Comments for The Preschool Times

Comment on Why Music Matters in the Preschool and Beyond… by Grace Geller

Grace Geller — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:49:14 +0000

Thanks Margarita, the children are lucky to have you. Keep creating a beautiful space for children to grow.

Comment on Why Music Matters in the Preschool and Beyond… by mmalpica

mmalpica — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 22:04:06 +0000

Thank you for highlighting the effects music has on our bodies and soul and for reminding us how important it is in our lives. I make it my mission to put music on each time I enter a classroom, but I tend to forget, more often than not. Your post has made me reflect on what I already knew to be true and to make it my priority to put some music on the next time I enter a classroom.. Thanks! =)
Margarita

Comment on The Fifth Season… by Terri Glasford

Terri Glasford — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 04:06:23 +0000

Beautiful writing. Please share your harvest.

Comment on Is your child gifted? by pastorkratz

pastorkratz — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:59:33 +0000

Thank you for your positive reminder. It prompted me to think of the term “gifted”. Interesting termonology. Read my brief thoughts. Pastor Kratz – http://www.pastorkratz.com/children-and-giftedness

Comment on Teaching tolerance to preschoolers, in an ever increasingly intolerant world by grifnice

grifnice — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:32:30 +0000

Praying for strength for you to be able to continue on this writing path. Thank you for sharing so much with so many. I am sure that families are getting the message through your writing. You keep it real, from the heart and to the point.
Always thinking of you and admiring your courage and wisdom!!!
Thanks again,
Sonia G

Comment on Preschoolers and the power of NOW… by Sharon Alm

Sharon Alm — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:44:03 +0000

Beautifully said! Our little folks are always listening. We don’t realize how much they grow and blossom when we share our words with them—-n all situations.

Comment on Selecting your child’s Preschool? by Grace Geller

Grace Geller — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:10:12 +0000

Thank you Sonia. You live, you learn, you share. Love you too!
Grace

Comment on Selecting your child’s Preschool? by grifnice

grifnice — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:29:22 +0000

I enjoy both reading and listening to your wise words of wisdom. Thank you for taking the time out and sharing it on this site. I couldn’t be more in agreement with you. You tell it like it is, and often times we don’t like to hear the TRUTH!! Bargain cost savings somewhere else in your life, like your cars, vacations, designer wear, etc. Sacrifice for your child/children…they’re young for just a short period of time. thanks again!
A proud mom of two ACC graduates and more if GOD wills,
Sonia Griffin

Comment on Happy Belated Father’s Day… by Amanda Citrin

Amanda Citrin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:27:56 +0000

What a great observation. Thank you for sharing.

Comment on One Hundred Weeks of Posts! by DMD

DMD — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:50:54 +0000

Ahhhh it reminds me of the 100th Day of School. Charting each day as with a sticker during circle time and then celebrating 100 Days with 100 things:
100 Coins
100 Warm Fuzzies
100 Jumps
Way Fun!
Those were the days…….

Comment on One Hundred Weeks of Posts! by Sharon Alm

Sharon Alm — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:33:42 +0000

Happy 100th! Well done and well said…as always.

Comment on Happy Mother’s Day by lazginoris

lazginoris — Fri, 14 May 2010 01:55:59 +0000

Grace, I really enjoyed reading your Mother’s Day post. So true…we are responsible for our own Happiness! Its nice to be reminded every now and then. Laz

Comment on Happy Mother’s Day by sally

sally — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:17:22 +0000

Grace, Happy Mother’s Day. Your post made me well up. I hope things are going well for you. Sally

Comment on The Preschool Art Show by DMD

DMD — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:56:26 +0000

Those are the happiest spring flowers I have seen in a long time! Do you have extra seeds?

Comment on The Unhurried Child by Sharon Alm

Sharon Alm — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:21:09 +0000

Your subject is so important, in our busy world of instant gratification. You presented this beautifully, as usual.

Comment on Top 10 reasons for Grownups to Believe in Santa Claus or Why I believe in Santa! by Sharon Alm

Sharon Alm — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:46:34 +0000

Loved this, Grace!

Comment on Kindness Counts: by Sharon Alm

Sharon Alm — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:36:24 +0000

Beautifully said, Grace.

Comment on Playing Inside the Box by Grace Geller

Grace Geller — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:36:29 +0000

Wow, thanks for the tip!

Comment on Playing Inside the Box by CharliesMom

CharliesMom — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:05:53 +0000

Ms. Doris did an AMAZING job creating a barn out of a cardboard box. I know how hard that is, since I made an ice cream stand for my son’s 4th birthday. It was a lot of work, but it’s great that now he can play in something that only cost me $6 (for the used wardrobe boxes). I think it’s true that with young children, you don’t have to spend a lot of money; you just have to spend some time being creative.

PS – Wardrobe moving boxes are the perfect height for pre-schoolers and were found on CraigsList. There are also websites such as http://www.mrmcgroovys.com with some very creative ideas for cardboard play houses.

Comment on Early Childhood Education is like a good fiction novel. by DMD

DMD — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:40:51 +0000

Well Said! You taught me a Very Important lesson long ago: Read to my children & when they learn to read, let them!
Captain C.B. Sully Sullenberger, Captain Hook or Captain Underpants….. Silly, sad, inspiring – life is all those things – our fictional daydreams and our non fictional desires, people skills and thought processes can be enhanced with a good book.
Thank you for teaching by example!

Comment on What did you do in school today? by Grace Geller

Grace Geller — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:52:17 +0000

Great idea Kelly. Thanks for the suggestion.

Comment on What did you do in school today? by lshuste

lshuste — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:45:01 +0000

Do you remember that our Early Childhood professor Dr. Lindberg always said “Don’t ask a child a question that you already know the answer to?” I also love it when children are asked what they did in school all day and reply “nothing”. I know what a wonderful Director you are and how fortunate your students and staff are to have your knowledge, expertise, and guidance!!!

Comment on What did you do in school today? by Kelli Cardenal

Kelli Cardenal — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:37:31 +0000

This made me laugh. So true! You can tell you’ve been doing this for awhile. All I could get out of Sophie for the first few days was, “I had 2 recesses and 2 snacks!” Great suggestions for asking better questions. Another one that seems to work in our house is having a puppet or a doll ask her about her day. Suddenly she’s full of information!

Comment on What did you do in school today? by Grace Geller

Grace Geller — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:28:35 +0000

Thanks gang. Heh Sharon I haven’t forgot about that guest spot. Think about it.

Comment on What did you do in school today? by Amanda Citrin

Amanda Citrin — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:48:07 +0000

You are not only an expert in Early Childhood Education. You are clearly an expert in the Education of Parents and boy do we need it! Thank you for your great advice!

Comment on What did you do in school today? by Sharon Alm

Sharon Alm — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:20:36 +0000

Delightful!

Comment on Family Vacations by sally

sally — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:07:20 +0000

Grace, Just read this as I’m getting stressed packing for a week in Cape Cod! thank you for getting things back in perspective. Sally

Comment on Raising our daughters… by DMD

DMD — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:32:51 +0000

Well said! I also believe it was you that reminded me on more than one occasion that it really is a two parent job. Fathers play a very important role in raising daughters to be capable people, not figurines to be admired on a shelf.

Comment on Raising our daughters… by Sharon Alm

Sharon Alm — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:05:55 +0000

Beautifully said, Grace.

Comment on Raising our daughters… by Sonika Tarneja

Sonika Tarneja — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:37:45 +0000

I could not agree with you more. These Toddler Spas make me so furious. I don’t even encourage them to wear nail paint on their toes. It is tough for me to keep fighting my girls but I explain to them that their beauty will get diminished by these superficial chemical junk. It is only when you get old and lose this beautiful skin and hair that you add the superficial to keep up. How ever I had to give in as all the kids in class(peer pressure) are doing it. So I let them wear nail paint one day on Sat morning and made them take it off Sunday morning, toes only…They soooooooo enjoyed it. I took pictures and show them when they talk about doing it again…

Comment on Raising our daughters… by lshuste

lshuste — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:22:25 +0000

Grace,
How can I forget your thesis paper- I typed it!! You were 9 months pregnant. You received an A. I was so proud. However, your theory was misproven in reality- who would have thought that to be the case. You write beautifully and with such wisdom– I am still so proud!! Now you must prove something else. I know you will.

Comment on Raising our daughters… by grifnice

grifnice — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:27:34 +0000

As always, you nailed this one! Faith was a prime example of how the exterior diminished but her inner beauty stayed untouchable. If we only had more parents/people professing true purpose, like you’ve written, maybe society wouldn’t be so harsh when they see someone who doesn’t look like the little Barbie or Ken dolls they buy their children.

Comment on Mother’s Day by mmalpica

mmalpica — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:06:29 +0000

Beautiful!!!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Margarita

Comment on Mother’s Day by cris yanes

cris yanes — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:45:55 +0000

Dear Grace,

Thank you for sharing your words of inspiration. You let me understand a part about my own mother I have never understood. My mother was the complete oposite of yours and I have become like your mom, because that is what I longed for in my childhood growing up. With your words I realized that we all make the choice that is right for us… I am happy with my choice of being a stay at home mom. Even though I left a very lucrative career in Marketing to raise my children. If I would have to choose again… I would make the same choice all over again. To be happy just the way we are right now as a FAMILY>

Happy Mothers Day.

Cristina Yanes
Alyssa & Alejandro’s Mom

Comment on And so it is Earth Day… by lshuste

lshuste — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:44:01 +0000

What a powerful message about the importance of taking care of and improving the environment! Your students can certainly make a difference to our future by their awareness of pollution. I love the metaphor- comparing them to plants needing both physical and emotional nurturance. You are one excellent educator!!!

Comment on “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!” by Joey DeLuca

Joey DeLuca — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:52:46 +0000

Gracie,

Thank you for everything!!! Sometimes we never know how we touch others lives in our unselfish intentions. Do you remember this 516-L I 1 9787? I know that you make a difference in the lives of the children you see everyday. I know that you gave me enough to remember you. Thank you

Comment on “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!” by Joey DeLuca

Joey DeLuca — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:20:09 +0000

A time to remember Gracie!!!

I knew Gracie as we sang together in the school yard. Happiness is five colored crayons. If you are happy and you know clap you hands. Did you ever go fishing on a bright and sunny day and see all the little fishes jump in out the bay. I ran away from home just to find some solitude and Gracie was there. I can from a very large family and my Dad was very sick. My Mom was a Saint. But I had no one to talk to and Gracie was there. I am sure she does not even know it. In my mind through out most of my life she was the one I remembered as someone I could trust and look up to.
Seven Eleven slurpies and butter rolls before church. She was the first to notice I lost weight and whistled like a salilor to congratulate me.

She showed up at my for the production of the first school play that I wanted to perform but never got very far. We talked on the phone for hours about nothing. In the most darkest times of my life I always wondered where she was and what
she was doing. Only to find out she is has always been in the same place all the time just around the corner.

It does not surprise me that she selected the profession that she has. We skipped,play hop scotch and she always made me feel safe.

So lets here it for GRACIE!!!
IF YOU HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT CLAP YOU HANDS!!!!

Comment on School Parents by Sharon Alm

Sharon Alm — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:02:44 +0000

Well said, Grace…as usual!

Comment on Miracles by kindergar10

kindergar10 — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:03:05 +0000

Hi Grace,

I too believe in miracles. This year my family is celebrating the holidays with my new three year old nephew who was adopted from Russia last April. So many people tell us that he is so lucky to now have a family who loves him and will care for him, but what those people do not know is that we are the lucky ones. The twinkle in his eye, his excitement about Santa during this holiday season, and his joy about the everyday little things that we take for granted are a miracle in and of itself.

Happy holiday to you and yours.

Heidi McNally

Comment on Hoilday customs and rituals by darcydifred

darcydifred — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:05:57 +0000

I am so relieved after reading this blog that I did what I did the other day. My 4 year old kept asking me if we could make Gingerbread cookies. At first, all I could think of was everything that could go wrong… you see, I also have a 2 year old and a 9 month old. But I could see the desperation in her eyes and I knew when it was all over it would be time and effort well spent. So we got out the ingredients and started our project. With the 2 year old trying to get right in the middle of it, and the 9 month old wanting more cheerios, this project took much longer than it should have. However, the smile on Molly’s face while making the cookies, and the pride with which she showed her dad the cookies that “she” made, made the time, the effort, and the mess worth every moment! The time we spend with our children during this holiday season is far more valuable than the presents we buy them. The gifts and the holiday preparations are forgotten come January, but the time we spend with them molds them for a lifetime! Thanks for another excellent blog!

Comment on Family Dinner by TrueFinsFan

TrueFinsFan — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:53:24 +0000

I couldn’t have said that better myslf! As a child I grew up in a house where dinner was for being a family. The four of us; my dad, my mom my sister and myself sat down every night and we talked about how school was & what we did. We learned from an early age that what we did each day was important to our parents. The TV wasn’t aloud to be on, the phone didn’t get answered. That was just the way it was. If it was important they could leave a message or call back later. To this day I still talk to my parents & sister everyday even if there is nothing new going on, but just to see how each others day was. And I can’t imagine it any other way!

Comment on Book Fair Days by bentpiton

bentpiton — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:48:33 +0000

Grace,

I just came across your blog and would love to reproduce a couple selected posts in the blog section of a new education website, http://www.connectED.com, set for launch in early November. We would also like to post a photo/brief bio and link to URL of your choice.

The Richard W. Riley College of Education—Walden University is launching a new forum for bloggers. We are actively seeking guest contributions from outside writers for our blogs.
1. Blog postings should be original to the author.
2. Blog postings should fit under one of the following categories:

The Pre-K Experience

Student Teachers

K-12 Teachers

Retirement Act

*Length isn’t as important as quality of content.

3. Send article directly to jonathan@eatmedia.net in Word format – no pdf files, please. Include relevant links in parentheses, next to the word/s to be linked. Do not embed links in the Word document.
4. If you have a vested interest in a company you are writing about, please disclose that information to the editor and audience.
5. Copyright is retained by the writer. ConnectEd may, however, reprint your piece, with full attribution, in other Laureate Higher Education products and marketing materials.
6. Articles that have been previously published are encouraged.
7. All articles will be published accompanied with: photo, name. If author registers for the site (free) she/he will have a complete bio available to visitors.

Cheers,

Jonathan
jonathan@eatmedia.net
646-530-8664

Comment on The Music Garden by mmalpica

mmalpica — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:11:49 +0000

Mikel and Xabier are constantly putting on “shows” at home. Xabier will get Daddy’s guitar and Mikel will empty out a couple of boxes, and find himself anything that will work as a drumstick. They will then line up their stuffed animals and sing their voices off, while “making music”. Then they will switch places and the “show must go on”. It’s a lot of fun to watch, especially if your ears are covered!!
Margarita

Comment on Book Fair Days by Grace Geller

Grace Geller — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:23:11 +0000

Hi Friend,
So nice to hear from you! I am so glad Alex is doing well. We miss you too! Please stop by.
Miss g

Comment on Book Fair Days by samknik

samknik — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:55:16 +0000

Hi Miss Grace,
Have you thought about compiling your blogs and making a book? You really have a talent for writing. The words flow so well, very captivating. Anyway, I wanted to say hello and tell you that Alex has not been late to school even once. I know this is hard to believe since I always brought her late to ACC, but it’s true. Alex had a hard first couple weeks. She would cry every time I dropped her off (which is so unusual for her). I think she missed the sweet love and affection she received from all the teachers and staff at acc. Public school is a HUGE change. Very institutionalized. I am happy to report that she has got the hang of it and no longer cries..thank goodness, it was heartbreaking. She still talks about “her old school that she does not go to anymore” all the time. She still remembers her friends and her teachers and seems to miss you all very much. Well that is all for now. I still enjoy reading your blogs and thought an update from an old timer would be nice

Comment on Talk About Great Things with Your Children…. by sally

sally — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:15:48 +0000

Grace,
I had to respond to this post. I spent some time with Leo who is now 5, asking him what he thought he could do when he grows up. I told him I could see him as a Dr as he is so interested in how the body works – asks questions like ” can I still walk if my brain falls out”. Anyway he thought for a long time and decided he wanted to be a karate teacher (he doesn’t even do karate)!

Comment on Do you love them enough… by Sharon Alm

Sharon Alm — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:34:44 +0000

Excellent posting! This needs to be sent to some magazines, newspapers, or whatever…..to get national attention. Beautifully said, Grace.
Sharon

Comment on Dog Days of Summer by mmalpica

mmalpica — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:10:35 +0000

We always put out the clothes we are going to wear to school the night before and I have my kids get dressed when they wake up, before they go downstairs. Well today, Saturday, Xabier, my 3 yr old, woke up at 4am crying because he couldn’t find his clothes and then cried even louder when I told him there was no school!
Have a great weekend!
Margarita

Comment on Small Kindnesses by MJ

MJ — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:59:21 +0000

I have enjoyed reading all your articles in June , July and August. I am looking forward to your next one!
MJW
Peace and light to you today and always

Comment on The Saddest Time of the Year by mrscindere11a

mrscindere11a — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:45:23 +0000

Whatever happened to Victoria (Tori) Chiapusio… Tori entered the family at ACC when she was 3 years old in 2003. She remained a family member full-time until kindergarten began, and even still stayed as an after school student until the program was canceled due to low enrollment. Anyway, now she is 8 years old, entering 3rd grade this fall and living in Charlotte, NC for the past 2 years. We were blessed to have the foundation of being apart of ACC…something that has made me more demanding of her school environment since she graduated form ACC. Tori (and my husband and I) still keep in contact with “Gracevita” on AIM, as well as on Club Penguin…(hahahah) and plan to for as long as we can! Best wishes and much love to our ACC family! We miss you all!

The Chiapusio’s

Comment on My favorite time of the year! by samknik

samknik — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:48:36 +0000

Hi,
That was a cute story about Alex. I remember that day…there seems to be alot more of them too.
I thought I would share another story about little miss alex and transitioning to Kindergarten.
The other day as we were driving to camp, she asked me how she will make new friends when she starts school. She realizes that none of her friends from ACC will be at her new school (were in Sunrise) and I can tell it is making her nervous. So I told her just go up to the new kids and say “Hi, my name is Alex, do you want to be my friend”? Then she asked me, “what if they say NO”? Hm..I never thought of that..who wouldnt want to be friends with my Alex??? So I proceeded to tell her that if they say no, perhaps they are shy and just need more time to get to know her and move on to the next child. Well, after all this she wanted to role play. So we practiced making new friends together and then she said she doesnt want to practice anymore cuz she just wants to play with her friends at camp. Well, I am just glad she has the tools she needs as ACC has brought out her ability to socialize as well as learning her ABC’s. It’s been a wonderul ride and it will be a sad day when I do not make that drive through the drivethrough…PS Grace: I am glad you laughed at Miss Anne’s story about alex in the Drivethrough instead of getting mad at me for breaking the ruls again…NO PARKING IN THE DRIVETHROUGH…LOL
Sam

Comment on My favorite time of the year! by sally

sally — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:08:09 +0000

This blog made me smile as so often I am reminded of words of advice you have given me as my boys grow up. They may be becoming more independent but I am often reminded of how dependent this is on their positive pre-school experiences.
You often told me that children need the building blocks of reading to actually read. I think my eldest boy read within about two weeks of starting kindergarten, mainly because he had all his letters and sounds firmly in place from A children’s carousel. The other thing that I haven’t seen at other pre-schools is the incentive to tie your own shoe laces – essential for independence! Everyone in my son’s pre-K class had their name posted on the wall by the end of the year.
Although you may be the “baby school”, we don’t forget where our boys started their learning.

Comment on Rituals by TrueFinsFan

TrueFinsFan — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:08:52 +0000

As we grow some rituals stay the same and others change as we get older. I can relate to your 4th of July traditions. For years the party was always at the same persons house and the same people would come each year, if only to stop by and say “hello”. It was tradition and what you were supposed to do. This year was different. Everyone is getting older and starting traditions with their own families. As nice as the party always was. This year I can actually say I did something that I wanted to do, not something that I felt I was supposed to do; because it was the tradition! Change is not always BAD!

Comment on Rituals by Tracethomm

Tracethomm — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:09:12 +0000

Well! I am coming to YOUR HOUSE next year with my kid and my husband! Don’t worry, I will help out and make a dessert with her like you described (it sounds so nice and a great memory to make together!)but we had a quiet and solitary 4th. i was longing for the types I had as a child. I feel as if I am doing an injustice to my family by not having parties such as the one I can so vividly picture in my head taking place at your place. Don’t worry, I’ll also bring towels for us all as long as you REALLY wouldn’t mind the roucous again. I’ll even help clean up! I miss being a kid and being the one that left the doors opened and ran into and out of the house constantly. It was great seeing the “cousins from Staten Island” and “Queens” we didn’t get to see everyday. you brought back a nice memory and have nudged me to try to make the same memories for my child, too. Can we do it with you?? PLEEASSEE??

Comment on Ode to Fathers by jvitale

jvitale — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:33:28 +0000

Hello Aunt Grace…

I finally logged in to see your new website and saw your recent post and story about Joanne, little Andrew, and Myself on Father’s Day. What a wonderful thing to read and I thought I would reply with some thoughts.

Not to a father’s own fault…he is born a man. We have many deficiencies but we have a huge problem with a little issue called self confidence. Those who don’t admit to the innate self confidence deficiency are the ones who suffer the most. We need to hear time and time again that we are good providers and protectors of our loved ones…that our efforts are noticed and appreciated. I’m sure this is not new to our spouses who always discover this psychological weakness long before we do. Personally, I tend to my son as much as I do because Joanne works full time, is pregnant again, and a new Mom herself. So I give even more credit to her and other women spouses who are taking on more responsibility outside the home themselves. So, your little story provided me AND Joanne…especially me…with a moment of tremendous satisfaction and pleasure as a parent. At the very least, it got us to stop for a moment, reflect on our marriage and parenting efforts, and give each other a pat on the back.

So to you women, whisper in your husband’s ear how lucky his children are to have a father like him. And I promise he’ll work even harder at being a better man!

Comment on Ode to Fathers by mrscindere11a

mrscindere11a — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:59:01 +0000

I love the “Ode”! These moments ARE priceless, and my husband and I agreed prior to having our daughter who is now almost 8 years old, that we are equally parenting her, and it shows in every aspect of her happy and well adjusted personality! Thank you Miss Grace for always supporting us!

With Love,
The Chiapusio’s

Comment on Ode to Fathers by chipper

chipper — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:58:20 +0000

Dad's are here to stay, but I'm no Soccer-Mom... I'm a Swim-Dad.

Comment on Ode to Fathers by Tracethomm

Tracethomm — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:55:48 +0000

This “ode” was so nice to read! It is so true, too!It is wonderful how Dads are so much more involved in raising their children and the every day tasks that are so tedious are recognized as timeless! These young years are so full of firsts and Dads should be a part of them, too!

With Love from; Miss Tracey