Creative Genius In You

This is how we naturally learn to learn. When adults intervene too much—we can squash self motivation. Observe—ask great questions—this is the mark of a curious teacher.

Cultivating Self-Motivation in Preschool For the very youngest students, providing space and autonomy to learn through play may be the key to promoting a lifelong love of learning.

Episode 4: Has your family been experiencing a wide range of feelings during this period of isolation? Have you noticed that not everyone feels the same way at the same time?? Yikes, this can be tough! This week's book, My Blue is Happy written by Jessica Young and illustrated by Catia Chien is a delightful book that illustrates how differently we can feel about the same thing -- and that it is okay for it to be that way. (Little book = Big Lesson).

Feelings can be tough to talk about. If you are looking for a way to help your family to express their emotions in a healthy way, why not try a morning "check in"? A piece of paper and a box of crayons is all you need. As you are eating breakfast, pass the paper from person to person and let each person write their name (or perhaps the first letter of their name) with the color of their immediate feeling -- and then they get to talk about why they feel that way, if they want. It might be fun to do it again at dinner time to see if anyone's feeling has changed over the day and ask questions about why it changed. The important thing is to allow everyone the space to have whatever feeling they are having at the moment and to express why. Maybe you will learn a little more about each other's feelings and gain an appreciation for the differences in perspective that make up your family!

I hope you enjoy the story!
Stay well!

My Blue is Happy Miss Dee reads "My Blue Is Happy" a delightful book about personal feelings and differences written by Jessica Young and illustrated by Catia Chien. Introduc...

We have all been forced to spend a lot more time with ourselves in the past few weeks -- how's it going? Are you finding out new things about yourself as a parent, friend, partner, teacher, and student? I hope this book, I Like Myself!" written by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by David Catrow, will bring some fresh perspective to that learning curve for you and your family. This time of "Surprise, you are a homeschooler!" has been a stressful time for many families and I hope that you can use this book as a conversation starter for you and your children.

Perhaps while you all are drawing your best selves, talk about how it can be easy to allow outside forces to influence the way we feel about ourselves at times. Give personal examples of when you let that happen so they know that "it happens", even to grown ups. Allow them to tell you times when they have felt less than stellar.

End the discussion on a high note and play "I'd love you even if..."
Take turns with each other and try to top the previous comment on silly reasons that might make it hard to love each other: "I'd love you even if you had a purple polka dot parakeet beak for a nose"..."I'd love you even if you NEVER combed your hair and it looked like a bird's nest". I bet you will all end up laughing, feel more connected and shake off some of the seriousness of the week.

This is not an easy time, but we are doing it! Let's give ourselves a break and celebrate what each of us brings to this wonderful dance called "Life".

Feel free to post some pictures of your best selves below!!

I Like Myself Miss Dee reads "I Like Myself!" a book about celebrating ourselves, written by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by David Catrow. Introductory and closing conte...

One of my favorite performers and readers, LeVar Burton, is reading for all ages at different times during the week. Why not listen as a family or just give yourself some "me time"?
Check it out and let me know how you liked it.

Explore LeVar's Universe Actor, Director, Producer, and owner of LeVar Burton Entertainment. LeVar Burton’s mission is to create content that builds community, fosters empathy, and champions diversity while maintaining integrity. Reading Rainbow. LeVar Burton Reads. LeVar Burton Kids. Roots. Star Trek: TNG

Where IS the Green Sheep??? It's right here along with an activity page for your PreK or Kindergartener!

I am re releasing a series of videos for parents that might appreciate a little break in their day or would like some assistance with their Pre K or Kindergarten literacy homeschooling. You can find the activities and questions to ask your child here: https://itrails4me.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/where-is-the-green-sheep-parent.pdf

Remember, repetition is needed at this age for them to obtain mastery of a subject, so don't be afraid to visit this video a few times during the week. After your children have watched it a couple of times, pause the video in different places and see if they can tell you what comes next. This is building their comprehension skills. There are 12 videos in this series, so I will be posting one each week. Hopefully by then, things will be back to normal. Fingers crossed! Please pass this along to anyone that you think might benefit!

I hope you enjoy this and don't forget to post pictures of YOUR sheep below!!

Credits: "Where is the Green Sheep?" is written and illustrated by Mem Fox and Judy Horachec. This video was created to support Metro Nashville Public School's Pre K program. Major funding was provided by Healthways Foundation with additional support by Alignment Nashville Itrails and Nashville Public Television. Introductory and closing content written by Dee Kimbrell. The activity page is from I trails Pre K Essential Literature Series.

Miss Dee reads Where is the Green Sheep? Miss Dee reads "Where is the Green Sheep?", a book written by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek. The introductory and ending material was written and performed by Dee...

Yes, Kindergarten will return...let's make sure we are ready for it! Parents, this "counts" as a reading time! ; )

iTRAILS StoryTime with Miss Dee: Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready For Kindergarten by Joseph Slate Miss Dee reads us Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready For Kindergarten during iTrails Story Time! Author: Joseph Slate Illustrator: Ashley Wolff Narrator/Host: "Mis...

Reading tips for parents!

Reading Tips for Parents & Caregivers from iTRAILS Calling all parents and caregivers! Join Dee Kimbrell as she shows you simple ways to enrich your child's experience of learning how to read, and empower you...

Many of you may know that I have been working as a trainer for Teaching Strategies for the past several years. Well, I am proud to pass along this very important resource at a time when a lot of the attention is going to school aged activities. Pre K families and those with infants and toddlers need resources that are focused on the skills and abilities of that are appropriate for them. There are video resources for physical health, mental health (how to have those conversations with a young child), and at home learning activities.
Please take a look at this, try out the activities and let me know what you think!!

Healthy at Home: A Toolkit for Supporting Families Impacted by COVID-19 With the growing impact of the COVID-19 virus, ReadyRosie is developing this free toolkit as a resource to support families with information and resources for supporting the children in their care.

Ok parents...Here's some activities to keep the kiddos out of your hair...or you might join in the learning WITH them! Show them how curious you can be and build relationships during this unique time in history. Credit to www.vivifystem.com