Teaching Young Children About Bugs

"I loved being outside. We'd hold lightning bugs in our fingers and pretend they were diamond rings."

~Loretta Lynn

It's that time of year again. All kinds of bugs and insects are sure to be stuffed in children's pockets and endlessly poked at. I have complied some tips that not only the bugs would appreciate, but the parents as well.

Tips for Teaching Young Children About Bugs

"Okay kids, guess who this is?"

Small Group Learning: I like to gather the children into small groups and help them make a list of all the bugs they can think of on the white board. I'll draw very simple pictures for them as they discuss what insects they have seen and describe what they look like. In order to help children recognize the insects, I collect photographs I have downloaded from the computer.

Tell Bug Stories: Yes, there are wonderful books out there but nothing beats our own stories and experiences when it comes to sharing about bugs. The kids love to hear how I was never afraid of spiders and how one once got stuck in my hair. It also encourages stories from the children so you may want to have a tape recorder or pen and paper handy.

Keeping Learning Simple: we discuss what the bugs do, how they look and perhaps why they are made the way they are. We always go back to relating to ourselves, and why we are made the way we are, too!

"Iron Cross Blister Beetles are mommies, too!"

Creating Bug Compassion: Sounds kind of silly, but it is necessary in studying bugs with young children. Often our prized study subjects will get smashed by will meaning preschoolers thinking they are nasty little intruders. I use friendly bug puppets and have conversations about the similarities between us and nature. Bugs have mommies, daddies, babies. Bug have favorite foods, live in bug houses and make friends....
Sounds pretty simplistic, but it works. I have often heard the children saying, "This bug is somebody's mommy, don't squish her!"

Teachers of the Past and Present

One Hundred Years from Now
(excerpt from "Within My Power" by Forest Witcraft)

One Hundred Years from now
It will not matter
what kind of car I drove,

What kind of house I lived in,

how much money was in my bank account 

nor what my clothes looked like. 

But the world may be a better place because 

I was important in the life of a child.

If this poem was read 100 before, I believe it would still stand true. 

Some things in our heart simply don't change, only grow...

Like the love we have for our children.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking, Teacher

When you thought I wasn’t looking, you displayed my first report, and I wanted to do another.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, you fed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, you gave me a sticker, and I knew that little things were special things.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, you put your arm around me, and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt--but that it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, you smiled, and it made me want to look that pretty too.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, you cared, and I wanted to be everything I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking--I looked...and wanted to say thanks for all those things you did when you thought I wasn’t looking. 

By Mary Rita Schilke Korzan,"WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN’T LOOKING"

Young Children and Insecurities

Some fears are imagined. But no matter how small,
a little reassurance can go a long way!

Young children can have fears or insecurities that are real or imagined. No matter how small it may seem to us, worries like these can really weigh on our little ones. So how do we put their fears and insecurities at ease? Here are some tried and true tips from teachers and families that work!

Tried and True Tips That Help Young Children Manage Their Insecurities and Fears:
1. There are many books you can read to kids or older children can read that help kids cope. Ask a librarian for kids books on a specific topic or check them out online.

Celebrate kids unique talents and skills!

2. Do you remember a time when you felt afraid or insecure when you were the child's age? What did you do? Sometimes talking about real life experiences with kids puts them at ease.
3. Helping a child begin to feel secure in their own abilities really empowers them. Everyone has talents, skills and intelligences that are unique to them. Talk about them and celebrate them.
4. Not all kids that have insecurities are insecure. Life happens and can get a bit overwhelming at times. Spending regular family time or special group time where everyone can simply talk about what we're thinking often gets a friendly conversation going.
5. With persistent insecurities it may be best to limit kids exposure to television/movies with dramatic or violent content. Going out on picnic or to the park are relaxing casual events that help ease every one's nerves.

What do you do to help our little ones manage their fears?

Just Do It

When I was a little girl I really wanted to be a ballerina. I was about 4 years old and I only had to see the Nut Cracker one time before I know that was it. My foundation was sent and I had wrapped re-bar around that notion.
My parents didn't have much money but made a way for me to go to ballet lessons. I was very small for my age and my sister joked that my tutu was more or less a one-one. I worked really hard but my teacher finally confided that I would be too small to ever really dance.
I was heartbroken.
My parents sat down with me and told me that whatever I had a mind to do. Just do it. Don't listen to what anyone has to say. That conversation really changed my life. I decided later that I wasn't going to pursue ballet about a year later. The Olympics came on and I saw the gymnasts. That was it again!
I am glad my family really supported me through my hundreds of career ideas. I never would have known what to do unless I gave it my all.

What dreams did you have as a kid?

How Much Time Does It Take To Create a Masterpiece?

Given the right set up and environment kids can create learn to focus on just about anything. What would happen if we gave them a bit more time...a few more minutes out of a busy day.
As an artist myself, I just wanted to say to the kids....
Hey, I understand....

How to Make Homemade Ice Cream

Translation: Dear Mom and Dad, I am very very angry. I would really like to ask you both for help but I don't know how. I feel stuck. Do you think you could come talk to me tonight before you go to sleep? I think that would make me feel much better.

We suggest talking it over with a nice bowl of homemade ice cream!

How to Make Homemade Ice Cream With Kids:

•2 coffee cans with resealable lids, one large can and one small.
•5 cups ice
•1 cup rock salt
•1 pint half and half
•½ cup sugar
•2 tsp vanilla
•Instant pudding mix or frozen fruit (optional)
Kids can then stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves and close the can. You will probably want to seal the lid with duct tape for added security.

Now, kids can place the small can inside the larger can and surround it with ice and rock salt. Once adults seal the lid on the larger can, kids are ready to make some ice-cream.
Kids will need to keep that can moving, but with all their energy, this shouldn’t be a problem. They can sit roll the can back and forth to eachother, kick, or shake their ice-cream maker to keep the recipe swirling.
You can set a timer for 15-20 minutes. When the timer goes off, kids can open the cans to check the ice-cream’s texture.
Adults or kids will need to stir the coldest ice cream on the sides together with that in the middle. If the concoction needs a little more firming up, kids can add a new batch of ice and salt and try ten minutes more.

It's a great way to bring a smile to anyone's face!

Quiet Areas in Preschool Environments in Early Childhood Education

“Never miss an opportunity to make 

others happy, even if you have to leave 

them alone in order to do it.”

~Anonymous

I am not the sunshine in everyone’s life….Shocker, right?
There is an art to leaving kids alone to recover their dignity from humiliation, anger, fear, resentment….and such like. And WOE unto you if you mess-ith with them.
I mean yikes to the power of yikes.

Well…..a temper is another separate issue.
When I was upset, I preferred not to be alone-I was just that type of child. I preferred someone to pick on….at the very least……
I knew a little boy named Sean that used too hide under the table when there was trouble. There was a rule at the preschool that no one was to be under the table. He would quietly duck under and “gather” himself together…I could almost see it happening. The teachers would begin to pull him out until I brought the situation to their attention. The solution was to have one “Quiet Tent” in the classroom that kids could all sit under. It was enough for him and he used it less and less.
Hmmmm….Do we have a restful retreat for our kids their environment?
How do I take time to 'recover' from situations?

Encouraging Friendships in Early Childhood Education

“A true friend never gets in your way unless 

you happen to be going down.”

~Arnold Glasow

Kathleen was standing against the wall.
She is a very happy go lucky child so I kept an eye on her….she didn’t move so I approached her.
“Well, Hi Kathleen.”
“Well, Hi Ms. Bah-Bah.”
“You look mighty comfy just standing there. What are you thinking about?”
“Well. I just lookin’ for a f-wend to p-way with.” She replied.
“A friend to play with? Oh! I actually thought you were sad.”
“Me?” Kathleen looked shocked.
“You.”
“Nope.”
“What’s goin’ on people’s?” Jack wondered over.
“I’m standing here lookin’ for a f-end, I’m not sad, either.”
“Oh.” Jack smiled. “I’ll look with you just in case you get sad.”
“Tanks, Jack.”
“Welcome Kathleen.”
“See you later kids.” I said.

T-A-N-K-S!

“A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad.”
~Arnold H. Glasgow

During class time I noticed Marko holding a book and walking around with it- making children laugh…..hmmm-m? Not so unusual. Since I was with another child- I would check on him in a minute. Before I could get to him a child entered to room crying with his mother. Off I went to assist and I saw Marko coming out of the corner of my eye- this time he had a whole group of children behind him.
“Tell him, Marko..tell him the joke!” The children coaxed.
Marko handed the book to the crying boy who stopped for a moment to look at it.
“Excuse me, my dear man…take this book.” Marko said in some kind of fake deep English accent.
Curious by now, he stopped crying and took the book.
“We’ll, what does it say, my dear man?”
“Um,” he sniffed; he read the bold word on the front cover. T-A-N-K-S, “it says, tanks.” He whispered.
“Say that a little louder, dear man.” Marko smiled, puffing his chest out.
“Tanks.” He said rubbing his eyes.
“Can’t heaaaar yoooou.” Marko giggled with the rest of the children.
“TANKS!” He shouted and laughed.
“Well, you’re welcome-but you don’t have to yell!”