Meredith W. Burton

Fleeting Moments – Making Every Minute Matter

Meredith — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:53:14 +0000

We can't stop time, but we can be fully engaged with children in the moments we have with them. Children will also have plenty of time to be rushed through their lives. Make a commitment to shelter your young children from a hurried childhood. Spend time talking with, reading to, listening to, and laughing with the children in your care. We only get one chance to live each moment...live in each moment! Continue reading →

Book Review: Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (and other thematic recommendations)

Meredith — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:14:16 +0000

If you are looking for a literary gift for your truck-obsessed toddler or preschooler this holiday season, I have the perfect book for you! A friend told me about Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site this summer, as it was becoming a … Continue reading →

Thankful

Meredith — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 03:37:10 +0000

If for some reason you are not feeling particularly thankful this season, spend a little while with a group of preschoolers and you will be changing your tune. Regularly, my class of 4 and 5 year olds challenges me to … Continue reading →

Fall Leaf Reflections

Meredith — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:07:48 +0000

As I pulled into my driveway this evening, I groaned at the thought of all of the leaves that clutter my yard. When will I have time to rake? I love to look at the beautiful changing colors of fall, … Continue reading →

NAEYC Conference Inspiration

Meredith — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:12:20 +0000

Every year, around 20,000 early childhood educators descend upon an unsuspecting city and take root for a four day conference. I have been attending the Annual Conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for 6 … Continue reading →

Building Blocks of Reading

Meredith — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:52:23 +0000

This just in: my two-year-old can read!! No, we did not purchase a ridiculous “teach your baby to read” program and he has never seen a day of public television (or any TV for that matter). Perhaps my joyous proclamation … Continue reading →

An Environment of “Yes”

Meredith — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:36:44 +0000

I recently reread a book called Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn. While I don’t agree with everything Mr. Kohn says, I do respect him for taking a radical stand on parenting practices and for making the reader really think about … Continue reading →

The Reading Ritual

Meredith — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:23:38 +0000

At my house we read a lot. My husband reads computer manuals, I read lots of education and parenting books (with some fun books mixed in), and we both read scores of picture books to our two-year-old. Reading is part … Continue reading →

Mama Mine, Mama Mine

Meredith — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:36:57 +0000

At my house, a new favorite book is Mama Mine, Mama Mine by Rita Gray. We are in the midst of a transition into a preschool/daycare setting with my two-year-old, and while outwardly he appears to be doing very well, … Continue reading →

Is It All Just Play?

Meredith — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 01:25:43 +0000

I have the pleasure of observing children everyday as part of my job and as a mom. My nephews are currently visiting for three weeks as well, so I am surrounded by young children constantly. Today, my two year old … Continue reading →