Help a child learn to recognize and spell his or her name easily with this DIY Name Recognition puzzle. What a huge milestone it is when a child learns to spell or write his name. To a preschooler their name has so much meaning. It is always such a proud moment when they can give new life to their name by recognizing it and even writing it themselves. Some children figure this out completely View Post
Rainbow Button Collage Canvas Art
This mosaic rainbow button collage craft is my absolute favorite art and craft project ever! My entire class made it together over a few days, and they did a fabulous job. This one is extra special since every child was so excited to participate. After we made it, they stared at it daily for weeks. It is absolutely mesmerizing in person! There was a little bit of prepping on my part, but it View Post
DIY Pattern Block Game
I love finding and making fun ways to teach children that are also stress free. This pattern block learning activity came to me while I was reading one of my new favorite idea books ever. This book...oh my! The moment I started going through it, my brain entered creativity heaven. Plus it has the coolest title: 101 Kids Activities That Are the Bestest, Funnest Ever!. For formalities I want to View Post
5 Key Things Preschool Teachers Want you to know Before Starting Preschool
Is preschool around the corner? As a veteran preschool teacher, there are some things you should know. Preschool can be one of the most magical and exciting times in a child's life. It also helps set the stage for kindergarten and beyond. Many well-meaning parents have walked through my door and given me a list of what their child already knows: how to spell his name, all of View Post
Water Bead Sorting
I am always trying out new sensory play ideas, and anything with water beads is a win here! I love their texture, their translucent color, and how fun they are to try and keep from slipping out of your hands. If you've never tried them out, they are so fun. When you're done, you can even recycle them by putting them in the garden. I had a very sweet and generous family donate rainbow colored View Post
Three Essential Potty Training Tips
Are you looking for potty training tips from a pro? You are in the right place! It seems that everyone has an opinion about potty training, but I'm going to give three of the most important tips you will ever hear. Are you in the midst of potty training or perhaps about to start? I've put together what I consider to be three of the most important and essential potty training tips. Don't rush View Post
Easy Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano Eruption for Kids
Need a super simple baking soda and vinegar volcano recipe? This one takes about three minutes to prep (and the kids get to help). It uses six common ingredients, and there is no mess to clean up afterward! If simple and no cleaning is music to your ears, you're in the right place. We've made this five times in the past two weeks, so it's definitely a loved activity here. I have View Post
The Children Who Changed Me Forever
There has not been a single week that has gone by that I have not thought of them, the children who taught me more than I could ever say. It's been 16 years now, and the children I met in India have remained in my heart and my head. Since the day I stepped off the plane into a poverty-stricken land, I knew I was forever changed. In fact, it's really hard to write about this. These children and View Post
Alphabet Sensory Bottle
This alphabet sensory bottle is the perfect way to work on the alphabet and have an awesome sensory bottle at the same time! It's one of our many sensory bottles that you'll love! I am seriously addicted to mesmerizing sensory bottles. At one point, I had a calm down jar that I "tested out" for an entire week before I gave it to my class, so I am always thrilled for the next irresistible find. View Post
Magnetic Discovery Bottles
I love it when I find a new sensory bottle to tantalize my preschoolers. My two newest discovery bottles are magnetic, and my class is over the moon for them! They are a cinch to make, and they are absolutely entertaining for older kids and safe for toddlers as well. I've made magnetic sensory bottles in the past, but the magnetic attraction wasn't as strong as I would like. So I came up with View Post