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!
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Connect with The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenconnection
Visit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.com
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Episodes
27 episodes
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 th...
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Episode 26
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10:51
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...
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Episode 25
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10:10
Episode 24: Off-Topic Stories at the Worst Times? Try This.
Episode 24: Off-Topic Stories at the Worst Times? Try ThisYou'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. So...
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Episode 24
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7:04
Episode 23: Consequences That Actually Work in Pre-K & Kindergarten
Episode 23: Consequences That Actually Work in Pre-K & KindergartenIf 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...
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Episode 23
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12:54
Episode 22: What to Do When Kids Pout
Episode 22: What to Do When Kids PoutYou 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....
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Episode 22
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11:58
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 epi...
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Episode 21
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10:35
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 consis...
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Episode 20
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8:35
Episode 19: How to Make Clean-Up Fast, Fun, and Stress-Free
Episode 19: How to Make Clean-Up Fast, Fun, and Stress-FreeIf 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...
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Episode 19
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9:52
Episode 18: Managing Big Emotions - A Must-Try Social-Emotional Tip
Episode 18: Managing Big Emotions - A Must-Try Social-Emotional TipHelping young children handle big feelings is one of the most important and often most challenging parts of early childhood teachin...
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Episode 18
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10:32
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.
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Episode 17
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10:57
Episode 16: 3 Simple Ways to Practice Name Writing
Episode 16: 3 Simple Ways to Practice Name WritingHelping 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 inv...
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Episode 16
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7:17
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 & KindergartenIt’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 you...
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Episode 15
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9:04
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 ...
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Episode 14
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9:47
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 ...
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Episode 13
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11:30
Episode 12: Make Your Day Count – Early Childhood Schedule Tips
Episode 12: Make Your Day Count – Early Childhood Schedule TipsTrying 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 alo...
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Episode 12
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9:16
Episode 11: Letting Go of Assigned Classroom Seating in Pre-K & Kindergarten
Episode 11: Letting Go of Assigned Classroom Seating in Pre-K & KindergartenWhat if your students didn’t have assigned seats at all?In this episode, Alex explores the benefits and challenges of moving away from traditio...
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Episode 11
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10:59
Episode 10: Stop Making Play a Four-Letter Word
Episode 10: Stop Making Play a Four-Letter WordLet’s set the record straight: play is not fluff. In this episode, Alex unpacks why play-based learning is real learning—especially in early childhood—and how we ...
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Episode 10
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9:33
Episode 9: 10 Ways to Make Your Classroom More Playful
Episode 9: 10 Ways to Make Your Classroom More PlayfulPlay isn't just for free choice time—it’s a powerful approach to learning. In this episode, Alex breaks down 10 simple, meaningful ways to make your classroom more playful, eve...
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Episode 9
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15:11
Episode 8: Tools for Making Your Classroom More Playful
Episode 8: Tools for Making Your Classroom More PlayfulWant to make your classroom feel more playful—but not sure where to start? You’re not alone!In this episode, Alex shares simple tools and mindset shifts to bring more j...
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Episode 8
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10:34
Episode 7: The Truth About Teachers' Summers
🎙 Episode 7: The Truth About Teachers’ Summers“Must be nice to have summers off…” 😬If you’ve ever heard that phrase and felt your blood pressure spike a little—you’re not alone.In this episode, Alex gets r...
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Episode 7
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10:26
Episode 6: What to Do When Kids Interrupt All Day Long
🎙 Episode 6: What to Do When Kids Interrupt All Day LongIf you're hearing “Teacher! Teacher!” on repeat, or getting constant shoulder taps during small group time — you’re not alone. Interrupting is one of the most common (and dra...
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Episode 6
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11:36
Episode 5: 3 Things to Say Instead of "Good Job" (That Spark Real Conversation)
🎙 Episode 5: 3 Things to Say Instead of "Good Job" (That Spark Real Conversation)Let’s be clear—there’s nothing wrong with saying “Good job!” But what if you could level up your praise to build confidence, spark convers...
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6:09
Episode 4: Tattling All Day? Here’s What to Do Instead
Tattling All Day? Here’s What to Do InsteadIf you’ve already heard “They’re not sharing!” or “He cut me!” more times than you can count before recess—you’re not alone.In this episode, Alex shares why c...
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Episode 4
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8:44
Episode 3: You’re Almost There – A Pep Talk for the Final Stretch
Episode 3: You’re Almost There – A Pep Talk for the Final StretchYou know it’s the end of the year when someone’s backpack is full of rocks and routines are… well, barely hanging on. If you’re juggling countdowns, theme...
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Episode 3
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6:42
Episode 2: Let’s Make the End of the Year Fun (Without Losing Our Minds)
Episode 2: Let’s Make the End of the Year Fun (Without Losing Our Minds)If your brain is half in summer mode but your classroom is still full of kiddos who need structure and fun—you’re in the right place. This e...
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Episode 2
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10:57