preschool – Our Preschool

Writing. 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, we are doing our best to meet all our commitments like children’s school work, our own…

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…

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…

“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…

ABC 101

Updated 21/05/2021 You and your pre-schoolers have had and unusually short year together with closures due to government restrictions as well as individual absences due to quarantine guidelines. There has been no ‘formal’ or carefully planned out curriculum of letter recognition. You’ve been following the children’s lead when planning and prepping activities/projects and if none…

Be selfish to grow helpful kids

You’re living with a number of other people, maybe 3 or 4 or more. But there seems to be only one person tidying, sweeping, cooking, laundering, worrying and that one person seems to be you. Do you know why? It’s because you’re not selfish enough! You’re a caring person and a loving parent. You and…

Is my child learning anything at preschool?

Your little one has made the big leap to preschool class a few weeks ago. He’s happy and settled and there are no major issues really, but you feel he’s not learning as much as you expected. This is not how you imagined preschool. You were expecting him to come home in the afternoons full…

Quiet Indoor Activity Ideas

So, it’s time for everyone to calm down a notch. The kids have successfully released their excess energy and it looks like things are going to get out of hand and noise levels are starting to rise to an uncomfortable level. Here are some of my tried and tested activity ideas to slow the pace…

Reflecting as a Preschool Teacher

It’s the summer holidays, a time to relax, think back on your year and reflect on your performance as a preschool teacher because you really didn’t have a lot of time for this during your busy year! Take a critical look at the following questions to ask yourself (and your staff) so that you will…