Category Archives: Teaching young children

More Than Reading Aloud – SSR

Posted on January 27, 2019 by Jennie

Penguin Books, The Read-Aloud Handbook, 2013 It is a given that I read aloud to children multiple times a day.  I know, and you know, that it makes a difference.  In this blog post, I will address more than reading … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 68 Comments

‘Gloria’ Works Wonders

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Jennie

Some days just aren’t the best days.  Children feel that, too.  When everything seems to fall apart, there is Gloria.  She is the quiet one, the savior.  She listens to children and gets hugged – constantly.  She lives on the … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Kindness, Love, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 42 Comments

When Children Have the Freedom To “Be”

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Jennie

While this is a post I wrote about play performances with children, it is really about far more.  Oh, yes!  It is about believing and taking risks.  It is about freedom and encouragement.  It’s my philosophy of teaching.  Paying attention … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, joy, Love, play performances, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 92 Comments

Ringing in the New Year with a Teacher- My Hero

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Jennie

Many years ago, when our children were little and things were tight, our washing machine broke. When it rains it pours. I spent weekends at the laundromat – a perfect place to read while waiting for the wash to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 92 Comments

Two Preschool Generations

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Jennie

Thirty years ago Nurse Eamonn was in my preschool class.  He was adorable (but don’t tell him I said that.)  In high school he did his internship in my classroom.  Ah, he had the touch.  I knew there was a … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 51 Comments

A Boy and Robots

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Jennie

Rylan is the boy who loves reading.  He is part of my library read-aloud group, a big part.  That’s because he listens with his heart, and his mind.  His body tells me so.  Rylan’s eyes are glued to me, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

The Importance Of Play

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Jennie

We all hear that play is important for children.  I know it’s important.  It’s their work; how they learn to make friends, negotiate, solve problems with objects, and solve problems with other children.  Play is having fun, and it’s also … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Kindness, Play, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 72 Comments

Halloween Parent Email

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Jennie

An email from a parent, to all the families, late last night: Hello! I wanted to share this moment from today: while we were trick-or-treating at the library today I lost sight of Luella (truth be told, I was in … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, preschool, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 36 Comments

Halloween at School

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Jennie

Halloween at school is Pajama Day!  Everyone wears PJs, teachers included.  Of course there’s a (wonderful) method behind our madness.  Costumes can be scary for some children, and how cool is it to wear your pajamas to school! We also … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Halloween, Imagination, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 37 Comments

E.B. White’s Grandniece – In My Classroom

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Jennie

It happened like this: And as you know, those are the beginning words to a really good story.  So, hold on to your hat. Last spring I learned that E.B. White’s grandniece was giving a presentation at my local library.  … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 89 Comments