Tag Archives: teaching young children

From “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” to Dr. Seuss

Posted on March 3, 2018 by Jennie

This week began with National Fairy Tale Day and ended with Dr. Seuss’s birthday.  I was in my glory.  So were the children. We voted on our favorite fairy tale.  The Three Billy Goats Gruff won, hands-down.  This was a … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 69 Comments

The Power of “Yet”

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Jennie

“Yet” has quickly become one of our favorite words this year.  It’s the most powerful word in my classroom.  As children learn and grow, it is a constant process of trying, over and over again.  Saying “Practice makes perfect” can … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, music, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

Then and Now

Posted on February 17, 2018 by Jennie

I was invited to a high school hockey game by one of my former preschoolers.  Lucky me, and what a special treat.  She’s on the team.  It turns out that the hockey team has many more of my preschoolers. Look … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, history, Kindness, Love, self esteem, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 48 Comments

A Play Performance

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Jennie

A play performance with preschoolers?  Where children pick parts, make props, and decide on what to say?  You bet.  Instead of telling children what to do, I ask them what they want to do. That’s empowering. We learned about the Southwest, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, play performances, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 46 Comments

Mr. Popper’s Penguins and Calling 911

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Jennie

Every day of chapter reading is an adventure; a roller coaster of wonder, laughter, and even sadness.  Reading the words aloud to children without any pictures means that we stop to talk and ask questions. As children hear the words, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 88 Comments

Einstein, and Why He is My Hero

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Jennie

Jim Trelease sent me Einstein’s quote, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.”  Jim knew this would strike me, and it did.  All that I do in teaching is centered on creativity.  And of course fun is essential in order to make … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Einstein, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, music, Quotes, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 72 Comments

Yet…

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Jennie

Yet.  It’s a word I use often at school with children.  When they try hard and struggle, and say, “I can’t”, I add the word “yet”.  A child might not be able to do it just now, but with practice … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Mindfulness, music, Singing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 92 Comments

Noah, Music, and Children

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Jennie

Look what came in the mail for Noah, along with a pair of socks! It reads, “Dear Noah, You knocked our socks off by taking your love of music and turning it into a music program for preschool kids!  Awesome … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, music, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 62 Comments

A Gift To Me From My “Family”

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Jennie

Today our Room Parents arrived with gifts for the teachers, from all the families in our class.  Children were excited to watch their teachers tear open paper and uncover a gift.  Rarely am I at a loss for words.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Family, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 70 Comments

Penguins, God, Spectacles, the Atlas, and Reading Aloud.

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Jennie

The classroom was dark except for a few strings of twinkling lights.  It was time for chapter reading before rest time.  We started a new chapter reading book, Mr. Popper’s Penguins.  Day one is always thrilling, and I show children … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Learning About the World, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 35 Comments