The Time After Winter Break

I am finding myself thinking about the time after Winter Break.  I was so amazed each year how grown up the kiddos were on their  return to the classroom.  Now my groups were mostly 4's heading to 5.  They thought they were so cool and occasionally thought they were off to the kindergarten room the very day they turned 5.

I'm sure that no matter the age, when you take a look at your kiddos (your students or your own young children- 4 to 5 months of development makes such a big difference.  I'd like to suggest that you take some time this week and make notes on the differences you see in the children in your care.  Take a good look at where your kiddos are and think about where they are heading developmentally.
Think about all the areas of development.

• Are students ready for new materials or is it time to bring back some materials to see if they use the material in a new way?  (Inside and outside too.)
• What students are ready to learn their last name?  (Name cards with first names on the front and last names on the back.)
• Look at your puzzles.  Is there enough of each difficulty level to be inviting for all levels of puzzle workers in your room?
• Think science.  What new experiences can you provide for the spring?  (Planting different seeds, growing a pineapple from the top, magnet discovery bottles---etc)
• Visit websites like Steve Spangler for ideas, or author's websites for new book ideas, listen to Pandora for new music ideas, gather with other teachers and bring a favorite book, a favorite song, and an idea to share that brings wonder to your classroom.
• Spend more time outside .
• Make a music wall on the playground.  (Use old pots, pans, trays, Tupperware to create different sounds to play with on the play ground.  Use different tools (rubber spatulas, wooden spoons, or plastic serving utensils) to add more ways to play with sound.
• Decide to enjoy and find wonder in each day of teaching.  I've always believed that knowing my students and knowing what interests them was the way to have joy in my profession and to best meet the needs of my students.

Wishing you well,

Teacher Debbie 🌟

Happy New Year to all!

Happy 2020--- a year for clear vision.👀

The fall of 2019 found my family a bit hectic with my husband having two smaller surgeries and those both needed some recovery time.  I hope that you all are still out there and ready to talk Early Childhood.

Here we are in 2020 ready for the second half of the school year.  What new visions do you have for this new year?  

I say it is a year to refocus on best practices for the children we care for and love.  Are you with me?

Let us focus on good literature, music, classroom management, science, math, outdoor times, creating mystery and excitement for learning and adventures!

Look what I purchased at Costco, over the holidays.  

Yes, it is another good Bruce book by Ryan T. Higgins

If you don't know Bruce, he is a bear with a bit of attitude.  As we start this year, ask yourself, "Am I a bear with attitude?"  Is that attitude a positive one?  Is it a bit negative? Take a deep breath and tell yourself the truth.  Use this year of clear vision to turn things to be positive.  I say, enjoy the children in your classroom, be kind and helpful to your teaching partners or family members and try and be a little child yourself now and then --- laugh, play, and just have fun!

Go out and buy the Bruce books or something else new to you.  How can you make this come alive for the children in your life?  Can you have them bring a stuffed animal to hold while your ready it?  Can you find stuffed animals to include in dramatic play?  Can you chart who has been in a big storm?  Can you make a storm discovery bottle?  Hands-on learning, and life connecting activities are great student based practices we can use to reach children. 

On your mark, get set go!  This is a new year.  Kindness and helpfulness are always a good choices.  Be positive, it goes a long way in keeping your classroom a great place to be a child and to keeping you healthy.

Wishing you well,

Teacher Debbie 🌟