Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten

Zeba McGibbon
  • 4.9 (53)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

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!

  1. 142. What Actually Matters Before the First Day of School

    10h ago

    142. What Actually Matters Before the First Day of School

    If you have spent your summer feeling pressure to make your classroom Pinterest perfect, this episode is here to take that weight off your shoulders. A beautiful classroom is not the same as a kindergarten ready classroom, and what your students actually need before day one has nothing to do with matching bins or a coordinated theme. In this episode, I share: why students notice feeling safe, knowing what to expect, and having strong routines far more than they notice decorhow to think through classroom flow so kids can move between areas without traffic jams and you can keep an eye on every part of the roomwhy organizing materials for student independence should take priority over decorating, and how labels with visuals support thatwhy over-communicating with families matters more in kindergarten than in other grades, since school may be brand new for both kids and parentshow to break down key transitions like arrival, rug time, bathroom routines, centers, and dismissal so you can teach them step by stepwhy simple color schemes and bare walls actually help young children learn better than fully themed, decorated classroomswhy some of the "perfect" classrooms you see online are not designed with real kindergartners in mind, and why that is worth remembering Work with Zeba 1:1 Coaching Send Zeba a voice message Related Episodes:What I’d Do First If I Were Moving Classrooms ~ Ep. 138 Resources:PD By the PoolClassroom LabelsFirst Month of Kindergarten Success Kit | Back to School Activities Mega Bundle Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: PD By the Pool Swim on over to pdbythepool.com and secure your spot today!!

    17 min
  2. 141. Questions to Ask and Answer Before the School Year Starts

    Jul 2

    141. Questions to Ask and Answer Before the School Year Starts

    If summer break has you staring at a long list of things to fix, buy, or change in your classroom, and you are not sure where to even start, this episode will help you slow down before you dive in. Whether you are a brand new kindergarten teacher or a returning one, the most useful thing you can do this July is ask yourself the right questions first, so the time and energy you do put in actually moves the needle for next year. In this episode, I share: why new teachers should start by picturing what their classroom and routines should look like in the spring before planning how the year beginshow looking ahead to your curriculum and school-wide routines helps you set up your classroom and teach beginning-of-year routines that actually workwhy returning teachers should reflect on what worked, what didn't, and what kept causing problems before making any summer changeshow to identify the one or two areas worth improving this summer instead of trying to overhaul everything at oncewhy asking yourself whether something was "worth the squeeze" helps you simplify what is not sustainablewhat information about your students is important to gather before the year startswhy summer is also a time to rest and fill your own cup, not just plan for school Work with Zeba 1:1 Coaching Send Zeba a voice message Related Episodes:What I’d Do If I Were New to Kindergarten ~ Ep. 137 Resources:PD By the Pool Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: PD By the Pool Swim on over to pdbythepool.com and secure your spot today!!

    14 min
  3. 140. Creating A Calm And Focused Classroom With Mindfulness

    Jun 25

    140. Creating A Calm And Focused Classroom With Mindfulness

    If you find yourself constantly reminding your students to sit down, stop talking, or refocus and it feels like you are saying the same things on repeat all day, this episode is for you. What looks like a behavior problem is often a skill gap, and mindfulness gives you a practical, low-prep way to actually teach kids how to calm their bodies and reset so they are ready to learn. In this episode, I share: why mindfulness in kindergarten has nothing to do with long meditations and everything to do with short, repeatable moments that teach kids body awareness and self-regulationhow five-finger breathing works, why it is one of the most effective tools for helping kids reset after transitions, and how to teach it so students can eventually use it on their ownwhat a calm down corner can look like in a kindergarten classroom and how to use it as a teaching moment rather than a punishmentsimple mindfulness activities you can use during morning meeting, before and after lessons, and in transitions…including GoNoodle, Cosmic Kids Yoga, and sound awareness exerciseswhat to expect when you start using mindfulness consistently, and why starting with just one routine is exactly the right move Your students are not trying to make your day harder. They just do not know yet how to manage big feelings, busy bodies, and tough transitions and you are exactly the right person to teach them. Work with Zeba 1:1 Coaching Send Zeba a voice message Related Episodes:Setting Up A Calm Down Corner For Your Classroom ~ Ep. 100 Resources:Social Emotional Year Long Bundle Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: PD By the Pool Swim on over to pdbythepool.com and secure your spot today!!

    12 min
  4. 139. Fostering Creativity in Kindergarten

    Jun 18

    139. Fostering Creativity in Kindergarten

    If you have been wanting to bring more creativity into your kindergarten classroom but are not sure where to start (or you love the idea of a creation station but the thought of managing the mess stops you every time) this episode is for you. Creativity in kindergarten is not about cute crafts where everyone's project looks the same. It is about giving kids space to think, invent, and surprise you, and this episode will show you how to make that actually work in a real classroom. In this episode, I share: why true creativity looks different from step-by-step crafts, and why that distinction matters for how you plan and set up your classroomhow open-ended materials like loose parts, blocks, and art centers build problem-solving, language, confidence, and independence in kindergarten studentswhat a “Beautiful Stuff” creation station is, how to set one up using recycled materials, and why it is one of the most engaging centers you can offerhow to introduce and manage a creation station so students can use it independently, clean it up responsibly, and keep coming back to it all yearwhy the fear of mess is one of the biggest things holding teachers back from creativity, and how to let go of just enough of it to make these centers thrive You do not have to overhaul your whole classroom to bring more creativity in. Start with one area, make one shift, and watch what your students do with a little more space to try things their own way. Work with Zeba 1:1 Coaching Send Zeba a voice message Related Episodes:Loose Parts 101: Creative Play and Learning for Young Children ~ Ep. 79 Resources:Purposeful Play Bundle Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: Kindergarten Kick Start Summer Challenge  Sign up now at kindergartencafe.org/summer-challenge.

    15 min
  5. 138. What I’d Do First If I Were Moving Classrooms

    Jun 11

    138. What I’d Do First If I Were Moving Classrooms

    Moving into a new classroom, whether you are changing schools, switching grades, or just getting a different room, can feel like a lot all at once. There is new furniture, new materials, and no roadmap for how any of it fits together yet. If you are standing in the middle of it all wondering where to even begin, this episode will walk you through exactly what to do first. In this episode, I share: why systems matter far more than aesthetics when you are setting up a new classroom, and why the decorating can waithow to think through your classroom layout by planning for traffic flow, independence, and transitions before you move a single piece of furniturehow to sort and evaluate inherited materials without getting rid of something you might need laterwhy your first year in a new room is not the time to buy a lot of new supplies, and how to identify what you really need once you are in the spacehow to set up storage so that kids can access what they need, you can find what you are looking for, and the room can keep evolving as you get to know your students Your classroom does not need to be perfect before the first day of school, and it is not supposed to be. The layout and the systems are your foundation…everything else can grow from there. Work with Zeba 1:1 Coaching Send Zeba a voice message Resources:PD BY THE POOLDone For You Classroom Decorations Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: Kindergarten Kick Start Summer Challenge  Sign up now at kindergartencafe.org/summer-challenge.

    11 min
  6. 137. What I’d Do If I Were New to Kindergarten

    Jun 4

    137. What I’d Do If I Were New to Kindergarten

    If you will be brand new to teaching kindergarten next year, or switching to kindergarten from another grade, the excitement is probably mixed with a whole lot of "where do I even start?" Kindergarten is its own world, and no matter how many years you have in the classroom, nothing fully prepares you for it until someone who's been there walks you through it. This episode is that walk-through. In this episode, I share: why being new to kindergarten is genuinely different from being new to teaching, even if you have taught other grades beforehow seeing your classroom early and connecting with your grade level team gives you the information and support you need before the first day arriveswhy every curriculum assumes skills your students do not have yet, and what foundational routines you need to teach before lesson onehow planning only your first week of school is not just enough but the right move, and what that week should focus onwhy your routine plan needs to come before your classroom layout, and how to think through both without getting overwhelmed You do not need to have everything figured out before the first day of kindergarten. You just need to know where to start. Work with Zeba 1:1 Coaching Send Zeba a voice message Resources:First-Year Kindergarten Teacher Survival GuidePD BY THE POOL Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: Kindergarten Kick Start Summer Challenge  Sign up now at kindergartencafe.org/summer-challenge.

    11 min
  7. 136. Did You Have a Hard Kindergarten Year? Let's Talk About Why

    May 28

    136. Did You Have a Hard Kindergarten Year? Let's Talk About Why

    If this school year felt harder than expected, more exhausting than rewarding, or like you were constantly trying to keep up, this episode is an honest and encouraging conversation for kindergarten teachers. I talk directly to teachers who are ending the year drained and wondering why teaching kindergarten felt so hard. Whether it was your first year or your twentieth, I want you to know that struggling does not mean you are failing, it often means the systems around you are not working. From unrealistic expectations to academic pressure, behavior challenges, and trying to do too much at once, this episode unpacks why kindergarten can feel overwhelming and what teachers can shift moving forward. In this episode, I share: why so many kindergarten teachers are ending the year exhaustedhow outside pressures on teachers make the job heavier than everwhy kindergarten is becoming more academic than many children are ready forhow unrealistic expectations often lead to more behaviors in the classroomwhy kindergarten teachers carry both academic and social-emotional foundations for studentshow trying to “do it all” sets teachers up to feel constantly behindwhy some responsibilities can be simplified, reduced, or let go of altogethercommon habits that create unnecessary stress, like overplanning and constantly finding new activitieswhy repeating strong routines works better than chasing novelty every weekhow unclear systems for materials, transitions, and classroom management create daily frictionwhy children need consistent expectations and repetition more than endless new activitieshow building independence early saves teachers energy all year longpractical examples for helping students manage snack time, supplies, and simple routines on their ownhow to identify classroom “traffic jams” that cause chaos and stresswhy thinking backward from your end-of-year goal helps create stronger routines from day onehow small system changes can create a dramatically smoother year This episode is especially helpful for teachers who love kindergarten but know something has to change next year. If you’ve ever thought, “I love these kids, but I can’t keep teaching like this,” this episode will feel like someone finally saying the quiet part out loud. Work with Zeba 1:1 Coaching Send Zeba a voice message Resources:PD By the Pool - Private PodcastBack to School First Day and First Week Kindergarten Activities and Lesson Plans Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: Kindergarten Kick Start Summer Challenge  Sign up now at kindergartencafe.org/summer-challenge.

    19 min
  8. 135. End-of-the-Year Social Emotional Learning: Supporting Big Feelings Before Summer

    May 21

    135. End-of-the-Year Social Emotional Learning: Supporting Big Feelings Before Summer

    The end of the school year can bring excitement, celebration, and fun, but it also brings a lot of feelings. In this episode, I talk about how to support students socially and emotionally as the school year comes to a close. Many children are processing more than adults realize. They may be excited for summer while also feeling sad about leaving their teacher, nervous about a new classroom, worried about losing routines, or unsure what summer will look like at home. Those mixed emotions often show up through behavior. I want to share practical ways to help students feel safe, understood, and emotionally supported during this big transition. In this episode, I share: why behavior changes at the end of the year are often a form of communicationcommon emotions students feel as the year wraps up, even if they cannot express them directlywhy kindergarten students often struggle more with transitions than older gradeshow strong teacher relationships can make saying goodbye especially emotionalwhy countdowns to the last day of school can increase anxiety and behaviorswhy I avoid saying things like “you’re almost first graders” too earlyhow to teach students about mixed emotions and the meaning of “bittersweet”how social stories can help children process worries about next year or summer breakwhy visiting first grade classrooms and meeting next year’s teachers can reduce fearhow keeping routines steady helps children feel secure during a changing seasonwhy adding fun theme days, novelty, movement, and choice helps regulate behaviorhow new materials during playtime can increase engagement and reduce conflictwhy it’s important to celebrate not only academic growth, but social and emotional growth toosimple ways to create closure through memory sharing, slideshows, and meaningful goodbyes This episode is a helpful reminder that big feelings at the end of the year are normal. Students are not trying to be difficult…they are trying to navigate change. With the right support, teachers can help children leave feeling proud, calm, and ready for what comes next. Work with Zeba 1:1 Coaching Send Zeba a voice message Resources:End of the Year Kindergarten Theme DaysEnd of the Year Writing Prompts & Memory Book! Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: End of Year Bundle Grab the bundle at www.kindergartencafe.org/may

    14 min
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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!

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