Apple Spotify Amazon Music Episode Summary 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 celebrating Earth Day with students. In this episode, I share: Importance of Teaching Environmental Awareness Classroom Activities for Earth Day Encouraging Actio ..read more

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Episode Summary 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 alive for Mona and her students. Now Mona collaboratively coaches teachers in building a math culture through rigorous student-centered math instruction ..read more

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Episode Summary 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. From egg anatomy to post-hatch care, valuable lessons in patience and observation are woven into the episode. And don’t forget the emotional impact of s ..read more

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Episode Summary 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 meaningful learning experiences for young learners. In this episode, I share: Balancing play-based learning with boxed curriculum Collaboration between pre-k and ..read more

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Episode Summary 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” in classrooms to help children regulate their emotions independently. We also discuss techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method and cognitive distract ..read more

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Episode Summary 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 individual needs and fostering a sense of accomplishment. Visual aids and regular check-ins further reinforce these writing goals, promoting accountabilit ..read more

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Episode Summary 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 promote 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 center and discuss challenges with organizing materials.  In this episode, I share: Why we want to have dramatic play in our classrooms The benefits ..read more

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Episode Summary 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 positive outcomes for students. In this episode I share: Teaching impulse control and self-regulation in kindergarten Strategies for being the boss of your bo ..read more

Apple Spotify Google Amazon Music Episode Summary 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 when they struggle. Overall, we encourage listeners to embrace persistence and share the podcast with others. In this episode, I share: Overcomin ..read more

Apple Spotify Google Amazon Music Episode Summary 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 tool for students to use when playing, and there is so much amazing learning that can come from playing with blocks. In this episode, I share: Tip ..read more