How Preschool Teachers Do It
282 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★ - 70 ratingsNew episodes are released every Monday.
Do you wonder how experts in working with early learners address children's behavior and motivate them to be their best selves? If you are a family member, teacher, or anyone who impacts the lives of young children, join Alison Kentos (Early Childhood Teacher) & Cindy Terebush (Early Childhood Specialist) every Monday to find out how a preschool teacher and early childhood consultant do what they do every day!
Learn more about us on our website: https://howpreschoolteachersdoit.com
Learn more about Cindy's work on her website: https://helpingkidsachieve.com
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Episodes
225: Interests and Interviews with Cindy and Alison
April 24, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBWhen we think about collecting information about children's progress, we often focus on anecdotal notes and running records. Join Cindy and Alison to discuss processes that could be equally valuable - interest inventories and child interviews.
224: The Most Interesting Children with Cindy and Alison
April 17, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBMuch like there are great movies no one is watching, there are very interesting children no one is noticing. Our lives and their lives can be enriched by fostering connections with them. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about the children who are growing up in the shade.
223: ASL for All with Cindy and Alison
April 10, 2023 12:00 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBWhy do we only teach children sign language when they don't yet have language skills or for specific situations? Cindy and Alison discuss the benefits of teaching conversational sign language to all.
222: Talking About the Doctor with Cindy and Alison
April 03, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBDo you worry about going to the doctor? Do you have a fear of seeking help for medical issues? That perspective on going to the doctor may have been set up during your early childhood years. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about helping children see doctors as a resource instead of as a threat.
221: Check Your Books for This with Cindy and Alison
March 27, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBHave you ever stumbled upon a page in a favorite older children's book and realized you should not read that to the children? Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about what they stumbled upon that might not be good for the emotional well-being of young children.
220: Reflection and Gratitude Skill Building with Young Children with Cindy and Alison
March 20, 2023 12:00 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBIf we were taught how to reflect intentionally and have a gratitude practice when we were young, it would be a part of who we are as adults. Cindy and Alison discuss how to have intentional conversations with children that help them remember, think about experiences, and be grateful for the good in their lives.
219: Fighting Discrimination Against Men in Early Education with Cindy and Alison
March 13, 2023 12:00 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBThree years ago, Cindy and Alison discussed the need for more men in early education settings. It is now 2023, and the issue seems to not be improving. We can do better than this, Preschool Peeps! During this discussion, consider ways to bring attention to discrimination against men in the early education field.
218: Unlearning for the Sake of the Children with Cindy and Alison
March 06, 2023 13:00 - 20 minutes - 19 MBSometimes, we need to be willing to unlearn practices or ideas we have held onto for a very long time. Soon it will be spring - a perfect time for unlearning! Join Cindy and Alison for this discussion about facing the unlearning.
217: Gender, Parents, and Policies with Cindy and Alison
February 27, 2023 13:00 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBShould families know up-front that we will let the children pick whatever dress-up clothes or roles they want during free play? Is it time to be proactive and have policies that state that we don't put children in gender boxes when they are playing? Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about this important topic.
216: When Adults Disagree with Cindy and Alison
February 20, 2023 13:00 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBWhen you disagree with a co-worker or other peer, the most professional thing to do is to go directly to that person first. How do you do that? Differences of opinion can be so uncomfortable! Cindy and Alison discuss ways to approach disagreements that help you feel more comfortable, and avoid adult tattling and gossip.
215: Food Fears with Cindy and Alison
February 13, 2023 13:00 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBWhy are children afraid of trying new food? There's an answer to that question that will blow your mind! Join Cindy and Alison to find out what causes the fear and how we can avoid making it a life-long issue.
214: When to Go Rogue with Cindy and Alison
February 06, 2023 13:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBWhen is it okay to pivot from the curriculum or do things that are not in the plan? Join Cindy and Alison to discuss when and where to draw a line on pivoting in your plans and curriculum guidance.
213: Early Education is Like Improv with Cindy and Alison
January 30, 2023 13:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBJoin Cindy and Alison for a lively discussion about the similarities between early childhood education and being a good improv comedian.
212: From External Reward to Self-Motivation with Cindy and Alison
January 23, 2023 13:00 - 21 minutes - 20 MBWe know that children need their good deeds acknowledged, so we have stickers, pompom jars, certificates of recognition, and other tools. Slowly but surely, we need to stretch and phase out external rewards. Children need to find internal motivation to do the right thing. Cindy and Alison discuss stretching and phase out the external as the motivation becomes internalized.
211: Inspiration from MLK Day with Cindy and Alison
January 16, 2023 13:00 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBJoin Cindy and Alison for an episode inspired by the day commemorating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Use this opportunity to think about the inequities that still exist and what we need to do to make our early childhood programs a safe haven.
210: One Positive Early Childhood Experience with Cindy and Alison
January 09, 2023 13:00 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBWe often discuss Adverse Childhood Experiences but rarely discuss Positive Childhood Experiences (PCE). Join Cindy and Alison to learn about one impactful thing you can do to positively impact children's future mental health. Then, go to https://patreon.com/HowPreschoolTeachersDoIt, join for only $5 per month and learn about more PCEs!
Jan 2 2023 Holiday Rewind- Crisscross Applesauce and Other...
January 02, 2023 13:00 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBJoin Cindy and Alison for a very special rewind of an episode recorded so long ago that we didn't record a video! We hope you enjoy this episode about crisscross applesauce and other early childhood practices.
Lost Episode: Teaching Play with Cindy and Alison
December 26, 2022 13:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBIn this lost but still very relevant episode, Cindy and Alison talk about how we can support children's understanding of how to play. Teachers today talk about the fact that children have been exposed to less meaningful play. Play is essential for learning. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about how we can help them.
209: Starting Fresh with Cindy and Alison
December 19, 2022 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBThe New Year is upon us, and we can start fresh! What can you leave in the past? Cindy and Alison talk about starting fresh with our experiences, interactions, and responses to the needs of young children.
208: The Behavior Committee Metaphor with Cindy and Alison
December 12, 2022 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBSometimes, we should look at how other fields handle complicated situations and consider how that could help us in early childhood education. Challenging behavior is complicated, so maybe we need to do what Cindy and Alison discuss during this episode!
207: Skill or Performance Deficit with Cindy and Alison
December 05, 2022 13:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBWhat is the difference between a skill deficit and a performance deficit? How can that impact my teaching? Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about working with early learners, their skill deficits, and their performance deficits.
206: Confidence Builders with Cindy and Alison
November 28, 2022 13:00 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBFor people to believe they can learn and do new things, they need confidence. Cindy and Alison discuss strategies we can use to help children build the confidence needed to add to their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Are you doing all you can do? Check us out on Patreon for more content, connections, and more! www.patreon.com/HowPreschoolTeachersDoIt
205: Mind What You Say with Cindy and Alison
November 21, 2022 13:00 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBCommon words and phrases can have cultural implications or can be taken in ways we don't intend. Join Alison and Cindy for a discussion about being careful when we speak and get some food for thought about what we say. Don't forget to check out our Patreon! We are excited to expand this work with your support and to provide you with bonus content, connections, merch and more! https://patreon.com/HowPreschoolTeachersDoIt
204: Don't Sugar Coat It with Cindy and Alison
November 14, 2022 13:00 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBWith all good intentions, we often fail to be honest with children about what it takes to learn something new. Positivity can be toxic and we need to prevent children from feeling like hard things should have been easier. Join Cindy and Alison for a conversation about encouraging children while being honest with them.
203: Effort or Mastery with Cindy and Alison
November 07, 2022 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBAre we so focused on what children have and have not mastered that our communication about children's efforts are minimal at best? Cindy and Alison discuss ways to report effort to families during this year's meetings and parent-teacher conferences.
202: Wanted! Special Education Bridges with Cindy and Alison
October 31, 2022 12:00 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBDo you struggle with how to help all of the children in your class? All children benefit from inclusive classrooms where general education and special education students and the teachers are together. Cindy and Alison ask why at 3 years old, those bridges are broken for both children and their teachers. Join us for ideas about how to create bridges that are needed by all.
201: Phonological Awareness with Cindy and Alison
October 24, 2022 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBThe foundation for later decoding of words and reading may be different than you think and different from how you were taught. Join Cindy and Alison for this discussion about how to support young children's phonological awareness. Check our Patreon for the resource referred to in the episode: https://patreon.com/HowPreschoolTeachersDoIt
200: Best and Worst with Cindy and Alison
October 17, 2022 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MBIn this special 200th episode of "How Preschool Teachers Do It," Cindy and Alison share the best and worst advice they received for their work with young children.
199: Scary Traditions with Cindy and Alison
October 10, 2022 12:00 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBRespecting and validating children's emotions should take place consistently, even when holiday or family traditions are the cause for big feelings. Cindy and Alison spend this episode talking about how to handle it when a child does not want to participate in what they decide is a scary tradition.
198: Making Friends with Cindy and Alison
October 03, 2022 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MBJust like all other skills, the ability to make friends is learned in stages and over time. Join Cindy and Alison to learn about the step-by-step mastery of skills that take place as children learn to connect to their peers and make friends.
197: Problem Detectives with Cindy and Alison
September 26, 2022 12:00 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBOne of the behavioral challenges in early childhood is that children think their big emotions are the problem. Cindy and Alison discuss how to help children become problem detectives! How does it work? Hint: It's like peeling an onion. Listen to find out the details!
196: Physical Activity and the Brain with Cindy and Alison
September 19, 2022 12:00 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBWhy is it important to have both structured and non-structured gross motor activity? Cindy and Alison discuss the importance of planning for brain connections through physical activity.
195: Clean Up with Cindy and Alison
September 12, 2022 12:00 - 20 minutes - 19 MBWhy have we concentrated on making cleaning up the center of teaching responsibility? Cindy and Alison ask... and answer.... this question and more in an episode dedicated to considering our practices at clean-up time.
Lost Episode: Don't Buy the Behavior Bag of Tricks
September 05, 2022 12:00 - 21 minutes - 20 MBHuman behavior is complex. It requires thought, analysis, and an approach that teaches children life lessons. While the research shows that teaching behavior takes time, there are people who would sell you a bag of tricks. Cindy and Alison discuss what to avoid and how to focus efforts in a way that benefits you and the children.
194: Science Areas with Cindy and Alison
August 29, 2022 12:00 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBGain inspiration for revitalizing the often ignored, sometimes neglected science area in your classroom. Cindy and Alison share ideas!
193: Food for Thought with Cindy and Alison
August 22, 2022 12:00 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBOur relationship with food starts in the early childhood years. We have to think about our approach when children refuse to eat, when we are acknowledging efforts and events and when they grab for dessert first. Join Cindy and Alison for some actual food for thought!
192: Dump the Kitchen with Cindy and Alison
August 15, 2022 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBWhy is the dramatic play area always a kitchen?! Cindy and Alison talk about inspiring ways to rethink the dramatic play area as you plan for a new school year.
191: The Other Exceptional Learners with Cindy and Alison
August 08, 2022 12:00 - 33 minutes - 31 MBWhen we hear the phrase "exceptional learner," we may think of children who receive special education services. Special education students are exceptional learners. There are, however, other exceptional learners. Are we doing all we can for those other exceptional learners? What happens to them if we don't? Cindy and Alison discuss another group of children and what we need to do for them.
190: The Separation Anxiety Dilemma with Cindy and Alison
August 01, 2022 12:00 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBAs we head toward a new school year, we need to think about the connection between how we've handled separation anxiety and the ethics that guide our work. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about separation anxiety, professional ethics, and what to do when families want to stay in the classroom.
189: Are Learning Styles A Myth with Cindy and Alison
July 25, 2022 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBIs it a myth that people are auditory, visual, or kinesthetic learners? Listen to this episode to learn about the origins of the concept of learning styles and what the research does and does not say. Join Cindy and Alison to think about this construct and its impact on young children.
188: Not Your Average Episode with Cindy and Alison
July 18, 2022 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBHow do we effectively individualize our teaching based on the brain development and needs of each learner if so many of our tools and traditional ways of walking through an early childhood day are based on averages? Cindy and Alison discuss how to rethink schedules and interactions.
187: More Sponaneity, Less Impulsivity with Cindy and Alison
July 11, 2022 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBDo you know the difference between impulsivity and spontaneity? Do we do too much of one and not enough of the other with early learners? Cindy and Alison talk about experiencing impulsivity and spontaneity with young children, which one should be embraced, and why.
July 4 2022 Holiday Rewind
July 04, 2022 12:00 - 29 minutes - 26.8 MBThank you to everyone who voted for which episode would be our July 4 Holiday Rewind. It was a landslide! Enjoy this new introduction with updated info. and our rewind of 77: Put Down The Flashcards!
186: Screen for This! with Cindy and Alison
June 27, 2022 12:00 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBChildren have been screened for vision and hearing for years. Cindy and Alison discuss other screenings that we should consider conducting and why.
185: The Professional Development Episode with Cindy and Alison
June 20, 2022 12:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBProfessional development is essential; yet, it feels like a chore based on achieving hours instead of knowledge. Join Cindy and Alison for a discussion about their perspectives on professional development, why it matters, and how it could be.
184: Looking for Trouble with Cindy and Alison
June 13, 2022 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBWhen we look for trouble, we find trouble. Many of us know that but don't realize we are doing it. Join Cindy and Alison for an honest conversation about how our actions may be contributing to the ongoing struggles of students and to the preschool to prison pipeline.
183: Seeking Safety with Cindy and Alison
June 06, 2022 12:00 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBHow should we handle young children's expressions of confusion and fear about the horrific school shooting that took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas? Does the ongoing lack of legislation that would help ensure our children's safety and the pandemic both teach us that the current educational system of everyone in large, crowded buildings does not work in this era? Cindy and Alison address these questions and more.
182: Redefining a Familiar Word with Cindy and Alison
May 30, 2022 12:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MBPrepare to have your mind blown as Cindy and Alison discuss the meaning of the word "suspension" as it applies to early childhood settings. How will this definition change how you view your response to children's challenging behavior?
181: Change with Cindy and Alison
May 23, 2022 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBWhat happened to us as children that made us so hesitant about change? Cindy and Alison discuss how we can do better with young children as we teach them about how to handle change in their lives.
180: Families and the New Normal with Cindy and Alison
May 16, 2022 12:00 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBIn a recent blog article on https://howpreschoolteachersdoit.com, a question was posed about how we involve families in their child's early education during this new normal. Cindy and Alison discuss strategies for family involvement now that the new normal seems to be here.