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
A Veteran Teacher’s Guide for Making a Preschool Schedule
It only took me 10 years, but I finally found my dream preschool schedule. Call it the preschooltopia of all schedules. I spent years adapting schedules that were good, but not great. BUT this was it! It was just as sweet as I had hoped it would be. Come take a peek inside my veteran teacher's guide for making a preschool schedule. The key to my perfect schedule is providing predictability View Post
How to Use a Potty Training Chart and Visual Schedule for Potty Training Success
Learn how to get kids excited for potty training using a potty training chart and visual schedule, along with some potty training tips from a veteran preschool teacher and mom of three! Potty training is like a roller coaster. There are the moments of victory, and then we are all holding on for our lives trying to make it to the next success. There is a whirlwind of emotions - excitement, View Post
Books to Teach Reading and Letter Sounds
When it comes finding books to teach reading, I have one program that I absolutely love for preschoolers and beyond. It's a new reading program for kids that involves teaching them through all their senses. And I thought you all would love it too! Especially because it's great for all kinds of learners. In the past, when I found books that were focused on teaching reading to preschoolers, I View Post
Handprint Art Gift Idea with IKEA Tolsby Frame
Need the perfect handprint art gift idea? This keepsake is sure to be a crowd pleaser. I especially love handprint gift ideas because there are so many people who would love one: mom, dad, grandparents, or any other special person in a child's life. Plus, I love that since you can get the frame at IKEA, it is super affordable! Win-win. Don't worry though if there isn't an IKEA close enough to View Post
Fun & Interactive ABC Songs for Kids
Learning the alphabet can be super tricky, but using something as simple as an ABC song, alphabet song, or alphabet chant can make all the difference! It is important for children to be able to learn letter sounds as well as to know how to recognize and identify letters. Letter knowledge and awareness play a key role in learning to read. Alphabet songs are not only fun, but they are also View Post
Easy Outdoor Color Changing Volcano with Baking Soda and Vinegar
This color changing volcano eruption for kids takes an easy baking soda and vinegar volcano to the next level! We figured out how to make a quick three-minute volcano back in my post about our easy baking soda volcano eruption for kids. Yes, three minutes to prepare and then we wash the volcano away with the garden hose! Talk about the easiest volcano ever! Plus, the kids ask to do it over and View Post
Calming Glitter Jars for Mindfulness and Relaxation
Calming Glitter Jars are a game changer for children and even adults! Occupational therapists have told me that they love using my calm down glitter jars to help students and children self-regulate and just melt away the troubles that are causing big emotions. It can be very difficult for some children to calm down and decompress on their own. Here are some of the many reasons that View Post
ABC Games and Alphabet Activities that Teach!
ABC games and alphabet activities are a great way to work on letter recognition, matching lowercase to uppercase letters, phonics, and more! Teaching the alphabet doesn't have to be boring and frustrating. But it can be hard to come up with creative ideas to get little ones excited sometimes. When it comes to learning the alphabet, children learn best when they are using hands-on play -- just View Post
The Ultimate Guide to Preschool Songs
Preschool songs can be used any time of the day! They can help children get moving, get through the rough transitions, to teach children new concepts, and more! If you've been looking for the best preschool songs for preschoolers to sing, here they all are in one place! The Ultimate Guide to Preschool Songs How to Stream Music in the Classroom or at Home If you want to get songs View Post