Nature's Way Preschool

What is the largest bird you have ever seen?  Did you answer 'vulture' to that question?  Vultures play an integral role in ecosystems, but they don't always get the credit they deserve. Watch Kat to learn more about these misunderstood creatures in today's Wild Wednesday !

Self-esteem in young children affects their ability to socialize, how well they do in school, and how they feel about themselves.  Join Elizabeth in today's Teaching Tuesda y to learn tips and tricks for fostering high self-esteem during early childhood. Topics include: how to talk to young children, how to foster a growth mindset, and how open-ended nature exploration allows children to feel autonomous.  

Feeling worried can carry a heavy load on your mind, body, and spirit.  Today on Mindfulness Monday , Caroline discusses strategies for coping and managing worry. Ideas include Anchor Breathing, the "Take 5" activity, and even hugs from loved ones!

  In this week's   Five Senses Friday , you can make some beautiful art with only a few ingredients. Join Elizabeth as she shows you how to make shaving cream prints!

What do you think the world would be like if dinosaurs were around? Would life be a bit more exciting? Silly? Frightening? In today's Tales from the Trail Thursday , read along with Elizabeth as she shares the story "If the Dinosaurs Came Back" by Bernard Most.  

What kind of creatures do you think about when you think of an ocean scene? Maybe you think about fish or coral or sharks... or maybe you think about eight-armed creatures like the octopus! Watch Kat in today's Wild Wednesday to learn more about octopuses. 

There are countless benefits to an education filled with sensory play, ranging from promoting social and emotional skills, advancing brain development, building language, and more! Join Elizabeth in today's Teaching Tuesday as she explains why sensory play has such an important role in development for young children. 

Our faces can tell each other how we feel, even when words cannot.  Today for Mindfulness Monday , join Caroline as she explains a fun feeling face activity and game. 

To wrap up the week, join Elizabeth for today's Five Senses Friday as she makes a preschool staple- playdough! To do this, you will need: 1 cup flour 1/4 cup salt 3/4 cup HOT water 3 tablespoons lemon juice  1 tablespoon cooking oil  A large mixing bowl  Optional: Essential oils to add scent or food coloring to add color

Continuing our spider theme, watch and listen along as Elizabeth reads "Walter's Wonderful Web" by Tim Hopgood for today's Tales from the Trail Thursday.   Do you know why spiders spin webs? After the story, grab some yarn and spin your own!

Have you ever referred to a spider as "cute"? 😍 Learn about the cutest creatures around, jumping spiders, with Kat in today's Wild Wednesday !

Providing ample time and opportunity for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is an essential component of a successful Early Childhood program.  Join Elizabeth in today's Teaching Tuesday as she walks through why it is so important to foster social and emotional skills in young children. She also discusses a few strategies you can try out on your own!

Everyone, especially young children, benefits from having a variety of tools to help them process their emotions and manage stress.  In today's Mindfulness Monday, watch Caroline as she demonstrates how to make a Mind Jar. 

 Explore color mixing and foam with Elizabeth in today's Five Senses Friday ! You will need water, soap, food coloring, and something to mix with.

One of our favorite stories to read each year is "Not a Stick" by Antoinette Portis.  Listen as Ms. Elizabeth reads the popular book in today's Tales from the Trail Thursday . After the story, use your imagination to think about all the things a stick could be!

 Join Kat to learn about our closest relatives, the Great Apes, in today's Wild Wednesday video.  Gorillas, Orangutans, Chimpanzees, and Bonobos make up this group. Which one is your favorite?

Do you know what Inquiry Based Learning is? For today's Teaching Tuesday , join Elizabeth as she explains how to facilitate this learning strategy and how to encourage children to take control of their own learning!

As early childhood educators, we are all very familiar with children experiencing BIG emotions.  On today's Mindfulness Monday, join Caroline as she discusses things you can do when you feel really strong emotions.