Preschool Education

Our country is moving toward preschools that are academically focused, going against what experts in early childhood education recommend. Studies show that play is how youngsters learn best. It enhances their imaginations, promotes exploration, increases vocabulary, and builds social skills.

When looking at preschools, it's easy for parents to get sidetracked by all the bells and whistles—their child learning Chinese, pre-reading skills, yoga, and even a musical instrument. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher explains what a high-quality program REALLY looks like!

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

Certain activities at preschool—calendar, craft projects, teacher-directed lessons, worksheets, and "letter of the week"—are all part of the routine. Yet, are they supported by research? A former teacher with a master's degree explains why they're a waste of time and even harmful.

It's a sad state of affairs today when practices at America's preschools don't mirror the latest findings in brain research and the critical relationship between reading, literacy, and play. Preschools are misleading parents, making them believe academic rigor at an early age is best when it's not.

As an early childhood educator, I've seen how gender inequality at preschool hurts girls as they become observers in the classroom, not doers. When teachers allow girls to wear princess dresses to class, praise their looks, and limit dramatic play to just a kitchen area, they're disempowering them.

Are you driving your child's preschool teacher crazy? You probably are if you send your kid to class in fancy duds, expect special treatment for your precious tyke, fret about her being bullied, and pick her up late with no apology or explanation. Find out if you're being the pain at preschool!

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!

Are you worried that your child's preschool isn't living up to expectations? Is the owner adding more students? Is she making a lot of unfulfilled promises about accelerated learning? Do you feel like your kid's creativity is getting squelched? These are red flags that need your immediate attention!

Circle Time is popular in early childhood education, but it's largely a waste of time. Research shows kids learn more with small group activities, kinesthetic learning, and hands-on exploration. So why has Circle Time grown longer and more unwieldy and what can parents do about it?

An early childhood educator tells parents why it's best NOT to send their children to preschool. As the government seizes control, preschools become laboratories and young children become guinea pigs. The push for academic rigor at younger ages takes away time for play, pretending, and being a kid.

Does your child hate going to preschool? Do they come home feeling drained and wanting to be left alone? Is their teacher worried they're not participating in all the day's activities? If any of this sounds familiar, your youngster is likely an introvert and the preschool isn't meeting their needs.

Hug the Earth lesson plan including "CeCe's Hug the Earth Song," "I Love the Earth" collage, valentine message to the earth, "going green" game, graphing, and a cooking activity.

Ms. CeCe's preschoolers celebrate our grandparents with poetry, their favorite activities as children, grandparents around the globe, and games our great grandparents played!

We're at a tragic point when preschools are seen as places to prepare students for kindergarten. Not only is this developmentally inappropriate and cruel, but it also has long-term negative consequences for our nation. It results in kids who are less creative, less curious, and less communicative.

Some practical tips for organizing a children's story time program including finding a host organization, planning a calendar, and other common-sense logistical considerations.