Category Archives: The Arts

A New Quilt – Part 4

Posted on May 19, 2019 by

In Part 3, we made a giant sketch for the quilt based on what the children felt were important parts of the song and the book, “This Land is Your Land.”  Woody’s guitar, the church from the ‘sad page’, landmarks … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Early Education, history, Imagination, Inspiration, music, patriotism, quilting, Singing, Teaching young children, The Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 72 Comments

Rock and Roll (and Alexa) Save the Day

Posted on May 14, 2019 by

When there’s something wrong In your neighborhood Who you gonna call?  Alexa! “Alexa, play ‘Shout’ by the Isley Brothers.” Music is the universal language of mankind.  –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow- Jennie

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Inspiration, joy, music, Quotes, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 41 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 3

Posted on May 6, 2019 by

In Part 2, after the song had become all-consuming for children, I told Naomi about the one time this had happened before, eight years ago.  A song was  beloved to children.  They couldn’t get enough.  And so, we made a quilt.  … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, Diversity, Imagination, Inspiration, joy, Love, preschool, quilting, The Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 58 Comments

A New Quilt – Part 1

Posted on April 22, 2019 by

And to my surprise, the children have driven the making of yet another quilt. Over the past ten years, my preschool class has designed quilts.  Each one materialized because of something the children were passionate about.  When they couldn’t get … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, geography, history, patriotism, picture books, preschool, quilting, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 68 Comments

A Field Trip to the Art Show

Posted on April 11, 2019 by

Children and families and teachers went on a field trip to see the Art Show. Seeing is believing. It’s also loving, and empowering.  In the words of fellow blogger  Laura Bruno Lilly, these children are ‘heartists’ – artists with heart. … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Quotes, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 45 Comments

Art and Music and Italy – Part 4 – the Finale

Posted on April 7, 2019 by

Weeks of hard work + joy = great satisfaction and achievement.  That is the perfect equation, exactly how my preschoolers felt when they finally saw their art, their hard work, their masterpieces, mounted and framed. You would think after a … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, preschool, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 69 Comments

Best Job Ever – Story Epilogue

Posted on April 3, 2019 by

Since that wonderful day last week, when a child asked me to sing “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles, there has been more.  The music exploded in ways I never expected. Well, it was more than the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, Love, music, picture books, reading aloud, Singing, The Arts, The Beatles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 71 Comments