape and jewels.  I was invited to her house, and I was thunderstruck by the gift. It is a treasure, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Death and dying, Family, Giving, Inspiration, preschool, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 76 Comments

An Arcing Contrail Against a Full Moon

Posted on December 20, 2021 by Jennie

At school, December has been a month of learning about the planets, stars, and light.  We have watched a video of the Atlantis Space Shuttle launch in 1985, and hoped to see the new James Webb telescope launch into space.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Learning About the World, Nature, Quotes, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 48 Comments

Terrific Children’s Books – #5

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Jennie

Children’s Books #1 – #4 have been about the all-important things that children need – kindness, giving, empathy… those social and emotional skills.  #5 is two books that I discovered at the Eric Carle Museum last month.  I always find great books … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Early Education, Eric Carle, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, Nature, picture books, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments