Happy Teaching
Happy Teaching with The Kindergarten Connection is the go-to podcast for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers who want simple, effective, and joyful teaching strategies—fast!
Hosted by Alex John, this bite-sized podcast delivers classroom management tips, engaging lesson ideas, and real-life solutions you can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to create smoother routines, build stronger student connections, or bring more fun into your teaching day, each episode (in ten minutes or less!) is designed to make your job easier and your classroom happier.
Subscribe now and start teaching with confidence and joy!
...
Connect with The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenconnection
Visit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.com
Join us at https://www.printandplayclub.com
Episodes
52 episodes
Episode 51: Community Supplies: Why They Actually Work
In this episode, Alex shares why she made the switch from individual student supplies to whole-class community supplies and why she never went back. If you’ve ever dealt with missing pencils, broken crayons, overflowing supply boxes, or constan...
Episode 50: Why Your Classroom Layout Matters
In this episode, Alex builds on last week’s conversation about playful classroom areas by introducing the idea of the “mullet of classroom design.” What does that mean? Many classrooms are set up with all the “learning” in the middle with table...
Episode 49: Playful Classroom Areas That Support Learning
In this episode, Alex shares some of the most important classroom areas to include in a playful, developmentally appropriate learning environment. This conversation isn’t about having the “perfect” classroom or expensive setups—it’s about creat...
Episode 48: Beating the Sunday Night Blues
In this episode, Alex talks about something many teachers know all too well — the Sunday Night Blues. That anxious feeling as the weekend winds down can make it hard to fully enjoy your time off. Alex shares simple, realistic ways to r...
Episode 47: Walking in Line Without the Chaos
In this episode, Alex tackles a classroom challenge that sounds simple but rarely feels easy: walking in line. Getting young students from point A to point B can quickly become chaotic, especially during transitions and hallway travel....
Episode 46: Struggling with Dismissal? Try These Simple Shifts
In this episode, Alex tackles one of the most chaotic parts of the school day — dismissal. Even with a plan in place, dismissal can feel rushed, stressful, and overwhelming. You'll hear simple, practical strategies to help you create a...
Episode 45: A Simple Alphabet Party That Feels Fun (Not Stressful)
In this episode, Alex shares a simple, low-prep way to celebrate the end of the year with an Alphabet Party. If you’re feeling the end-of-year crunch, these easy ideas still feel fun and special without adding more to your plate.✨ You...
Episode 44: Four Corners: The Easiest Brain Break Your Class Will Love
In this episode, Alex shares a simple, go-to game that every teacher needs in their back pocket, especially during those high-energy, “we need something different right now” moments. Whether you’re dealing with spring fever, indoor recess, or f...
Episode 43: Should You Limit How Many Kids Are in Each Center? (Let’s Rethink This)
In this episode, Alex challenges a common classroom practice: limiting how many students can be in each center. Before you think, “There’s no way that would work in my classroom”... stick with this one. This episode is all about shifting perspe...
Episode 42: AI for Teachers: Simple Ways to Save Time and Reduce Stress
In this episode, Alex breaks down AI in a way that actually feels manageable for teachers. Whether you’re excited about AI, completely overwhelmed by it, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you shift your mindset and see how it can ...
Episode 41: Giving Directions Kids Can Actually Follow (2 Simple Teacher Tips)
In this episode, Alex shares two simple shifts that can dramatically improve how students respond to directions in your classroom. If you’ve ever given instructions and looked around to see students doing something completely different, or felt...
Episode 40: 7 Signs You’re Definitely a Kindergarten Teacher
In this fun and relatable episode, Alex shares seven classic signs you might be a Kindergarten (or early childhood) teacher. From hoarding office supplies to decoding student writing that looks like hieroglyphics, it’s a lighthearted look...
Episode 39: 3 Tips to Make Morning Arrival Easier
In this episode, Alex shares three simple, practical strategies to help you calm the chaos of morning arrival. If your day starts with ringing phones, attendance stress, parents needing you, kids arriving at different times, and you already fee...
Episode 38: What to Do When Kids Won't Keep Their Hands to Themselves
In this episode, Alex dives into one of the most common (and frustrating) classroom challenges: students not keeping their hands to themselves. Whether it’s pestering, poking, constant touching, or more serious hitting and shoving, this episode...
Episode 37: How to Re-engage Students with Classroom Materials
In this episode, Alex shares a simple strategy that delivers big results: how to re-engage students with materials they’re ignoring, without buying anything new.If you’ve ever set up a center you were excited about, only to watch students c...
Episode 36: Easy Ways to Add Music/Movement to Circle Time
In this episode, Alex shares how to make circle time more engaging, effective, and developmentally appropriate — without adding more to your plate. If you’ve ever felt like your students just can’t sit still or that you’re constantly relying on...
Episode 35: Valentine’s Day in Pre-K & Kindergarten- What Really Matters
Valentine’s Day in the early childhood classroom can feel like a whirlwind, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or over the top. In this short and sweet episode, we’re talking about what really matters when it comes to celebrating Valentine’...
Episode 34: When a Student Refuses to Work - Try This!
In this episode, we’re tackling a challenge every early childhood teacher faces: what to do when a student refuses to work. Whether it’s ignoring directions, sitting with arms crossed, or simply saying “no,” these moments can be tricky and ...
Episode 33: Let’s Talk Small Groups: Keeping It Simple in Pre-K & Kindergarten
Small groups can feel like one of the hardest parts of the day to manage, but they don’t have to be! In this episode, Alex breaks down how to keep small group time simple, doable, and impactful in a Pre-K or Kindergarten classroom. Whether you’...
Episode 32: Tackling Parent Teacher Conferences
In this episode, we’re diving into student-led conferences. Yes, even in Pre-K and Kindergarten! Alex walks you through how these conferences can look in early childhood settings, and how to keep the process simple, meaningful, and manageable. ...
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 win...
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 P...
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 ...
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 wrappi...
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 bli...