Christmas gifts for your preschool parents

I had a teacher post on the Teach Preschool facebook site a request for new and fresh ideas for parent Christmas gifts. This got me thinking and I wanted to share a few personal and professional thoughts on the topic of parent gifts.

Photos are always treasured
Hanging on my tree are many ornaments that my daughter, now age 23, made when she was little. The one above is a photo of my daughter taped behind a paper plate. What makes this ornament so special to me? It is the photo of course, but I have kept it over the years and each year I enjoy looking at the photo once again.

On the back of the paper-plate framed ornament is written my daughter's age and the date. And my daughter printed her own name - I recognize her handwriting.

It isn't that the ornament is a fabulous piece of art - what matters is that it is a little piece of my daughter and creates a memory that is special to me.

Simple art can mean a great deal
A little squiggle of glue and some glitter and a memory of my daughter at age two. Again, I place this little paper star on the tree every year and love it.

Notice the date is 1988 - I am always thankful that the teacher took the time to clearly print my daughter's name and the date on the ornament. I would never be able to remember what year my daughter made this but because the date is on there - it makes this little yellow star all that more special.

A Star for the tree
This has been the star on my Christmas trees for over 19 years. It is simply two stars cut out and wrapped around a cardboard tissue tube then glued together. It doesn't make our tree fancy but it brings us joy. For this my daughter also added some glue and glitter.

When planning a parent gift...

Feel free to keep it simple: What may seem like an old worn out idea to you is often times new and fresh to your preschoolers and parents. What may seem too simple may be something that a parent will treasure for life.

Add the child's name and a date: Over time, parents will appreciate having the date on the gift - it helps them remember how old their child was when the gift was made. If they have more than one child it will help keep it straight as to which child made the gift.

Involve the child in the process: It isn't how cute or expensive or creative the gift is as much as that it was made by and comes from the child. Looking back, I love the funny little glitter designs on the star - I am sure my daughter loved playing with the glue and glitter and I fondly remember her preschool years each time I place the star on our tree.


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Teaching preschoolers about the authors of the books they love

Teaching preschool simply would not be complete without the wonderful books available to young children. There are awesome authors out there writing terrific children's books and it is a good idea to help your preschoolers discover who they are.

Get to know the author first
Before presenting an author to your students, you need to get a feel for who the author is. This will make it more natural for you to have casual conversations with your students about the author. Let me illustrate this a bit further.

Let's say you have a friend who just wrote a new children's book and you can't wait to share it with your students. You would more than likely start by telling the kids that your friend wrote the book. Then you might go on to describe your friend, what he or she is like, why he or she wrote the book, and how the illustrations were created. In other words, if you feel like you know the author, you will want to share some information about the author.

Use the internet to learn about the author
The internet offers great opportunities to get connected with many terrific children's authors. Some authors have websites where they share their books and extra materials. Other authors have even started their own blogs and facebook pages which even give you a more personal perspective.

Eric Carle
Eric Carle is a great example of an author that has given much to the field of early childhood education.  Eric's blog shares simple stories of how or why a book was written. As you read his blog, you gain greater insight into Eric as well as greater insight into the book itself.

One of Eric's latest post talks about he came to write his book "Pancakes, Pancakes". Eric writes, ""My grandmother always had a gift for me. An egg from her chickens, a jar of raspberry jam. She would tell me, "Here, Eric. Have an egg. Give it to your mother to make a pancake for you."" Eric's website offers additional materials and resources.

Denise Fleming
Denise Fleming has a facebook fan page and a website. On Denise's facebook site, she shares short little snippets about her personal life such as she has a dog named Sylvester.

On her website, Denise provides online activities to go along with each of her books as well as an "about" page where you can get to know her a little better.

Just Google it!
There are so many authors out there with websites that this post certainly wouldn't be able to share them all but you can do a simple online search by using the author's name or if you don't know the name, search for the name of the author's book and that will eventually lead you back to the author.

Why is it a good idea to share information about the author with your students?
As preschoolers get to know more about the author, they will develop a greater appreciation for the books in your classroom. It isn't about getting your students to remember a name, it is about introducing a real life person that brings meaningful experiences and words into their lives.

You will not be able to share information about every author you ever read - so don't feel under pressure to do so. Choose authors who have written some of the children's books you value the most and start there. As you do, you will naturally be able to share what you know with your students. Just like introducing an old friend.

Integrating across the curriculum
This is a big fancy way of saying that as you discover more about how an author or illustrator creates his work, you will find ways to expand and integrate those ideas into other areas of your curriculum.

For example, Eric Carle is known for using tissue paper to illustrate his books. As you share this information with your students, you can then add an art activity using tissue paper and help the children connect the dots between the the author/illustrator, the book they have just read, and the possibilities of tissue paper art.

Wrap it Up
Remember, it is great to introduce an author' or illustrator's name but that won't build connections for your preschoolers alone. Take time to discover more so that you can build connections between life and art for your students.

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Four easy steps to setting up your classroom by Mrs. Myra of Centers and Circle Time

Today's guest is Mrs. Myra of Centers and Circletime. Mrs. Myra is in the process of setting up her own classroom so I asked her if she would share some insights on what she has learned about classroom set-up. I invite your comments and ideas as well.

4 Easy Steps to setting up your classroom
By: Mrs. Myra of Centers and Circle Time (guest blogger)

Dear Teacher, are you starting a new job? Have you just been given a new classroom? Have you moved to a new age group? Are you worried about setting up you new space? No fear, help is here! I have four simple steps to get you started, and in no time you'll be the proud new owner of a fabulous classroom. So, are you ready to get started?

Step 1

• Look around your classroom for any safety issues. These could be things like uncovered light plugs; ripped or torn wall paper, tears or holes in the carpet or flooring; stuff piled too high; broken toys, or damaged mats and cots
• Have broken or torn items repaired or taken care of before you go any further.

Step 2

Plan how you can get the most out of your space.

• You can use pen and paper or an online tool for help.
• Create a map of your classroom.
• You may consider how many centers do you need?
• Any health or safety issues with this particular set up?
• Plan and re-plan if you have to.

Here is a sample of how you can map out your classroom...

Step 3

Put your furniture in place.

• Use tables, shelves, and small desks to break up the room into centers.
• Keep in mind the more open space you have, the more running and wrestling you'll get.

Step 4

Add your center signs and labels.

• Get on your knees and place the name of each center in front of you (Housekeeping, Science, Blocks, etc.)
• By being on your knees you'll ensure this is the perfect height for your children to read. To further enhance their pre-reading skills place labels on items throughout the room...pencil box, bathroom, door, computer, crayons, legos, etc.

Congratulations, wonderful teacher! Now you have begun to whip that class right into shape. Are you just dying to do more? Of course you are, I knew you would be:) So I decided to add some additional ideas just for you!

Other things considered:

• Once you have your class try putting pictures up of the students and parents on your walls.
• You should always display student artwork.
• Charts can help you as well as your students...Job Chart, Birthday Chart, Alphabet Chart, Number Chart etc.

Here are a few Mrs. Myra's Classroom must-haves:

• A radio or cd player with children's music...It keeps me sane and is a must for my auditory learners.
• An alphabet train (I wont teach without it)
• Small Appliances (I am known to keep in my cabinets a toaster, toaster oven, icee maker, popcorn popper, etc) These are perfect for a cooking center/science center or a life saver for a rainy day activity.
• Food - make sure you are providing students with nutritional meals and snacks. (You'd be surprised but children will come to class hungry. Children cannot be effective learners and teachers cannot be effective teacher if they are hungry).

Last dear teacher, do not feel the urge to run out and spend money on charts and appliances. Charts can be made with construction paper or purchased at the dollar store and appliances are always free on Craigslist and Freecycle. Now I urge you to go be GREAT!

To view more from Centers and Circle Time - click here!
Read her latest posts: My Sad Class - Establishing Centers in My Sad Class - What the Heck is Age Appropriate Anyway? - Help, I'm Drowning In Stuff!

Thank you Mrs. Myra for sharing your ideas with us.

Deborah