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Happy Teaching

The Kindergarten Connection

32 episodes

4 days ago

Feeling a little worn down halfway through the school year? You’re not alone. In this encouraging mid-year check-in, Alex shares a heartfelt pep talk to remind you of the incredible impact you’re making every single day. Whether you're in a winter slump or just needing a little boost, this quick episode is here to lift you up and help you reset with purpose and perspective. ✨ What You’ll Hear: Why mid-year burnout is real and totally normalHow to give yourself permission to slow down and refl...

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Education for Kids

All content for Happy Teaching is the property of The Kindergarten Connection and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Feeling a little worn down halfway through the school year? You’re not alone. In this encouraging mid-year check-in, Alex shares a heartfelt pep talk to remind you of the incredible impact you’re making every single day. Whether you're in a winter slump or just needing a little boost, this quick episode is here to lift you up and help you reset with purpose and perspective. ✨ What You’ll Hear: Why mid-year burnout is real and totally normalHow to give yourself permission to slow down and refl...

Show more...

Education for Kids

Episodes (20/32)

Happy Teaching

Episode 31: Mid-Year Motivation: A Pep Talk for Teachers

Feeling a little worn down halfway through the school year? You’re not alone. In this encouraging mid-year check-in, Alex shares a heartfelt pep talk to remind you of the incredible impact you’re making every single day. Whether you're in a winter slump or just needing a little boost, this quick episode is here to lift you up and help you reset with purpose and perspective. ✨ What You’ll Hear: Why mid-year burnout is real and totally normalHow to give yourself permission to slow down and refl...

4 days ago

8 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 30: 5 Routines to Review After Winter Break

Returning from winter break can feel like hitting reset on your classroom routines. In this episode, Alex shares five essential routines that are worth reviewing to help your students settle back into the rhythm of learning. Whether you’re in Pre-K, TK, or Kindergarten, these simple but powerful routines will support smoother transitions, stronger classroom management, and a calmer, more connected start to the new year. ✨ What You’ll Hear: Why winter break often brings a dip in routines and...

1 week ago

9 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 29: #1 Tip for Teaching in December

December can feel like a whirlwind in Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. Between excitement, routines going off track, and a jam-packed calendar, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this short but powerful episode, Alex shares her number one tip for staying grounded, connected, and calm during the busiest month of the year. It’s all about working with your students (not against the chaos) and finding simple ways to preserve your energy while still making magical memories. ✨ What You’ll Hear: ...

1 month ago

8 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 28: Slow Down & Celebrate: A Self-Care Pep Talk for Teachers

In this short and sweet pep talk, Alex is giving YOU the permission slip you didn’t know you needed: to slow down, take a breath, and let go of the constant pressure to “get it all done.” Whether you're heading into a break or just wrapping up a chaotic week, this episode is your friendly reminder that your worth as a teacher isn’t measured by how much you do. It’s measured by the joy, care, and connection you bring to your students. ❤️ Links & Resources Mentioned: Need tools to make cl...

1 month ago

9 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 27 : How to Calm Down After Transitions

Transitions can be tricky especially in early childhood classrooms where students are moving from high-energy play to more focused learning activities. If you've ever felt like your classroom goes from calm to chaos (and back again!) in the blink of an eye, you're not alone. In this episode, we're talking all about how to help your students reset after transitions so you can move into your next activity with calm, confidence, and connection. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why transiti...

1 month ago

5 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 26: How to Actually Teach Sharing in Pre-K & Kindergarten

In this episode, we’re talking all about one of the most common challenges in early childhood: sharing and turn-taking. If your students are constantly grabbing, pouting, or saying “But I had it first!”, you’re not alone. And they’re not being “bad”, they’re still learning. We’ll walk through developmentally appropriate ways to actually teach this skill, without relying on vague phrases like “Just take turns!” or “Use your words.” Whether you’re looking for social stories, problem-solving vis...

1 month ago

10 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 25: Let’s Talk About “No More Criss Cross Applesauce”

Do your students struggle to sit still during circle time? You’re not alone and you’re not doing anything wrong. In today’s episode, we’re talking about why “criss cross applesauce” doesn’t work for every child and what to do instead. From seating choices to circle time tips that actually increase engagement, we’ll explore small changes that make a big impact on your students’ attention, comfort, and participation. ✨ In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why “criss cross applesauce” isn’t deve...

2 months ago

10 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 24: Off-Topic Stories at the Worst Times? Try This.

Episode 24: Off-Topic Stories at the Worst Times? Try This You're in the middle of a mini-lesson, and a little hand shoots up... not with an answer, but with a totally unrelated story about their dog or grandma’s birthday party. Sound familiar? In this short and actionable episode, Alex shares exactly how to manage off-topic stories without shutting kids down, and how to gently guide your class back on track while still honoring their voices. ✨ You’ll learn: Why off-topic storytelling is deve...

2 months ago

7 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 23: Consequences That Actually Work in Pre-K & Kindergarten

Episode 23: Consequences That Actually Work in Pre-K & Kindergarten If you’ve ever felt stuck between ignoring a behavior or dishing out a consequence that doesn’t feel quite right- you’re not alone. In this episode, Alex breaks down how to use consequences effectively in early childhood classrooms; so they actually teach, not just punish. You’ll hear about natural consequences, respectful tone, and real classroom examples you can use to guide your students with compassion and clarity. ✨ ...

2 months ago

12 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 22: What to Do When Kids Pout

Episode 22: What to Do When Kids Pout You ask a student to clean up or join the group… and they cross their arms, drop their head, and freeze. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a battle of wills with a pouting student, you’re not alone. In this episode, Alex shares what’s really going on when students pout and how to respond with calm, connection, and confidence (instead of power struggles). ✨ You’ll hear: Why pouting is often a shutdown response, not “defiance”How to shift your mindset when a stu...

2 months ago

11 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 21: How to Build an Independent Art Center in Pre-K & Kindergarten

A thriving art center doesn’t need to be messy, chaotic, or adult-directed. In fact, with just a few thoughtful strategies, your art area can become one of the most independent and purposeful spaces in your classroom. In this episode, Alex shares her best tips for setting up a successful, student-led art center that encourages creativity, builds confidence, and runs smoothly all year long. ✨ You’ll hear: The #1 mindset shift for embracing child-led artHow to introduce materials so students ca...

3 months ago

10 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 20: The Easiest Way to Build Scissor Skills

Episode 20: The Easiest Way to Build Scissor Skills Want to improve your students’ fine motor skills- without adding more to your prep list? In this episode, Alex shares a super simple solution for consistent cutting practice that’s teacher-friendly and student-approved: The Cutting Jar. ✨ You’ll hear: Why scissor skills matter more than just cutting shapesThe problem with only offering occasional cutting activitiesHow the Cutting Jar builds independence and consistencySimple rout...

3 months ago

8 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 19: How to Make Clean-Up Fast, Fun, and Stress-Free

Episode 19: How to Make Clean-Up Fast, Fun, and Stress-Free If clean-up time feels chaotic or takes forever, you’re not alone. But what if this part of your day could be smoother, faster and even fun? In this episode, Alex shares easy, actionable tips to transform your clean-up routine into a calm, consistent system your students can follow (and even enjoy!). You’ll walk away with ideas that you can try tomorrow. ✨ You’ll hear: Why clean-up struggles are totally normal and fixableThe role of ...

3 months ago

9 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 18: Managing Big Emotions - A Must-Try Social-Emotional Tip

Episode 18: Managing Big Emotions - A Must-Try Social-Emotional Tip Helping young children handle big feelings is one of the most important and often most challenging parts of early childhood teaching. In this episode, Alex shares one powerful, simple strategy that helps students build emotional awareness and empowers them to self-regulate. Whether you're working with Pre-K, TK, or Kindergarten, this tip is easy to implement and creates meaningful moments of connection and calm in your ...

3 months ago

10 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 17: How to Handle a Loud Class (Without Losing Your Voice or Mind)

🎙 Episode 17: How to Handle a Loud Class (Without Losing Your Voice or Mind) If your classroom volume feels out of control or you’ve found yourself saying “Inside voices!” more times than you can count... this episode is for you. In this quick, supportive pep talk, Alex shares practical tips for lowering noise levels in your Pre-K or Kindergarten classroom without relying on yelling or constant shushing. It’s all about proactive routines, clear expectations, and teaching students what v...

4 months ago

10 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 16: 3 Simple Ways to Practice Name Writing

Episode 16: 3 Simple Ways to Practice Name Writing Helping young learners write their names is one of the first big milestones of the year. One that builds both confidence and classroom routines. But it doesn’t have to involve fancy prep or stressful drills. In this episode, Alex shares 3 low-prep, meaningful ways to help students practice name writing throughout the day; without taking away from play and exploration. ✨ You’ll hear: Why name writing is the perfect early-year focusHow to build...

4 months ago

7 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 15: Go Slow to Go Fast – Encouraging Independence in Pre-K & Kindergarten

Episode 15: Go Slow to Go Fast – Encouraging Independence in Pre-K & Kindergarten It’s tempting to rush through routines in those first weeks. Especially when you could just tie the shoes, open the snack, or fix the problem yourself. But real classroom calm comes when we go slow first and build student independence from the ground up. In this episode, Alex shares how to create confident, capable learners by modeling expectations, using visuals, and resisting the urge to always step in. ✨ ...

4 months ago

9 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 14: Should We Let Things Go More in the First Days?

Episode 14: Should We Let Things Go More in the First Days? In those first few days of school, we want students to feel safe, excited, and connected. Sometimes that leads us to wonder… Should I let some things slide while they adjust? In this episode, Alex gently but clearly explains why the answer is no, and how setting expectations early (in a kind, consistent way) is one of the most supportive things we can do for our students. ✨ You’ll hear: Why the routines you allow now become the ...

4 months ago

9 minutes

Happy Teaching

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 smal...

5 months ago

11 minutes

Happy Teaching

Episode 12: Make Your Day Count – Early Childhood Schedule Tips

Episode 12: Make Your Day Count – Early Childhood Schedule Tips Trying 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 effect...

5 months ago

9 minutes