Episode 13: Tested Teacher Tips for the First Day of School
Whether it’s your first first day or your tenth, that back-to-school butterfly feeling never fully goes away. And that’s okay! The first day of school sets the tone. With a few simple, tested tips, you can make it smooth, calm, and connection-filled.In this episode, Alex shares five tried-and-true strategies to help you feel more prepared and confident heading into Day One with your new little learners.✨ You’ll hear:How to make meaningful first-day connections at the doorThe one small prep step that eases nerves (and reduces chaos)Why you should model everything - yes, even glue stick useFavorite ways to use books for calm and connectionThe power of flexibility, and why done is better than perfectWhether you’re prepping your first classroom or just looking for a reset, this episode will help you start strong with heart, not hustle.🔗 Mentioned in this episode📖 Read the full blog post: Tested Teacher Tips for the First Day of School📥 Grab the free Mega List of Themes & Skills: https://thekindergartenconnection.com/themes-and-skills/(A teacher-favorite planning tool for mapping your year with confidence!)🧰 Inside the Print and Play Club:✅ Ready-to-go first week activities✅ Classroom routines and visuals✅ Playful, standards-aligned centers to keep your planning stress-free📍Join the Club: https://printandplayclub.com/utm_source=blog&utm_medium=podcast📲 Follow along for more back-to-school tips on Instagram: @thekindergartenconnection💛 If this episode helped calm your first-day jitters, pass it along to a fellow teacher who’s prepping too!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
--------
11:30
--------
11:30
Episode 12: Make Your Day Count – Early Childhood Schedule Tips
Episode 12: Make Your Day Count – Early Childhood Schedule TipsTrying to fit everything into a Pre-K or Kindergarten day can feel like solving a puzzle… blindfolded… with snack time looming. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone!In this episode, Alex shares practical tips for building a classroom schedule that actually works—one that supports connection, play, learning, and calm (yes, even with clean-up time and pull-outs on the horizon).✨ You’ll hear:The 5 key components of an effective early childhood scheduleWhy there’s no perfect layout - and that’s actually a good thingHow to balance whole-group and small-group instructionEncouragement if your days feel too short or too packedPlus, a free tool to help you figure out what to teach and when.🔗 Mentioned in this episode📥 Grab the free Mega List of Themes & Skills:https://thekindergartenconnection.com/themes-and-skills/(A full year of monthly theme and skills inspiration for Pre-K and Kindergarten!)📖 Related blog posts:Kindergarten Daily ScheduleTransitional Kindergarten (TK) Schedule🧰 Inside the Print and Play Club:✅ Pre-planned centers and activities by theme + skill✅ Visual schedule tools and classroom management support✅ Monthly planning help to save time and reduce overwhelm📍Join the Club: https://printandplayclub.com/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=podcast📲 Continue the conversation on Instagram: @thekindergartenconnectionIf this episode helped you rethink your daily flow, share it with a teacher friend who could use the support!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
--------
9:16
--------
9:16
Episode 11: Letting Go of Assigned Classroom Seating in Pre-K & Kindergarten
Episode 11: Letting Go of Assigned Classroom Seating in Pre-K & KindergartenWhat if your students didn’t have assigned seats at all?In this episode, Alex explores the benefits and challenges of moving away from traditional assigned seating in early childhood classrooms. From building independence to supporting self-regulation, you’ll hear how flexible seating routines can empower students while simplifying your daily flow.✨ You’ll learn:Why ditching assigned seats can boost classroom communityWhat routines and structures help this model work smoothlyTips for introducing flexible seating with intentionHow to support students who need consistency and predictabilityWhether you’re curious about this shift or already experimenting with it, this episode will help you think through the logistics with confidence.🔗 Mentioned in this episode📖 Read the full blog post: Letting Go of Assigned Classroom Seating🧰 Join the Print and Play Club: https://printandplayclub.com/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=podcast⭐ Learn more about the P.L.A.Y. Course here: 📲 Connect on Instagram: @thekindergartenconnection💛 If this episode sparked an idea or confirmed something you’ve been considering—send it to a teacher friend who’d love it too!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
--------
10:59
--------
10:59
Episode 10: Stop Making Play a Four-Letter Word
Episode 10: Stop Making Play a Four-Letter WordLet’s set the record straight: play is not fluff. In this episode, Alex unpacks why play-based learning is real learning—especially in early childhood—and how we can stop apologizing for it.If you’ve ever felt the pressure to justify playful teaching (or been side-eyed for not doing more “rigor”), this one’s for you.✨ You’ll hear:Why play belongs in every early learning classroomHow academic and developmental goals align beautifully with playWhat to say when others question your approachA confidence boost to help you advocate for what kids truly needPlay isn’t a break from learning. It is the work of childhood. Let’s stop treating it like a four-letter word.🔗 Mentioned in this episode📖 Read the full blog post: Stop Making Play a Four-Letter Word🎓 Want to build a playful classroom with purpose? Explore the P.L.A.Y. Course:https://thekindergartenconnection.lpages.co/play-course-2025/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=podcast🧰 Inside the Print and Play Club:✅ Play-based centers✅ Intentional teaching tools that support curiosity and creativity✅ Learning Center Signs📍Join the Club: https://printandplayclub.com/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=podcast📲 Connect on Instagram: @thekindergartenconnection💛 If this episode gave you confidence in your playful approach, share it with a teacher who needs the same reminder!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
--------
9:33
--------
9:33
Episode 9: 10 Ways to Make Your Classroom More Playful
Episode 9: 10 Ways to Make Your Classroom More PlayfulPlay isn't just for free choice time—it’s a powerful approach to learning. In this episode, Alex breaks down 10 simple, meaningful ways to make your classroom more playful, even within the structure of a full-day schedule.From mindset shifts to hands-on strategies, you’ll walk away with ideas you can use right away to boost engagement, independence, and JOY in your classroom.✨ You’ll hear:Why playful learning doesn’t mean less structure or rigorEasy ways to spark curiosity in daily routinesHow to create space for play without adding to your plateFavorite materials, phrases, and planning tools to support playful learningWhether you’re just getting started or looking to expand your playful toolkit, there’s something here for you!🔗 Mentioned in this episode📖 Read the full blog post: 10 Ways to Incorporate More Play in the Classroom🎓 Want to dive deeper into playful teaching? Check out the P.L.A.Y. Course:🧰 Inside the Print and Play Club:✅ Play-based centers and printables✅ Visual supports for student independence✅ Done-for-you resources that blend structure + play📍Join the Club: https://printandplayclub.com/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=podcast📲 Follow along on Instagram for more playful inspiration: @thekindergartenconnection💛 If this episode gave you a new idea or confirmed something you’re already doing—share it with a teacher friend who believes in learning through play!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
Happy Teaching 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/thekindergartenconnectionVisit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.comJoin us at https://www.printandplayclub.com
Netherlands