Tag Archives: preschool

My Preschooler, Then and Now

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Jennie

Then Now I love all my students.  Sometimes students ‘stick’ with me for a while, returning to visit and be a guest reader.  Sometimes students stick around for a long time, visiting the classroom, and then including me in their … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , | 103 Comments

Play is Important – Here’s Why

Posted on December 5, 2021 by Jennie

We all hear that play is important for children.  I know it’s important.  It’s their work; how they learn to make friends, negotiate, solve problems with objects, and solve problems with other children.  Play is having fun, and it’s also … Continue reading →

Posted in Imagination, Inspiration, Play, preschool, Uncategorized, young children | Tagged , , , , , | 89 Comments

The New School Opening… Part 3

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Jennie

Emmett painted this picture of walking into school on the first day. Do you see the sun?  That came straight from Emmett’s heart. Yes, there was even more that happened over the first days of school.  On our science table … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, picture books, preschool, School, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 71 Comments

A Christmas Tradition – The Sticky Bun Lady

Posted on December 25, 2020 by Jennie

For thirty-something years, the sticky bun lady has delivered her treats to my house.  It started when her girls were preschoolers in my class.  Every Christmas Eve she would arrive, much like Santa.  She never missed a year. I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Family, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, preschool | Tagged , , , , | 50 Comments

Gloria’s First Day at School

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Jennie

It happens every year.  Gloria comes to school, and children are wide-eyed.  Silent.  Maybe scared.  And somehow, she becomes a friend.  Well, not exactly.  She becomes herself, and children want to be her friend. It started with Eddie.  He was … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 79 Comments

Children’s Words, Part 2

Posted on March 1, 2020 by Jennie

In Part 1, I talked about writing thank you letters to the people in our neighborhood, our community helpers.  As a group, we planned the words, and children decorated the letters. This was fun!  They felt excited and proud. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, picture stories, preschool, reading aloud, storytelling, teaching, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 72 Comments

More Valentines For Gloria

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Jennie

The Valentine cards for Gloria kept coming. The plan was to make and decorate cards for our families, Yet children made cards for Gloria – first. All on their own. We watched the magic of giving happen. ”No act of … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, Quotes, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

A Walk Down Memory Lane – Photos Tell the Stories

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Jennie

I have been plugging away at deleting photos from my media library, because I am close to using up my available space.  I know, it’s only a photo, but as I scroll through the photos, every one has been a … Continue reading →

Posted in American flag, Author interview, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, history, Inspiration, military, Nature, picture books, play performances, preschool, quilting, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 103 Comments

Early Morning Dad

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Jennie

Bright and early, Dad and his son arrive at school to play in my classroom before classes begin. No morning rush. Putting a puzzle together for a short while is far more important. I long to go back in time … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 74 Comments

The Real Meaning of Christmas

Posted on December 22, 2019 by Jennie

Our astronaut / veteran / Navy Captain / pen-pal has been ill and hospitalized.  I had to tell the children.  Life can throw you a bunch of curves, and learning how handle adversity is a life lesson.  That’s why I … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, military, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 81 Comments