Elevating Early Childhood
113 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 months ago - ★★★★★ - 232 ratingsAre you ready to teach better, save time, and live more? Learn more about my membership program “Teaching Trailblazers” here: https://teachingtrailblazers.com/
I'm Vanessa Levin and here on Elevating Early Childhood, we believe in leveling the playing field and bridging the gap between the world of preschool, pre-k, and K-12 education.
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Episodes
Preschool Circle Time Makeover
September 10, 2023 14:35 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBCheck out my latest circle time area makeover, 2023 edition! Have you ever wondered what you should have in your circle time area? Or maybe you're wondering what's really necessary, and what's not. In this episode of Elevating Early Childhood I'll be unveiling my new circle time board for 2023-2024. You'll learn the must-haves, as well as the "don't bothers" so you can set yourself, and your students up for success all year long.
Preschool Writing Center Do's and Don'ts for the Beginning of the Year
August 24, 2023 15:36 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBWelcome to another episode of "Elevating Early Childhood!" In this episode, we unravel the secrets to creating a successful preschool writing center from Day 1. 🍎✏️ 🔍 What You'll Learn: Why planning and setup are essential before the school year starts. The importance of organization: center signs, 'I Can' cards, and labels. Which supplies are a MUST at the beginning and why. Demonstrating and instilling proper procedures and routines. Pro tips on combining art and writing centers effective...
Preschool Circle Time Area Set-Up
August 16, 2023 21:15 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBToday we're diving deep into setting up the perfect Circle Time Area for your little learners. Discover how to create a space that inspires, educates, and brings everyone together!
Must-Have Sensory Table Tools
August 08, 2023 10:00 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBDoes setting up your centers stress you out? Are you looking for ways to make your sensory table center more fun and engaging for your students? In this episode of Elevating Early Childhood we'll be looking at the best sensory bin tools to enhance sensory play and fine motor skills. We'll also discuss sensory bin fillers and there's even a free printable included to make setting up, planning for, and managing your sensory table a breeze!
Dramatic Play Center Tour
August 01, 2023 15:16 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBDo you have questions about setting up the dramatic play center in your classroom? Are you looking for ways to make your dramatic play center more engaging and deepen the play and learning? Or maybe you just LOVE peeking into other teacher’s classrooms. If any of these describe you, then you’re in the right place. This episode of elevating early childhood is part of a series I’m doing called Learning Center Tours where I draw back the curtains on each center, so stick around until the very...
Preschool Power-Up: Setting Up Your Block Center for Success
July 26, 2023 17:51 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBIn this impactful episode of Elevating Early Childhood with Vanessa Levin, we dive into the heart of the early childhood classroom with a focus on blocks – the cornerstone of creativity and cognitive development. Discover the intricacies of setting up your block center for unparalleled success in this center tour. Answering burning questions from my e-mail inbox, I'll will guide you through the crucial components of an effective block center set-up. Join me for this in-depth tour, showcas...
Mastering Meet the Teacher Night
July 18, 2023 19:54 - 49 minutes - 45 MBTeachers, do you want the upcoming school year to be your best year ever? What if I told you that you can start laying the foundation for a successful school year BEFORE your kids ever walk through your classroom door? Yes, you heard me right! You can get a jump start on things during the summer that are going to ease your "schoolmares." In this episode of EEC I’ll be sharing my secret weapon to combat your schoolmares head-on, right now, before the first day of school.
Feeling Overwhelmed by All the "Non-Teaching" Things?
July 11, 2023 18:22 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBTeachers, are you overwhelmed by all the “non-teaching” responsibilities you have at school? I’m talking about the things not related to when the students are in the classroom, like labeling the tubs in your centers, communicating with parents, planning events like meet the teacher etc. I could go on because the list is endless, but you know what I’m talking about. All these things can add up quickly and lead to feeling completely overwhelmed. In this episode I'll be sharing ways to make al...
Do You Feel Like a Failure as a Teacher?
July 04, 2023 21:03 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MBTeachers, have you ever felt like a failure? Of course you have, and so have I! Every teacher out there feels like a failure some, or even all of the time. And that feeling of failure, it can really drag you down if you let it, am I right? That’s exactly why #teacher quittok exists. But before you throw in the towel and turn in your resignation, I encourage you to watch/listen to this episode until the very end because I’m going to share my #1 method to help you STOP feeling like a failure, ...
Pre-K Edition: What to Teach and When to Teach it?
June 27, 2023 20:20 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBListen, it's no secret that teaching preschoolers isn't easy peasy. It's full of ups and downs with lots of bumps along the way, which leaves you exhausted from trying to find a balance between work and life. You just wish somebody would tell you what to teach and when to teach it, so you can find time to do the endless mounds of laundry or cook the occasional meal for your family. If any of this sounds familiar to you, I want you to know that you're not alone. In this episode of Elevating...
Overwhelmed by student behaviors?
June 19, 2023 16:59 - 6 minutes - 6.09 MBHave you ever felt overwhelmed by all the behaviors in your preschool classroom? That’s a trick question because every teacher feels like that sometimes. And those behaviors, do they seem like they’re getting worse each year? If any of this sounds familiar, then you’re in the right place because this week’s episode of Elevating Early Childhood has the answers you’ve been looking for. But those answers might surprise you, so be sure to stick around until the very end so you don’t miss a thing.
Are You New to Teaching Pre-K?
June 06, 2023 16:58 - 10 minutes - 9.38 MBLet me ask you a question, how is teaching Pre-K different from, let’s say, 4th grade? Or even first, second, or third grade? It’s an entirely different animal, isn’t it? So, if you’ve you been moved down to Pre-K from a higher grade, OR you’re brand new to teaching Pre-K, Then this episode of elevating early childhood is for you! And if you’re an administrator, instructional coach, or a classroom teacher who works with teachers new to Pre-K – you’ll find this episode useful too!
Building a Natural Preschool Math Center
May 29, 2023 16:59 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBAre you looking for ways to incorporate more nature into your classroom? Bringing the outdoors into your classroom can provide a calmer and more soothing environment for young children. Who doesn’t want more calm and less chaos in their classroom, am I right? In today’s episode of elevating early childhood I’m going to share easy and inexpensive ways to build a more natural math center in your preschool or pre-k classroom.
End-of-the-School Year: 5 Easy and Stress-Free Hacks for Preschool Teachers
May 22, 2023 18:41 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBTeachers, let’s be honest, the end of the school year is almost as stressful as the beginning of the year, am I right? If you’re not rehearsing for the end of the year “program,” you’re assessing your students, doing report cards, planning Mother’s Day and Father’s Day events, field trips, and much more! The very last thing teachers need at the end of the school year is more “stuff to do” piled on their already overflowing plates. In today’s episode of elevating early childhood, I’m going to ...
Kindergarten Readiness, Should Preschoolers Read Before Kindergarten?
May 15, 2023 20:23 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBWhat does it really mean to be “kindergarten ready?” Should we be teaching kids to read before they enter kindergarten? Are you worried that your preschool or Pre-K kids won’t have all the skills they need to excel in today’s kindergarten classrooms? In this episode I'm going to break it all down for you so your kids will be well-prepared for kindergarten - and beyond.
Preschool Centers: Puzzle Tips & Tricks
May 08, 2023 15:31 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBDo puzzles cause headaches in your classroom? Are your kids uninterested in puzzles? Or maybe they’re frustrated because they can’t put them together? If you think puzzles are too much of a hassle, or they’re too old school for today’s kids – think again! In today’s episode I’ll be sharing my best tips and tricks for teaching smarter, not harder when it comes to puzzles in the classroom, AND how to set your kids up for success with puzzles by following the developmental sequence that nobody...
6 Learning Center Myths Preschool Teachers Should Stop Falling For
May 04, 2023 11:38 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBTeachers, have you ever been told by an administrator that centers are “just playing?” Maybe you’re even one of the unlucky ones who have been told by an administrator that you can’t have centers in your classroom because they’re “just for fun” and not enough academic learning is taking place. Or even worse, maybe even thought about throwing in the towel on centers because they’re just too darn hard to manage! Today I’m going to help dispel the 6 myths that preschool teachers should never ...
My Ultimate Guide for Setting-Up and Stocking Your Classroom Centers
April 24, 2023 10:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBDo you ever feel like you just don’t have enough center materials in your classroom? Are you wondering if what you have is enough? And how do you know? You see, setting-up and stocking your classroom centers can be very tricky. Every good teacher knows that centers are essential for a high-quality early childhood experience. The issue is that no one ever gives you an actual roadmap to follow when it comes to setting-up or stocking your centers. And that can leave teachers like you and...
My Foolproof Formula to Improve Cleanup Transitions
April 17, 2023 09:00 - 24 minutes - 22 MBDo transitions in your classroom have you at the end of your rope? Does it feel like you’re trying to herd kittens during arrival, dismissal, or cleanup time? Then I have two things to tell you: You’re not alone. I can help! You see, transitions are something that all early childhood teachers struggle with. Yes, even the most experienced ones. The issue is that even though everyone says transitions are important, no one ever gives you an actual roadmap to follow. And that can leave tea...
3 Steps to Improve Handwriting Skills in Preschool
April 10, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBDo your students struggle to write the letters of the alphabet? If so, I’ve got some good news for you: You’re not alone! In fact, most preschool teachers have to deal with this issue every single year (if not several times a year). And because I have dealt with it too, I’ve ended up coming up with a few solutions to this pesky problem. Improving your preschool students' handwriting can be a difficult task (even daunting for some of us), but it’s not impossible. Don’t believe me? Then...
Is Your Classroom Too Loud?
April 03, 2023 09:00 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBFriends, I have a question for you: Are the students in your classroom too loud? If so, then welcome to the club no one wants to join (yes, I have jokes). I can relate to students who have trouble keeping their outside voices where they belong, outside. And principals who complain about noisy classrooms. No matter what has brought you here, you and I both know there is no magic fix for this little (but very loud) problem. Yes, we all wish we had a magic wand sometimes. Alas, no one ha...
Using ASL in the Early Childhood Classroom
March 27, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBFriends, I have a question for you: Could your students use a little extra help paying attention during circle time? Are they constantly interrupting you? Or maybe they're struggling to learn important academic skills? All right, that was more than one question, but you get the gist! Children have short attention spans, and that can mean constant interruptions in the early childhood classroom. But what if I told you that there's one thing that you could do in the classroom to help with a...
The Top 5 Playdough Must-Haves for Preschool
March 20, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBDo your students love playing with playdough in your classroom or at home? I know mine do! Playdough is not only super fun for children to play with, it’s also a great tool for them. It can help them develop stronger hand muscles and better hand-eye coordination. It’s also a great way for them to develop their fine motor skills. Plus, let’s be honest: It’s the one thing you can offer preschoolers and know it’ll keep them engaged and on task for waaaay longer than a few minutes. This is wh...
How to Ace Your Formal Observation
March 13, 2023 09:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBNothing strikes fear in the heart of a teacher more than a formal observation. You’re exhausted from all the hours you spent creating the perfect lesson plans. You’re waiting anxiously with a dry mouth and sweaty palms for your principal to walk through the door. And there’s this sound of a clock ticking inside your head that you just can’t get rid of, no matter how hard you try. Are you stressed out yet? Because I sure am! But no need to panic, because, as always, I’m here to help! ...
How to Create the Perfect Morning Routine for Your Preschool Classroom
March 06, 2023 10:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MBOur morning routine sets the tone for our whole day. And the same can be said for your students. You see, what young children do from the minute they walk into your classroom each morning will affect the rest of their day. And this is why choosing the right morning activities for your classroom is a must! So, here are a few questions you should ask yourself: How do I handle arrival time in my preschool classroom? Are my students practicing independence skills during this time? And the...
What to Do When Parents Don’t Want Their Child to Participate in Holiday Classroom Activities
February 27, 2023 10:00 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MBFriends, I have a question for you: Have you ever had a parent request that their child not participate in holiday activities in your classroom? If you've taught for any length of time, chances are you've encountered this issue before. But what can you do about it? And how do you deal with it in a respectful and inclusive way? In today’s episode, I’ll be answering these exact questions and sharing a few dos and don’ts of dealing with these situations. Are you ready? Tune in now! K...
What to Do When Parents Bring Up Bullying
February 20, 2023 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBIn the last two episodes, Dan St. Romain and I sat down and discussed everything from how to teach your students to become more independent to how to get them not to interrupt you during small group time. Today, he and I will be tackling another hot topic: What to do when a parent tells you their child is being bullied. Nothing strikes fear in a teacher's heart more than hearing from a parent who says their child has been bullied. As a teacher, hearing those words makes us feel like we’...
Want More Independent Students? Do This, Not That!
February 13, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBIn last week’s episode, Dan St. Romain and I discussed how to teach children not to interrupt you during small group time. Something Dan and I really focused on during that conversation was the importance of teaching preschool-aged children to be independent the right way. Well, today, Dan and I will dive deeper into that, so I hope you’re just as excited as I am! Listen in as he and I discuss the best ways to teach your preschool students to become independent and how to avoid the pitf...
How to Reduce Interruptions During Small Group Time
February 06, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutes - 25 MBIt’s no secret that small group time can be challenging, even for the most seasoned early childhood teachers. Why is that? Simply because it’s not always easy to manage the other students while working with small groups, which means the possibilities for interruption can be… infinite. But what can you do if you're struggling with constant interruptions during small group instruction? To answer this question, I’ve invited the amazing Dan St. Romain to join me in this week’s episode, whic...
The Art of Redirecting Preschoolers: What, Why, and How
January 30, 2023 10:00 - 30 minutes - 28.8 MBMany early childhood teachers feel like a broken record. They’re always saying “no” and “no hitting” and “use your words,” etc… If you’ve been teaching preschool for a while, then you know that every day can be like a battlefield (full of cute children, yes, but a battlefield nonetheless). Our job consists of putting out a hundred fires at once while teaching children skills they will need in life and making sure they’re in one piece at the end of the day. This is exactly why we need to ...
How to Say “No” to Preschoolers Without Meltdowns
January 23, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBFriends, I have a question for you: Do you ever dread saying no to your students because you’re worried they might have a full on meltdown? I get you, I’ve been there too. Trying to say “no” to a child without having them throw a temper tantrum is a whoooole lot of work. In simpler words, it’s hard. But as you know if you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, it’s not impossible! Every preschool classroom problem has a solution. Yes, even this one. And to discuss this, the br...
What to Do When Your Students Wander Around the Classroom and Dump Toys
January 16, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBIf you’ve ever wondered why your students wander around the classroom and just… dump their toys on the floor, then you’re not alone! Let's face it, we've all had children in our classrooms wandering aimlessly from center to center pulling tubs of toys off the shelves without ever playing with them. The truth is, this is a fairly typical scenario in the early childhood classroom. The question then is: Why oh why do toddlers (and preschoolers) do that? And most importantly, how can you te...
Help! All My Students Want to Go to the Same Center!
January 09, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBIf you’ve ever taught young children (and my bet is you have, since you’re listening to this podcast) then you’ve probably had your fair share of daily fires to put out. I feel you, I’ve been there too. It’s no secret that the daily life of an early childhood educator isn’t always sunshine and roses. And sometimes, it’s just really, really hard. One of the issues many pre-k teachers struggle with is what to do when all their students want to go to the same center at the same time! As yo...
How to Teach Preschool Students Literacy Skills
January 02, 2023 10:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBTeaching young children literacy skills can be tricky. They’re such an important skill that it can become downright intimidating to teach them to your students. Which one do you even start with? Letters? Letter names? Or letter sounds? Sometimes, the answer to that question seems obvious. But, most of the time, it’s truly not. And so, deciding which skill to start with can give even the most seasoned preschool educators a headache. But, lucky for you, this is exactly what I’ll be discussi...
[Encore] My Top 5 Small Group Counting Activities for Preschool
December 19, 2022 10:00 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MBHello everyone, and welcome back to another episode of Elevating Early Childhood! Before we start, let me ask you a quick question: Do your preschool or pre-k students need help learning how to count and develop number sense? If your answer is "YES!" then you've come to the right place, because that's exactly what I'm discussing today. As you know, math doesn't come easily to everyone. Some children have real difficulties with it, while others find it super fun and easy, almost like solvi...
The Best Winter Activities for Your Preschool Classroom
December 12, 2022 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MBDoes this sound familiar to you? While everyone else is out singing carols and decking the halls, you are barely keeping your head above water, because you're trying to do all that plus prep all of your lessons and activities for the first week back after winter break. Just thinking about this makes me shudder. The struggle is real, am I right? But, no need to panic, because today, I’ll be helping you get a jumpstart on your planning for the new year! In this episode, I’ll be sharing wi...
Managing Temper Tantrums in the Preschool Classroom
December 05, 2022 10:00 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MBLet me ask you this question. Have you ever had a child in your classroom get upset when they didn't get their own way? If your answer is “yes” (and I’m sure it is), then this episode is for you! Why is that? Simply because in it, I’ll be discussing why kids may throw fits when they don't get what they want, how to respond appropriately, and why “You get what you get and you don't throw a fit” is never the right answer. And to make this even more interesting, I’ve invited a guest! His n...
Amazon Favs for Your Preschool Learning Centers
November 23, 2022 08:30 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBIf you’re anything like me, then you love a good deal (and truth is, who doesn’t?) Which is why this is such an exciting time of the year. As someone who looooves a good deal, Cyber Monday is one of my favorite ways to find good deals on new materials for my classroom centers. Even the ones that are too spendy may be affordable today, so I thought I would share some deeply discounted fun finds I recently discovered with you. If you're always on the hunt for the best materials for your pr...
Teaching Preschoolers to Manage Their Boredom
November 21, 2022 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBI don’t know about you, but I’m pretty certain hearing a student say “I’m boooooored!!” is every preschool teacher’s nightmare. I’ve been through this before, as have you, I’m sure. And, because of that, I know you can imagine the panic in every teacher’s head when those cursed words are uttered. But, have you ever stopped to ask yourself why your students are saying this? You see, it’s not always boredom, but something else. What is it? Well, you’ll have to listen to this episode to l...
How to Get Your Preschool Students Excited About Your Less Popular Classroom Centers
November 14, 2022 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBImagine with me: You’ve got your preschool classroom all set up. The centers are stocked and ready to be used, full of materials you’ve purchased or made yourself. Everything is the best it could be, and you just can’t wait for your students to use and enjoy every single center in the classroom. However, somehow, your kids just avoid certain centers. They don’t like them, don’t want to go near them, don’t even look at them… Uh oh, Houston, we have a problem. Does this sound familiar to ...
12 Creative Thanksgiving Ideas To Spice Up Your Classroom This November
November 07, 2022 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24 MBAre you looking for ways to make things more fun and engaging in your classroom this November? If so, you're in luck because in today's episode of Elevating Early Childhood, I'll be sharing 12 fun, exciting, engaging, and developmentally appropriate ways to spice things up this Thanksgiving. From sensory bins to pumpkin pie scented playdough, these creative ideas are a fantastic way for your children to develop their fine motor skills - all while having a blast! Tune in to learn how to sp...
Preschool Thanksgiving Activities: 4 Steps Towards Inclusivity
October 31, 2022 09:00 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBWhether you love pumpkin pie and turkey, or you dread family get-togethers, one thing's for sure, Thanksgiving is almost here! What does this mean for early childhood teachers like you and me? Well simply… the dreaded extra work. Being a preschool teacher can be challenging on the best of days, but, during times like Christmas and Thanksgiving, the work can downright be impossible! However, this year it’s going to be different. Because, this year, I’ll be sharing with you four easy ste...
Engaging Restless Preschoolers With Fall Songs, Books, and Games
October 24, 2022 09:00 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MBAre you still struggling to get your little ones to sit still and pay attention? Or maybe you're wondering how you're ever going to teach them anything at this pace? Well then, I’ve got the solution for you! Today, I’ll be sharing with you the best preschool activities for a fall theme to keep your students interested in the classroom. You see, it’s not always easy to get young children to pay attention. In fact, it’s sometimes downright hard, so a little help every once in a while doesn’...
Top 10 Must-Haves for Your Preschool Art Center
October 17, 2022 09:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBIf you’re a preschool teacher, chances are you probably have an art center in your classroom. After all, art is a quintessential part of the preschool curriculum. It’s a great way to help children develop their imagination and creativity and work on their fine motor skills. And in order to do that, an art center is a must. However, not all preschool art centers are equal. Some are better than others. Why is that? Simply because they have everything a young child needs to develop their a...
Process Art vs. Product Art: Which Is Better for Your Preschool Students?
October 10, 2022 09:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBEvery pre-k teacher knows it, making art is a big part of preschool. It’s a great way for the children to be creative, enrich their imagination, and develop their fine motor skills in a fun and enjoyable manner. However, making sure your students are creating the right kind of art is important. Because yes, the kind of art your kids are making does matter. Process art and product art are two types of activities that usually happen in the preschool classroom. The difference between them...
What to Do About Kids Who Bite?
October 03, 2022 09:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBHello everyone and welcome back to a brand new episode of Elevating Early Childhood. Now, a quick warning before you start listening, this episode’s got a bit of a bite to it (pun intended)! This, friends, is because today, we’re discussing children who bite. Most younger preschool classrooms have at least one bitey kid, and it can be pretty difficult for teachers to deal with those types of situations. Why is the child biting? How can you deal with their behavior? And most importantly, ...
Preschool Classroom Centers: To Combine or Not to Combine?
September 26, 2022 09:00 - 9 minutes - 9.1 MBIf you’re overwhelmed by the sheer amount of educational centers you’re supposed to have in your preschool classroom, then you’re not alone. Many of us find ourselves facing a dilemma when setting up centers in our classroom: Should we have a separate area for each center? Or can some be combined? Naturally, both options have their pros and cons, and because of that, it can be difficult to decide which way is best for you. Lucky for you, I’m here to help you make that decision. In today’...
Beginning of the Year Alphabet Favs and Fails
September 19, 2022 09:00 - 39 minutes - 36 MBThe beginning of the year is tricky, there is so much to take care of, things to set up, new students to meet, parents to get to know, etc... All of this stuff can be pretty stressful, but I’m here to make it just a little bit easier on you. Friends, today, we’re talking about how to set your kids up for success when it comes to learning the alphabet. It’s no secret that teaching the alphabet at the beginning of the year can be challenging - for even the most seasoned teacher. However, w...
My Top 4 Preschool Transition Tips
September 05, 2022 09:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBThere are some things that will make or break you as a teacher, and transitions are right there at the top of the list for early childhood teachers. Every single day is full of transitions in preschool, so having a surefire list of tips that’ll help you make them as easy as possible is crucial. Lucky for you, I’m about to share those tips with you. So, if you’re struggling with transitioning from one activity (or place) to another in your preschool classroom, this episode is for you! Wan...
Back-to-School: Procedures and Routines Checklist for Preschool (+ Free Download)
August 25, 2022 17:40 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBThe new school year is here, and this means that, like every year, it’s now time for those back-to-school checklists! You see, the life of a preschool teacher is not easy (no matter what some people might tell you). We have quite a few things to take care of and keep in mind, and this is especially true during the beginning of the year, when everything is still a bit chaotic. Lucky for you, the chaos doesn’t have to be permanent. You can get rid of it by setting up simple routines and pr...