Preschool

There are many things you can do to teach your tot to appreciate stories and books. It takes a little effort, but has a big payoff, especially in terms of their self-esteem and lifelong love of knowledge.

Find everything you need for a pig story time theme here: book suggestions, coloring pages, craft templates, and a rhyming flannel board story.

When choosing a preschool, some parents get seduced by the very things that they should avoid: an academic focus, computer learning, teacher-directed lessons and paper-pencil work. A longtime educator explains why these indicate poor quality and an ignorance of developmentally appropriate practices.

A long-time early childhood educator explains why dads should choose a preschool for their sons, not their moms. She argues that boys need a male advocate as they enter this female-ruled world where they can be labeled as “hyperactive” and “immature” just for being boys and get turned off to school.

Early childhood education is in a harrowing state as preschools adopt practices contrary to the latest research in neuroscience. Even though studies show kids learn most by exploring, socializing, and playing, these activities are decreasing while teacher-directed academic lessons are increasing.

One-third to one-half of all youngsters are introverts, but there's little recognition of that fact at most preschools today. Kids are crammed into noisy classrooms where they're expected to constantly interact with their peers and teachers. No downtime causes introverts to feel drained and unhappy.

When looking at preschools, parents should realize how far early childhood education has strayed from its original focus. It's important to know what to look for in a preschool to ensure the one you choose is the best fit for your child.

A longtime educator details the things moms and dads do that irritate preschool teachers. From sending their kids to class in fancy clothes to expecting special treatment for their precious tykes, these parents exacerbate the sky-high turnover rate among teachers in early childhood education.

If we want preschoolers to express themselves through art and feel empowered while doing so, we're going about it all wrong. Open-ended art activities (painting, drawing, and sculpting) have been replaced by teacher-directed craft projects, much to the detriment of young children's imaginations.

Ms. CeCe's preschoolers welcome spring with lesson plan activities including CeCe's "Spring is Coming Song," illustrating moving picture songs, planting pansies, and working in a garden center!

Looking for a teachable moment appropriate for preschoolers on Valentine's Day? Here's one called Hug the Earth, a lesson plan that includes "CeCe's Hug the Earth Song," "I Love the Earth" collage, Valentine message to the earth, a "going green" game, graphing, and a cooking activity.

Ms. CeCe's preschoolers explore their five senses while developing listening, math and problem-solving skills in this healthy living lesson plan.

Circle time, also known as group time or morning routine, should be a time that is both fun and educational. Here are a few tips to encourage your students to participate in circle time. I will show you step by step how I start every day in the classroom.

These normal activities with a twist have been used for years in my classroom, and they work wonders.

Choosing a preschool can be an overwhelming task with so many options. A long-time early childhood educator, though, urges parents to narrow their focus and pick one with a strong philosophy that attracts like-minded families. She strongly recommends Montessori, Waldorf, and play-based cooperatives.

Do you understand the mental health of your two-year-old? Social-emotional skills are essential to being a healthy adult, and these activities are for preschool teachers to use in the classroom.

There are certain things to avoid when selecting a preschool for your daughter. Beware of preschools that emphasize these behaviors that promote gender inequality and avoid them!

Let Ms. CeCe help create your Thanksgiving or gratitude lesson plan. She provides curriculum ideas for circle time, learning centers, drama, music, and movement.

These 10 classic preschool books have stood the test of time and are guaranteed to spark the creativity of young children while delighting adults.

I can help you design your fall "Getting to Know You" lesson plan. Curriculum ideas for circle time, learning centers, movement, music and dramatic play ideas are provided.

Parents in the US are enthralled with academic preschools, buying into the belief that earlier is better. However, research shows that play is how kids learn best. It enhances their imaginations, promotes exploration, increases vocabulary, and builds social skills.

Wondering how to get your kids to sleep in their own beds? Getting little ones to sleep in their own beds is a common problem that every parent will face at one time or another. Let Hoot and Honk Just Can't Sleep help! This is the perfect story to read to your kids when they can't sleep.

These 10 free websites are awesome for entertaining toddlers while teaching them important school-readiness skills.

Trying to teach your kids about diversity in the world? Here's a list for teachers, parents, and librarians of books for babies and toddlers that show everyday diversity. These books feature diverse characters portrayed in everyday contemporary life.

There are many situations where the same proverb can be thrown in to highlight a situation, especially one that generates positivity. Proverbs are learned on a subconscious level through exposure.

Calendar, craft projects, teacher-directed lessons, worksheets, and letter of the week are part of the daily routine at preschool. However, a former teacher explains why they're not only a waste of time but can squelch a child's innate curiosity and love of learning.

Today, many kids lack dexterity from staring at screens and struggle with using pencils and scissors. Parents can prevent this with play-dough! This article lists the benefits of play-dough, along with recipes to make it.

Scholars in early childhood education have long said preschoolers learn best through play. Politicians, parents, and the public, though, still wrongly believe early academics make kids smarter. As a result, some preschools offer too many teacher-led lessons and not enough socializing and exploring.

Should your child go to preschool? Going against decades of research in early childhood education, preschools today have become more academic than ever. Youngsters are now guinea pigs in an experiment that may prove highly detrimental to their futures and society's as a whole.

A preschool teacher explains why the decline in hands-on learning should distress parents. It was once the bedrock of early childhood education, getting kids excited about discovering new things. Today, it’s largely decreased due to our nation's fixation with preparing kids for kindergarten.

When choosing a preschool, some parents get impressed by ones that offer academics: a second language, STEM lessons, and handwriting workbooks. However, a long-time teacher says developmentally appropriate practices and free play are what matter most when cultivating independent life-long learners.

A teacher warns parents that they're making a big mistake when letting their guard down after selecting a preschool. She advises them to stay vigilant, making sure quality remains high. Because an owner's profit margins are slight, they strive to keep costs low and this can negatively impact kids.

Parents hate to see their children struggle with reading and will go to great lengths to help them. But what many moms and dads don't understand is that reading difficulties are hugely preventable.

Many preschools have at least one circle time as part of their daily routine. Research, though, shows kids learn a lot more with small group activities, kinesthetic learning, play, and hands-on exploration. Why then are circle times getting longer and being overused?

Parents can get enticed by STEM activities, foreign language instruction and music lessons, thinking they will give their child a leg up. What really matters most, though, is a preschool program with a strong philosophy that emphasizes a learn-by-doing approach: playing, socializing, and exploring.

The princess culture has invaded preschool with girls coming to class in full regal attire: long gowns, high heels, and sparkly tiaras. Learn why this trend is harmful to girls in the long term.

Three simple questions to help you decide, plus teaching tips and resources to use if your answer is "yes!"

Early learning curriculum for preschoolers and kindergarten age kids. Learn about continents, oceans and countries.

Kids love pretending to be adults. What better way than to mimic shopping with a credit card? Here are instructions for making a toy credit card.

Tips to running a toddler classroom while keeping structure and order in a room full of one-year-olds.

Teaching preschool at home can be a fun learning adventure for you and your child. Learn about some simple activities you can do at home with your preschooler to help your child prepare for kindergarten.

Concepts learned at school are learned faster and retained longer when kids actively participate in an activity. The lesson plan outlined below presents a fun, active method of teaching kids primary and secondary colours!

Learning to make friends is an important life skill to pass on to young children. Here are some friendship songs for kids along with other tips and activities to help them build social ties with their peers.

How to help prepare your child for preschool interviews, including questions they may be asked and suggested answers.

Answers to questions a parent should be prepared to hear during the application process for today's competitive nursery and primary schools.

Pre-school activities for sorting by color are an important pre-requisite for learning to name colors. Included are ideas for activities using pegboards, counting bears, colored blocks, colored beads, & homemade activities.

This Little Golden Book was one of the original twelve and was written in 1942. It has sold over 15 million copies and is one of the most popular children’s books out there.“The Poky Little Puppy” is written by Janette Sebring Lowery. Learn what ideas or morals it teaches youngsters.

Looking for Halloween-themed books for your classroom or your kids? Pumpkin-themed reading list for your preschool circle time, library storytime, or anytime! The reading list includes pumpkin-themed fantasy fiction and realistic fiction, including a few titles that are also Halloween selections.

A comprehensive guide to help you teach your child to read in 30 days, designed for parents who are homeschooling or pre-schooling their children.

These are some simple and fun ways to teach basic multiplication and division to preschoolers and kindergarten-age kids.