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Finding Joy
I’ve been sharing my experience with burnout, and today I wanted to revisit a product that I created while feeling ALL of these feelings. A common suggestion for staying present and building a little more positivity is to practice finding something to be grateful for each day. If this works for adults, then it can certainly work for kids too – and it’s never too early to teach these kinds of coping skills. That’s where “Joy in Everyday: Building Positive Thinking” comes from. In practicing identifying those things each day that brought me more joy, I realized that I needed a way to keep all of these thoughts organized so…
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One Thing That Brings Me Joy
I promised that I’d share some of the things that have helped me refocus and work through burnout, so here’s one of my favorites. A big thing for me has been paying more attention to the positives. This always worked for me when things were tough in the classroom – recognizing positive behaviors, celebrating little wins – it shifts my mood and that of those around me. In looking for a way to do this in my own personal life I settled on the idea of challenging myself to take at least one picture a day of something, anything, that brings me joy. Trying to find one thing each day…
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Where in the world have I been?!
Hey all! It’s been a bit – 4 years to be exact. I’m really looking forward to refocusing my work here and giving you some amazing new content, but first I want to share why I disappeared because it’s a pretty common store that deserves some attention in this space. I burnt out. Big time. When you truly love the work you do that enthusiasm is obvious, and all too often it gets taken advantage of. I’d done everything “right” in my early childhood career – started in child care as a college student working at a before and after school program, moved into a long-term sub and eventually full-time…
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Amazing Deals on Dress Up!
I usually suggest waiting until after Halloween to grab clearance costumes for your dramatic play area, but this year I’m telling everyone I know to RUN to the Dollar Tree because they have some amazing costumes out already. You can’t beat dress up clothes and accessories for a dollar, and while I know that the quality may not be the best they’re all $1. Can I say it one more time ONE DOLLAR! Ok, I’m pretty sure that I’ve managed to convey my level of excitement, now let me show you a visual. I bought all of this for my own daughter – she’s getting a great big bag of…
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Friday Freebie – Summer Birthday
Happy Friday! I was searching for a freebie to share and when I stumbled on this one it struck a nerve. I love this Summer Birthday form from Khrys Greco because I was the kid with a summer birthday. I think one year I was allowed to bring in a birthday treat on the last day of school, other than that one year I never got to celebrate my birthday at school. I think that this is a fun way to let families know that celebrating a half birthday is an option. Download your copy and have a great weekend!
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What I’m Working On
I thought I’d pop in and share what I’ve been up to lately, these more personal posts are some of my favorites! Here’s what has been keeping me busy: Making felt food for my little one – so far I’ve finished 4 donuts Editing and formatting a leadership training for work Searching for cute and easy 4th of July play activities – last night I dyed pasta red, white and blue Preparing for a HOT weekend, it’s supposed to be 110 degrees here on Saturday, so I’ve stocked up on popsicles and water toys Designing a massive bulletin board Catching up on Southern Charm whenever possible Trying to stay off…
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Felt Food
Years ago I made a set of felt food for my classroom. When I make something I have a tendency to go a little above and beyond, which means that this particular set of felt food was amazing, but took me FOREVER. Which is why I haven’t made any more, until now. I’m working on a set for my own daughter to play with so I thought it would be fun to share some of my inspiration with you. Here are some of my favorite DIY play food ideas: Sliced Cheese from Pieces by Polly Pasta from Fairy Fox Sugar Cookies from Cuddle Bear Baby Breakfast from Hanging on by…
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Friday Freebie – Cloud Hunt
Happy Friday! I am all about being outside this week and today’s freebie is the perfect easy outdoor activity for a lazy summer afternoon. This Cloud Hunt Bingo game from Green Grubs is the perfect way to encourage children to be creative while taking time to pay attention to the world around them. Go download your copy and have a great weekend!
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50 Activities to do outside
The weather has been beautiful and I am fully in the summer spirit. All I want to do is be outside, so I thought I’d put together a list of all the fun things that little ones could possibly do outside for those times when my “let’s go outside” is met with a chorus of “I don’t want to.” Look for bugs Follow some ants Put together wildflower bouquets Make daisy or clover necklaces Build a sandcastle Dig a deep deep hole Go to the park Pretend the playground is a pirate ship Make mud pies Start a sand bakery Find shapes in the clouds Draw your scientific observations Decorate…
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Friday Freebie – Ultimate packing list
Happy Friday! I am currently on vacation, so I thought I’d share something a little different this Friday. Those of you who have followed Preschool Ponderings for some time are well aware that I have a passion for all things organization. It should come as no surprise that I am known as the master of the packing list, but I may have found a freebie that challenges even my own list – this packing list freebie is from I Should Be Mopping the Floor. If you don’t have a love for packing like I do, then this list is going to be your best friend! Go download yours and have…
