“A love of learning has a lot to do with learning that we are loved." -Fred Rogers
First and foremost, my goal is create an atmosphere of acceptance where all children feel safe and happy. I want all of our preschoolers to know they are loved unconditionally and that they can love others the same way. When this is achieved, they are not only able to learn but will love to learn.
Secondly, I believe that the best approach to learning for children is through play and hands-on exploration. Play truly is the work of a child, so learning at Little Owl Preschool is fun and engaging. Academic subjects will be taught by seeing, hearing, and doing. Research has shown that we retain 20% of what we hear, 50% of what we see and hear, and up to 90% of what we see, hear, and do. I have seen great success over the years with this approach and the children love it too! Social and emotional lessons will also be taught using this method. Preschoolers will be given an opportunity to practice the skills they have learned during the lesson, and then with guided help in real-life applications during center time. I believe that through this approach, we will give our children the skills they need to be successful in school as well as in life.
I have been teaching preschool for over thirteen years. In the spring of 2012, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Weber State University. I earned the degree of Bachelor of Integrated Studies in Education, Child and Family Studies, and Psychology. For my final capstone project, I helped create and direct a preschool daycare for the Family Support Center of Ogden. This was an amazing experience and it gave me many skills to manage, create, and teach in my own preschool today.
I look forward to learning with your child this year!
Miss Rachel: Academics & Social and Emotional Skills Teacher
Meet Our Teachers
“I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the key to learning." -Plato
A 2016 study conducted by the Brain and Creativity Institute of the University of Southern California found that musical experiences in childhood can actually accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language accusation and reading skills. That is pretty incredible research! However, academic achievement is not the only benefit. Music actually stimulates all areas of child development and school readiness; intellectual, social and emotional, motor, language, and literacy. It helps our mind and body work together! This tender age is a time to enjoy singing just to be singing. Preschoolers aren't self-conscious about their abilities, and most are eager to let their voices roar! Exposing children to music during early development aids in memory, builds motor skills, and encourages self-expression. But perhaps above all else, music brings us joy!
Miss Mei is our Music and Movement and Centers teacher at Little Owl Preschool! This is her second year teaching preschool. She is my sweet daughter and the preschool world has been a big part of her life for many years. She loves working with children and has greatly enjoyed teaching preschool, as well as, directing our summer camps these past four years.
The creative arts are her absolute passion, and she especially loves all things music and theater! Miss Mei's own love for music began in preschool, where she loved singing all of the songs and sharing them with everyone she could! Over the years, she has sung in several choirs and trained privately with a voice coach. In addition to singing, Miss Mei spends much of her time preparing for and performing in plays and musicals. This year she is attending Weber State University as a Theatre major. She is thrilled for this opportunity to further her education.
Miss Mei is excited to share her love of the creative arts with all of our preschoolers and help them discover the joy it brings! At Little Owl Preschool, we believe that center time is an essential time for children to have hands-on practice with the skills they have been learning. Miss Mei loves to help our preschoolers navigate through and understand their feelings as they learn to share, take turns, express themselves, and love one another during center time. We believe that love of self and others is at the heart of finding joy in all areas of learning and will carefully help each preschooler discover this for themselves.
Miss Mei is an incredible teacher, and she is adored by all of our preschoolers! You will love her too!
We are so happy to be working with you and your child this year!
Miss Mei: Music, Movement & Hands-on Centers Teacher
Miss Rachel & Miss Mei
