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Do holiday celebrations cause a lot of disagreements in your center or school? The role of holiday celebrations in the classroom is a common debate in the education field. Everyone has a few holidays they love to celebrate, but it's important to remember that not everyone celebrates the same holidays and that many people celebrate holidays differently. In The Welcoming Classroom, Johnna Darragh Ernst, PhD, points out that several questions arise if you look at holiday celebrations through the lens of…

Nap time is one of those daily rituals that can end up being stressful rather than relaxing—for children and for teachers. Instead, preschool staff might start by using the transition to nap time as an opportunity to help children take a break from the day’s activities.Read More Here

Understanding the concept of time is still very much a challenge for preschoolers.  So getting the children to understand the term “resolution” then dictate a “new year resolution” is an even bigger challenge…Read More Here

Traditionally, we have thought of motor development as coming with maturation and that one skill leads naturally to the next as the child grows. But actually, motor development is a constant learning process. A child’s body is continuously growing and changing, and his environment offers different opportunities for movement. Each new movement involves the child making adjustments in balance and posture. Gibson (2000) describes the process of motor development as the child finding the best possible solutions to the problems…

As young children are developing and learning more about the world around them, it is completely normal for them to tell untruths. During a time where their reality is blurred with fantasy, you may notice some of the things they say are not always honest.  Here are some ideas for what you can do as a preschool teacher to teach children about honesty.  1. Model Truth Just as you may sense when your students are lying, they can also sense…

What gift will you give to the children in your care this year? “We all want what is best for each child,” writes Dr. Ruth Wilson. “We want to give them what will make them grow and thrive. We generously give of our time and our attention. We wipe their tears and listen to their stories. These are all beautiful gifts that can’t be wrapped with paper and ribbon.”Read More Here

The holidays are upon us, which means it’s time for some holiday crafting in the classroom. If you’re looking for a fun and simple craft to do with your students, try making these DIY gift bags!Read More Here

I’m a director at a Jewish preschool housed inside a synagogue, so I spend a lot of time considering how to teach young children the deeper meaning of holidays.   In my experience, starting with values is an easy way for adults to remind themselves what holidays are all about, and shape children’s identities as compassionate people of character.Read More Here

While your preschool students may not be ready to write full sentences, it’s never too early to teach them important pre-writing skills. Hand-eye coordination is one of those skills and plays an important role in writing. Through repetition and practice of specific movements, you can prepare your student to be excellent writers. Here are some more tips to build your student’s pre-writing skills.  Encourage Drawing and Scribbling: Writing development starts with scribbling and drawing. Allow children to feel free to…

With winter right around the corner, it’s a good idea to start planning indoor recess activities for when it’s too cold, rainy, or snowy to take your students outside to play. We’ve come up with a list of seven indoor recess ideas to help you offer students the best play experiences possible when they’re stuck indoors.Read More Here