Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast

The Difference Between Telling and Teaching

There is a big difference between telling children what to do and teaching them how to do it. In preschool, we give directions all day: “Clean up,” “Wash your hands,

Why Preschoolers Don't Learn Expectations By Hearing Them Once

One of the biggest classroom management mistakes isn't having expectations. It's assuming children learned them because we explained them once. In this episode, we're ta

The Preschool Framework I Use Every Year

What classroom management system do you use? It's one of the questions I hear most often from preschool teachers. The answer may surprise you: I don't rely on one class

I Open Centers on Day One - But I Don't Expect Independence

One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "When do you introduce centers?" Many teachers are surprised by my answer: I open centers on Day One. But there's an import

What Actually Matters Before the School Year Starts

Every summer, preschool teachers make ambitious classroom prep lists: Cut everything out.Laminate everything.Organize every bin.Create every center. But once school begi

The Preschool Classroom Mistakes That Create Chaos Later

The teachers running the smoothest classrooms aren't usually the ones with the cutest classrooms. They're the ones who spent the first few weeks intentionally teaching ch

5 Ways Teachers Are Using Visual Schedules Wrong (And What to Do Instead)

You spent the time laminating the cards. You hung the visual schedule perfectly on the wall. But then? The kids barely looked at it. In this episode, let's talk about

What to Send Home This Summer (That Kids Will Actually Use)

The summer slide is real. But turning summer into “homework season” is not the answer. In this episode, we’re talking about a better way to support preschool learning at

How to Make Assessments Feel Less Overwhelming (Without Skipping Them)

If assessment season makes you want to shut your laptop and disappear for a while… you’re not alone. In this episode, let me break down why traditional assessment methods

What Kids Are Actually Learning in Dramatic Play

What if the loudest, most chaotic corner of your classroom is actually where the deepest learning is happening? In this episode, we’re rethinking dramatic play and break

Small Spring Shifts, Big Classroom Energy

Spring brings a noticeable shift in energy and it can leave even the most well-run classrooms feeling a little chaotic. But here’s the good news: you don’t need a full re

The Science of Spring: More Than Cute Crafts

What does science look like in a preschool classroom? It’s not worksheets. It’s a child running across the grass with a kite they built themselves! They built it, teste

From Recognition to Application: A Better Way to Teach Preschool Skills

In this episode, we’re talking about the common "recognition trap" in early childhood education and why stopping at identification can limit deeper learning. You’ll learn

Name Writing Routines That Build Confidence (One Child at a Time)

In this episode, we’re breaking down how to scaffold name writing in a preschool classroom where readiness levels vary widely (because they always do). Let's discuss wh

Friendship Drama? Friendship Skills Are Learned Behaviors

In this episode, we’re breaking down why friendship struggles actually increase as the school year goes on, why that’s developmentally appropriate, and what it really loo

Arctic Animals, Hibernation & Hands-On Winter Centers

January is long and your kids have way too much energy. In this episode, let's talk winter themes like arctic animals and hibernation. When you use play-based, intenti

Circle Time Check-In: What's Working Mid-Year

It feels like the perfect time for a little circle time check-in. In this episode, I’m sharing what’s been working well, what I’ve adjusted along the way, and the incre

Going Beyond Story Time with Interactive Read-Alouds

In this episode, we’re talking about how to turn story time into an interactive literacy experience without adding more to your prep list. I’m sharing simple ways to dig

Inviting Preschoolers to Write - Without Pressure

In this episode, we are diving into Writing Invitations! We want children to be excited about writing, which means we need a playful, child-led approach without pressure,

The Real Work Behind Name Writing

Teaching preschoolers to write their names is about so much more than putting letters on paper. In this episode, we’re unpacking what really comes before name writing: th