The Pre-K Learning Club

Searching for a pre-K curriculum can feel overwhelming. There are so many options, so many opinions, and so many activities that it’s hard to know what your child actually needs before kindergarten. In this episode, we talk about what truly matters in the pre-K years and what makes a curriculum developmentally appropriate, manageable, and effective for young children. We’ll cover: •the foundationa...

If you’re teaching your child at home, you’ve probably wondered… What should a pre-K day actually look like? Am I doing enough? How long should we be learning each day? In this episode, we take the pressure off and walk through what a realistic, developmentally appropriate pre-K day looks like at home. You’ll learn: •how much time to spend on learning (it’s less than you think) •a simple daily str...

Getting a preschooler to want to learn isn’t always easy. Some days they’re excited and engaged… and other days it’s a complete struggle. In this episode, we talk about simple, practical ways to motivate your pre-K child without turning learning into a power struggle. You’ll learn: •why “buy-in” makes such a big difference •how explaining the why can increase cooperation •when and how to use simpl...

Before children can write their name or hold a pencil comfortably, they need something else first—strong fine motor skills. In this episode, we break down what fine motor skills actually are and why they play such an important role in the pre-K years. You’ll learn: •what fine motor skills look like in young children •why writing can feel difficult without them •simple, everyday ways to build hand...

Learning to write their name is one of the biggest milestones in the pre-K years—but it doesn’t have to be stressful. In this episode, we talk about simple, developmentally appropriate ways to help your child recognize and write their name with confidence. You’ll learn: •why name recognition comes before writing •how to use easy tools like highlighters and name puzzles •how to break longer names i...

Math in the preschool years isn’t about worksheets, memorizing facts, or getting the “right” answer. It’s about building a strong foundation through simple, hands-on experiences. In this episode, I break down what math actually looks like in Pre-K and what skills truly matter before kindergarten. We’ll talk about: •number recognition and counting (and what’s really expected) •how children learn th...

Early literacy in preschool isn’t about pushing children to read early. It’s about building the foundational skills that make reading possible later on. In this episode, we talk about what literacy development actually looks like in the pre-K years and which early skills matter most. You’ll learn about phonemic awareness, letter recognition, fine motor development, and how simple everyday activiti...

5 Simple Ways to Make Preschool Learning Work at Home Teaching preschool at home doesn’t have to be complicated. In this episode, I share five simple tips that can make learning smoother, calmer, and more enjoyable for both you and your child. Drawing from years of classroom experience, I talk about: •Why short activities work best for preschool attention spans •How movement helps reset young lear...

After 20 years in early childhood classrooms, I kept noticing the same thing: Parents care deeply — but they’re overwhelmed. They don’t want to push too hard. They don’t want to fall behind. They don’t want to piece together random activities from Pinterest. They just want to know they’re focusing on what truly matters. In this episode, I share: •Why I created the Pre-K Learning Club •The gap I ke...

If your preschooler can only focus for a few minutes at a time, you’re not alone — and you’re probably not doing anything wrong. In this episode, I talk about what’s developmentally normal when it comes to attention span in young children, including the common guideline of one to two minutes per year of age. You’ll learn: •How long three-, four-, and five-year-olds can realistically focus •Why sho...

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “They already know this… shouldn’t we move on?” — this episode is for you. In this episode, I talk about why repetition and exposure are essential parts of learning in the pre-K years , and why repeating skills doesn’t mean learning has stalled. Drawing from years of classroom experience, I explain: •How repetition strengthens brain connections •The differe...

Homeschool parents wonder should preschool learning be all play—or do worksheets have a place? In this episode, I share a balanced, classroom-tested perspective on why young children actually benefit from both play-based learning and gentle paper-and-pencil practice . Drawing from years of experience teaching pre-K and kindergarten, I talk about: •Why play builds strong brain connections •When wor...

When young children show early academic skills—like reading words or counting to high numbers—it can be tempting to rush ahead. In this episode, I gently unpack why just because a child can do something doesn’t always mean they should skip the foundations . Drawing from my experience as a preschool teacher and my own learning journey, I talk about: •Why reading is more than letter names and sounds...

In This Episode If you’ve ever worried that you’re not doing enough for your preschooler at home, this episode is for you. In Episode 1, I share why preschool learning doesn’t need to be rushed, what really matters at ages 3–5, and how simple, intentional learning builds a strong foundation over time. What You’ll Learn • Why preschool learning looks different than school-age learning • What presch...