Kinder Prep Schoolhouse

10/13/2026

When a baby pushes because they’re overstimulated, they may be saying, “This is too much for me!”

Maybe someone is too close, things are too noisy, or they don’t yet have the words to explain what they need.

The same can be true of biting, hitting, and grabbing. Sometimes these behaviors get a result, so children repeat them.

So how can we help?

Look for triggers. Notice tiredness, noise, crowded spaces, or unwanted touch. Stepping in early can prevent pushing.

Set boundaries. Calmly say, “I won’t let you push. Pushing hurts,” and gently create space.

Respect their boundaries. Notice when they’re showing discomfort, even without words. Their personal space matters, too!

Teach alternatives. Model “Stop,” “Help,” or “Space, please,” using words or gestures.

Practice when they’re calm. Play is a great time to model gentle hands, taking turns, and asking for help.

Help them regulate. Offer a break, a quieter place, or your calm presence.

Here’s what I want parents to remember: teaching a skill doesn’t mean a child can use it consistently yet. Impulse control takes time, repetition, and maturity. Progress won’t always be linear!

Our goal isn’t just to stop pushing. It’s to teach children to communicate their needs safely while keeping others safe.

We can understand the feeling without allowing the behavior. Compassion and firm boundaries belong together.

And mama, if you’re repeating yourself again and again, don’t be discouraged. Your patience and consistency matter. You’re not just correcting behavior; you’re helping build lifelong skills. 💛

10/12/2026

Sometimes the most important lessons aren’t the ones we teach.

They’re the ones children learn through everyday interactions with one another.

A friend needs help with her shoes. Another child notices. She stops what she’s doing and lends a hand.

No elaborate lesson. No worksheet. Just a simple moment of kindness.

But there’s so much happening here.

Children are learning to recognize the needs of others, practice empathy, solve problems together, and discover the joy of being helpful.

And perhaps one of the most beautiful things about these moments is that both children benefit.

One learns that it’s okay to need help.

The other discovers that she is capable of making a difference.

As adults, we’re often quick to step in and do things for children. After all, it’s usually faster and easier.

But sometimes, when we give them a little space, we get to witness something far more meaningful.

Children are capable of so much more than we sometimes give them credit for, including taking care of one another.

And when we make room for these moments, we’re nurturing something that reaches far beyond the preschool years.

Because learning to be kind, compassionate, and attentive to the needs of others is just as important as anything we could teach from a book. 💛

10/11/2026

There’s just something about wooden toys!

They’re beautiful, durable, and encourage the kind of hands-on, imaginative play that little ones need more of!

I have a few adorable Speedy Monkey wooden toys available for local pickup, and they’re perfect for birthdays, Christmas gifts, or adding to your playroom!

Car Track Puzzle — $24.99
Children can build their own roadway, arrange traffic signs, and create little adventures while practicing spatial reasoning and problem-solving! Ages 3–6.

2-in-1 Tool Box & Workbench — $34.99
Little builders can hammer, twist, and tinker while strengthening fine motor skills, problem-solving, and creativity! Ages 3–6.

Magnetic Fishing Game — $15.99
A fun way to practice hand-eye coordination, concentration, and fine motor skills while catching colorful wooden fish! Ages 2–6.

Car Display Case — $24.99
Six adorable wooden vehicles, each with its own little parking spot! Perfect for imaginative play, sorting, and little car enthusiasts. Ages 2–6.

Available inventory:
• 3 Car Display Cases
• 1 Magnetic Fishing Game
• 1 Tool Box & Workbench
• 1 Car Track Puzzle

📍 Available for local pickup!

Send me a message if you’d like to claim one!

Simple toys. Big imaginations. Meaningful play. 💛

10/11/2026

Learning letters should be FUN!

This Fun with Letters activity set is such a great way to introduce early literacy through hands-on play! With wooden letters, spelling cards, wipe-clean tracing activities, and a writing book, there are so many opportunities to learn and explore.

I love this set so much that I have a copy in my own preschool classroom!

$19.99 per set
2 sets available for local pickup!

Want one? Send me a message to claim yours!

Not local? You can shop this set and so many other wonderful books and educational activities through my PaperPie website (link in profile).

Because learning doesn’t have to look like worksheets to be meaningful! 💛

KinderPrepSchoolhouse

10/11/2026

What do you think..should Caleb sell my books instead?

10/10/2026

Sometimes, parents just need permission to trust themselves.

Are we doing too much? Not enough? Are we making the right decisions? Are we somehow getting it all wrong?

Parenting has a way of making us second-guess even the smallest things.

Should I sign them up for another activity, or do they need more downtime?

Am I being too strict, or not setting enough boundaries?

Should they know more letters by now?

Am I helping them enough, or doing too much for them?

Should I have handled that meltdown differently?

Are they missing out because we don’t do what other families do?

And perhaps the question underneath them all:

Am I doing enough to give my child a good childhood?

There are so many opinions, expectations, and voices telling us what we should and shouldn’t be doing. And while there’s value in learning and growing as parents, sometimes all that information leaves us questioning ourselves.

So here’s your permission slip.

You have permission to say no to another activity.

To let your child be bored.

To hold a boundary, even when your child is upset.

To change your mind when you learn something new.

To do things differently from the family next door.

To have an ordinary day without making it magical.

To make mistakes, apologize, and try again.

And to believe that you know your child in ways no parenting book, expert, or social media account ever could.

Of course, we won’t always get it right. But our children don’t need us to make every perfect decision. They need us to keep showing up, loving them, guiding them, and growing alongside them.

You can be a thoughtful, intentional parent without questioning every decision you make.

So give yourself a little grace.

Your child doesn’t need a perfectly curated childhood.

They need a childhood filled with love, connection, security, and room to grow.

And chances are, you’re already giving them more of that than you realize.

💛 Janell

10/09/2026

Should you teach your child to write their name in ALL CAPS or lowercase letters?

It’s common to introduce children to writing their names in all uppercase letters because the simpler lines are often easier for little hands to form.

But is easier always necessary?

As an educator, I’m constantly learning, growing, and refining my understanding of how young children learn best.

I’ve had seasons of teaching names in all capitals for the sake of simplicity. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate just how capable our little learners really are!

Today, I encourage children to recognize and eventually write their names as they’re naturally written: one uppercase letter followed by lowercase letters.

MARIA → Maria

Lowercase letters make up much of the print children encounter in books and everyday life. Why not give them opportunities to become familiar with those letters from the beginning?

Sometimes, in our efforts to make learning easier for children, we simplify things that don’t necessarily need simplifying.

A little tip for home: When labeling artwork, creating name activities, or practicing name recognition, try writing your child’s name with conventional capitalization.

And if your child already writes their name in all capitals? That’s perfectly okay, too! There’s no need to rush or correct every attempt.

Remember, name recognition comes before name writing, and every child develops at their own pace. I’ve watched this unfold with my own little guy, whose name writing has evolved from Caleb → CALEB → CALEb as he continues to explore letters, experiment with their formation, and build his understanding of how they work together. It’s a beautiful reminder that learning isn’t always linear!

At Kinder Prep, we’re not expecting perfection. We’re simply trusting that children are capable of more than we sometimes give them credit for.

10/07/2026

We sometimes think loving children well means doing as much as possible for them.

But children also need opportunities to discover:

“I am capable.”
“I can contribute.”
“I can take care of myself and my things.”

Teaching responsibility isn’t about expecting children to act like adults. It’s about giving them small, age-appropriate opportunities to become increasingly independent.

And yes, even preschoolers are ready for that. 💛

At Kinder Prep, responsibility is woven into our everyday routines. Children practice:

• putting belongings in their cubbies
• cleaning up after snack
• slipping on their own shoes
• working toward restroom independence
• washing their hands
• returning toys and materials where they belong
• caring for our shared classroom space

These may seem like little things, but to a young child, they are important work.

Will they do them perfectly? Of course not.

Shoes may end up on the wrong feet. Toys may land in the wrong basket. Sometimes it would be faster for an adult to simply do it for them.

But efficiency isn’t the goal.

Each time we give children space to try, they practice independence, problem-solving, perseverance and confidence.

This can continue at home, too! Preschoolers can:

• put clothes in the hamper
• carry dishes to the sink
• set or clear the table
• put away shoes and belongings
• clean up toys
• wipe up small spills
• water plants or help feed a pet
• sort laundry
• put away groceries
• help prepare simple foods

Their work doesn’t need to look like our work.

The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is capability.

We don’t have to wait until children are “big” to give them responsibility. We start small while they’re little and let those responsibilities grow alongside them.

Because there is something incredibly empowering about a child realizing:

“I can do this myself.”

And perhaps even more importantly:

“I have something valuable to contribute.” 💛

10/07/2026

We’ll be there! We’d love to see you 💛

Bring the family on over for some fall community fun! 🍂 🎃
🍔 BTownBurgerz
🍩 Frenchies Mini Donuts
🍭 Trunk or Treat for the kids
🛝 inflatable slides
🐴 petting zoo mini ponies
(Circle M Ranch Mini Horses)
📸 fall picture spots
🎵 live music
🙏🏻 If you need prayer we also have folks ready to pray with you.
Jesus said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.” - John 8:12 ❤️🕯️🌎