Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten

One of the most common questions I get from teachers is: "How do I keep the rest of the class under control while I’m teaching small groups?" If you’re trying to pour into a handful of kids at your table, but out of the corner of your eye, you see three students arguing over a marker, two more asking for help, and someone else who’s supposed to be reading… I’m walking you through what actually wor...

Are your students stuck at labeling their pictures and freezing when it’s time to write sentences? Today we’re tackling this super common writing hurdle with strategies that actually work in a real kindergarten classroom. With simple, supportive ideas to help students go from oral storytelling to complete sentences. In this episode I share: How to move from ideas to full thoughts on paper Why oral...

New year, new mindset! In this episode, we're talking all about growth mindset. What it actually looks like in a kindergarten classroom and how you can start teaching it in simple, meaningful ways. Whether you’re heading back after winter break or saving this for later, you’ll walk away with clear ideas you can use right away. In this episode I share: How to explain “persistence” to young learners...

Let’s talk about the real kind of kindergarten writing, where every student is on their own unique journey. In this episode, I’m joined by literacy consultant and podcast host Melissa Morrison (of Getting Students to Write) to unpack what it looks like to teach writing in a developmentally appropriate way. We talk about why some students are still scribbling while others are crafting full stories...

This week, I’m answering two real questions from teachers like you, all about math in kindergarten. If you've been wondering how to organize counting collections without drowning in buttons and cubes… or what students should realistically be able to count and write by December… you're in the right place. In this episode I share: How I organize and rotate counting collections (without spending a fo...

What should kindergarten social studies actually look like across the school year? In this episode, I’m giving you a big-picture breakdown of how I teach social studies in kindergarten, how the family unit fits in, and how I structure my curriculum to help students explore their classroom, local, and global communities. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your social studies lessons more meaningfu...

Teaching about families in kindergarten is about so much more than who lives at home. It’s an opportunity to build empathy, celebrate diversity, and create an inclusive classroom community. In this episode, I’m sharing how I approach a social studies unit on families with care, intention, and developmentally appropriate strategies that honor all types of family structures. Whether you're teaching...

Some years in the classroom just feel harder than others. This one’s for the teachers who’ve cried in the car, vented to their partner, or counted down the minutes until dismissal. You're not alone and there are ways to feel like yourself again. In this deeply personal episode, I’m answering a heartfelt question from a kindergarten teacher who asked:  “How do you keep showing up every day whe...

If you’ve ever felt at a loss for how to support a student who cries over everything… or melts down in frustration when things don’t go their way… this episode is for you. In today’s episode, I’m sharing two real-life case studies of students with big emotions and big reactions and how I’ve supported them in the moment and over time using a combination of observation, behavior analysis, and social...

One of the most important things we can teach in kindergarten isn’t academic…it’s emotional. In this episode, I’m walking you through how to teach emotional intelligence to young learners so they can better understand, express, and regulate their feelings. In this episode I share: Why identifying emotions is a foundational step in social-emotional learning How to teach emotions through pictures, s...

If you've ever wondered how to build better communication and trust with your students' families, this episode is for you. I’m sharing practical, real-life ways to create meaningful partnerships with families beyond just sending home permission slips or scheduling conferences. From quick updates and phone calls to celebrations and caregiver inclusivity, I’ll walk you through the systems and strate...

Small groups don’t have to look like “reading groups.” Especially when your students aren’t ready for reading yet. You’re still building those foundational skills, and that absolutely counts as important, impactful small group work. Building off last week’s episode on supporting students who come into kindergarten without any letter or sound knowledge, today I’m sharing exactly how I structure sma...

It can feel overwhelming when a student comes to kindergarten with zero letter or sound knowledge. But I promise, there’s no need to panic. In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how I approach this situation with compassion, confidence, and a clear plan. Just because they don’t know their letters yet doesn’t mean they won’t . Most students just need time, exposure, and support. This epi...

If you're deep in the alphabet trenches like I am right now, this episode is for you. I'm joined (again!) by Heidi from Droppin’ Knowledge with Heidi to talk all about how to teach letter sounds and letter names using research-backed best practices in ways that are practical and doable for real classrooms. Heidi is a national LETRS Early Childhood trainer and a former K–1 teacher, and she’s here t...

Wondering how to manage all those center materials without creating chaos or drowning in bins and bags? In this episode, I’m breaking down how I organize my math and literacy centers in a way that actually works for me (and might just work for you too!). I’ll walk you through what I’ve tried, what didn’t stick, and what I finally figured out about keeping things easy to grab, easy to store, and ea...

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and returning guest, Mona from @ HelloMonaMath and the Math Chat podcast! If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to actually teach word problems - especially in early childhood -  you are going to love this conversation. Mona shares her 5-step routine for solving word problems, and trust me, this is the kind of structure that will change how you think ab...

At this point in the year, it’s tempting to shake things up, but don’t ditch your routine just yet. In today’s episode, I’m sharing why sticking to consistent routines is one of the best things you can do for your students right now. We’ll talk about how routines help kids feel safe, reduce anxiety, and build independence. And how you can stay motivated, even if you’re tired of singing the same so...

This episode marks 100(!) episodes of Kindergarten Café , and we’re talking about something every classroom should have: a calm down corner. I’m walking you through what it is, why it matters, how to set one up (without needing a ton of stuff), and how to introduce it so students actually use it to regulate and not avoid learning or feel punished. In this episode I share: Why this space isn’t a ti...

Let’s face it…you will have to miss a day of school and you never know who’s going to walk through the door as your sub. That’s why creating clear, simple, and effective sub plans is a must! Not just for your sanity, but to make the day run smoothly for your students and the sub. Whether you’re planning ahead or need last-minute ideas, this episode will help you prep once and reuse all year long.&...

A common mistake in kindergarten is starting writing too soon. In this episode, I’m walking you through what I actually do in the first month before introducing Writer’s Workshop - and why skipping these steps can lead to frustration for everyone (you included!). Writing in kindergarten is a journey and it takes time. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s confidence, progress, and connection. I’ll share...

Today we’re talking about how to set up a meaningful before-school Meet the Teacher event. Not a curriculum night or open house, but that special time when families and students come in before the first day to explore the classroom, ease nerves, and kick off the year with calm and connection. If you’re planning your Meet the Teacher visit or want to make yours run more smoothly, this episode is fu...

The first month of kindergarten is not easy!! Not going to sugarcoat it…there’s a reason people compare it to herding cats! But it does get better, and how you use this first month truly sets the tone for the rest of the year. In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what to focus on during those first few weeks - from establishing routines to introducing materials, building classroom comm...

The first day of kindergarten is full of excitement and nerves! Whether it’s your first year or your tenth, there’s always that feeling of not knowing exactly what to expect. In this episode, I’m sharing the three non-negotiables I do every single year (no matter how hectic the summer has been) to feel calm, confident, and ready for day one. Everything else? That's a bonus. If your classroom isn’t...

In this final episode of our Classroom Setup Mini-Series, I’m walking you through how to set up your classroom in a way that balances play, learning, and daily routines . Because yes, it’s absolutely possible to do all three without losing your mind or your floor space.  You’ll hear how I use key classroom areas (like tables, the rug, and even my teacher table!) for both academics and play, p...

In this week’s episode of our Classroom Setup Mini-Series, we’re focusing on how to set up your classroom in a way that naturally invites curiosity, creativity, and exploration. Something every kindergarten classroom needs. I’m sharing simple, teacher-tested ideas for creating thoughtful play areas like a science center, sensory table, block corner, and dramatic play zone—even if you’re short on s...