Category Archives: Teaching young children

Mr. Rogers and Play – the Job of a Child – My Letter to Families

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Jennie

In the words of Mr. Rogers, a child’s job is to play.  It’s the basis for learning, ‘Life-101’ for young children.  Because play is so important, and complex, I needed to communicate this to my preschool families: This is the … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Play, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 60 Comments

General Z Mail!

Posted on November 12, 2024 by Jennie

Children pride themselves in writing and decorating giant thank you letters. Today we made a thank you letter for General Z. And today we received an ‘official’ letter from General Z with a two-star flag letterhead. Dear Ms. Fitzkee and … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Giving thanks, Inspiration, military, patriotism, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 65 Comments

“The Halloween Story” – A Jennie Story

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Jennie

Every day at lunchtime I tell a story.  Children love a ‘Jennie Story’.  I thought you would enjoy this post from years ago, as ‘The Halloween Story” is always a favorite.  Of course I tell the story with excitement and … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Halloween, Imagination, literacy, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 74 Comments

The Playground in Autumn

Posted on October 27, 2024 by Jennie

Autumn in New England is beautiful.  Our playground at school boasts maple trees that burst with color – red, yellow and orange. Children love nature.  They need nature.  That’s how they grow.  Nature is the original and greatest classroom.  Really.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiration, Learning About the World, Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 50 Comments

Welcome, Gloria!

Posted on October 20, 2024 by Jennie

Gloria made her classroom debut.  We don’t have returning students from last year in the class, so she was all new.  For everyone. You could have heard a pin drop. It was hard to get Gloria to look, much less … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Diversity, Gloria, Heart, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 70 Comments

Charlotte’s Web – Digging Deeper

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Jennie

This is a post from many years ago.  After writing about reading-aloud Charlotte’s Web, I wanted to share much more about this wonderful book – specifically E.B. White and my personal connection. I read aloud every day in my classroom, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, chapter reading, children's books, E.B. White, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, literacy, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 65 Comments

Winged Victory

Posted on August 17, 2024 by Jennie

The plants and flowers are thriving, all but the little guy in the back, spreading his ‘wings’ and trying to grow. Winged Victory is growing a baby flower. Winged Victory is the end of summer and summer camp, watching children … Continue reading →

Posted in children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, literacy, Nature, picture books, Quotes, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 68 Comments

40 Year Bookends

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Jennie

All in a day, I bumped into ‘bookends’, parents of a student in my first class forty years ago, and parents of a child this past year. Michelle was one of my first students.  The local newspaper came to take … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, preschool, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , | 71 Comments

Roots & Wings, and Big Thunderstorms

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Jennie

The thunder is booming, and the lightning is flashing so much that I jump as I type this post.  I love every minute of the excitement.  I’m on the porch; I wouldn’t be any place else.  So much about thunderstorms … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, self esteem, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , | 55 Comments