Kindergarten Cafe

Building strong back to school classroom routines is one of the most important things you can do during the first few weeks of kindergarten. While it may feel like you should jump right into academics, the routines you establish now will shape how smoothly your classroom runs for the rest of the year. Taking the time to teach expectations thoroughly now will save you countles...

If your kindergarten classroom routines are not working yet, don’t assume you’re doing something wrong. The keyword is yet. Kindergarten students need time, repetition, and practice before routines become automatic, and that’s completely normal. Instead of expecting perfection during the first few weeks, focus on helping students build confidence one step at a time.<...

The final week of summer can bring a mix of excitement and pressure. You may feel like there are still dozens of things left to finish before students arrive, making it tempting to work nonstop until the first day of school. Instead of trying to accomplish everything, focus on what truly matters. Knowing what to prioritize one week before school starts will help you walk into...

You’ve probably heard the old teaching advice: “Don’t smile until December.” It has been shared for years as a way to establish control in the classroom, but it doesn’t build the kind of learning environment kindergarten students need. Effective kindergarten classroom management isn’t about being intimidating or keeping students afraid of making mistakes. It’s about finding t...