Is it Time to Start Small Group?   Episode Summary   As the school year starts, our focus is on getting to know our new little students. We are teaching them procedures, rules and practicing routines.  We are playing with students to get to know them and helping children learn how to use the materials in classroom centers. At the beginning of the year, these things are the most important things! So, back to the question at hand... When is it time to start small group?  When is it okay for you step back from monitoring, playing and helping children in centers?  Listen in to find out!   Topics Discussed: What questions to ask yourself to know if your class is ready to start small group    Resources Mentioned: Done-for-You Small Group Lessons   Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Episode 35: 5 Reasons to Have Preschool Small Group Episode 36: How to Effectively Group Preschoolers for Small Group Episode 37: Preschool Small Group Activity Ideas Episode 38: Organizing your Preschool Small Group Episode 39: My Top Tips for Preschool Small Group   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Parent Education Boards   Episode Summary Preschoolers learn amazing things through play, but this isn't something that is easy for parents to see. Help educate the parents in your early childhood program with Parent Education Bulletin Boards. I wanted our families to better understand all the amazing growth and learning goodness that really happens inside a preschool classroom --- that's when the Parent Education Bulletin Boards were born! With 10 done-for-you bulletin boards, teaching families has never been easier!  All you have to do is print, laminate and hang - the rest is done for you! Learn all about the benefits of Parent Education Boards in this episode!   Topics Discussed: A breakdown of the different boards The benefits (and results) of including Parent Education Boards in your classroom    Resources Mentioned: Parent Education Boards   Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Blogpost with Pictures   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Tips for Teaching Classroom Procedures   Episode Summary Teaching young children the procedures and routines of the classroom is important for a safe and (less) chaotic environment.  The benefits of implementing visual procedure cards are huge. To get the most out of visual procedure cards, first...  * Learn why they are important, then...  * How to implement them You can use pre-made procedure cards or create your own by taking pictures of the steps in each routine. Either way, these tips will help you make the most of the cards you created.   Topics Discussed:   Tips for Teaching Classroom Procedures- Everything from printing and displaying cards to using, adapting, and adding fun elements to your cards and procedures. Resources Mentioned: Visual Procedure Cards Buy on TPT Buy on LCPR Shop   Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Why you Should be Using Visual Procedure Cards How to Teach Classroom Procedures Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

How to Teach Classroom Procedures   Episode Summary  Our young learners aren't yet readers. Therefore, posters of written rules, schedules and procedures are null and void.  To young children, these posters are just visual noise. But, pictures are a different story.  Young children can 'read' pictures. So when it comes to helping young children learn about routines in the classroom- visuals are the way to go. I found a need for visual procedure cards in my classroom several years ago, so I created them, implemented them and I am so happy I did. The benefits of procedure cards are huge and I saw all of those benefits when I implemented them myself. Plus, the visuals have kept me from having to say a routine procedure over and over and over and over and... you get it! Topics Discussed: The benefits of procedure cards  How to use visual procedure cards Managing your own expectations when it comes to procedures Resources Mentioned: Visual Procedure Cards: On TPT Buy in the LCPR Shop Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Why you Should be Using Visual Procedure Cards Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Why you should be Using Visual Procedure Cards Episode Summary   Have you ever stopped to think about the amount of things that we have to teach our new little students at the beginning of each year? Coming to the carpet, sitting at the carpet, lining up, walking in the hall, using the restroom, washing hands, how to clean up, how to treat toys, how to pack up to go home.... and the list goes on! <<does this list make you as tired as it does me? If so, good news! I have a tool to share to make teaching all those procedures easier! <Woohoo! Topics Discussed: Communicating your expectations through Procedure Cards Using Visuals to help children learn Procedures Tools you can use to teach Procedures Resources Mentioned: Visual Schedule Cards Buy on TpT Buy in the LCPR Shop Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group  More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Visual Schedules for Preschool   Episode Summary Schedules are an important way of life. They keep us in our daily routines and get us to the places we need to be. In a preschool classroom, a daily schedule is the backbone to our day.   At the beginning of the school year, I create our classroom schedule (using the 5 step method) and have it hanging up in the room. But, of course the young children in our classroom can't read it! I found that many of my students were asking 'what do we do next?', 'when can we go outside?' and 'when is my mom coming?'.  So, I knew it was time to create some visual supports for my little non-readers!  Listen in to learn about a great resource to include in your classroom! Topics Discussed: Creating a Picture Schedule for Little Learners The Benefits of Displaying Visual Schedule Cards Using Visual Classroom Schedules Resources Mentioned: Creating the Perfect Preschool Schedule Workbook + Visual Procedure Cards Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Creating a Preschool Schedule in 5 Steps Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group  More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Center Signs that Work Harder   Episode Summary When it comes to play-based learning, sometimes it's hard to see what children are actually learning. Think about it, in a center where children are sitting and doing worksheets or workbooks, we can see the learning outcome. But, in a play-based classroom (the best way for children to learn) this learning isn't as easy to see.  It takes a trained eye to see what benefits and results can come from centers or hands-on activities - not much of which is coming home in a backpack. So, it becomes our job to communicate the amazing, endless learning opportunities that play-based learning can bring. There are many ways to communicate the benefits of play to parents. In this episode, let's discuss center signs!   Topics Discussed:   Why preschool center signs shouldn't be just a label on the wall Using the center signs to teach/inform other adults How to make the center signs work for you Resources Mentioned: Center Signs on TPT Center Signs on LCPR Shop Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Preschool Centers: Free Choice or Rotation?   Episode Summary One of the most common questions that I get in regards to preschool centers is "Do you do free-choice centers or a rotation?".  While I have my own opinions on the topic, I think it's important to look at the pros and cons to everything you do in your classroom, as to make an educated decision. So, let's take some time to look at both the pros and cons of both - to better help you make a decision on which is best for your classroom. Listen in! Topics Discussed: Free Choice Centers - the pros and cons Center Rotations- the pros and cons Resources Mentioned: Free Center Guide Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Preschool Centers: Free Choice or Rotation? Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

3 Must-Do's for the Beginning of the Year   Episode Summary The beginning of the school year is such an exciting and exhausting time!  Isn't it funny how we forget how little and new our students are when they start?! It's like we have to reset our brains back to beginning after sending on last year's students. There is so much to teach our new little friends before we can have a functioning, well-running classroom.  The work at the beginning really does pay off later in the year - however - it doesn't make those first few weeks (months?) any easier! Listen in as I discuss my 3 R's for the beginning of the year! Topics Discussed: Relationships Routines Rules Resources Mentioned: Visual Procedure Cards Rules and Expectation Posters Classroom Management Bundle Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Simple Ways to Build Positive Relationships in Early Childhood How to Teach Classroom Procedures Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

A Guide to Preschool Centers   Episode Summary When you are running a play-based preschool classroom, centers are the core of the program.  Carefully planned centers create an environment for learning through play because play is not a break from hard work, play is a child's work! But sometimes, as the teacher, wrapping your head around all the moving parts of play-based centers can be a challenge! There are So. Many. Questions.  'Which centers should I have in my classroom? What are the most common centers? I know I want blocks and art, but what other centers should I add?' Those questions lead to more questions... 'What do I put in the centers? What materials are essential? Also, how long should I schedule center time for? I have other things we have to do in our schedule, how long is needed for free play?' ... 'Can I keep the same materials in the centers the whole year? Won't children get bored? Should I change centers out? If so, how often should I change them?' The Guide to Preschool Centers was created many years ago, but just got a new update. I have added answers or recommendations to ALL the questions you read above.  Listen in! Episode 46 will walk you through ALL of your center questions!   Topics Discussed: 10 different centers with material lists & learning goals Ideas on which centers to change out and when How long to schedule center time in your day How to use my Guide to Preschool Centers Center Tub Labels + The Preschool Center Hub Resources Mentioned: The Guide to Preschool Centers   Related Episodes or Blog Posts: A Guide to Preschool Centers (lovelycommotion.com) Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

How to Set Up a Preschool Classroom   Episode Summary Setting up your preschool classroom doesn’t sound that daunting… at first. But, year after year I find myself determined to find the perfect (as if it exists) flow. After changing my mind about a billion times, I usually land on a setup that seems to work for me, but (more importantly) is conducive to little learners that learn through play. I’ve found that creating a successful layout isn’t just me drawing squares and labeling them on my ‘map’. Making the environment conducive to my little preschoolers takes some planning. Listen in as I walk you through the process of How to Set Up a Preschool Classroom!   Topics Discussed: Mapping out the physical space Important things to consider (that you may not have thought of) How to Set Up a Preschool Classroom - the workbook!   Resources Mentioned: Classroom Set-Up Workbook Related Episodes or Blog Posts: How to Set Up a Preschool Classroom (lovelycommotion.com) Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

A Detailed Look at the Preschool 2 & 3 Year Old Lesson Plans   Episode Summary   Got three year olds?  How about two year olds? Feel the need to help your littlest students learn important social skills, academic skills and build attention to task - all while loving the open-ended environment of a play-based school setting?  After my experience with sweet little 3 year olds, I knew I wanted to share the ideas and activities that I had used (and more!). Because, lets face it - there isn't a ton of help for teachers of two and three year olds. So, today I wanted to share with you all the details of one of my preschool 2 and 3 Year Old Lesson Plans!  That way you can see if these lesson could help you and therefore save you some time and sanity! Topics Discussed: The exact details of my weekly plan Why the plans are layed out the way they are How these lesson plans can save time The teacher components of these lesson plans   Resources Mentioned: Try a FREE Two & Three Year Old Lesson Plan Two and Three Year Olds Lesson Guide Related Episodes or Blog Posts: A Detailed Look at the Preschool 2 & 3 Year Old Lesson Plans (lovelycommotion.com) Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

How to Make a Classroom Schedule for Preschool   Episode Summary Creating a class schedule can be one of the most important plans you create for your preschool classroom. Setting up your school day to run smoothly takes some thought and consideration. Because the truth is... your daily schedule can make or break the classroom behaviors you see. Children need predictable routines and creating a daily routine can help work against negative preschool behaviors. But, it takes being intentional and consistent. Through the years I have found a process that I go through that makes planning out my schedule a bit easier. Creating my schedule is one of those hugely important things that craft at the beginning of the year. Want to get some help creating your own preschool class schedule? Take a listen!   Topics Discussed: Asking yourself these key questions Deciding on what is important Considering attention spans Creating the plan How to use visual schedule cards in the classroom   Resources Mentioned: Creating the Perfect Preschool Schedule Workbook (+ visual schedule cards)   Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Blogpost: Creating the Perfect Preschool Schedule    Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Finding the Time to Implement Literacy Experiences in the Preschool Classroom   Episode Summary Bringing literacy experiences such as interactive read alouds, shared reading or shared writing and interactive writing doesn't have to add more direct instruction time to your day. In fact, adding more direct instruction time would not be the goal when working with little learners! So the questions remains: How can we find the time to implement literacy experiences in the preschool classroom? Simple answer: Infuse, don't add! Listen in to find out how to do this in your own classroom! Topics Discussed: How, Where, and When to add literacy experiences into the school day Resources Mentioned: Get Your Lit Together Course Hunt the Room Writing Invitations Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Blogpost: Bringing Literacy into your Fall Unit Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

What is Shared and Interactive Writing in Preschool?   Episode Summary What is the difference between shared writing and interactive writing? How can use these types of writings to support our young learners? Listen in to find out why these types of writing are important to teaching literary concepts and when and how to use them in your classroom! Topics Discussed: What Shared and Interactive Writing is and why it's important Shared Writing- examples of how to use it in the classroom Interactive Writing- examples of how to use it in the classroom Resources Mentioned: Free Training: 3 Mistakes to Avoid to Rock Early Literacy in your Preschool Classroom (July 6 at 10am CST). Register Here Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Blogpost: What is Modeled Writing in Preschool Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

How to Teach Literacy without LOTW   Episode Summary Raise your hand if you were (or are) a Letter of the Week Teacher ✋ I’m raising my hand because I once taught preschoolers using LOTW. LOTW seems so logical. You teach one letter a week and by the end of the year - boom all the letters are covered. You know you covered all the letters - good to go right? Well…. It turns out that what we know now from the research is that LOTW isn’t as effective as we wish it was. Stay tuned to find out why (and what we can do instead)!   Topics Discussed: Why Letter of the Week isn't best How to teach letters without Letter of the Week Resources Mentioned: Free Training: 3 Mistakes to Avoid to Rock Early Literacy in your Preschool Classroom (July 6 at 10am CST). Register Here.  Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Episode Summary Join me, host Ashley Rives as I discuss THE 3 THINGS that have helped me have successful small group time again and again.  These top tips may seem small- but they are mighty! Topics Discussed: Have A Plan Be Flexible Get Organized Resources Mentioned: Online Conference Tickets - Educate & Rejuvenate Small Group Lesson Plans                Buy On TpT              Buy in the LCPR Shop Related Episodes or Blog Posts: My Top Tips for Preschool Small Group Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Organizing Your Preschool Small Group   Episode Summary Whether you love or loathe organization, the act of being organized in our classrooms make us more effective teachers.  When we don't have to spend time and frustration looking for materials or lesson plans- we feel better. And when we feel better- we teach better. This is no different when doing small groups in your preschool classroom.  The organization piece is what keeps all the ducks in a row. << Cause we all hate the feeling of squirrels at a rave!   Topics Discussed: Organizing Activities Organizing Data Organizing Materials Resources Mentioned: Online Conference: Educate & Rejuvenate - Grab your ticket here! Small Group Bundle on TpT Small Group Bundle on LCPR Shop   Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Blogpost: Organizing Your Preschool Small Group Freebie: Small Group Planning Kit   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Preschool Small Group Activity Ideas   Episode Summary You know the benefits of having small group time {check} You've got your groups all grouped up {check} Now it's time to figure out what to do when you call those groups to meet together! This episode is packed full of ideas for activities you can use in small group! Topics Discussed: What skills to focus on during small group What types of activities to include during small group Resources Mentioned: Small Group Resources on TpT Small Group Resources on LCPR Shop Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Preschool Small Group Activity Ideas Blogpost (With Pictures!) 5 Reasons to Have Small Group Podcast Episode How to Effectively Group Preschoolers for Small Group Podcast Episode Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

How to Effectively Group Preschoolers for Small Group   Episode Summary One of the biggest obstacles when planning for preschool small group is figuring out your groups. Once you start planning, questions start festering up, like... -What is my criteria for breaking students into groups? -How many students should go in each group? -How long does a student stay in a group? -How should I refer to my groups? details... so many details! Listen in to the second episode in the Small Group Series as I walk you through grouping students for small group! Topics Discussed: Creating Groups. How Many Preschoolers Should Be in a Group? How Long Should a Student Stay in a Group? How Should I Refer to the Groups? What Should the Other Students be Doing?   Resources Mentioned: Play Based Preschool Assessments and Portfolio on TPT Three Year Old Assessment on TPT Two Year Old Assessment and Portfolio on TPT Assessment Collection on the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources Shop   Related Episodes or Blog Posts:  Is it Time to Start Small Group?   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

5 Reasons to Have Preschool Small Group   Episode Summary Do you have small group time built into your preschool day? If no - why not? This episode will give you 5 really good reasons that you should consider adding it in.  If yes - how is it going? do you love or loathe small group time?  Or... are you required to do small group, but don't really know the benefits? Listen on my friends- small group has some BIG benefits!   Topics Discussed:   Differentiation : Meeting children where they are at. Connection Building Attention to Task Working with Peers Practice Needed Skills   Related Episodes or Blog Posts:  5 Reasons to Have Preschool Small Group Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Using Meaningful Experiences to Teach Letters   Episode Summary Letter identification is one of the first things parents, administrators and some teachers think of when they think of preschool learning. Truth is there is a TON more that goes into supporting children in the area of literacy before they are readers (we are setting the foundation after all...).  But, that also doesn't mean that letter learning isn't important- it's just important to remember that it's just a piece of the bigger literacy puzzle.   Topics Discussed: Changes in education- How teaching letters has evolved and why meaningful experiences are important when teaching letters How we can approach letter learning with meaningful experiences in mind How we can use names to begin the letter recognition process   Resources Mentioned: The Ultimate Preschool Literacy List {FREE} Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Blog: Title   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

How to Make Preschool Clean Up Time Easier   Episode Summary It's clean up time!!! Tell me...did your stress level just go up?!  Preschool clean up time is no fun at all.  Trying to get lots of littles to pick up the mess they made seems to be getting harder and harder, year after year.  It seems like they will do anything to get out of cleaning... like always having to go to the bathroom after clean up time is declared or being SOOO tired they can't get up... I've seen lots of their shenanigans over the years. But, clean up time doesn't have to feel so frustrating every single day.  I've got some strategies that actually work!  Topics Discussed: How I make clean up time easier (and how you can too!) Related Episodes or Blog Posts: How to Make Preschool Clean Up Time Easier   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Ideas for Preschool Classroom Jobs   Episode Summary Kids love feeling special and I love helping them feel special! That is why in our preschool classroom each and every child has a daily job. For us, having preschool classroom jobs is not just about children helping out in class. Jobs help cultivate a feeling of classroom community. Plus, when each student gets a job everyday he or she fills a special spot within our early childhood classroom. In this episode I will give you tons of ideas on how to incorporate jobs into your own classroom! Enjoy! Topics Discussed:   Types of Preschool Classroom Jobs Classroom Job Charts Done for you Classroom Jobs Resource   Resources Mentioned: Classroom Jobs Resource on TpT Classroom Jobs Resource on Lovely Commotion Shop   Related Resources and Blogposts Ideas for Preschool Jobs Why we still use a calendar at Circle Time Survey of the Day     Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Streamline Your Preschool Assessments Process   Episode Summary I remember the time at the beginning of the school year, years ago when I was struggling to map out how my preschool assessments pieces would fit together. I knew I needed some sort of sheet to record data and I also knew I wanted to have student portfolios.  But how they connected and the pieces that were missing were bring me that 'disorderly feeling'.   Fast forward 5+ years and I again am finding myself having this feeling. This time it is in relation to how much TIME I was spending on assessing. It just didn't feel right - I would spend weeks assessing all.the.things, three times a year - but then lacked the actual time to TEACH the skills I saw were missing when doing the assessments.  Listen in to find out how I solved this assessment dilemma!   Topics Discussed:   Goals and Standards Collecting and Reporting Data Using and Communicating Results   Resources Mentioned: Cutting Down on Assessment Time in the Preschool Classroom Guide    Related Episodes or Blog Posts:   Do This, Not That - Assessment Edition Making Assessments for Preschool Engaging   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Must Have Items for the Preschool Light Table   Episode Summary One of our favorite items to use during center time in preschool is the light table.  Kids love things that light up - shoes, glow sticks or fun night lights - light brings another element of interest.  When I put a light table in our preschool classroom, it was an easy sell. The thing gets used daily and we can do so many learning activities right on the table! Listen to this episode for some great ideas on how to use the light table in your classroom!   Topics Discussed:    Why use a light table? The Light Table Must Have Manipulatives and Light Table Mats   Resources Mentioned:   Light Table Activities on TpT Light Table Activities on the NEW LCPR Shop    Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Must Have Items for the Preschool Light Table (lovelycommotion.com)     Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Gross Motor Development in Preschool   Episode Summary “Watching a child makes it obvious that the development of his mind comes through his movements” - Maria Montessori Children love to move. Sadly though, Gross Motor Development in the preschool years is often overlooked in classrooms. Many teachers think outside play is enough to develop any gross motor skills that are needed. The truth is, developing gross motor skills needs more attention in the classroom! With a big push for academic learning, planning gross motor activities gets brushed off to the side. Listen in! I will help you to bring gross motor back into the preschool classroom!   Topics Discussed:   Gross motor development is important and here is why… How can preschool teachers help children develop strong gross motor skills? Which types of Gross Motor Skills should I focus on? Resources Mentioned: Free Gross Motor Development Cheat Sheet   Related Episodes or Blog Posts: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/gross-motor-development  Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

How to use Write the Room for Engaged Learning   Episode Summary Young children are little explorers.  They love magnifying glasses, binoculars and touching everything in sight!  As we know, this is how young children figure out the world- through exploration!  So, when planning academic activities for young children, why not build off their need to explore? In this episode, I will tell you all about my reimagined version of 'Write the Room', which I call 'Hunt the Room'. I'll tell you exactly how to use it and what skills you can cover by using this fun activity with your young explorers!   Topics Discussed:   Hunt the Room - not write the room - my resource that allows ALL of your students to join in the fun How to use Hunt the Room Hunt the Room Skills Tips for using Hunt the Room Resources Mentioned: Hunt the Room - TPT Store Hunt the Room - LCPR Shop   Related Episodes or Blog Posts:   How to use Write the Room for Engaged Learning (lovelycommotion.com)   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Making Preschool Assessments Engaging   Episode Summary Oh, assessments and data collection.... such a necessary evil for preschool teachers all over the globe.  While assessments and evaluation give us teachers the information we need to construct lessons and small groups, they aren't always very much fun for students. I mean lets be honest... there aren't too many kids out there that like testing.  But, that baseline data and growth data really can share some good info - so the probabilities of assessments going away, in my opinion, is very unlikely. So, what's a preschool teacher to do who needs to do assessments but knows they are a drag? We do what we do with literally everything else and find a way to make it engaging!   Topics Discussed:    Assessing through games  Using hands-on manipulatives and tools Using movement Observations through play     Resources Mentioned:   Assessments Resources on TPT Assessment Resources in the LCPR Shop   Related Episodes or Blog Posts:   Making Assessments for Preschool Engaging (lovelycommotion.com)   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Do This, Not That - Assessment Edition   Episode Summary Ever feel a little tightness in your chest at the thought of assessments? Giving the assessments is time consuming, collecting data can be messy and using the results is easier said than done. It all can get pretty overwhelming, pretty quickly. So, in this episode I want to share some do’s and don’ts that I may have learned the hard way with assessing preschoolers.   Topics Discussed: How to plan for assessments Being intentional with your assessments How to assess and How to use the data collected How and why to share reports with parents Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Do This, Not That = Assessment Edition (lovelycommotion.com)  Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

9 Of Our Favorite Spring Activities   Episode Summary Hello Spring!  The thought of getting out of the winter slump and into some longer, warmer days is always welcomed when Spring comes.  And with Spring comes time to plan some of my favorite preschool spring activities! Want to see what spring themed activities make the cut? That's what this episode of the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is all about!   Topics Discussed:   Our top 9 Spring activities from painting with dandelions to Spring themed games   Related Episodes or Blog Posts: 9 of our Favorite Spring Activities Blogpost Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

What are Play Schemes and Why are they Important? Episode Summary Have you heard of play schemes before? If you’ve ever wondered why young children play certain ways and repeat those actions  over and over again - play schemes might be the culprit. Understanding play schemes not only helps us understand the development of our young children, but it also helps us see why some of those behaviors are happening. And when we understand the why, it’s easy to help support children rather than just punish. So, let’s jump into what play schemes are, the 9 different types of play schemes and how we support children who are displaying these schemes.   Topics Discussed:   What are play schemes? The nine types of play schemes- what they look like and how to support them. Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Level Up Your Preschool Science Center   Episode Summary Is planning and changing out your preschool science center hard for you? Do you struggle to find activities and materials that children can use both independently and keep them engaged? If so, then this episode is for you! For many, many years my science center was kinda blah.  There weren't many materials to put in the center and children would hop in, touch some things and hop back out.   Depending on the science topic, the popularity of the center varied - but more often than not, the children just weren't engaged. After mulling this over and talking it through with my bestie teacher friend, we both came to the conclusion that the center might be just too open-ended. Find out what we did to level up out science center!  Topics Discussed:  How to change the way science centers are structured- what we were doing and what we are doing now Our new color science centers Our new sound science centers Resources Mentioned: Preschool Science Centers  Related Episodes or Blog Posts: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/level-up-preschool-science-center Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Tips for Teaching Name Writing   Episode Summary Helping children to learn to write their names is one of the biggest topics I see questions on. Early Educators want to make sure our students are prepared to enter Kindergarten knowing how to write their name, because let's face it - many kindergarten classrooms don't work on that skill much anymore. And while I am not a firm believer that preschoolers need a lot of paper, pencil handwriting practice… I do hear the cries of the K teachers and try to do my part with teaching name writing. In this episode, I will share my best tips for teaching name writing. Resources Mentioned: Name Writing Notebook Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Things to Do Before Teaching Name Writing - Podcast Episode 21 https://www.lovelycommotion/episode21   Tips for Teaching Name Writing (lovelycommotion.com) Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Things To Do Before Teaching Name Writing    Episode Summary Teaching children to write their names is such a rewarding process. But, sometimes... we, as teachers, get excited. Too excited.  We jump right in to teaching our 3 and 4 year olds how to write their name.   We mean well, but... by jumping right in to name writing, we are making the assumption that the little fingers that belong to those cute 3 and 4 year olds are ready. How do we know if those little fingers are ready and what can we do BEFORE we begin teaching name writing? That's what this episode is all about! Topics Discussed: Fine Motor Skills Pre-Name Writing Skills Skills to Teach Name Writing   Resources Mentioned: Roadmap to Name Writing   Related Episodes or Blog Posts:   Things to Do Before Teaching Name Writing (lovelycommotion.com)   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group     More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

A Circle Time Plan for Preschool   Episode Summary If you find circle time to be a challenge to manage and are starting to wonder why you even keep doing it... I'm here to help! Join me as I discuss the problems that can arise during circle time, the plans I use to keep circle time new and exciting for my preschoolers, and the skills that can be added to circle time! Topics Discussed: The Problem A Circle Time Plan? Core and Add In Skills Resources Mentioned: Circle Time Plan Workbook Related Episodes or Blog Posts: A Circle Time Plan for Preschool (lovelycommotion.com) Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Process Art Vs. Crafts in Preschool   Episode Summary “Every child is born creative. The challenge is to keep that creativity alive.” That is quote from Kristina Webb.  Pretty true right?! Sometimes without intent, our schooling systems try to put that creativity into a box by focusing heavily on product-art, rather than process-art. Topics Discussed: What is Process Art? Why Process Art over Crafts for Preschoolers? How Do You Know if you are Encouraging Process Art? How to Bring more Process Art into your Classroom Resources Mentioned: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H8hKruPJtlHRkwHk4lRJ9Y124ewCrYyW/view?usp=drivesdk Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Process Art - Beyond the Paintbrush  Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group  More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

5 Winter Fine Motor Activities Episode Summary With the rise in technology use with our preschoolers, a lot of educators are noting the lack of fine motor skills coming into the classroom.  So, many teachers are looking for new and fun ways to get those fine motor muscles working so that students can be successful when working on writing and large cutting tasks. On today's episode I'd love to share with you 5 Winter Fine Motor Activities that are student (and teacher) approved! Topics Discussed: Fine Motor Activities (hole punching and poking, cutting, paths, and beads) Specific ideas on how to use each of the activities Why fine motor activities are important Resources Mentioned: Fine Motor Task Card Boxes for Preschool and Kindergarten- BUNDLE (teacherspayteachers.com Related Episodes or Blog Posts: 5 Winter Fine Motor Activities (blogpost with photos): https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/5-winter-fine-motor-activities How to Use Fine Motor Tasks: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/using-fine-motor-boxes   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Supercharge Your Preschool Circle Time Episode Summary Do you struggle when it comes to circle time engagement?  Got little rollie pollies on the rug who don't stay engaged for long?  Yep, I did too.  So, many little bodies and so much movement! Join me, Ashley, as I talk you through what I did to keep the circle time routine...without making it so, well, routine!!  Topics Discussed: What circle time routine looked like in my classroom How I changed it up to make it more engaging and exciting Resources Mentioned: Circle Time Plan Workbook: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/center-guide-2022-opt-in-1  Classroom Jobs: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Jobs-to-Build-a-Class-Community-for-Pre-K-Kindergarten-1396554 Circle Time Games: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Lovely-Commotion-Preschool-Resources/Category/-128218-Circle-Time-Games-434451    Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Keep Circle Time Lively: https://lovely-commotion-preschool-resources.mykajabi.com/blog/keep-preschool-circle-time-lively-with-these-quick-tips A Peek Inside my Circle Time Cart: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/circle-time-cart Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Why Every Preschooler Needs to be Playing Cooperative Games   Episode Summary Game play and young children can be SO much fun! But, if you have some children who struggle with the winning and losing aspect of a game - a cooperative game is just what you need!  But, don’t get me wrong - playing cooperative games is important for ALL our little learners. Find out why in this episode of the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast! Topics Discussed: Benefits of Cooperative Board Game Play Favorite Cooperative Games When do you play them? Resources Mentioned: Peaceable Kingdom Cooperative Games: https://www.mindware.orientaltrading.com/games/cooperative-games/peaceable-kingdom-a1-555711+2890-1.fltr Related Episodes or Blog Posts:  Why Every Preschooler Needs to be Playing Cooperative Games (lovelycommotion.com) Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

The Back from Break Struggles   Episode Summary The 'Back from Holiday Break' struggles are REAL - am I right? To be honest I kinda dread it each year. Am I super excited to see those faces I've missed over break?  Yes.  Do I want to go back and have to re-teach procedures and expectations? No, not particularly.   But....truth is, after several weeks off from school, sometimes our little learners forget expectations and rules.  They have been out of practice and therefore need some reminders. Topics Discussed: Re-teaching Classroom Expectations Three Go To Resources for Re-teaching Procedures and Expectations  Resources Mentioned: Procedure Cards: Classroom Procedure & Routine Visuals for Preschool, Pre-k and Kindergarten (teacherspayteachers.com) Transition Songs:  Preschool Transition Songs (lovelycommotion.com) Visual Schedules: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/opt-in-92321598-ffed-4229-9ff6-d00ff623de7   Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Tips for Teaching Classroom Procedures: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/tips-teaching-classroom-procedures Sing It , Don’t Yell It: Preschool Transition Songs (lovelycommotion.com) Visual Schedules for Preschool: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/benefits-visual-schedule   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Free Play + Playful Learning = Engaged Centers Episode Summary Creating centers that draw children in and keep them engaged - as well as help them learn important skills isn’t as easy as it sounds.  > Do you spend WAY too much time searching and scrolling for fresh new center ideas? > Feel like if you added one more thing to do onto your plate that your brain might turn to mush? > Got goals to meet? Like me and hate fluffy resources that are cute, but not age appropriate? I hear ya. Because I was once there too. I spent a whole year completely checked out.  I wasn’t trying anything new, I wasn’t changing things out like I used to and I lost some of that passion. Topics Discussed: How making the decision to focus on changing how I run my classroom centers led to less overwhelm.  Free Play Playful Learning The Combo of Free Play and Playful Learning Resources Mentioned: 5 Strategies to Keep Your Preschoolers Engaged With Centers (To Eliminate Behavior Headaches & Keep Things Fresh) Training Replay: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/plc-join2 Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Episode 1 - What Play-Based Learning means in a Preschool Classroom: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/podcasts/lovely-preschool-teachers-podcast/episodes/2147801625 Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Benefits of Free Choice Play   Episode Summary Are you a free-choice centers classroom or do you run assigned centers? If you are running assigned centers in your classroom you might be wondering what the big appeal is to allow free choice.  After all, free choice can get more chaotic and loud. Not to mention that all children may not visit all centers, so how can you be sure they are learning? Plus, how will you separate the kids that you don't want together unless you assign centers? I am a big believer in free-choice play centers and have 4 BIG benefits to share with you about why free choice centers are right for our young learners. If you are on the fence about free-choice centers or looking for a change - this is for you!   Topics Discussed:   Engagement The Whole Child Peer Interactions More Learning     Resources Mentioned:   5 Strategies to Keep Your Preschoolers Engaged With Centers (To Eliminate Behavior Headaches & Keep Things Fresh) - Free Teacher Training - December 28 @ 10 am (cst) - Register Here: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/plc-webinar-registration   Related Episodes or Blog Posts:   Episode 7: Leveling Up Your Centers with Tray Tasking - ​​https://www.lovelycommotion.com/podcasts/lovely-preschool-teachers-podcast/episodes/2147815692 5 Benefits of Free Choice Play (lovelycommotion.com)     Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

How to Teach Social Emotional Skills   Episode Summary In this episode, learn how I teach social emotional skills in a whole group approach. Adding in a whole group social emotional lesson to my week was actually quite game changing, in ways I didn't suspect. Topics Discussed: Benefits of teaching social emotional skills in a whole group Components of a social emotional lesson The lesson plan I follow for teaching social emotional skills in a whole group  Resources Mentioned: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Social-Emotional-Learning-Bundle-5918473?utm_source=Podcast%20Show%20Notes&utm_campaign=Podcast%20Ep%2012%20%7C%20SE%20Bundle Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Which Social Emotional Skills to Teach: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/which-social-emotional-skills-to-teach Why You Should be Teaching Social Emotional Skills: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/why-we-should-be-teaching-social-emotional-skills   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Which Social Emotional Skills to Teach Episode Summary Have you ever wondered... which social emotional skills should I be guiding and teaching my preschoolers? The basic ones are pretty obvious - we don't want them to hurt others, we want them to name their emotions and communicate their needs... but what other skills could we be teaching? Topics Discussed: When and in what setting to teach social emotional skills Personal (self) skills Social skills Decision making Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Find the free printable list of Social Emotional Skills to Teach here: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/which-social-emotional-skills-to-teach Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Why You Should be Teaching Social Emotional Skills Episode Summary I have tried every behavior management system known to man. Okay, that might be an exaggeration. But, I've tried a ton and chances are ... if you've been in the teaching world for a while, you've tried a lot of them too. But, here is the thing.... We want children to do the right thing because they know it's the right thing to do. Join me as we work through why we should be teaching social emotional skills in our classrooms. Topics Discussed:           Why typical behavior systems don't work           What does work - Intrinsic Motivation           How you can discover and teach the missing skills behind unwanted behaviors Related Episodes or Blog Posts: The Honest Truth about Clip Charts Beware of Classroom Reward Systems What are Preschool Behaviors Telling You? Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

STEM and Preschoolers- The WHY   Episode Summary Do you do STEM Challenges with your preschoolers? Some wonder if STEM is too complicated for young children…  But, when it comes down to it-  STEM promotes out of the box thinking - which we want even our youngest of children to be able to do. In this episode, join host Ashley Rives as she walks you through why you should consider incorporating STEM into your preschool classroom AND gives some great examples on how to do it! Topics Discussed: Why STEM is now a buzz word The biggest WHY I have for STEM and Preschoolers Academic Learning Intellectual Learning   Resources Mentioned: STEM Challenge Bundle: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Preschool-STEM-Challenge-Bundle-3598549    Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Article: Lively Minds by Lilian Katz STEM & Preschoolers - the WHY (lovelycommotion.com)   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

10 Ways to Boost Attention Spans   Episode Summary Have you ever been here…. you get out a floor puzzle for a child that requests it and as you and the child are working together to assemble the puzzle, the child abruptly leaves, moving onto to something else. The child lost interest in putting together the puzzle, their attention was up! It happens quite often in preschool classrooms because of the smaller attention spans that young children have.  In this episode, host Ashley Rives teaches how you can help your student’s build their attention spans! Topics Discussed: 10 ways you can help boost attention spans in your preschool classroom  Resources Mentioned: Procedure Visuals: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Procedure-Routine-Visuals-for-Preschool-Pre-k-and-Kindergarten-4011808 Rules and Expectations (sitting choices): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Rules-and-Expectations-Posters-4746118 Quick and Simple Math Games: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Preschool-Math-Games-3662267 Related Episodes or Blog Posts: 10 Ways to Boost Attention Spans (lovelycommotion.com   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group    More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Leveling Up your Centers with Tray Tasking Episode Summary Tray Tasking -have you heard of it?  Trust me when I tell you - it’s not as fancy as it sounds, but it does hold some magic when paired with centers! While others may do it differently, for me - tray tasking is placing an activity on a tray and placing it in the corresponding center. Sounds simple, right?  That is because it is.   Topics Discussed: What is Tray Tasking? Why use trays? Where to use Tray Tasking How to use Tray Tasking   Resources Mentioned: Playful Learners Club- https://www.lovelycommotion.com/plc-join   Related Episodes or Blog Posts: A Guide to Preschool Centers When Center Time gets Overwhelming Preschool Centers: Free Choice or Rotation? Prep Centers Now - Save Sanity Later   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Should Preschoolers be doing Worksheets? Episode Summary Putting the words preschooler and worksheet in the same sentence can sometimes bring up some big feelings from educators. It seems that there are many views on the worksheets or no worksheets stance in preschool. Some educators think they are helpful, some use worksheets sparingly and some use no worksheets at all. In this episode join host Ashley Rives as she discusses both sides of this issue AND gives you a suggestion on how to find a middle ground when it comes to worksheets.   Topics Discussed: Possible disadvantages of preschoolers doing worksheets Possible benefits of having preschoolers do worksheets Introducing recording sheets as an option   Resources Mentioned: The Lovely Preschool Teachers Group   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:    Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Simple Ways to Build Positive Student Connections     Episode Summary When you think back to your time in school, what stands out to you? You may say a certain class or a certain subject, but many times it comes back to a teacher (or more than one!). A teacher who saw you, made you feel special or taught you in a unique way. Teachers are generally what we remember most when we think about what we loved about school. Why? Because teachers are the ones who take the subject matter and make it meaningful - no textbook can do that. Teachers are the ones that help, guide and care. Teachers are the human connection inside the world of learning. So, to say that building positive connections between students and their teacher is important - might just be an understatement. But... how do we do it?   Topics Discussed: The best and easiest way to build student connections is through play Other ways we can build student connections Related Episodes or Blog Posts Simple Ways to Build Positive Student Connections (lovelycommotion.com)   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

A Simple Classroom Management Trick that Works Every Time!   Episode Summary: Putting lots of young children who are new to the school setting in a room can be a challenge. It isn’t called herding cats for nothing! We have lots of directions to give to keep our classrooms running smoothly. And listening and immediately following directions isn’t always easy for young learners. Topics Discussed:   Why we sometimes resort to raising our voices to be heard...and why that might not work.  A better way to get student’s attention: singing. When and how to use Singing in the classroom     Resources Mentioned:   Preschool Transition Song List: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/transition-songs     Related Episodes or Blog Posts:   Preschool Transition Songs: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/transition-songs    Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

The Do's and Don'ts of Preschool Circle Time Episode Summary: Circle Time - do you love it or loathe it? Depending on how you structure your circle time can lead to a wonderful group experience or a chaotic frustrating episode. So, let’s talk about the do’s and don’ts of circle time so we can all have wonderful group experiences (well, most of the time- we do teach preschoolers after all) Topics Discussed: Consistent circle time activities Keeping your circle time fresh Using sitting choices and boundaries Using movement The length of time for circle time Classroom Jobs in Preschool Communicating Expectations Resources Mentioned: Classroom Jobs Patterning Circle Time Cards Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Blog: Circle Time Plan for Preschool Blog: Top 5 Favorite Games for Circle Time Blog: Create a Circle Time Cart Blog: Ideas for Preschool Classroom Jobs Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group  More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

3 Mindset Shifts Preschool Teachers Need to Make regarding Teaching Letter Recognition   Episode Summary Letter Learning… There are so many different ways to teach children letters that sometimes it can be downright confusing when trying to choose the BEST way.  And by best way - I mean the best way for children, not necessarily the easiest and fastest way.   Topics Discussed:  Mindshift #1 - Letter Learning Isn’t Linear Mindshift #2 - Teaching Letters in Isolation leaves no way for connection Mindshift #3:  Differentiation is important    Resources Mentioned: The Preschool Literacy List - the skills to focus on to lay the literacy foundation: https://bit.ly/preschool-literacy-list   Related Episodes or Blog Posts: Bringing Literacy into your Fall Unit: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/bringing-literacy-into-fall-unit What is Modeled Writing in Preschool?: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/what-is-modeled-writing-in-preschool Using Meaningful Experiences to Teach Letters: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/meaningful-experiences-teach-letters   Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast:  Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

What Play-Based Learning Means in a Preschool Classroom Episode Summary Have you ever wondered… what exactly is play-based learning? Most would say that play-based learning is children learning through playing. But, when you really stop and think about it and dig a little deeper, we start to question… well, which activities are considered play-based learning and how does play-based learning relate to the broader concept of play? Let's take a closer look at play through the Continuum of Play. Topics Discussed: The Continuum of Play (adapted from Pyle and Danniels) Free Play  Inquiry Play Collaborative Play Playful Learning Learning Games Looking at the Continuum of Play and how it relates to our classroom  Resources Mentioned: Continuum of Play Graphic: https://www.lovelycommotion.com/blog/what-play-based-learning-means-in-a-preschool-classroom Connect with Ashley: Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group   More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast: Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way! As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher. Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com.

Welcome to the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast! Take a listen to our Trailer to learn all about this new and upcoming early childhood podcast. Don't forget to hit follow or subscribe to not miss a single episode!