When it comes to raising independent kids, this is where preschool teachers shine! Preschool teachers have a special way of making it look easy to manage dozens of children at once. They are insanely outnumbered by little people who are super messy and demanding, but that hardly shows at the end of the day. They have a smile on their face, and the children have happily had their fill of View Post
Paper Plate Christmas Tree with Puffy Paint Craft
A paper plate Christmas tree + puffy paint = Ahhhhmazing Christmasy goodness! This paper plate Christmas tree with puffy paint is possibly my favorite Christmas art activity. The kids loved it, and I've been placing them around our home, smiling each time I see them. Plus, they are soft to the touch. It’s always a win-win when we find projects that are super fun to View Post
Non-Toy Kid Gift Ideas that Bring Less Stress and More Memories
These non-toy kid gift ideas will bring more memories and less stress! When my oldest child came along, I was so excited to get gifts for her. There’s nothing like the excitement of the first Christmas, the first birthday, and the first chance to gift toys to your child. As time went on, she got more and more toys. We were both in heaven. Next, along came our son and then another View Post
Preschool and Toddler Watches to Help Children Understand Time
Finally, preschool and toddler watches that are made just for kids and give young children the tools needed to learn about the basic concepts of time. My three-year-old daughter has been looking at watches constantly. If we walk near a display with watches, she has to stop and look at them. At this point in her life, she is only beginning to understand time. She sees her older brother and View Post
10 Ways to use Dry Erase Circles
Dry erase circles are a simple and easy tool to use with children, and here are 10 ways you can use dry erase circles around the home and classroom. I walked downstairs and a smile gleamed across my face. My daughter wrote me a love note, “I love you to the moon and back mom and dad.” I’ve been getting these more and more lately. I was so excited to use these dry erase circles because I View Post
Simple Pumpkin Writing Center and Fall Literacy Activity for Preschool
Make a simple and inviting pumpkin writing center as a fall preschool literacy activity. I'm always looking for ideas to do with pumpkins. Fall preschool activities are so fun so I figure that the more pumpkin activities, the better! Am I right!?! I especially love doing no-carve pumpkin ideas beforehand. If I can get two uses out of a pumpkin instead of one, it's a win-win! This led to View Post
Alphabet Wall Cards and Posters for Preschool and Kindergarten
Inside: Use beautiful alphabet wall cards and alphabet posters for preschool or kindergarten. There are a handful of items that I always have in my classroom while teaching: Art Supplies – A child with a paintbrush or crayon is a happy child! Bubbles – Let’s be honest, bubbles are magical to children! Bubbles are probably as awesome as magic fairy dust. Music – This is the language View Post
Fall Discovery Bottle for Sensory Play
Make a beautiful fall discovery bottle with just a few ingredients! Discovery bottles, also known as sensory bottles, are well-loved in my classroom and with my kids. We made one with the fall table scatter, and it is irresistible. See what I mean. We held them up to our windows, and it was even more magnificent. There are pumpkins, red leaves, brown leaves, and yellow acorns. These View Post
The Easiest Way to Get Online Professional Development Hours
Inside: Get online professional development and child care training courses without leaving your home or classroom! I’m partnering with ChildCare Education Institute to share about one of the most convenient and easy ways to get CEUs and professional development hours. Make sure to see their exclusive offer below for being a Preschool Inspirations reader. I have a checklist of some of View Post
I Teach the Whole Child
As a seasoned teacher, I know that I am helping set the foundation for children, not just for this year or kindergarten, but for a lifetime. I am teaching the whole child! Our class is not centered around my direct instruction. Instead, it involves interactions with other children, the ability to process information, decision-making skills without my intervention, and more. When a child View Post