Hey Reader! Week 5 of our book series! This is a fun one! I had the great pleasure of chatting with author, Tara Hackney about her book “Jesus Loves The Little Children”. You might be thinking, “Wait a minute…that’s a song.” And you’re right! Tara has updated the lyrics to the classic song and then published a BEAUTIFUL board book! You should listen to the new lyrics here. She is passionate about sharing the message that all children being made in the image of God. This seems like common...
11 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! It’s week 4 of our summer book series! Are you loving it?! A well-loved read aloud is We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Children love the repetitive language, dramatic storytelling, and playful adventure through swishy grass, deep rivers, thick mud, and dark forests. It’s a great book for integrating movement all over the place! But beneath all the fun is a beautiful reminder about courage and resilience. Throughout the story, the family encounters obstacle after obstacle. Each time,...
18 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! Week 3 of our summer series on books! For many families groceries show up at the front door or are picked up curb-side from the store. Not only do children rarely see the process of planting, growing, and harvesting food – they rarely even see any other food options than what is in their own pantry! A fun conversation with author Sarah Philpott shed some light on why gardening and farming experiences matter so much in early childhood classrooms. (just click on the graphic below to...
25 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! It’s week 2 of our summer book series! Few books capture the beautifully busy minds of young children quite like If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Have you ever thought about that? One simple cookie quickly turns into milk, straws, mirrors, haircuts, sweeping, drawing, naps, and eventually… another cookie. Children laugh because the story feels familiar—and honestly, every early childhood teacher smiles because it feels familiar to them too! LOL! Young children are naturally curious,...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! We’re starting a summer newsletter series with a focus on early childhood books. We’re starting today with a Super Simple Science Series by Brock Eastman. I also got to interview him on the podcast. It was WILD! You might want to check it out on our YouTube Channel because we even did some live science experiments!! Bridging the Gap Between Science and Faith Science and faith are often viewed as being at odds with each other. However, for young children, these fields can be...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! In the busyness of our classrooms, sometimes it’s hard to pause long enough to reflect on what’s actually happening. There are diapers to change, lessons to prepare, parents to update, and children who need our constant care and attention. Taking a few moments to reflect each day may be one of the most important habits/practices that a teacher can do. Reflection (pausing to intentionally consider) helps you move beyond simply “doing activities” (aka, babysitting) to intentionally...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! This transition into summer doesn't always feel like a vacation does it? Instead, you might find yourself feeling "at your wits' end" and "dragging a burden" that feels far heavier than you were meant to carry. After a long school year, it’s easy to default to "leaking trust systems" like hustle, control, or silence. (Curious about where this terminology came from? Listen in to the conversation with Debbie Simmons in this week’s podcast episode – just click the graphic below. We...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader! Sometimes all it takes to re‑engage children is a change in scenery/location! Outdoor sensory bins are simple to set up, easy to adapt for all ages, and packed with learning opportunities. This time of year…they’re the best way to add extra activity and vitamin D to your day! When children scoop, pour, dig, and explore outside, their bodies and brains work together in powerful ways. Here are five easy outdoor sensory bin ideas, along with the learning outcomes they support. Try...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! Have you felt overwhelmed this year? Maybe even this week you’re feeling a little exhausted and maybe even a little burned out? I had a conversation with Dr. Melissa Ewing recently about how we can build resilience (the capacity to withstand or to recovery quickly from difficulty). She provides some really practical tips: Renew your mind - The majority of our thoughts every day are negative and even untrue (aka “automatic negative thoughts” A.N.T.s) When that happens, we must...
2 months ago • 2 min read
