Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten

Zeba McGibbon

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. 119. Easy Small Group Ideas for Blending and Decoding Success

    5D AGO

    119. Easy Small Group Ideas for Blending and Decoding Success

    Have students who know their letters and sounds… but freeze when it’s time to blend them into a word? This episode is for you. I’m walking you through exactly how I support early readers in small groups who need extra help with blending and decoding and it’s simpler than you think. In this episode I share:My go-to small group structure for decoding supportWhy a quick sound review still mattersHow nonsense words help build real skillsA simple trick using decodable books for more independenceWhy Elkonin boxes are game changersEasy, hands-on activities to make blending stick Send Zeba a voice messageRelated Episodes:Kindergarten Small Groups for Teaching Letter Sounds ~ Ep. 106Kindergarten Case Study: Supporting Kindergarteners With No Letter Knowledge ~ Ep. 105 Resources:Decodable Readers - and general recommendationsCVC Words: Beginning, Middle, End Sounds Phonemic Awareness Games and Centers Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: Kindergarten Essentials Grab the year-long, mega-bundle kindergarten activities here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Teacher-Essentials-Year-Long-Mega-Bundle-Kindergarten-Activities-8356704

    12 min
  2. 118. Top Strategies for Teaching Personal Space in Kindergarten

    JAN 22

    118. Top Strategies for Teaching Personal Space in Kindergarten

    If your students are constantly hugging, poking, piling on the rug, or just way too close for comfort…well, it’s not just your classroom. In this episode, I’m answering two teacher questions about handling personal space. In this episode I share:My favorite read-aloud and activity for teaching personal spaceEasy rug-time fixes to cut down on chaosHow to teach kids to ask before hugging or holding handsVisuals that reinforce calm bodies and boundariesCreative ways to support sensory seekers without constant touchingHow to respond when kids push back on “fairness” around fidgetsThe real talk on consistency: why it works (and why it feels like it’s not) Got a classroom challenge you want help with? Submit your question and you might be featured on a future episode!Related Episodes:The Power of Positive Reinforcement in Kindergarten ~ Ep. 73Building Strong Classroom Management ~ Ep. 43 Resources:Personal Space Camp by Julia Cook (amazon affiliate link)Join the FREE 5-Day Social Emotional Learning ChallengeSocial Emotional Learning Year-Long Kindergarten Curriculum BundleTrixie the Thoughtful Turtle Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: SEL...

    19 min
  3. 117. Minimizing Disruptions During Kindergarten Small Groups

    JAN 15

    117. Minimizing Disruptions During Kindergarten Small Groups

    One of the most common questions I get from teachers is: "How do I keep the rest of the class under control while I’m teaching small groups?" If you’re trying to pour into a handful of kids at your table, but out of the corner of your eye, you see three students arguing over a marker, two more asking for help, and someone else who’s supposed to be reading… I’m walking you through what actually works to maintain classroom management while you're leading small groups in kindergarten. In this episode I share:Don’t start small groups until routines are solidTeach “Ask 3 before me” earlyPlan predictable, engaging independent workAvoid pairing off-task kids togetherMake it clear you’re not available during groupsKeep groups short - 10 minutes maxDo room checks between groupsTalk about issues afterward, not during Send Zeba a voice messageRelated Episodes:How to Effectively Manage Kindergarten Math Centers ~ Ep. 71Building Effective Literacy Centers with the Science of Reading ~ Ep. 78Teaching Problem-Solving Skills with Young Students ~ Ep. 57 Learn More:Workshop: Literacy, Math, and Centers… Oh My! Resources:Kindergarten Writing Support for Beginning Writers | Small GroupsKindergarten Math for the WHOLE YEARTeaching Kids to Be Independent: A Social Emotional Learning Unit Connect with Zeba:Instagram - a href="https://www.instagram.com/kindergartencafe/" rel="noopener...

    13 min
  4. 116. Help Kids Move Beyond Labeling to Writing Sentences

    JAN 8

    116. Help Kids Move Beyond Labeling to Writing Sentences

    Are your students stuck at labeling their pictures and freezing when it’s time to write sentences? Today we’re tackling this super common writing hurdle with strategies that actually work in a real kindergarten classroom. With simple, supportive ideas to help students go from oral storytelling to complete sentences. In this episode I share:How to move from ideas to full thoughts on paperWhy oral storytelling and drawing are key first stepsThe power of underlining and sentence mappingThe one thing to focus on before adding more sentencesA logical order for teaching spaces, punctuation, and capitalsEasy sentence starters that build confidence and independenceHow to support students in small groups without doing the writing for them Send Zeba a voice messageResources:Writing Warm Up SlidesMonthly Journal Writing in KindergartenTeaching Kindergarten Writing Sentences: Writing Small Group on Conventions Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: Kindergarten Essentials Grab the year-long, mega-bundle kindergarten activities here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Teacher-Essentials-Year-Long-Mega-Bundle-Kindergarten-Activities-8356704

    12 min
  5. 115. Kickstart the New Year with Growth Mindset Strategies

    JAN 1

    115. Kickstart the New Year with Growth Mindset Strategies

    New year, new mindset! In this episode, we're talking all about growth mindset. What it actually looks like in a kindergarten classroom and how you can start teaching it in simple, meaningful ways. Whether you’re heading back after winter break or saving this for later, you’ll walk away with clear ideas you can use right away. In this episode I share:How to explain “persistence” to young learnersA super relatable way to teach the “Goldilocks zone” of challengeWhy praising effort (not just outcomes) builds real resilienceThe magic of the word “yet” and how to help kids use itFavorite books, videos, and activities that reinforce growth mindsetWhy your modeling of mistakes might be the most powerful lesson of all Related Episodes:Teaching Students to Persevere ~ Ep. 20 Learn More:Social Emotional Learning Resources:Free 5-day social-emotional challengeNew Year's Classroom PackGrowth Mindset: Social Emotional Read AloudsSesame Street: Power of YetClass Dojo Growth Mindset Video Series Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: Caring Critters Books Felipe the Feeling Frog: https://www.kindergartencafe.org/felipe/ Trixie the Thoughtful Turtle: https://www.kindergartencafe.org/trixie/

    15 min
  6. 114. A Developmental Approach to Teaching Writing with Melissa from Teaching to Transform

    12/18/2025

    114. A Developmental Approach to Teaching Writing with Melissa from Teaching to Transform

    Let’s talk about the real kind of kindergarten writing, where every student is on their own unique journey. In this episode, I’m joined by literacy consultant and podcast host Melissa Morrison (of Getting Students to Write) to unpack what it looks like to teach writing in a developmentally appropriate way. We talk about why some students are still scribbling while others are crafting full stories and how to meet all of them where they are. Plus, Melissa shares how teachers can slowly shift their practice to better support young writers, even if your current curriculum doesn’t match developmentally appropriate expectations. Whether you're new to kindergarten or just want to make writing more manageable, this episode will help you see your students (and yourself!) in a whole new light. In this episode I share:What “writing” really means in kindergarten (hint: it’s not all about sentences)Why oral language is the foundation of early writingHow to support kids at every stage - from scribbles to sentencesThe role of labeling, drawing, and invented spelling in writing developmentHow to make writing time more engaging and meaningful (without ditching your curriculum) Resources:Language Composition FrameworkMatt Glover and Kathy Collins Connect with Melissa:LinkedIn - @melissa-morrisonWebsite - teaching-to-transform.comPodcast - Getting Students to Write  Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: Caring Critters Books Felipe the Feeling Frog: https://www.kindergartencafe.org/felipe/ Trixie the Thoughtful Turtle: https://www.kindergartencafe.org/trixie/

    37 min
  7. 113. Managing Math Expectations and Math Materials

    12/11/2025

    113. Managing Math Expectations and Math Materials

    This week, I’m answering two real questions from teachers like you, all about math in kindergarten. If you've been wondering how to organize counting collections without drowning in buttons and cubes… or what students should realistically be able to count and write by December… you're in the right place. In this episode I share:How I organize and rotate counting collections (without spending a fortune)Why I group collections into 0–10, 10–20, and 20–100Tips for choosing the right containers and labeling systems What realistic number writing and counting should look like in December vs. FebruaryWhen to worry about number skills and what’s totally developmentally normalSimple strategies to boost number sense + help kids count and organize objects  Resources:What are the Key Components to Teaching Math in Kindergarten? Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: Caring Critters Books Felipe the Feeling Frog: https://www.kindergartencafe.org/felipe/ Trixie the Thoughtful Turtle: https://www.kindergartencafe.org/trixie/

    14 min
  8. 112. A Kindergarten Social Studies Year-Long Plan

    12/04/2025

    112. A Kindergarten Social Studies Year-Long Plan

    What should kindergarten social studies actually look like across the school year? In this episode, I’m giving you a big-picture breakdown of how I teach social studies in kindergarten, how the family unit fits in, and how I structure my curriculum to help students explore their classroom, local, and global communities. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your social studies lessons more meaningful, inclusive, and connected to the real world … this one’s for you. In this episode I share:How I structure the year around different types of communities (classroom, neighborhood, global)Where identity, belonging, and rules fit into the kindergarten social studies standardsMy favorite way to introduce maps and geography (plus the perfect book to support it)Why I tie lessons to real-time holidays and celebrations  even if no one in class celebrates themMy go-to books and videos for teaching traditions, culture, and inclusionHow I help students understand their role in a global community Related Episodes:The Magic of Teaching in December with Gingerbread and Winter Holidays – Episode 12 Resources:Kindergarten Holiday Activities Year-Long Bundle | Seasonal Literacy and MathSocial Studies Mentor TextsCommunity Helpers Bundle: A Social Studies Unit with Literacy ConnectionsMe on a Map - Social Studies Geography Mapping and Community for KindergartenSeasonal and Holiday Favorite BooksSocial Studies for Kindergarten: Mapping Standards Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: Caring Critters Books Felipe the Feeling Frog: https://www.kindergartencafe.org/felipe/ Trixie the Thoughtful Turtle: https://www.kindergartencafe.org/trixie/

    13 min
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About

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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