During the Covid-19 restrictions, your preschooler is surely enjoying being in their own home and having one or two parents around them 24/7. I bet some of them have asked you not to go back to work! As parents, we are doing our best to meet all our commitments like children’s school work, our own…
Reading. How can I help my child get ready for Primary School?
During the Covid-19 restrictions, your preschooler is surely enjoying being in their own home and having one or two parents around them 24/7. I bet some of them have asked you not to go back to work! As parents, are doing our best to meet all our commitments like children’s school work, our own work,…
Independence. How can I help my child get ready for Primary School?
During the Covid-19 restrictions, your preschooler is surely enjoying being in their own home and having one or two parents around them 24/7. I bet some of them have even asked you not to go back to work! As parents, are doing our best to meet all our commitments like older children’s school work, our…
How can I help my child to develop a love of learning?
A child will develop a love of learning by experiencing more of what interests and fascinates him. We, as parents, are our child’s first teacher and with our new situation right now during these COVID19 restrictions, some of us are our child’s only teacher! Daunting as it may seem if you’re not professionally trained as…
Kindness in the classroom
Of all the learning that is experienced by 3, 4 and 5 year olds, I think the learning of kindness is one of the most important. There is lots of unkindness in our world and sometimes it can be too easy to be sucked into unkind thoughts and actions. But if we have a foundation…
Self Evaluation
Stop. Think. Focus. Reflect. This is what I have found to be the result of using the Self Reflection tools in the “Síolta Aistear Practice Guide”. Síolta is the Irish word for seeds and is the name of the national quality framework for early years education in Ireland.Aistear means journey and is the name of…
Be Ready for an Emergent Curriculum
Children are curious about the world around them. Whether it’s a scientific phenomenon like rain falling from the sky or a social oddity like another child having their feelings hurt, children really are learning something new every day! But children don’t learn the same new things or have the same questions or the same experiences…
Simple ideas to give your preschool a Christmas feel
With Christmas just around the corner, you will be aiming for a nice Christmas atmosphere about the place for the children. This does not have to mean stress or expense on your part. These few ideas have kept stress and financial issues to a minimum for me over the years and have enhanced the excitement…
Boredom Busters Pick n Mix
We know that being a little bored is good for anyone including our children. It allows for thoughts and experiences to process in our minds and gives us the freedom to think up original ideas and plans. BUT, sometimes there is little more frustrating that hearing a child whining about being bored. Sometimes your assurance…
“The Perfect Picnic” by Ciara Flood
What a delight it was to pick up ‘The Perfect Picnic’ by Ciara Flood (author and illustrator) and read it to my little bunch of 4 year olds. The book tells the story of Squirrel and Mole. They do absolutely everything together and are the best of friends. When they decide to go on a…
Are your children’s learning goals being met?
(** Preschool Teachers in Ireland, are your activities and lesson plans meeting the Aistear Themes & Learning Goals? CLICK HERE for Aistear-linked curriculum plans!) You and the children have a little routine going, whether you are a preschool teacher or at home with your own kids. Every day is fun and interesting and predictable enough…
Homemade bird feeder, peanut butter and seeds
Here’s a really simple feeder for those adorable little garden birds that you would love to see more of when you look out the window. Each step can be easily done by the little hands of little people. All you need is: Peanut butter (alternitively, jam or butter can be used if there is an…