Category Archives: wonder

The True Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Jennie

As the holiday season of 1938 came to Chicago, Bob May wasn’t feeling much comfort or joy. A 34-year-old ad writer for Montgomery Ward, May was exhausted and nearly broke. His wife, Evelyn, was bedridden, on the losing end of … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, picture books, self esteem, wonder | Tagged , , | 67 Comments

My Favorite Christmas Ad – Repost

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Jennie

My favorite Christmas Ad, every year. The Spirit of Christmas That’s what it’s really about. This is the year we need to keep that spirit alive. This is the year we need to find happiness. If we are happy, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, joy, Love, wonder | Tagged , , , | 70 Comments

Best Children’s Christmas Books – Annual Post

Posted on December 18, 2022 by Jennie

Christmas books are often more meaningful to read to a child after the holiday, once a child has experienced the joy of Christmas.      Red and Lulu, by Matt Tavares is the story of two cardinals who live in … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Family, Inspiration, joy, picture books, reading aloud, wonder | Tagged , | 50 Comments

Grandma Moses

Posted on December 14, 2022 by Jennie

THEGUARDIAN.COM Queen of Christmas: the wondrous snowy landscapes that made Grandma Moses as big as Jackson Pollock. As soon as I saw this article, shared by the Bennington Museum in Bennington, VT, I knew I needed to tell her story, … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, quilting, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , | 72 Comments

Family, and a Trip into Boston

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Jennie

Family!  That word is powerful, for it’s how we grow, and how we ‘become’.  It is our source of support and extended love, even though it can be tumultuous at times. I tell my preschool class that we are a … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Love, museums, Nature, trains, wonder | Tagged , , , | 72 Comments

Rainbows

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Jennie

 “Jennie!  Come quick!  There’s a rainbow in the bathroom.” What a surprise. Everyone clamored into the bathroom for a look, to put their hands onto the rainbow. The rainbow miraculously appeared on little hands. Sometimes wonder needs no words. The … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Inspiration, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 67 Comments

My Teacher Lightbulb Moment – Part 1

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Jennie

Fellow blogger Don at Don Ostertag: Off Stage recently commented, “If only other teachers were children at heart.” It hit home with me, because that is when I became a ‘real’ teacher.  That’s when I found my heart.  No, that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, joy, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder, young children | Tagged , , | 98 Comments

An Oxymoron Sky

Posted on November 13, 2022 by Jennie

Bright sun, black sky late this afternoon. An oxymoron, Mother Nature’s playful way. Did she want us to look up? Take in the last color of fall? I was captivated. People walked by, never looking. I was the winner, others … Continue reading →

Posted in E.B. White, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 62 Comments

The Fog Calls a Teacher

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Jennie

Halloween was over, and a thick fog settled in. This was a fog never seen.  Never. The fog called me. I wanted to run, be with the fog, get swallowed. I am a child at heart. I have the eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Halloween, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 57 Comments

Fall and Nature’s Red Fingertips

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Jennie

Fall in New England is beautiful.  Spectacular might be a better word.  Every year is a marvel for children on the playground at school.  We have maple trees.  They turn bright red and orange.  This year was different.  The bright … Continue reading →

Posted in E.B. White, Inspiration, Nature, Quotes, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 78 Comments