Tag Archives: teaching young children

Children and “The Star-Spangled Banner” – Including a Video

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Jennie

This is a repost, and I have included a video of me reading aloud this important book, singing the words, and talking about our American flag and National Anthem. Bringing our National Anthem to Life Few books have the power … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American flag, Book Review, children's books, Early Education, history, military, patriotism, picture books, reading aloud, Singing, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Making Picture Books Come Alive – With Props at Home

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Jennie

How to Expand Literacy and Reading Picture Books When You are Quarantined at Home One of the mainstays of teaching children is reading aloud books.  Why?  Children are drawn to stories.  They love hearing the words, and for good reason.  … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Inspiration, picture books, play performances, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

Little Things are Really Big Things

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Jennie

In difficult times, like now, the little things we do for others become most important. They’re really the big things. Yet, it has always been this way. Perhaps we never had the time to truly appreciate those little moments. Now … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 65 Comments

“Gloria” and National Superhero Day

Posted on April 28, 2020 by Jennie

Today is National Superhero Day.  Gloria wanted to celebrate.  She dressed up for the big day.  She wanted to be a Superhero. I had a talk with Gloria.  She needed to know that a real superhero doesn’t need a costume. … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Kindness, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 95 Comments

The Past Two Weeks – School Then and Now, Part 2

Posted on April 2, 2020 by Jennie

In Part 1, I immediately addressed how much I miss the children.  They miss me, too.  We had started learning about France, with a big atlas and twenty wide-eyed children who were eager to ‘travel’ to a new country.  Getting sidetracked … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Early Education, Inspiration, music, preschool, self esteem, The Arts, The Beatles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 83 Comments

“The Story of Little Babaji” – a Classic Children’s Book

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Jennie

This week I read aloud one of the children’s favorite books on YouTube.  In order to understand the book and its popularity, first let me back up – a long time ago. I vividly remember the book Little Black Sambo … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Diversity, Early Education, picture books, play performances, preschool, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 81 Comments

Children’s Words, Part 3

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Jennie

In Part 2 I talked about children telling their stories in their own words.  Without a visual or help from a teacher- no crutch, it’s not so easy.  Welcome to the deep end, not the shallow end.  Children wrote and illustrated … Continue reading →

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 60 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

Children’s Words, Part 1

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Jennie

Writing a thank you letter is a favorite activity in my classroom.  First, children ‘write’ the words – this isn’t so easy.  Every writer knows that.  For children, they need to think about who the letter is for, and what … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, preschool, teaching, Teaching young children, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Jackson’s Letter, and a Great Book

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Jennie

When a child takes the time to write a letter to his former teacher, that in itself is a wonderful thing. Dear, Jennie I read the book the Chocolate Touch. It was a really fun book even though I Do … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 70 Comments