WELCOME!
I am so glad you are here! I’m Jackie, the kindergarten teacher behind Little Minds of Big Ideas. I teach in Chicago, IL. I am a lover of flamingos, Target, and Michael Buble. I’ve been teaching for 13 years in the city and have taught both Pre-K and Kindergarten. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education with a Minor in Art, a Masters in Art Education and am a National Board Certified Teacher in Early Childhood. Being a Kindergarten teacher is THE BEST job in the world and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else without those little giggly, curious, spirited, and creative little minds.
THE CHALLENGE
Science…how do you fit it into your day?! Teaching science to young children often presents several challenges that often stresses your lesson planning. One significant issue is the lack of time within a packed curriculum, which often prioritizes literacy and math over scientific exploration. Then the issue of access to nature spaces, which is vital for fostering a direct connection with the natural world and is often limited in urban or under-resourced areas, making it difficult for young children to experience real-world scientific concepts firsthand. HOWEVER, I am here to help you with this!! Don’t worry, I have solutions for you! Stick around and I believe you will find solutions that will reengage young children in science and give you access to nature in ways you never thought possible.
MISSION
My mission is to bring the wonders of science to everyday life. I believe that curiosity is the key to understanding the world around us, and I am dedicated to making science accessible, engaging, and fun for everyone. Through this blog, I aim to spark curiosity, inspire exploration, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the natural world via the sidewalk! You don’t need to have access to a park or nature preserve… you just need a little patch of concrete and let nature do the rest!
