Displaying Books for Preschoolers

"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall."

                                                                                           — Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

You may not throw the TV away, but there's no reason you shouldn't have a book display. One of the easiest ways to get your preschooler interested in books and reading is to create a display for books. This is an essential in any preschool classroom but takes a little effort  in your home or home day care.

1. Find a some-what secluded area. 
2. Gather as many different kinds of books as you can.
3. Store them on a small shelf, shoe rack, or crate facing forward. 
   If you have to use a crate leave enough space so the fronts of the books are visible. 
4. Provide books related to the season, theme or event in the child(ren)s life. 
5. Change out books accordingly, leave the favorite books to be read again and again.

      
After I wrote this post one of my Anonymous readers suggested I check out book slings.
If you're feeling pretty crafty you should check out "book slings" too. They seem fairly easy, fun and you can customize them too.

Head over to Penny Carnival to get instructions on making a book sling.

I also found some great display ideas at

  Chic & Cheap Nursery. 

Preschool Oatmeal Box Craft

I've always seen projects using oatmeal containers. Teachers usually make drums for toddlers, Easter baskets, Halloween baskets, Valentines collectors and so much more! My family rarely eats enough oatmeal that  I can take advantage of these awesome projects. But yesterday, after making breakfast, to my surprise there was no more oatmeal! Oh boy! I couldn't wait to pull out craft supplies and decorate that treasured container. Here's what I did...

First, I shook out all the loose bits of remaining oatmeal, and admired the container upright. 

Yes, it is a preschool teachers treasure.

Next, I found some pretty wrapping paper that one of my kids received on a birthday present last year. We had folded it nicely and stored it with our scrap booking supplies. It wasn't in the best shape for this project but I figured I could make it work.

There was left-over paper gathered at the top, I folded it gently inside the top of the container.

Then, I pulled out the felt. I used it to cut out a circle bigger than the circumference of the container top and secured the felt on the top with my hot glue gun. 

Last, I took put a ribbon around the entire top and tied it neatly in a bow. 

How fabulous! 

Didn't you just love this?

Here are more awesome oatmeal container projects. 

Check out this drum featured on 

Hot Glue Gun Crafts by Craftzilla

And this nature can by Anna Satler on DIY life. It's perfect for collecting rocks, leaves, flowers and maybe even 

creeping, crawling, creatures. 

And who wouldn't fall in love with this adorable Valentiene Mailbox box? 

You can find this on the allkidsnetwork.com.

Sure, Halloween is a long ways away, that means you can start collecting 

now to make this precious pumpkin turned jack-o-lantern. 

See Dim Sum, Bagels, and Crawfish for instructions.

And I couldn't forget the most wonderful time of the year! Here's 

a oatmeal container craft guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit. 

See how Mary Ann makes gift containers from the recycling bin!

Happy Crafting

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It's Spring and Love is in the air

It's Spring! The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and love is in the air. You say Love in Preschool? Yes, you read it right! It's common and there's not been a year I've taught that I didn't have a least one couple in my class. What's uncommon this year is that it's been the same boy but three different girls! His latest "girlfriend" plays with him in Centers, holds his hand on the playground, and positions herself in front or behind him in the line. They make it a habit to sit next to each other and strategically plan to create Art projects for each other. I must say I do discourage kissing as I tell them they may spread "germs" but they're welcome to hug, and they do hug every chance they get. As soon as one arrives in the morning, they're looking for the other half. When the other half arrives they run and hug like they're long lost relatives. During our Martin Luther King lesson I caught an image of them sitting on her cot reading a book together.

The parents thinks it's hilarious. The teachers think they're too much! I think they're both the sweetest kids attempting to imitate the relationship they see between their parents.

These hats are “eggs”ellent!

I was about to make bunny ears today. Unfortunately, I ran out of hard-stock paper. I was afraid regular construction paper would leave flimsy-floppy bunny ears. I made “eggs”ellent hats instead . Here’s what I used:

Construction Paper
Hot Glue Gun
Hot Glue
Glue Sticks
Egg Pattern
Flower Pattern (optional)
Butterfly pattern (optional)

First, make a band the size of each child’s head with construction paper.


Next, use hot glue to secure Easter grass all around the band.


Then, allow the children to decorate eggs, flowers, and butterflies.

Last, the child should use the glue stick to secure the eggs, flowers, and butterflies to the band.

Note: You could use green construction paper and omit the Easter grass.

To extend the project:

Science: Discover eggs; Compare cooked and uncooked eggs

And it begans...

There is a tingling sensation in your stomach when you start something new. I guess you can call it butterflies? Although, I have blogged before today will be the first day I am blogging about my love. I am currently a Preschool Teacher. My favorite parts of the day are Circle Time and Learning Centers. During Circle Time I'm able to tell stories, sing songs, do fingerplays and teach! During my Learning Centers I tend to go all out creating Learning Centers that mimick real life situations. I've built a McDonalds, a Publix, and even a Doctors office in one of my centers. It is such a joy to see the children go in and imitate real life situations. Come journey with me, and be apart of the growth of Centers and Circle Time as it unfolds into a masterpiece.