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.
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!
Back to school season is here, and whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or a room mom, it’s always fun to make the first day extra special with cute and affordable treats! At Nanny to Mommy, we love celebrating milestones while sticking to a budget, and today I’m sharing some of the best back to school snack treat ideas that are perfect for Open House, Meet the Teacher Night, or the first day of school.
These easy back to school treats can be handed out by teachers to students, from classmates to each other, or even included in your child’s lunchbox as a surprise pick-me-up. Best of all? They are simple to make, budget-friendly, and use everyday snacks you can grab at any grocery store, making them ideal for frugal families and busy parents alike!
When it comes to raising kind, compassionate, and safety-aware kids, one of the best places to start is by teaching them about community helpers. These everyday heroes, like firefighters, teachers, and even mail carriers, do more than just keep our world running. They also show our children what it means to serve others with purpose and heart.
That’s why I created these free printable community helper coloring pages, perfect for home or classroom use. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful activity during Red Ribbon Week, planning a career day, or simply teaching your little ones about people they can trust in an emergency, this lesson is both fun and important.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
March 2nd marks the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, and with it comes Read Across America Week, a nationwide celebration that encourages children to dive into the joy of reading. Originally launched in 1998 by the National Education Association (NEA), this annual event is more than just a tribute to Dr. Seuss, it’s a call to build a lifelong love of books.
As parents and educators, it’s the perfect time to make reading magical for our little learners. At our house (or in the classroom), we bring the pages of Dr. Seuss to life with Seuss-themed crafts, whimsical snacks, and reading goodie bags that spark excitement all week long!
Here are a few fun and easy ways to celebrate:
🎨 DIY Crafts: Make "Thing 1 and Thing 2" puppets or create a Cat in the Hat paper plate mask.
🍓 Themed Snacks: Think "Green Eggs and Ham" treats or red-and-white striped fruit skewers!
🎁 Goodie Bags: Fill them with Dr. Seuss pencils, mini books, and bookmarks to encourage reading at home.
Why It Matters: Read Across America promotes literacy and builds foundational reading skills, especially in young children. When we celebrate reading in a playful, engaging way, kids are more likely to view books as something fun, not a chore.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, this week is a great opportunity to connect with your child and make reading part of your daily routine. So, grab a book, put on your Cat in the Hat hat, and get ready to rhyme your way through a week of literacy fun!