Happy Teaching

In this episode, Alex shares a simpler approach to classroom jobs for Pre-K and Kindergarten. Instead of assigning and rotating a different job for every student, she uses one helper of the day, keeping classroom responsibilities meaningful for students and much easier for the teacher to manage. You'll hear how this easy system works, why it fits young learners so well, and how it can even help students practice patience, independence, and celebrating their classmates.
✨ You'll learn:
Why traditional classroom job systems can become another thing for teachers to manage
How to use one Helper of the Day instead of multiple assigned jobs
A simple two-container system for making sure everyone gets a turn
💡 Classroom jobs don't have to mean complicated charts and weekly rotations. A simpler system can still give students meaningful responsibility while making classroom management easier for you.
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
⭐ Want to see exactly how Alex manages classroom jobs with just popsicle sticks and two containers? Check out the related blog post for pictures and a closer look at this easy system.
👉 How to Assign Classroom Jobs in Pre-K & Kindergarten
📚 Classroom Management Support in the Print and Play Club
Want more easy systems that build student independence? Print and Play Club members have access to classroom management trainings, routine support, ready-to-use resources, and Poppy, your AI teaching assistant, to help problem-solve everyday classroom challenges. 👉 Not a member yet? Click here to join the club!
The Happy Teaching Podcast with The Kindergarten Connection is the go-to podcast for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers who want simple, effective, and joyful teaching strategies—fast! 
Hosted by Alex John, this bite-sized podcast delivers classroom management tips, engaging lesson ideas, and real-life solutions you can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to create smoother routines, build stronger student connections, or bring more fun into your teaching day, each episode (in ten minutes or less!) is designed to make your job easier and your classroom happier. 
Subscribe now and start teaching with confidence and joy!
...
Connect with The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenconnection
Visit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.com
Join us at https://www.printandplayclub.com

In this episode, Alex shares two simple songs you can use anytime your Pre-K or Kindergarten students need to get their wiggles out, refocus, or fill a few extra minutes. No special materials or planning needed—just your voice and a little movement!
✨ You'll learn:
When brain breaks can be helpful and when it may be time to rethink lesson length
Two easy songs you can use anytime
How movement and freezing can help you regain students' attention
A no-prep way to combine movement with counting practice
💡 Brain breaks don't have to be complicated! A few minutes of simple, purposeful movement can help students reset, refocus, and come back ready for what's next.
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
🎵 Copy Me Brain Break
Try this easy song to the tune of Frère Jacques. Start by having students copy your movements, then choose a student to lead while everyone copies their moves!
Verse 1: Teacher-Led
Copy me now, Copy me now,
Watch my moves, Watch my moves,
Fast or slow now, High or low now,
Copy me, Copy me.
Verse 2: Student-Led
Copy a friend, Copy a friend,
Watch them move, Watch them move,
What will they do? What will they do?
Copy them, Copy them.

🎶 Body Parts Movement Song
Get students moving with this simple song to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Shake, clap, shrug, wiggle, stomp, and don't forget to freeze!
Shake, shake, shake your head.
Shake it just like me!
Shake your head fast and then shake it slow,
Now it’s time to freeze!

Clap, clap, clap your hands.
Clap them just like me!
Clap your hands fast and clap your hands slow,
Now it’s time to freeze!

Shrug, shrug, shrug your shoulders.
Shrug your shoulders like me!
Shrug them fast then shrug them slow,
Now it’s time to freeze!

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle your hips.
Wiggle your hips like me!
Wiggle them fast then wiggle them slow,
Now it’s time to freeze!

Stomp, stomp, stomp your feet.
Stomp your feet with me!
Stomp them fast then stomp them slow,
Now it’s time to freeze!

🌟 Find More Songs in the Print and Play Club
Print and Play Club members can head to the PLAYlist to find even more movement songs, complete with audio and printable activities to use with your students.
👉 Not a member yet? Click here to join the club!
The Happy Teaching Podcast with The Kindergarten Connection is the go-to podcast for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers who want simple, effective, and joyful teaching strategies—fast! 
Hosted by Alex John, this bite-sized podcast delivers classroom management tips, engaging lesson ideas, and real-life solutions you can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to create smoother routines, build stronger student connections, or bring more fun into your teaching day, each episode (in ten minutes or less!) is designed to make your job easier and your classroom happier. 
Subscribe now and start teaching with confidence and joy!
...
Connect with The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenconnection
Visit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.com
Join us at https://www.printandplayclub.com

In this episode, Alex builds on last week's conversation about singing in the classroom with two more simple songs to support classroom management. This time, the focus is on transitions—helping students gather calmly, get ready to listen, and move on to what's next without constant reminders.
You'll hear two easy songs you can start using right away, whether you're gathering students on the rug or simply trying to get everyone's attention back.
✨ You'll learn:
How songs can make transitions calmer and easier to manage
A simple song for helping students settle on the rug
How rhythm and movement can keep students engaged while they wait
An easy alternative to repeatedly calling for students' attention
💡 A simple song can give students something positive to focus on during transitions while helping you spend less time repeating directions.
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
🎧 Check out last week's episode: Sing Your Way to Smoother Classroom Routines
Want two more songs for your classroom? Go back and listen to last week's episode for simple songs that help teach voice levels and lining up.
🎵 Make Transitions Easier with the Print and Play Club
Print and Play Club members can take these ideas even further with a whole collection of classroom management songs in the PLAYlist, plus Classroom Routine Cheat Sheets with step-by-step support for teaching routines and expectations.
👉 Not a member yet? Click here to join the club!
The Happy Teaching Podcast with The Kindergarten Connection is the go-to podcast for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers who want simple, effective, and joyful teaching strategies—fast! 
Hosted by Alex John, this bite-sized podcast delivers classroom management tips, engaging lesson ideas, and real-life solutions you can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to create smoother routines, build stronger student connections, or bring more fun into your teaching day, each episode (in ten minutes or less!) is designed to make your job easier and your classroom happier. 
Subscribe now and start teaching with confidence and joy!
...
Connect with The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenconnection
Visit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.com
Join us at https://www.printandplayclub.com

In this episode, Alex shares how simple songs can make classroom routines easier to teach and more fun to practice. You don't have to be a great singer. Your students don't care! What matters is using music to help young learners remember expectations, stay engaged, and move through the day more smoothly. Plus, Alex teaches you two easy songs you can start using right away for voice levels and lining up.
✨ You'll learn:
Why songs are such a powerful tool for teaching routines
A simple song for teaching different classroom voice levels
How to use singing and movement to make lining up easier
Why keeping students engaged during routines can reduce management struggles
💡 Songs give students an easy way to remember what to do while making everyday classroom routines feel a whole lot more playful.
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
🎵 Classroom Management Songs & Routine Support in the Print and Play Club
Print and Play Club members can find songs for routines, transitions, classroom supplies, and more inside the PLAYlist, complete with audio recordings from Alex and activities to use with students. Members also have access to Classroom Routine Cheat Sheets that break routines like lining up into simple, teachable steps.
👉 Not a member yet? Click here to join the club!
🎥 The Kindergarten Connection on YouTube
Looking for even more classroom songs? Visit our YouTube channel to learn more songs you can use with your students.
The Happy Teaching Podcast with The Kindergarten Connection is the go-to podcast for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers who want simple, effective, and joyful teaching strategies—fast! 
Hosted by Alex John, this bite-sized podcast delivers classroom management tips, engaging lesson ideas, and real-life solutions you can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to create smoother routines, build stronger student connections, or bring more fun into your teaching day, each episode (in ten minutes or less!) is designed to make your job easier and your classroom happier. 
Subscribe now and start teaching with confidence and joy!
...
Connect with The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenconnection
Visit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.com
Join us at https://www.printandplayclub.com

In this episode, Alex shares some of her favorite name games, songs, and chants for Pre-K and Kindergarten. Name activities are a simple way to help students learn each other's names while building classroom community and practicing early literacy and social skills.
✨ You'll learn:
How name games help build classroom community
Fun ways to practice rhyming, syllables, and name recognition
How to adapt name songs for young attention spans
💡 Name games may feel simple, but they're an easy way to help students learn about their classmates while building important early learning skills.
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
🍪 FREE Editable Pocket Chart Back to School Name Game - Grab the free cookie name game! Use the printable name cookies in a pocket chart or add them to a "cookie jar" for Alex's easier version of Who Took the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?
🎵 FREE Name Chants and Songs for Circle Time - Print the song and chant sheets for Who Took the Cookie, Willoughby Wallaby Woo, and Hickety Pickety Bumblebee so you have them ready for circle time.
🎒 Pre-K and Kindergarten Name Games & Activities - Make learning names fun with ready-to-use name games and activities that help students practice name recognition while getting to know their classmates and building classroom community.
🍎 Print and Play Club
Want even more ways to practice names? Print and Play Club members can search Name Games to find pocket chart activities, centers, and other ready-to-use resources for helping students recognize and learn their classmates' names. Not a member yet? Click here to join the club!
The Happy Teaching Podcast with The Kindergarten Connection is the go-to podcast for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers who want simple, effective, and joyful teaching strategies—fast! 
Hosted by Alex John, this bite-sized podcast delivers classroom management tips, engaging lesson ideas, and real-life solutions you can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to create smoother routines, build stronger student connections, or bring more fun into your teaching day, each episode (in ten minutes or less!) is designed to make your job easier and your classroom happier. 
Subscribe now and start teaching with confidence and joy!
...
Connect with The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenconnection
Visit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.com
Join us at https://www.printandplayclub.com