Elevating Early Childhood Podcast
Are you ready to teach better, save time, live more? I’m Vanessa Levin and here on Elevating Early Childhood, we believe in leveling the playing field and bridging the gap between the world of preschool, pre-k, and K-12 education.
The Best (and Worst) Alphabet Activities for the Beginning of the Year
Wondering what alphabet activities are the best for the beginning of the year? This episode of Elevating Early Childhood covers my favorites…and a few fails for the first of the school year.
My First Ten Days of School Tips and Lesson Plans for Your Preschool Classroom
How do make sure your first ten days of school go amazingly well? Listen to this week’s episode to find out! Plus, get our FREE lesson plan!
My Favorite Emotions and Feelings Activities and Games for Preschool
In this episode of Elevating Early Childhood, I discuss something every professional educator needs to use in their classroom: Emotions and feelings activities you can use to teach emotional literacy to your students.
Top 5 Methods for Improving Learning Centers In Preschools and Pre-K
Creating a smooth-running learning center can be challenging. So for this episode, I’m sharing my 5 favorite methods for improving them!
My Top 5 Organization Tips for Early Childhood Teachers
Wondering how to organize your preschool classroom? I share my tops 5 organization secrets in this post and podcast episode!
Navigating Emotions: Making Sense of Anxiety in the Preschool Classroom
Discover practical skills and strategies to manage preschool anxiety in the classroom.
Social-Emotional Learning: Practical Steps to Cultivate Calm in Preschool
Explore some easy mindfulness strategies and how to set up a calming area with intention.
How to Teach Handwriting Skills in Preschool
Are you looking for information about how to teach handwriting to your preschool, pre-k, or kindergarten students? Then you’re in the right place! There are many “great debates” in the field of early childhood and handwriting is right up there at the very top of the list. Here you’ll find […]
Managing Big Emotions in Preschoolers: Social Emotional Learning Tips for Teachers
All preschoolers have big emotions. But these days it can seem like the emotions are bigger and preschoolers are less able to manage them. How can you support little learners with big social emotional needs?
The Science of Play and Academic Success in Preschool
Everybody is talking about the Science of Reading – but what about the Science of Play? Why isn’t the early childhood world abuzz about this?
What Does It Mean to Be “Kindergarten Ready”?
What should preschool teachers focus on to prepare kids for kindergarten? Kindergarten-ready kids are those who have begun to develop executive function skills and social-emotional understanding.
Building Relationships with Challenging Families
Building relationships with challenging families may seem impossible. But when approached with empathy and understanding, it changes
Fine Motor Journals: 3 Reasons You Don’t Need Them
What are fine motor journals and do you need them? Learn the difference between real writing and handwriting – and more!
What to Do About Biting in Preschool?
What to do about biting in preschool, pre-k, or kindergarten. How to deal with kids who bite at home or in the preschool classroom.
My Step-By-Step Process to Improve Cleanup Transitions in the Preschool Classroom
Do transitions in your classroom have you at the end of your rope? Does it feel like you’re trying to herd kittens during arrival, dismissal, or cleanup time? Then I have two things to tell you: You’re not alone. I can help! You see, transitions are something that all early […]
My 5-Step Solution to a Loud Classroom
Friends, I have a question for you: Are the students in your classroom too loud? If so, then welcome to the club no one wants to join (yes, I have jokes). I can relate to students who have trouble keeping their outside voices where they belong, outside. And principals who […]
How to Use ASL in the Early Childhood Classroom
Friends, I have a question for you: Could your students use a little extra help paying attention during circle time? Are they constantly interrupting you? Or maybe they’re struggling to learn important academic skills? All right, that was more than one question, but you get the gist! Children have short […]
Playdough Center
Do your kids love playing with play dough in your classroom or at home? Here are some of my best tips for setting up and organizing your playdough center in your preschool or pre-k classroom. I have also added my favorite playdough recipe and tools to enhance student engagement in […]
The Top 3 Pitfalls to Avoid If You Want to Ace Your Formal Observation
Nothing strikes fear in the heart of a teacher more than a formal observation. You’re exhausted from all the hours you spent creating the perfect lesson plans. You’re waiting anxiously with a dry mouth and sweaty palms for your principal to walk through the door. And there’s this sound […]
How to Create the Perfect Morning Routine for Your Preschool Classroom
Use morning work boxes to create a simple morning routine for your preschool, pre-k, or kindergarten classroom. Perfect for back to school!
