RainbowsWithinReach Launches 17th Year!!

Let the new year begin!!! 

Oh happy day. 

My annual trip to Concordia University in Chicago. 

Workshop presentations. 

Old friends. New friends. 

Lots of hugs!

[Each year we stay at 'Miss Carole's' home and have Chicago-style DEEP dish birthday pizza.... 

this time it was ACTUALLY Allen's birthday dinner.] 

"Miss Carole" of Sticky Bubble Gum + Macaroni Soup Fame

Before I could set-up my workshop space I was able to tour their brand new, state-of-the-art, Early Childhood building and gather some inspiration to share. The day was filled with rainbows in the sky and in the paint!

NOW. Look at this master-piece!

 

This amazing 'bulletin-board-banner' was outside the infant-toddler room. 

What an incredible piece!

Let the children paint to their open-ended heart's desire:
browns, blues, greens.  

Then have happy artistic teacher tear paintings into appropriate pieces to make a glorious assembled cooperative finished masterpiece! 
BRILLIANT!! 

Remember the old camp song? 

"My God is So Big" 

The song lyrics were on the corner of the finished banner. 

Here are some more goodies from toddler town. 

In each of these above examples the children have been 'left' to their own devices to explore the media, in this case paint. It is only after their exploration that the adults in their lives (teachers) have taken their innocent process-filled finger painted canvas and then turned their explorations into a finished product for ultimate display purposes.

This is a win-win.  

The children explore freely.

Their work is *TRANSFORMED* into a permanent display.

Click back to this article to see how a 'similar' approach was used as a concept in Reggio Emilia ITALY with toddlers exploring paint and ultimately Italian teachers creating a mural. [YES!!! I got to have a day in Reggio to perform for the Italian children. To see all 18 of my articles about that ultimate field trip click here.]

Now its time to get over to 'my' corner of the day. 

LUV LUV LUV these next photos!

 We were in the campus 'black-box' theater. 

Welcome to my morning workshop: 

"Fine Arts and Fine Motor."

*Hey! That's the title of my ongoing Friday blog series!

Click right here for 25 blog articles on this very same topic.  

These enthusiastic teachers are 'Sky-Writing' 

--which is the title track from: 

"Debbie's Ditties 6: The Handwriting Mix." 

Look what I just learned how to do with Picassa. Just save the energy and enthusiasm of the presentation! 

My afternoon workshop was entitled 

"Stemming the Tide of Childhood Obesity: Let's Get MOVING!" 

Alas, my camera's batteries were worn out. 

There are no afternoon participant photos.  

I'd taken several hundred photos of the children's artwork on display (which will be sprinkled in here over the days and weeks ahead.) 

So no 'moving' participants. AKKKK. 

And we had fun!

The song that made us all literally huff and puff with knowing smiles of how out-of-shape we are as adults is my dittie entitled, "Ride my Bike." 

So I leave you with my genuine bike's portrait

as painted by the sun. 

Let's get up and get mooooooving! 

Get this new year launched with a whole new attitude and commitment to healthy choices. 

-- Debbie -- 

*Order from my website. 

Use the promo-code "Great" to save 10% off your order

Father's Day Festivities!

FATHER'S DAY FUN + FESTIVITIES 

We often go off-the-deep end in our celebration and honoring of the 'moms' in our life, rightly so. How much attention is showered on those unsung heros? DADS! 

I've gathered up some 'goodies' in honor of the men in our lives from my spring time Author-Illustrator school visits. I know how you appreciate looking over my shoulder as a skip about the countryside. Part of my mission while on site is to gather some goodies to share.

First up are these fantastic first grade portraits and writings. I never tire of children's art. As a former art teacher morphed into an illustrator, children's art is the great joy in my life. Children's art that honors the most significant people in their life? PRICELESS. These writings are to be filed away and treasured in a decade or two. They cut right to the heart. 

These goodies were on the bulletin boards at St. Paul Catholic school in Westerville, OH -- site of my end-of-the-year visit for the last decade! 

The part of these writings that 'gets-to-me' is the truth that children LUV LUV LUV the TIME that they spend with their parents. Pure and simple. Laughing together is memorable. 

This next little poem was on the drying rack over in southern Indiana. Heartfelt words. Painted tootsies. PERFECT for the younger crowd to give to their daddy on Father's Day. Preschool project for certain. I think Kindergarten fathers can also benefit from the occasional reminder. The days pass so quickly. 

This next oh-so-clever Father's Day Bulletin Board was happily displayed at my own WonderTwinzees (that's the grand-kiddos) Preschool in Pataskala, OH earlier this spring. The idea could easily be translated into a card for dad..... or a special person in any child's life.  

I had a great photo-magnet idea that I saw in Mrs. Jones Kinder-class in Hilliard this spring. The same idea could be equally as applicable as a gift for daddy on Father's Day. 

After today's article went to press I created a DIY Tutorial on the making of these photo magnets. 

To watch a step-by-step set of directions go to this future article. 

I hope that these ideas prompt and inspire you for heartfelt exchanges, sure to please! 

Next year I created this Father's Day "Subway Art" piece. 
Made it on Picmonkey of course! 
Easy peasy. 
I've got it as a FREEBIE to print. 
Just go over to our Early Education Emporium. 

Click picture to get Father's Day Subway Art as a FREEBIE Printable

-- Debbie --
Chances are VERY good that you've landed at this article via Pinterest. Thank you for clicking through! I am so very grateful when you pin from my articles as that's the very best way of sharing excellence in education today! Thanks for your pin, +, share.

I'm now at 121,256 followers!     

Click this link to go there directly! 

Now at 329 followers!

***I've just added this post to a blog hop on all things Father's Day sponsored by The Preschool Blogger Network. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to add these ideas. Go over to TeachPreschool to see all of the rest of the ideas. 

Smiles and Drawing Faces

I wear a lot of hats. I write original songs for children and let me tell you that's a happy hat. Being a music-lady brings me joy as I share joy along my travels! I go where I get invited and we sing my songs. So I guess that makes me something of an entertainer, too. I'll always remember the teacher who told me with great sincerity, "You're the Carol Burnett of Early Childhood Education."

Carol Burnett and Debbie Clement! I take that as the most sincere of compliments. Every time I read another piece of brain research that says something about the role of humor in education..... how we retain more when we're engaged, when we're happy, when we're laughing -- I vow to get funnier. When we laugh and smile our brain chemistry changes and we're going to remember more easily. When we're chuckling along our serotonin level changes and we're more likely to remember. The very best thing about children? How easily they can be brought to laughter!!!!

Every time I am asked to give a performance for children, I can count on the fact that there will be 'early birds.' What do I do with the early birds? I get them warmed up! I always start off by asking them to show me their smiles!! I get out my camera and I take pictures of their smiles. What does smiling do? It lead us to little giggles of happy. Little giggles of happy bring us naturally to laughing. Before we even begin I know that I'm waking up brains and starting the dance-of-the-dendrites, as all of those interior brain connections start lighting up with laughter.

My newest hat is that of being AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR of picture books -- as I translate my children's songs into illustrations and on to book format!!!! What delight to share my written word and pictures with children. I am now working extra hard on my school visits to document the evidence of the children's written "stories."

Their stories start out very simply. They make a 'mark' on the world. It is a perceptive teacher that learns that these marks above are lizards...... and not just any lizards. These are Lizards 8!!! This is a specific story. It is the story of LIZARDS EIGHT!! Before you know it, these marks on the world start taking on greater form. Look closely and you can see a self-portrait beginning to emerge!

Then soon enough that self-portrait evolves and grows beyond introspection and it includes others.

From there it is just a hop, skip and a jump..... a smile + a giggle, which evolves into laughter galore.

As an illustrator myself, I want to follow the evolution of this fellow artist.

I want to purchase their first picture book!!!

I want to be part of this celebration.

I want to laugh with this author.

CHEESE!!!!

This post has been 'linked-up' at Innovative Connections..... check it out! 

Emotional Well Being in PreK

How cool is this simple idea?

Doesn't matter if your kids are in PreSchool or Graduate School.

First we need to identify how we're feeling.

Then we put a label to it.

How does our body feel?

What does our face look like??

You get the idea.

Knowing how you're feeling is the first step toward changing how you're feeling.

Just saying.......

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This on the bulletin boards at one of my favorite places to visit wearing my music-lady hat.

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Have I mentioned recently how much I LUV Pinterest??

I am just about ready to surpass having more Pin-friends than blog followers.

I've been on Pinterest for 3 months.

I've had a blog for 3 years.

You do the math.

LUV me some Pinterest!!!!

Warming up the Crowd

Back to the main library in Mansfield -- for some more glimpses into what their summer reading program looks like! Everybody's ready and excited! We're waiting for the arrival of a few more participants to join our fun! So we are playing a few rounds of 'follow-the-leader' to see how quickly they can respond to directions. A little whoop-whoop and some crossing-the-midline joy.

I've written previously about the benefits of crossing-the-midline and how those choreography moves can help the young child wire up their brains in anticipation of reading glory ahead. Read here for some previous insight.

Group after group continues to arrive. These are the 'big-kids' in my experience, so my mind is going through all my various possible selections to focus on. I LUV having maturity in the audience. That opens up all sorts of possibilities for the presentation. In my latest evolution as author/illustrator I am gaining comfort with sharing my materials (songs & books) with the 'big-kids.' Their responses thrill me -- with both their insight and the level of their curiosity.

Get your hands up in the air. Show me some enthusiasm. Pump 'em up!! Some more crossing the midline is always a great way to get those brains functioning on optimal thrusters!

Now one for posterity: CHEEEEEEEESE!!! Show me those pearly smiles!

 

This is the right theme for this audience.

Many stories indeed. It would be fun to listen in on several.

I'll just have to entertain myself by writing their stories

in my imagination.

*******Remember that through the entire month of September I have a promo code for you to receive 20% off the cover price of my book, "Red, White and Blue" -- which does indeed include a CD copy of the song & it's instrumental version inside the back cover. Use the promo code: RWB911 at my website and you'll be ready for Veteran's Day on the horizon.

Kindergarten LUV & Lessons

Do you want to know why I love my visits to kindergarten? The sign above is such a good explanation. Kindergarten is a magic place where sharing is at the top of the list. Remember how 'everything I really needed to know I learned in kindergarten?' It's true. Kindergarten is the "official" place that lays the foundation in earnest for all of those school experiences to follow.

[I promise another post as to why the preschool years make kindergarten joy a possibility.... but for now lets just soak up some K-LUV.]

Debbie's Half Dozen for Kindergarten LUV:

1. Share. Sharing is at the top of the list. Sharing is neither easy nor simple to a five year old, but conquering social skills is pivotal for a life time of success. Kindergarten is the proving ground for sharing. Share. Share your love of dinosaurs. Share your penchant for play-doh. Share your amazement over baking-soda volcanos. Share: it never goes out of style, it never costs any more, its always appreciated, one size fits all, its calorie free, there's always room for more! SHARE!

2. Listen. It's a good follow-up to share. To listen is to be willing to learn. To listen is the continuation of taking turns that sharing implies. True for adults. True for spouses. True for employees. True for students. True for grandmas. True for principals. How well do you listen? How capable are you at being quiet? Take a yoga class & learn about listening. Go to kindergarten and learn about listening. "Do you have your listening ears on?" [Have you ever said this outside of your classroom -- only to make yourself giggle-out-loud?] LISTEN!

3. Be Nice. The Golden Rule. Do unto others. Kindergarten is a place for the practise of manners and the foundation for a personal code of ethics. Ask any kindergartner who the nice kid is in class and they'll tell you in complete honesty. Niceness stands out -- even among kindergartners. The really good news? Niceness can be 'taught'. Niceness can be 'expected.' Kindergartners have a keen sense of right and wrong -- and they know where nice fits into the equation. Being nice counts in kindergarten & that's why I fit in there. BE NICE!

4. Help. Do you just LUV that 'help' is in the top 5? When I trudge up to a school with all my gear in hand, its always some little kindergarten child, with a backpack as big as they are, that seems to run up the sidewalk for the opportunity to hold open that humongous front door. Kindergartners know what its like to need help. They are earnest enough to be able to offer it and they are humble enough to ask for it. Embroider those four letters on your heart in kindergarten: h-e-l-p. Know when you can extend it. Know when to seek it. We need to offer each other merit badges for helping. Ask any classroom of kinder-kids for help and you will be utterly besiged with volunteers. Hands will flail at the speed of sound. Pick me! Pick me!!
Helping is a very big deal. As one who seemingly needs more & more 'help' these days, I love the precious kindergarten kids who know when they are needed and respond with delight. HELP!

5. Make New Friend(s). The expectation of kindergarten is that we are here to make new friends. It's a rule. It's number five. (My sincere apologies: it is my beginning photography skills that edited off the lone letter s in the official photo above.) Kindergarten is not about 'make new friend'. Instead iIt's about 'make new friendS'!! We're all in this together. Circle time includes everyone!  We make circles to include everyone, to gather everyone in!! We are a team. Every new day of kindergarten affords the opportunity for a new friend. MAKE NEW FRIENDS!

6. Be Respectful. Wow. That's heavy-duty stuff for five year olds. Be respectful indeed. I think some of our sports figures, politicians and Hollywood types have forgotten their kinder-training. I see so many FB postings from adults who seem to have forgotten this basic. Be respectful. Wouldn't it be a better world if we could carry respect further and longer and deeper and stronger? Wouldn't we have a better neighborhood, a better community, a better state, a better country, a better planet if we learned more about respect? Perhaps we need the kindergarten children to remind us? Perhaps we need the kindergarten teachers to speak up? Perhaps we need to recognize the kindergarten teachers for all that they do -- on behalf of children, on behalf of families, on behalf of their schools. How about stopping through your elementary school and thanking your kindergarten teachers as the new year gets underway? Getting the new year started is a truly stressful time. Let's be respectful and thank those who lay the foundation for everything that follows. Be respectful and appreciate a kindergarten teacher near you.   BE RESPECTFUL!

Special thanks to my kindergarten friends in Hilliard for inviting me into your midst and sharing those amazing smiles with me during my official GCAC Artist in the Schools visit! I'll be back next year!!

***Remember the promo code to receive 20% off of your copy of my INDIE award winning picture book, "Red, White and Blue" is: RWB911. Perfect resource for 9-11.

Head Start Happiness!

"To love what you do and feel that it matters--
how could anything be more fun?" --Katherine Graham

Truer words have never been spoken! I do indeed LOVE what I do!!! I absolutely feel that it/my work, matters..... in fact I KNOW that it matters!! I have listened to brain-research doctorates expound on just why my work is critical to young children. I'm not sure there actually is anything else that could be more fun, or more worthwhile? I love being invited into a classroom of children and having the opportunity to 'work' with them and see how excited they get, how easily they are engaged and how dramatically they become immersed in our time together. I love watching the teachers watch their children. I love looking at the photos after the fact and witness all over again just how much fun was had by all.

One of the universal early childhood early-learning content standards and goals, [no matter where you live, no matter your job description, no matter if you are the mommy or the teacher or the college professor of early childhood education,] is that we want the child/children to attend to the adult, to listen and to follow directions. Looking at these photos weeks weeks later, I can see again how these children gave me their full and complete attention and see how they followed my lead. Look at all of that eye contact. Look at all of those listening ears following my verbal instructions. Look at all of that bodily control. Yeah rah!!! Yeah team!!!