Shows / Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten
Are you an overworked or overwhelmed kindergarten teacher? Or maybe you're just a kindergarten teacher looking for fresh, new ideas. You are in the right place. The Kindergarten Cafe podcast will share weekly tips and tricks to help you save time, work smarter (not harder) and support students with engaging and purposeful lessons. I'm here to help you with everything you need from arrival to dismissal. Let's get started!
Episodes
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten98. Here’s How I Introduce Writing
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…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten97. Meet the Teacher: Setting the Tone for a Positive School Year
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…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten96. What to Teach the First Month: Getting Kindergarten Off to a Great Start
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…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten95. Preparing for Kindergarten: The 3 Things I Did Before the First Day
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…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten94. Effective Classroom Setup: Balancing Play, Learning, and Routine
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…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten93. Building a Classroom That Invites Curiosity and Exploration
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…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten92. Classroom Organization Tips For Overwhelmed Teachers
Welcome to the Classroom Setup Mini-Series! We’re kicking things off with one of the most important (and sometimes overwhelming) parts - classroom…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten91. What To Do If You Can’t Get Into Your Classroom Yet
If you’re itching to start getting ready for back-to-school but still can’t get into your classroom…this is for you! There is so much you can still do from…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten90. Building a Manageable Summer Plan for Kindergarten Teachers
You made your summer prep list last week - now what? In this episode, I’m walking you through how to turn those reflections into a simple, manageable plan for…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten89. How to Recharge and Reflect for a Better Kindergarten Year Ahead
Summer is upon us (some of you have already got a head start)! But no matter whether you are already on summer break or soon to be, it is so important to…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten88. Summer learning with Kindergarten Cafe
It’s June, teacher friends! Which means some of us are officially in summer mode while others (like me!) are counting down the days. In this shorter episode…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten87. The First 3 Things I Did When I Found Out I Was Teaching Kindergarten
Did you just find out you are moving to Kindergarten? In this episode, I share my experience as a first-time kindergarten teacher, giving you some tips that…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten86. Is Kindergarten the Right Grade for Me?
Are you wondering if Kindergarten is the right grade for you? I have taught several grade levels so in this episode I share the differences between…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten85. How to Help Kindergarteners Avoid the Summer Slide
The summer slide is inevitable unless we encourage and help parents keep the learning over the summer going. In this episode, I share strategies to keep their…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten84. End of the Year Teacher Tips to Prepare for a Smooth Start Next School Year
I know you are thinking there is no way I can already be thinking about next year, but I promise… if you prepare for the upcoming school year as the current…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten83. End of the Year Celebrations in Kindergarten
Celebrating kindergarten students and their families by recognizing growth and achievements at the end of the year is so important. In this episode I discuss…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten82. End-of-Year Magic: Unleashing Excitement with Theme Day Ideas
The end of the year is quickly approaching! In this episode I share some of the end-of-the-year celebrations specifically designed for kindergarten teachers…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten81. Science of Reading 101 With Heidi from Droppin' Knowledge
In this episode we have Science of Reading expert Heidi, from Droppin’ Knowledge who shares her journey into learning about Science of Reading and the…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten80. Teaching Self-Regulation Skills Through Everyday Routines
Being able to have self-regulation skills is essential for students. In this episode, I talk about how to teach self-regulation skills through daily classroom…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten79. Loose Parts 101: Creative Play and Learning for Young Children
In this episode, I share how my classroom play center, Loose Parts, is sparking creativity and self-expression in young learners. Using everyday items like…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten78. Building Effective Literacy Centers with the Science of Reading
What are your thoughts on the Science of Reading? Well, in this episode, I explain what the Science of Reading is and its impact on designing effective…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten77. A Weekly Routine for Teaching Sight Words in Kindergarten
Teaching sight words, high-frequency words, trick works, whatever you choose to call them are a key element of early literacy. In this episode, I discuss the…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten76. Fun and Easy Vocabulary Activities for Kindergarten
This episode is the first of a mini-series on literacy. We’ll begin with the importance of vocabulary development for young learners and its role as a…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten75. Differentiating Instruction in Kindergarten for Diverse Learners
How exactly do we differentiate for students in our classrooms? In this episode, I explore the essential components of differentiating instruction in…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten74. Phonemic Awareness in Action: Tips from Kristina Harrill
How important is phonemic awareness, really? In this episode, Kristina from Sweet for Kindergarten explains the crucial role of phonemic awareness in…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten73. The Power of Positive Reinforcement in Kindergarten
What would it look like to give positive feedback without having to constantly feel like you are nagging? In this episode, I discuss the role of positive…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten72. Encouraging Independent Play in the Classroom
In this episode, I discuss the significance of fostering independent play in kindergarten classrooms, sharing strategies for a play-based learning environment…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten71. How to Effectively Manage Kindergarten Math Centers
This episode explores effective management of math centers in kindergarten classrooms, and the importance of hands-on, playful environments for engaging early…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten70. Building Math Fluency Beyond Memorizing Facts
In this episode, I explore the key difference between math fluency and memorization, focusing on the vital role of number decomposition for young learners. I…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten69. Building Strong Number Relationships in Kindergarten
In this episode, I discuss essential number relationships and effective strategies for kindergarten teachers to support young learners in math. I explain the…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten68. Supporting Missing Skills in Kindergarten Math
Finding support in Kindergarten is always a necessity. In this episode, I speak with a fellow kindergarten teacher about implementing a scripted math…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten67. Engaging Families in Supporting Struggling Learners
In this episode, I discuss strategies for supporting struggling students at home, explaining the importance of early communication with families to build a…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten66. Essential Math Skills Every Kindergartener Needs
Teaching math in Kindergarten is no easy feat. You are beginning the foundation of all other math skills yet to come. In this episode, I explain essential math…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten65. A Week of Engaging Morning Meeting Ideas
In this episode, I discuss the vital role of how morning meetings in kindergarten can foster a community and engagement. I introduce my Classroom Community…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten64. De-Escalation Strategies to Stay Calm and In Control During Emotional Outbursts with Sara Yessenow
How do we handle behaviors in the classroom? What do we do as teachers during an emotional outburst of a student? That’s what we discuss in this episode with…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten63. 5 Creative Winter Play Ideas for Your Classroom
In this episode, we discuss enhancing winter playtime in the classroom with five creative setups. We explore a snow habitat activity for storytelling, sensory…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten62. Balancing Curriculum and Development: Teaching with Young Learners in Mind
How do we balance developmentally appropriate practices and the structured nature of elementary-focused curricula in early childhood education? That’s what…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten61. Introducing Trixie the Thoughtful Turtle with Illustrator, Denyse Walker
In this episode, I chat with my cousin Denyse, the illustrator of the Caring Critters series, about the impact of Felipe the Feeling Frog and our new…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten60. Handling Behaviors in Kindergarten with Stacy and Katie
In this episode, I speak with Stacy and Katie, the creators of Teacher Tricks Times Two, a resource platform for educators. We discuss the evolving challenges…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten59. Strategies for Supporting Neurodivergent Students in the Classroom
In this episode, we explore effective strategies for supporting neurodivergent students in the classroom. I define neurodivergence and discuss the spectrum it…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten58. Scary Teacher Stories: Scare a Teacher in Four Words or Less
Since this episode is released on Halloween, I invited two of my coworkers on the show to answer a question I asked my Instagram audience, “What scares a…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten57. Teaching Problem-Solving Skills with Young Students
Solving problems on their own is a common struggle with kindergarteners. In this episode, I discuss teaching students essential problem-solving strategies…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten56. Teaching Character Traits with Sara
Social Emotional Learning is so important in our schools today. In this episode, my guest, Sara, a dedicated first-grade teacher, helps us understand the…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten55. Strategies for Teaching Emotional Regulation and Handling Extreme Outbursts
In this episode, I address a question that I know a lot of teachers are struggling with. How to help students that are having big emotions, big reactions. How…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten54. How I Teach my Students Letter Names and Their Sounds
Teaching letter names and sounds to your students can be tricky, so in this episode, I take you through my teaching methods for letter sounds, which is…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten53. Helping Students Thrive as Learning Partners
Teaching students to be effective learning partners is very important. Looking back on my experiences with a new math curriculum that focused on collaboration…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten52. Simplifying Sub Plans for Stress-Free Sick Days
Dread being out due to the thought of making sub plans? In this episode, I give you effective sub plans that allow for a seamless transition for students and…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten51. How to Have Smooth Transitions in Kindergarten
Sometimes transition time can be a tricky time in Kindergarten. In this episode, I discuss effective strategies for managing transitions in the kindergarten…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten50. Reflecting on 50 Episodes of Kindergarten Magic
Here is to episode 50!!!! In this milestone 50th episode of the Kindergarten Cafe Podcast, I reflect on my journey into podcasting and how it has brought me…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten49. Inside My Lesson Planning Process
In this episode I discuss my approach to lesson planning as a kindergarten teacher. I highlight the significance of structured curriculum from the district…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten48. Balancing Curriculum and Play in Your Kindergarten Schedule
In this podcast, I discuss the importance of play in kindergarten, schedules, recommending at least 45 minutes of purposeful play daily. I differentiate…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten47. The Magic of Back to School Scavenger Hunts
In this episode I share four engaging back-to-school scavenger hunts aimed at getting students up, moving, and familiar with their classroom and school…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten46. Launching Morning Meeting in Kindergarten
How do I introduce morning meeting to my students? That’s what this episode is about. I discuss the detailed process of implementing morning meetings in…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten45. Avoid These 5 Beginning of the Year Kindergarten Mistakes
So many of you are gearing up to go back to school. So in today's podcast episode, I want to talk to you about the five things that you should avoid doing…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten44. 7 Activities for Your First Month of Kindergarten
In this episode, we discuss 7 vital activities for a successful kindergarten year. We highlight building a classroom community, introducing alphabet concepts…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten43. Building Strong Classroom Management
Get rid of the clip charts and public behavior displays! We need to understand behavior as communication and advocate for a problem-solving approach. In this…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten42. Do’s and Don’ts of Classroom Decor
In this episode, we discuss classroom decoration dos and don'ts from a kindergarten teacher's perspective. We want to create purposeful decor, avoiding…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten41. Back to Basics: Classroom Organization
This episode covers key insights on effective classroom organization for kindergarten teachers. I discuss the importance of using visual labels to aid student…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten40. Drama Games in the Classroom with Sam from Pocketful of Drama
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…
Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten39. Using Seesaw for Improving Family Communication
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…