Ok friends, have I got a find for you! You know how we want our little ones to be world changers? We want them to think outside the box? We want them to be confident in their ideas and go after their dreams, no matter what those “inside the box” might think? Well, how on…
Teaching Kids to Read Through Play
As a teacher, one of the things I get asked the MOST about is teaching kids to read. For some children it comes so quick and naturally. And for others … it doesn’t. So this post is for the Mama of one of those “others” (and I say that in a kidding and kind way…
Word Scramble Scavenger Hunt!
Oh spelling! It can come so easy for some little ones, and is just so darn tricky for others. We have been playing a lot with different ways to work on this skill and came up with a super fun Word Scramble Scavenger Hunt idea! This year we have been using “Word Ladders” to help…
Numerous Nifty Number Activities for Preschool
Guess what I have been noticing lately? It is something that makes this Mama’s (and Teacher’s) heart so happy. I have noticed an increased focus on math and number activities for preschool! I remember very well when the focus seemed to be solely on learning those ABCs. But slowly and surely I have seen this…
Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids
Are your kids bored? Starting to pester each other? Are YOU bored? Well friends, I have the answer … a SCAVENGER HUNT! Scavenger hunts are so much fun for kids and a great way to turn any day around. I wanted to share scavenger hunt ideas for kids with you right here so you would…
Awesome Alphabet Activities for Preschoolers
With Fall in the air, I thought it time to share some alphabet activities for preschoolers. Alphabet activities and September definitely seem to go hand in hand. I have shared with you before oodles of letter activities AND a (rather lengthy) post about why I don’t actually suggest teaching letters in ABC order. But I…
Teaching Math to Preschoolers with Playing Cards
I am a big advocate for unstructured play. Loads of it. Tons of time for little ones to explore, be outside, and discover on their own. But I also believe in balance. I do some actual teaching with my little ones – though always in fun, meaningful, and child-directed ways. I wrote a lot about…
Gross Motor Activities for Busy Kids
Do you know what gross motor play is? If you have busy kids I am sure you are engaging in it daily – you might just not know that term. Gross motor activities involve the whole body and big muscles of the body. Running, jumping, even sitting requires gross motor skills. One of the BEST…
Loose Parts Play Ideas
Do you know about ‘loose parts play’? This is an idea that was introduced to me a few years ago in the Kindergarten classroom. I have used loose parts with my own children pretty much every single day since then. The idea is so very simple, and the learning is so very powerful. The idea…
Reading Activities: Name in a Jar
We are playing our way to learning to read! My little one just turned 4, and I am in no rush for him to read. I read to him oodles, and we play fun games (like this one) to give him the skills he will need to tackle reading successfully – when he is ready. …