Rhymes and movements for the hands and fingers, some of which date at almost 2000 years, are still used in early childhood classrooms, as well as the more modern action songs that involve the whole body. When you were a child you might remember finger plays such as “twinkle twinkle little star “or “old Mary […]

Research has proven that our environment, – the way we set up our rooms can often be the third teacher. Especially when following the philosophy of teaching we do I am reminded often how important it is to be intentional about the materials that I put out. You’ve heard me preach over and over again […]

I keep telling you this year is different and it’s really hard to explain other than saying all the kids are just so ” chill.” I think we always know that the kids love us – they are with us seven hours a day – day in and day out -sure they love us . […]

Think about how your child learned to speak. Did you teach your child one sound at a time and say ” I -want -a -snack – from – the – kitchen ?” Of course not! Language is learned through listening, speaking, and practicing in real situations. Children learn to read and write when real life […]

Yesterday we talked about puzzles. Puzzles are one tool that can be used to help children develop fine motor skills. Why are fine motor skills important? Most people immediately just think of writing. There are so many other things that come with being able to use your finger muscles and hand muscles with success. Today […]

Puzzles help kids develop eye hand coordination, and other important skills. Learning to control hands and fingers according to information received from their sight is a coordination skill that aid children in early attempts of reading and writing. Three or four piece wooden puzzles in which each piece fits into its own hole are usually […]

The kids were super active from the minute they were dropped off until the minute we laid down. Constantly running and playing and screaming and just being kids. During breakfast we did our Hegarty time with the purple book with rhyming and onset sounds and all those things and then spent the rest of our […]

Yesterday during your inside time I took one of the pumpkins that’s been moved around in the playroom and put it on the table along with some orange paint. I asked the other children what color paint they think we needed and they said Brown. I asked what the brown paint was for and they […]

Today as I watched the boys play I had an epiphany. I’m sure it’s not anything that no one has heard before but it was re-emphasized to me in front of my eyes. I watched Levi stand in front of the flower border that comes up to his knees and jump straight over it without […]

It’s not really that simple. Sometimes small children haven’t learned the skills or developed the self control to ” just obey.” It sounds simple but dig deeper. “Just sit still -” Children this age are wired to move. There’s actually scientific evidence that says the moving is connected to the part of the brain learns. […]