Nanny to Mommy: education

🎉 Fun & Easy Ways to Celebrate the 50th Day of School with Your Students

Monday, October 27, 2025

The 50th day of school is such a fun milestone to celebrate, especially in early elementary grades! It’s the perfect excuse to mix a little retro 1950s fun with classroom learning, themed snacks, and creative crafts. Whether you’re a teacher, room parent, or homeschooling family, these 50th Day of School celebration ideas will make your classroom feel like a sock hop!

Fun & Easy Ways to Celebrate the 50th Day of School with Your Students

🏫 Why Celebrate the 50th Day of School?

Celebrating the 50th day helps young learners mark progress in a big way. It’s a mid-semester reminder of how far they’ve come since the first day! It’s also a great time to:

Practice counting to 50

Incorporate hands-on math and literacy activities

Encourage classroom community

Make learning feel like a party

🎃 Free Halloween Christian Coloring Pages for Kids: Candy Corn Prayer & Pumpkin Parable

As Halloween approaches, many Christian families and schools look for ways to celebrate the season in a fun, faith-based way. If you’re searching for free Halloween Christian coloring pages that teach biblical lessons while keeping little hands busy, you’re in the right place! Today, I’m sharing two of my favorite Christian fall printables, the Candy Corn Prayer and Being a Christian Is Like Being a Pumpkin, perfect for your classroom, Sunday School, or homeschool activities.

A Year of Lesson Planning for Christian Pre-K

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

I teach Pre‑K 3 at an advanced Christian school, and I truly love working with this age group. We have a curriculum we follow, but I also like to add supplemental activities to make learning more hands‑on and meaningful for the children. In our class, we focus on introducing letters and their sounds, as well as numbers 1-20.

A Year of Lesson Planning for Christian Pre-K

By the time children join us, we hope they’re already comfortable identifying basic shapes and colors. Ideally, they’ll recognize most of their letters by the time we do our quarterly evaluations (yes, we have to do evaluations for 3-year-olds), although this is never a requirement for acceptance. The one thing we do require is that all students be fully potty‑trained and no longer using pull‑ups or diapers during the day.

I’m always happy to answer questions and help families understand what to expect as their little ones join our class!

Values-Based and Educational Books for Children: Summer Reading Picks for Every Home Library

Monday, July 21, 2025

Summer is here, and that means fun in the sun! But it also means plenty of time for reading, and with the right books, your kids will keep learning and combat brain drain over summer vacation.

The summer months are a great time to take your kids to your local library and help them explore books that interest them. However, you’ve probably noticed that not every book is right for every child. Here are some tips to help your kids unearth educational titles that will not only challenge them but draw and keep their attention!

Hoppy Learning Fun: Exploring Froggy Books by Jonathan London with Preschoolers

Saturday, June 21, 2025

If you’re a preschool teacher or parent looking for a playful way to connect reading with hands-on learning, look no further than the beloved Froggy series by Jonathan London. With over two dozen titles full of energy, humor, and relatable childhood moments, the Froggy books are a hit with children ages 3–6.

Hoppy Learning Fun: Exploring Froggy Books by Jonathan London with Preschoolers

Whether Froggy is learning to swim, going to school, or trying to sit still during story time, these books are packed with opportunities for discussion, laughter, and fun learning extensions. Let’s explore some of the most popular Froggy books and then hop into some adorable classroom crafts and activities your preschoolers will love.

How to Help Your Struggling Reader This Summer: A Simple, Encouraging Plan for Parents

Saturday, May 31, 2025

As a parent, there’s nothing more heart-wrenching than watching your child struggle — especially when it comes to reading. If your child is reading below grade level or battling low confidence with books, summer can feel like a ticking clock. But here’s the good news: with a simple summer reading plan, you can help your child grow their reading skills, boost their confidence, and maybe even learn to love reading.

How to Help Your Struggling Reader This Summer: A Simple, Encouraging Plan for Parents

If your child is like my son — held back in third grade and just wrapping up fourth — and reading feels more like a chore than a joy, you are not alone. Many 4th and 5th grade students are still building the foundational skills they need to be fluent, confident readers. And summer is a perfect time to slow down and focus without the pressure of classroom comparisons.

Let’s walk through a realistic, encouraging, and parent-friendly summer reading curriculum for struggling readers — especially kids around age 10–11.

Why Is My 4th Grader Struggling With Reading?

4 Powerful Solutions To Improve Learning

Friday, May 2, 2025

If you are thinking about some of the things you might be able to do to improve your ability to learn, there are all sorts of approaches you might want to take. It could be that you are a student or studying for some further course, and you want to make sure that you are doing your best. Or maybe you just appreciate the power of learning and you know that it is always better for your life if you can improve that. Whatever the situation is, being able to learn well is hugely powerful for sure.

4 Powerful Solutions To Improve Learning

With that in mind, let’s take a look here at some of the really powerful solutions you might be able to make use of in order to improve learning. If you can take on board these things, you should find that you are able to learn so much more effectively, quickly and thoroughly, and that the benefits of that are going to become clear.

How Professional Development Is Powering the Next Generation of Educators

Thursday, May 1, 2025

In today’s evolving educational landscape, the role of teachers has grown far beyond just delivering lessons. Modern educators are expected to be leaders, mentors, counselors, and innovators—often all at once. As education systems face increasing pressures from technological change, student mental health concerns, and curriculum reforms, the need for continuous professional development has become more crucial than ever.

How Professional Development Is Powering the Next Generation of Educators

No longer a periodic requirement, professional development is now the engine driving transformation in teaching practices and empowering educators to meet the demands of the 21st-century classroom.

The next generation of educators is being shaped not just by their academic foundations but by their commitment to growth, adaptability, and lifelong learning. They recognize that staying current with teaching methods, classroom technologies, and student engagement strategies is essential.

This mindset is fueling a wave of positive change across schools and institutions, where innovation and student-centered learning have become central to academic success.

13 Rainy Day Activities for Learning while Having Fun

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Rainy day activities for children and the whole family are ideal for passing the time in a more meaningful way. And what is more meaningful than learning? But learning doesn't have to be boring, and children learn in various ways, so you can sneak education into fun and games.

13 Rainy Day Activities for Learning while Having Fun

Children learn from just about anything as they are developing. In the home, you can try some fun and engaging activities, from practicing writing to getting physical with movement games.

Plan the Ultimate “If You Give…” Book Party: Crafts, Snacks & Activities Inspired by Your Child’s Favorite Stories!

Monday, April 14, 2025

Get ready for giggles, cookies, and a whole lot of storytelling fun with an If You Give... book party inspired by the beloved series from Laura Numeroff! Whether your little one loves If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, If You Give a Dog a Donut, If You Give a Pig a Pancake, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, or If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, this party brings each character to life through themed crafts, kid-friendly snacks, and playful activities.

Plan the Ultimate If You Give… Book Party: Crafts, Snacks & Activities Inspired by Your Child’s Favorite Stories!

Celebrate the Magic of Eric Carle with Crafts, Storytime, & Colorful Party Snacks!

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

If you’ve ever read The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, then you already know the colorful, collage-style magic of Eric Carle. His iconic children’s books have captured the hearts of generations and are a perfect inspiration for a day (or week!) full of learning, creativity, and fun.

Celebrate the Magic of Eric Carle with Crafts, Storytime, & Colorful Party Snacks!

Whether you're a parent planning a themed birthday party or a teacher looking to brighten up your literacy corner, these Eric Carle crafts, books, and party food ideas will bring his stories to life for your little ones.

How to Encourage Your Kids to Embrace Further Education Learning

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

As a parent, one of your most important jobs is nurturing your children's education. While it's essential to provide a solid foundation in their early schooling years, you also want to encourage your kids to embrace opportunities for further education later in life. Continuing to learn, grow, and develop new skills through higher education can open up a world of possibilities for your child's future.

How to Encourage Your Kids to Embrace Further Education Learning

In order to get your kids excited about and prepared for the prospect of further studies after high school, there are some key strategies you can employ.

DIY Alphabet Book for Preschoolers – A Fun & Easy End-of-Year Gift

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Looking for a hands-on way to teach letter recognition while creating a keepsake parents will love? This DIY alphabet book is the perfect preschool letter activity for toddlers and young learners!

Last year, I worked with two-year-olds and made a simple letter book using mostly stickers and paint. Now that I’m teaching three-year-olds, we focus on a new letter each week. To make it easy and organized, I print each letter on cardstock, and the kids decorate them with stickers, paint, and plenty of glue (trust me, you’ll want to stock up!).

Easy DIY Letter Book for Preschoolers – A Fun Keepsake for Parents!

At the end of the year, I punch holes in each page and bind them together to create a personalized alphabet book—a special end-of-year preschool gift for parents!

How to Make Your Own Alphabet Book:

✅ Print each letter on cardstock (free printable below!)
✅ Let kids decorate with stickers, paint, and glue
✅ Punch holes in each page
✅ Bind the pages together at the end of the year

This letter book project makes learning fun while giving little ones a sense of accomplishment. Plus, it’s a sweet preschool memory book parents will treasure!

👉 [Download Your Free Printable Alphabet Letters Below!]

5 Tips to Help a Child Through a Difficult School Period

Friday, February 28, 2025

Every child faces challenges at school from time to time. It could be struggling with a subject, feeling overwhelmed by homework, or dealing with social issues. As parents, it’s hard to watch your child go through a rough patch. But with the right support, they can overcome these hurdles and thrive again. Sometimes, even small actions can make a big difference.

5 Tips to Help a Child Through a Difficult School Period

One common struggle many kids face is math, so private math tutoring can be a great way to help children who are falling behind or losing confidence. But there’s more to supporting a child than just academic help. Let’s explore five practical tips to help your child navigate a difficult school period with confidence and resilience.

How I Got My Child an IEP in Public School: A Personal Journey

Friday, February 21, 2025

As a parent, there are few things more important than ensuring your child gets the right support and resources to succeed, especially when it comes to school. In January 2021, my child was diagnosed with dysgraphia and ADHD. But their struggles began long before that. When COVID hit and school switched to virtual learning, they were in kindergarten. I honestly felt like they weren’t ready, but my now ex-husband insisted there wasn’t enough money to repeat preschool. Given what I know now about his handling of finances, that’s just one of many reasons he’s now my ex.

My child didn’t even get their glasses until they were almost five, and I was told they probably couldn’t see properly for most of their life. That’s a whole other story, but all I’ll say is, Mamas, trust your instincts. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

After nearly two years of virtual learning with my child at home, I just knew something wasn’t quite right. It wasn’t that there was something "wrong," but they clearly needed more support. Their brain simply works differently. And I was doing it all by myself even though I was married then.

How I Got My Child an IEP in Public School: A Personal Journey

The bureaucratic hurdles we faced to get them the help they needed were heartbreaking. Navigating the system to get your child the right education means jumping through hoops, wading through endless red tape, and feeling like the system doesn’t always prioritize helping children. I remember their second-grade year—my child’s teacher was overwhelmed by a classroom full of kids who didn’t have reliable support at home or who were acting out. I saw this firsthand since I was the room mom (the only way I could actually get into the school). The teacher didn’t quite see what I was seeing, but she advised me to seek an outside evaluation if I thought something was wrong. My ex of course tried to say that we couldn't afford it, but I reminded him of our health savings account. He then tried to say that we didn't have enough in there so I said I would pay for it with my savings. When we finally got the diagnosis of dysgraphia and ADHD, it was a huge relief to know I wasn’t imagining things. Of course, my ex chimed in with, “Oh, I got to listen in on this,” with a smirk, but hearing that diagnosis from the professional just wiped that smirk right off his face.

From there, my child began their Section 504 plan, but it wasn’t until third grade that we found a teacher who truly understood and helped us navigate the system to get them the real support they needed.

My child was falling behind in a few key areas, and as much as I tried to help at home, I knew they needed more than what was being offered in the classroom. It became clear that I needed to explore more specialized support, which led me on the journey to get them an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

How to Balance Work and Study While Pursuing an Education Degree Online

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Balancing work and study is a challenge that many students face, especially when pursuing higher education alongside a full-time or part-time job. With the rise of online learning, more people now have the opportunity to further their education while managing their work responsibilities. However, this flexibility comes with its own set of challenges, such as time management, motivation, and maintaining a healthy work-life-study balance.

How to Balance Work and Study While Pursuing an Education Degree Online

One of the biggest concerns for working students is how to stay organized while juggling multiple responsibilities. Without a structured classroom setting, it can be easy to fall behind on coursework. At the same time, work obligations can take priority, making it difficult to focus on assignments. Despite these challenges, many students successfully manage both work and education by implementing the right strategies.

If you are considering an education degree online, whether to advance your career or transition into teaching, it is essential to create a system that works for you. Understanding how to manage time effectively, set priorities, and utilize available resources can help you stay on track. In the following sections, we will explore practical ways to balance work and study efficiently while ensuring long-term success.

Why Young Explorers Should Have National Geographic Kids Magazine

Friday, February 7, 2025

As parents, we are always in pursuit of exciting and instruction-based ways to engage our kids. It's sure to change everything when we find the right material that will spark their curiosity, cultivate a love for reading, or expose them to the wonders of the world. This is true for young explorers as much as it is for seasoned readers. One of the best resources is the National Geographic Kids magazine subscription, which delivers science, adventure, and discovery straight to the door of your child. If you want to help your child discover what lies in the world, you can subscribe right away through Mag Shop.

Why Young Explorers Should Have National Geographic Kids Magazine

MEL Science: The Future of Learning Science at Home

Saturday, February 1, 2025

As a parent, you want the best educational tools to inspire and engage your kids in learning. If you're looking for an exciting way to teach science, MEL Science might just be the perfect solution for your family. With over 100 hands-on science kits and 50+ immersive digital experiences, MEL Science turns learning into an adventure, making STEM education fun, interactive, and easy to integrate into your homeschool curriculum.

MEL Science: The Future of Learning Science at Home

3 Ways That the Addition of a Writing Table to a Bedroom Can Enhance Your Child's Learning

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

As a parent in Thailand, you will want your best for your child at any time, while taking the time to transform your child’s bedroom into a space that helps to develop learning and creativity is an investment in their future that is worth making. Indeed, one of the most overlooked yet impactful pieces of furniture that can be added to your child's bedroom is the writing table, while the addition of a well- chosen table can encourage better levels of focus, instil discipline and ignite creativity in ways that truly support the academic and personal development of your little one.

3 Ways That the Addition of a Writing Table to a Bedroom Can Enhance Your Child's Learning

Start 2025 Right: Engaging Screen-Free Learning Pads for Kids

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

As we start 2025, screen-free learning pads are becoming an essential tool in early childhood education. These interactive, engaging devices offer an alternative to traditional screen time, fostering cognitive, emotional, and physical development in young children. Screen-free learning pads promote hands-on activities that help children build critical skills while maintaining a healthy balance between technology and real-world interaction. This guide is designed for parents, educators, and caregivers of children ages 2-5, highlighting the benefits of incorporating these tools into daily learning routines.

Start 2025 Right: Engaging Screen-Free Learning Pads for Kids

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