Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten

If you have spent your summer feeling pressure to make your classroom Pinterest perfect, this episode is here to take that weight off your shoulders. A beautiful classroom is not the same as a kindergarten ready classroom, and what your students actually need before day one has nothing to do with matching bins or a coordinated theme. In this episode, I share: why students notice feeling safe, know...

If summer break has you staring at a long list of things to fix, buy, or change in your classroom, and you are not sure where to even start, this episode will help you slow down before you dive in. Whether you are a brand new kindergarten teacher or a returning one, the most useful thing you can do this July is ask yourself the right questions first, so the time and energy you do put in actually m...

If you find yourself constantly reminding your students to sit down, stop talking, or refocus and it feels like you are saying the same things on repeat all day, this episode is for you. What looks like a behavior problem is often a skill gap, and mindfulness gives you a practical, low-prep way to actually teach kids how to calm their bodies and reset so they are ready to learn. In this episode, I...

If you have been wanting to bring more creativity into your kindergarten classroom but are not sure where to start (or you love the idea of a creation station but the thought of managing the mess stops you every time) this episode is for you. Creativity in kindergarten is not about cute crafts where everyone's project looks the same. It is about giving kids space to think, invent, and surprise you...

Moving into a new classroom, whether you are changing schools, switching grades, or just getting a different room, can feel like a lot all at once. There is new furniture, new materials, and no roadmap for how any of it fits together yet. If you are standing in the middle of it all wondering where to even begin, this episode will walk you through exactly what to do first. In this episode, I share:...

If you will be brand new to teaching kindergarten next year, or switching to kindergarten from another grade, the excitement is probably mixed with a whole lot of "where do I even start?" Kindergarten is its own world, and no matter how many years you have in the classroom, nothing fully prepares you for it until someone who's been there walks you through it. This episode is that walk-through. In...

If this school year felt harder than expected, more exhausting than rewarding, or like you were constantly trying to keep up, this episode is an honest and encouraging conversation for kindergarten teachers. I talk directly to teachers who are ending the year drained and wondering why teaching kindergarten felt so hard. Whether it was your first year or your twentieth, I want you to know that stru...

The end of the school year can bring excitement, celebration, and fun, but it also brings a lot of feelings. In this episode, I talk about how to support students socially and emotionally as the school year comes to a close. Many children are processing more than adults realize. They may be excited for summer while also feeling sad about leaving their teacher, nervous about a new classroom, worrie...

The move from kindergarten to first grade is exciting, but for many students, it can also feel like a really big change. In this episode, I share how to support children emotionally, socially, and academically as they prepare for the transition to first grade. Some students are thrilled and ready. Others may feel nervous, anxious, or overwhelmed about leaving a classroom that has become their safe...

The end of the year brings a very real energy shift in kindergarten. Kids are tired, routines start to feel old, and the big transition to summer or first grade can bring excitement for some students and a lot of anxiety for others. In this episode, I share how to keep the classroom fun and engaging at the end of the year without throwing out the structure that kids still need. I explain why end-o...

A worksheet gets crumpled and thrown away. Tears start over one small error. A student refuses to even begin because they’re afraid of getting it wrong. I’m sure you’ve seen this in your classroom. In this episode, I explain what’s really going on when students struggle to handle mistakes, and how to support them in a way that helps them move forward. You’ll hear how these reactions often stem fro...

Self-confidence plays a huge role in how students learn, take risks, and see themselves in the classroom and kindergarten is a critical time to begin shaping that identity. This episode shares practical, everyday strategies teachers can use to help students build confidence and develop a positive sense of themselves as learners. You’ll hear why confidence isn’t just about feeling good, it directly...

Dramatic play is one of the most powerful learning areas in an early childhood classroom, but many classrooms are losing it or aren’t sure how to set it up effectively. In this episode, I break down what every strong dramatic play center should include and how to keep the area engaging for students throughout the year. You’ll hear how dramatic play supports language development, social skills, ima...

If you are applying for a new teaching job, hoping to switch schools, changing grade levels, or trying to land your very first classroom position, this episode is packed with the kind of advice you usually only hear behind closed doors. I am joined by not one, but two elementary principals, Jake and Rob, for an honest conversation about what really matters in the hiring process. From getting the i...

In kindergarten writing, the main goal is helping students write a strong, clear sentence. But once some students are ready to go further, the next step is learning how to add meaningful details that bring their stories to life. In this episode, I share simple strategies for teaching young writers how to expand their stories without overwhelming them. I explain how to break the skill into manageab...

Planning a field trip can feel exciting… and slightly terrifying at the same time. In this episode, I share all the practical tips I’ve learned over the years to make field trips smoother, safer, and far less stressful for teachers. Everything from choosing the right location to organizing groups and managing the day-of logistics. If you’ve ever worried about keeping track of 20+ kids in a crowded...

Phonics can feel… well, stressful. For teachers and parents. I invited Melanie Jeffrey, host of the Phonics Rules for Kids podcast and former K–3 classroom teacher turned phonics coach to talk about what actually helps early readers become confident decoders (and what looks like reading but is really just guessing). Melanie shares how her instruction shifted from leveled texts and “cueing” strateg...

This episode tackles two opposite classroom math challenges: students who don’t get addition, and students who’ve already mastered it. Whether you're trying to build understanding from the ground up or keep your addition knowers engaged, I shares real, classroom-tested strategies that go beyond just “more worksheets.” In this episode I share: Why addition often breaks down when students move too q...

Your students are finally decoding with confidence, so what’s next? In this episode, I share what comprehension-focused small groups can look like once your students are fluent readers. Spoiler: it’s about more than just “did they understand the story?” In this episode I share: Why decoding must come first before comprehension groups How comprehension is built through modeling, discussion, and rea...

Feeling torn between leveled readers and decodables? There are strong opinions out there, but in this episode, I share the difference between the two and what I use in my classroom (and why). I also share my favorite decodable resources and how I use them during small groups and independent reading time. In this episode I share: The difference between decodable vs. leveled books Why I stopped usin...

Grade-level teams can make your year feel supportive… or completely draining. In this episode,I’m joined by Jenna Everetts (aka @ThatStrongTeacher) to talk honestly about navigating team dynamics, communication challenges, and collaboration struggles teachers face at every stage of their career. We unpack what to do when you feel unheard, left out, or pressured to teach in a way that doesn’t align...

If you feel like you're spending all day listening to “he said/she said” drama, this episode is for you. I share my favorite strategies for reducing tattling and teaching students to manage problems on their own. Plus, learn why teaching kids to “take care of themselves” is a life skill that goes way beyond kindergarten. In this episode I share: How to teach kids to solve conflicts with the “Bug a...

Midyear assessments are in and if you're feeling overwhelmed, or just plain frustrated, this episode is here to help. I’m answering three real teacher questions about assessment results, struggling students, and managing all that data. In this episode I share: What to do when students aren’t showing the progress you expected How to turn midyear data into small group plans that actually move the ne...

Have students who know their letters and sounds… but freeze when it’s time to blend them into a word? This episode is for you. I’m walking you through exactly how I support early readers in small groups who need extra help with blending and decoding and it’s simpler than you think. In this episode I share: My go-to small group structure for decoding support Why a quick sound review still matters H...

If your students are constantly hugging, poking, piling on the rug, or just way too close for comfort…well, it’s not just your classroom. In this episode, I’m answering two teacher questions about handling personal space. In this episode I share: My favorite read-aloud and activity for teaching personal space Easy rug-time fixes to cut down on chaos How to teach kids to ask before hugging or holdi...