This past week, I observed a wonderful 30-year preschool teacher tell a story with her young 3s using a felt board. Can you tell from the picture below what the story was? It may be hard to see so I will give you some hints. There are 2 cookies, a glass of milk, a […]
If you’ve never participated in a webinar or watched a previously recorded webinar, I’ve got one for you to try. While browsing through some online professional development opportunities, I came upon this wonderful webinar from January 2015. The presenters provide a framework for supporting young children’s emerging mathematical understandings through music and movement in the […]
When I hear “data analysis” I immediately think of statistics and then I get the shakes and flashbacks. I had to take Statistics for Sociology majors when I was at University and it was simply the hardest class I ever took. I used all of my tried-and-true strategies for school success. I arrived early. I […]
It is always a good idea to set the stage for family involvement from the start of the year, establishing practices that will support a family centered program in everything you do. The key to doing this well is by creating a many-faceted system for communication that includes, but is not limited to: newsletters, phone […]
I love all things “Pinterest.” It is such a brilliant idea, especially if you are visual. I am much more likely to understand something if I see it rather than read about it. I have gotten so much inspiration from Pinterest, from designs for a tiny library I want to build on my parkway to […]
While the big kids are at school, the Chicago Children’s Museum has all sorts of things scheduled for children ages 12 months to 4 years. There is daily programming, open play, water play, building and construction…. the list goes on. Check it out here. http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/index.php/experience/toddler-takeover-f http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/index.php/experience/toddler-takeover-f
Both of my boys have left for college and I am in a state of shock. Looking for ways to fill my heretofore parenting time, I decided to clean and tidy my house. I bought the book the life-changing magic of tidying up, by Marie Kondo as I thought this would be the motivation needed […]
In honor of Labor Day 2015, I thought a few childcare labor statistics would make a good post – as well as a good reminder that this work is a labor of passion and commitment National Employment (# of childcare workers) * 582, 970 Illinois Employment (# of childcare workers) * 14,340 National Mean Hourly […]
Well the Crayola Company does. Crayola has developed a marker recycling program that supports programs that are “going green.” The program was developed for K-12 programs, but I guarantee that they will take them from preschools as well. According to the website, simply gather your old, used markers and count them, pack them and send […]
There are few manipulatives out there that are as interesting and beautiful as a wooden set of Cuisenaire® Rods. Developed 75 years ago by Belgian teacher Georges Cuisenaire these “rods” come in beautiful colors in varying lengths. The units are color-coded which provides additional visual cues for children. If you look carefully at the above […]