The most frequent question I am asked when people find out I am a preschool teacher is how to help children write their letters. I must admit that I LOVE this specific question because I am naturally a teacher who puts a lot of emphasis into writing and literacy. I also feel that writing should be adopted by children with admiration. I can remember feeling stressed about this in kindergarten, so I View Post
The First Day of Preschool
The first day of preschool is such an exciting day, and I want to share some tips to make it flow as smoothly as possible! 1) Prep your child for this big day. The day before preschool begins, let your child know that he will be starting preschool tomorrow. Tell him how exciting it will be as he will get to play and meet new friends. Describe some of the events that will take place such as View Post
Growing Children With a Greenhouse
"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues." The Lorax by Dr. Seuss Children are driven by curiosity. I believe that they are very misunderstood at times because of this. Much of the world tells them "don't touch that," "stay away from there," or "leave it alone." A better alternative is to provide an environment which encourages children to be View Post
Managing the Mountain of Mess AKA Toys
I am currently watching an episode of "Hoarders: Buried Alive." What a crazy show -- I want to watch it, yet it makes me crazy all at the same time. I have so much sympathy for these people as I see the power of their possessions take over their minds and lives, as well as the well-being of their family members. It's amazing how something as simple as a mess can turn into an overwhelming mountain. View Post
DIY Sea Stars
I love how beautiful and unique sea stars are! However, there are none close to me (besides the ones I brought back from beaches). I decided to do an experiment with my preschool class to see if we could make our own sea stars. My main goals for this was to create a realistic structure that can withhold the abuse of preschoolers. I am thrilled to share that they fit the build! These have View Post
Touring a Center Based Preschool — 8 Questions Parents Should Ask
Once you narrow down your choices for a preschool, this means it is time to take a tour. When I say a center based preschool, I am referring to preschool programs in child care centers, churches, and any other preschool that is not inside of a home. To find out tips on how to choose a preschool to tour, see my post on how to choose a preschool program. After you have made a list of preschool View Post
My Own Pet Sea Creature
I love how sweet it is when little ones see an animal and ask if they can have it. Wouldn't it be nice if we just saw something cute and could just easily pack it in our bags and take it home with us? This makes me think of the book "The Pigeon Wants a Puppy" by Mo Willems. Ahhhh, how wonderful it would be if this required no maintenance, cleaning, or feeding. To just look at it and smile and View Post
How to Choose a Preschool Program
When choosing a preschool, there may be many options to choose from. I want to help you navigate through this adventure, so that you can find a program that best fits your family. There are lots of factors to consider in this process, so I want you to bring you alongside my twelve years of teaching for a quick snapshot of which aspects will give you a head start on finding the right school. The View Post
Getting Ready for Preschool…Part 2
The preschool age is such a fun time in a child's life. Children learn by exploring, which is guided by their curiosity. Sometimes during this age, it is easy as an adult, whether a teacher or parent, to unintentionally take away these learning experiences. It can be so much quicker to just clean up after a preschooler, but there is so much value in teaching a child to take care of his or her toys View Post