Category Archives: Teaching young children

Spring

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Jennie

Playground tree at school Spring Rebirth and beauty Watching children grow A teacher’s world A child’s playground Joy

Posted in Early Education, Inspiration, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments

Thanking Milly, Connecting Generations, and Quilting

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Jennie

Milly turned 88 today.  She has been a beloved friend to children in my classroom for years.  Her story is emergent curriculum on steroids, because everything she touched became a monument.  Really. It happened like this… Many years ago my … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Giving thanks, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, Peace, quilting, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 59 Comments

The Important Things For Children

Posted on May 6, 2018 by Jennie

Nature is a teacher. Children learning to love and to care when they hold baby chicks. Their world suddenly becomes joyous.  A trip to a farm.  Doing things you have never done. Riding a tractor. And driving a tractor. Thrilling. … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Inspiration, Learning About the World, Nature, self esteem, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 72 Comments

Just Let Our Kids Play

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Jennie

 This is an outstanding article by Stephen Marche about letting children play (parents, step aside) and a new park in New York- Play:ground.  Plenty of research and common sense, here.  5 Stars on this one! We need to stop worrying … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Imagination, Learning About the World, Nature, self esteem, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 39 Comments

My Classroom Bookshelf

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Jennie

My classroom bookshelf is the most important and popular place to be.  I think so, and children certainly feel that way.  They congregate like squirrels at a bird feeder.  Yes, there are fights over books, loud times, and also quiet … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 73 Comments

Katie and Miles, The Circle of Life in Reading

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Jennie

The more that you read, the more things you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.  –Dr. Seuss- I remember Katie von Campe like it was yesterday.  She was a “Mighty, Mighty Mustang” in my … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, play performances, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, self esteem, Student alumni, summer camp, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 54 Comments

How to Teach a Child to Become a Superhero

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Jennie

Superheroes.  Every child wants to be a Superhero.  Ask a child, “What does a Superhero do?” and you will hear everything from “save the day” to “help people” to “get the bad guys.”  These are good things, and Superheros are … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, picture stories, self esteem, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 88 Comments

The Art Show!

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Jennie

“It took me a lifetime to learn to draw like a child.” –Pablo Picasso– “I would like to paint the way a bird sings.” –Claude Monet– “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” –Vincent van … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, self esteem, Teaching young children, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 76 Comments

Little House in the Big Woods

Posted on April 7, 2018 by Jennie

I began reading aloud a new chapter reading book, Little House in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  In thirty minutes, I had read only four pages.  Four!  There was so much happening in the story, we had to stop … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 82 Comments

“The Scream”, Round 2

Posted on April 2, 2018 by Jennie

Alex liked his painting of “The Scream.”  He called it “The Yeller Who Was Lost”, because he couldn’t remember scream, and he knew the painting had been lost.  Actually, Alex liked the original art by Edvard Munch far more than … Continue reading →

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