Tag Archives: Early Education

Lightening Strikes Twice

Posted on April 16, 2017 by Jennie

The first bolt of lightening:       One year ago this week, I was recognized as one of seven Early Childhood Educators in Massachusetts.  It was an honor, and a celebratory event.  I stood among top educators and also the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, Kindness, Peace, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 57 Comments

The Art Show

Posted on April 14, 2017 by Jennie

“It took me a lifetime to learn to draw like a child.” -Pablo Picasso- When I brought the children to see the Art Show this week, the first words were from a child, Allie.  She said, “This is beautiful!”  She … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Imagination, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

Children Giving To Their Sergeant Pen-Pal; A Life Lesson

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Jennie

Children are egocentric by nature.  Therefore, teaching the most important things in life, such as genuine thanks and caring, takes more than just words.  It takes doing. After writing letters and drawing pictures for Sergeant Curran, our pen-pal stationed in … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Giving, Kindness, Math, military, patriotism, Peace, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Milly and Our Peace Quilt

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Jennie

In the fall of 2015, the children in my classroom wrote a Peace Book; what they thought peace really was, through their eyes.  The book was genuine: my new baby sister, the ocean, reading a book, dinner with my family, and … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Imagination, Peace, quilting, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 50 Comments

Music Keeps Inspiring Art

Posted on April 1, 2017 by Jennie

Artists just… know.  So do children.  They both tell the world their passion through painting.  When music becomes part of creating art, magic happens. “Art should make you feel, like music.”  -Wassily Kandinsky- Kandinsky is a favorite artist with the children.  They … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Imagination, music, Quotes, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 62 Comments

What Music Does For Art

Posted on March 26, 2017 by Jennie

“Where Words Fail, Music Speaks” – Hans Christian Anderson- Every year I am surprised when I bring to school my old record player, which looks much like a suitcase.  I simply but it down on the floor in front of … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, music, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 79 Comments

Thank You, Dr. Charles French

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Jennie

I posted on my blog yesterday, “A Gift of Charlotte’s Web.”  As I scrolled down to print a hard copy (yes, I have a hard copy of every blog post- it’s wonderful), I looked at the three suggested readings of similar … Continue reading →

Posted in chapter reading, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 44 Comments

The Art Show Begins

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Jennie

Next week we begin in earnest to prepare for our annual Art Show for the entire community. In past years children have painted major works of art.  I am never surprised when they love a piece of art.  I am … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Imagination, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Why Do Play Performances?

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Jennie

Paying attention to children and what they like is the key to their greatest learning experiences.  It’s called emergent curriculum, and this is much like how it happens: “Imagine being on a quest with a group of children, walking through … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Imagination, play performances, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 24 Comments

Thank You, Sergeant Curran, Our Pen-Pal

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Jennie

“Thank you.”  Those are the most fundamental words, next to “please”, that shape children’s character.  It is far more than manners; saying the words is one thing, doing the words is another. My class is thanking Sergeant Curran, stationed in Afghanistan.  We’re doing … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Kindness, Learning About the World, patriotism, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 48 Comments