Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten

In this episode, we discuss classroom decoration dos and don'ts from a kindergarten teacher's perspective. We want to create purposeful decor, avoiding overstimulation, and prioritizing student needs over personal aesthetics. Tips on cost-effective decoration and fostering student ownership are shared, encouraging a student-centered approach to classroom design. In this episode I share: Decorating...

This episode covers key insights on effective classroom organization for kindergarten teachers. I discuss the importance of using visual labels to aid student independence and emphasize font readability and supply organization based on traffic flow and subject areas. I also explore strategies for managing shared materials, stressing the separation of teacher and student supplies and offering tips...

Join me on Kindergarten Cafe as I chat with Sam Marsden about the magic of drama games for young learners. We explore the benefits of imaginative play, the power of repetition, and how drama boosts empathy and confidence. Sam shares tips for hesitant teachers and introduces her book "Drama Games for Early Years."  In this episode we share: Benefits of Drama Games Morning Meeting Activities Us...

In today's episode, we explore the benefits of using Seesaw as a communication tool among teachers, students, and families. I discussed how Seesaw facilitates the sharing of students' learning experiences with their families, promoting engagement and connection. By guiding the integration of Seesaw into the classroom, I highlighted the importance of privacy and security measures for student submis...

In today’s episode, I have Cara from @core4parenting here to discuss the importance of the four C's in managing conflicts in the classroom and nurturing teacher-student relationships. We emphasize mutual respect, open communication, and honesty to build strong connections with students, encouraging collaborative problem-solving for impactful learning experiences. It's vital for educators to model...

Today I want to talk about the misconceptions that people have about early childhood educators and kindergarten teachers. Specifically my biggest pet peeves when it comes to the responses I get from telling people I teach kindergarten. I wonder if we have the same responses. I'm so curious. Make sure you send me a DM after the episode @KindergartenCafe and let me know if these are the same respons...

In this episode, I chat with my Instagram friend, Lindsay from Sweet ‘N’ Sauer Firsties about strategies for enhancing student participation. Lindsay is a first-grade teacher with a decade of experience, who emphasizes engaging all students in learning through techniques like giving think time before answers and incorporating movement activities. She suggests several strategies you can implement i...

We have come to that time of year where attention spans are few and far between. Curriculum is wrapping up and we find extra time in our day with highly energized kiddos. In this episode I want to discuss the importance of movement breaks for engaging kindergarten students, especially towards the end of the school year. I provide you with various activities, songs and games to keep your students m...

In this episode of Kindergarten Cafe, I share effective strategies for maintaining student engagement during lessons, particularly as the school year progresses. I provide practical tools and tips for teachers to use when students show signs of losing focus. You can enhance engagement by adjusting volume, speech speed, and incorporating interactive elements like singing and actions into lessons fo...

In this episode, I have my teacher friend, Holly, from Research and Play on the Kindergarten Cafe Podcast. We explore the significance of purposeful classroom setup, focusing on child-centered approaches including the Reggio Emilia method. Holly stresses designing rather than decorating the classroom, using natural materials to stimulate learning. We also discuss challenges in shifting to student-...

Join me in this episode for strategies on ending the school year stress-free. Keep students engaged with choices and themed days. I also provide many tips to help you prepare for the next year by decluttering and communicating with parents. Cherish moments with students and share this episode with fellow teachers for more tips. In this episode I share: End of the Year Tips Keeping Kids Engaged wit...

In this episode of the Kindergarten Cafe podcast, we explore the topic of supporting multilingual learners in the classroom. We highlight the importance of fostering strong relationships and creating a safe environment for these students. Strategies such as using gestures, visuals, and pair work are discussed to help newcomers feel included and comfortable. We stress the significance of understand...

In this episode of Kindergarten Cafe, I discuss the significance of Earth Day. I share how I incorporate Earth Day activities into my classroom to teach students about environmental awareness and taking action to care for the planet. From observing nature and cleaning up litter to planting and creating art projects with earth-friendly messages, I provide engaging and purposeful ideas for celebrati...

This week I have Mona from Honest Math Chat on to discuss navigating new math curriculums. Mona is a former math avoider, teacher & instructional coach in Chicago. Her passion for math came when she discovered how to engage every student in a subject she, too, disliked. Through intentionally changing her math class to help students BE mathematicians using a student centered approach math came...

Join us in this episode of the Kindergarten Cafe podcast, where we dive into the enchanting world of the Chick Life Cycle Unit, a magical experience for students and educators alike. We explore the journey of hatching chicks in the classroom, from sourcing eggs to nurturing the hatchlings. I share personal experiences and educational insights, guiding you through each stage of the chick life cycle...

In this episode, I chat with Melysa, a Pre-K teacher, discussing the essence of child-led teaching. Melissa shares insights on balancing play and curriculum, incorporating student interests into learning, and the magic of letting children explore and discover. She highlights the importance of fostering curiosity and independence, showcasing the beauty of child-led exploration in creating meaningfu...

This episode is a sneak peek at a workshop I did on what to do when a child cries all the time. We explore effective strategies for supporting children who cry frequently and the importance of recognizing crying as a form of communication in children. I offer tips on how to respond calmly and empathetically. This portion of the workshop introduces the concept of a "calm corner" or "control spot" i...

In this episode of the Kindergarten Cafe podcast, I go into the foundational aspects of teaching addition to kindergarteners. Emphasizing the progression from concrete objects to abstract representations, I want to stress the importance of utilizing diverse strategies like counting all, counting on, and drawing to foster understanding. We also discuss engaging activities such as dice games and Pla...

Today on the Kindergarten Cafe podcast, I explore the benefits of implementing writing goals to support young writers in kindergarten. Writing goals are instrumental in helping students focus on specific skills during the writing process, enabling them to track and improve their progress. These goals act as reminders for both students and teachers, allowing for personalized objectives tailored to...

In this episode of the Kindergarten Cafe Podcast, we discuss the importance of having a dramatic play center in the classroom. Dramatic play allows children to try on different roles, understand social situations, and promotes language development. It also integrates math and literacy, and encourages children to take ownership of their learning. We share ideas for setting up a simple dramatic play...

In this episode, we discuss teaching students self-regulation and impulse control strategies. We emphasize the importance of helping students recognize their body's needs and provide specific strategies for calming down or getting energized. Introducing engaging activities like the opposites game and the bubbles challenge to promote impulse control. Overall, teaching self-control can lead to posit...

In this episode, I share ways to teach students about water through engaging activities. From the changing states of water, to conducting fun experiments on absorption, sinking/floating, and melting. These experiments encourage the students to make predictions and challenge their expectations. In this episode I share: Students' initial ideas and misconceptions about water Importance of addressing...

In this episode of the Kindergarten Cafe Podcast, we discuss teaching persistence to students by embracing challenges and reframing mistakes as opportunities for growth. I emphasize the importance of finding a balance between tasks that are too easy and too difficult,  and I provide some recommended books and resources to promote a growth mindset and provide strategies for supporting students...

Do you have a block area? I think classrooms are slowly getting rid of them because they need space for more academics, or they don't have time for play, but I have a whole chunk of the classroom designated for a block area. Hopefully this podcast episode will inspire you to find space for a block area, even if it's temporary. Think about all the benefits that come from it. Blocks are an amazing t...

Today I would love to talk to you about how to work smarter, not harder, when it comes to math intervention with our kindergarten students. This would also be relevant for kindergarten, first, and second grade. Math intervention is something that we definitely need to be always thinking about. We want to think about how best to support the needs of our students. And if kids are missing important s...