Episodes
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Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Today I'm tackling a topic that every single one of us has encountered at one point or another, and that is working with challenging families or caregivers. Now, I know what you're thinking. Challenging families. Oh boy, here we go. But before you roll your eyes, stick with me because we're going to flip the script on this topic and approach it in a way that might just make your job a little easier and a whole lot more fulfilling. Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Hey teachers! Let me ask you a question, do you have “schoolmares” – or nightmares about the first day of school, long before the first day?
It's only natural, because facing the unknown can be scary, it’s only natural.
And each new school year brings many unknowns for both teachers and our little learners.
Welcome to another episode of "Elevating Early Childhood!"
I'm your host, Vanessa, and today we're tackling a topic that many of us face at the start of every school year: separation anxiety.
Yes, that moment when the parents or caregivers leave and the tears start flowing. We've all been there, right?
In today's episode of Elevating Early Childhood, I'm sharing my top 3 tips to help teachers (and families) ease separation anxiety.
Trust me, by the end of this episode, you'll feel ready to face the first day of school with confidence!
Before we can talk about it, let's define exactly what the term "Separation Anxiety" means so we're all on the same page.
You see, young children can become very fearful when they experience a new environment for the first time.
And when you add that they may be separated from their families for the very first time into the mix, it adds to those feelings of being fearful and anxious.
So, the definition of separation anxiety is the fear and anxiety of being apart from family members or caregivers is called separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is a natural and normal response for young children.
It's their way of saying, "Hey, I'm not so sure about this new place without my family members."
So, how can we, as teachers, help ease this anxiety and make the transition smoother for everyone involved?
Here are my top three tips.
Tip #1: Help Guide Parents
One of the best ways to help our little learners feel less anxious is to help guide their caregivers' behavior.
Because some parents and caregivers might feel just as anxious about leaving their child as the child does about being left.
And this anxiety can be contagious! So, it's crucial for families to talk with their children about how school is a fun and safe place.
My favorite, and most effective way happens before the school year even starts, by hosting a Parent Orientation/ Meet the Teacher/ Back to School type of event.
You can use this time to teach parents how to talk positively about school.
Share examples of phrases they can use when talking with their children, like, "You're going to have so much fun at school today!" or "I can't wait to hear about all the new things you learn!"
Encouraging parents to stay calm and positive can help set the tone for their child's first of school.
One way to help parents feel more calm is to have all their burning questions about you (the teacher) and school answered.
For some parents, this may be their first experience sending a child off to school.
One way you can do that is by having all the answers to their questions ready to go on a single sheet of paper (or digitally if you prefer).
Of course, your smiling face and welcoming demeanor during the event will go a long way in ensuring parents feel comfortable leaving their child with you.
You're also going to want to remind caregivers to keep their goodbyes short and sweet.
A quick hug, a big smile, and a confident, "I'll see you soon!" can make a world of difference.
The longer they linger, the more anxious the child might become.
Remember, it's all about confidence and positivity!
Tip #2: Create a Visual Daily Schedule
My next tip is all about consistency and routine.
Young children, especially those who are three to five years of age, crave predictability.
And one of the very best ways to provide this is by creating a daily schedule with visual picture cues.
A visual schedule helps children understand what to expect throughout the day.
When they can see the sequence of events, it reduces uncertainty and helps them feel more calm and secure.
For instance, having pictures that show activities like circle time, snack time, center time, can be very reassuring.
When a child is feeling anxious, gently guide them to the schedule and talk them through it.
Say something like, "Right now, we're having circle time. Next, we'll go to the playground, and then it'll be snack time. See? We'll have lots of fun, and before you know it, it'll be time to go home!" This way, they can see the structure of their day and know that the time apart from their caregivers is only temporary.
Tip 3: Create a Calm and Welcoming Classroom Environment
Finally, let's talk about the classroom environment.
Creating a calm and welcoming space is key to easing a child's separation anxiety.
Start your day with consistent routines and rituals that help children feel safe and secure.
One simple yet powerful ritual is greeting each child at the door with a choice, such as the way they would like to be greeted. Simple things like a smile, a high-five, or a handshake can be helpful.
This personal connection can make them feel valued and ready to start their day.
Inside the classroom, your environment is going to be inviting and child-friendly.
Soft lighting, a cozy reading area, soothing natural colors, and familiar items like a family photo can all contribute to a sense of comfort.
After the children enter the room, invite them to find their name cards (with photos) and place them in a pocket chart to show that they are "here" at school.
This small task gives them a sense of ownership and belonging.
You could also sing a welcome song to bring everyone together and set a positive tone for the day.
And let's not forget the end of the day, closure is just as important as the beginning of the day.
Providing closure with a good-bye song or ritual can help children feel a sense of completion and look forward to coming back.
"See Ya Later Alligator" is always a hit!
So there you have it — three tips to ease separation anxiety for your preschoolers on the first day of school.
Remember to guide parent behavior, create a visual daily schedule, and foster a calm and caring classroom environment.
These strategies can make a huge difference in helping your little learners feel more secure and excited about school.
If you liked this episode, or any of my others, please consider subscribing, commenting, and smashing that thumbs up button.
Let's support each other in making the first day of school a positive and joyful experience for everyone involved.
Until next time,
I'm Vanessa Levin
Onward and Upward!
Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Unpopular opinion alert! Today I'm taking on fine motor journals. Let's talk about the developmental stages of writing, proper letter formation, and authentic opportunities for developing fine motor skills - without fine motor journals! Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Check out my latest circle time area makeover, 2023 edition! Have you ever wondered what you should have in your circle time area? Or maybe you're wondering what's really necessary, and what's not.
In this episode of Elevating Early Childhood I'll be unveiling my new circle time board for 2023-2024. You'll learn the must-haves, as well as the "don't bothers" so you can set yourself, and your students up for success all year long.Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Welcome to another episode of "Elevating Early Childhood!" In this episode, we unravel the secrets to creating a successful preschool writing center from Day 1. 🍎✏️
🔍 What You'll Learn:
Why planning and setup are essential before the school year starts.
The importance of organization: center signs, 'I Can' cards, and labels.
Which supplies are a MUST at the beginning and why.
Demonstrating and instilling proper procedures and routines.
Pro tips on combining art and writing centers effectively. 🎨
Common pitfalls to avoid for a seamless experience.
Plus, special insight for those working in smaller classroom spaces!
🖍️ Remember, nurturing young writers is a beautiful journey filled with discovery, creativity, and a little bit of messiness! Embrace the process and watch your little learners thrive.
If you found this video helpful, don't forget to subscribe for more content on elevating early childhood education.Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Today we're diving deep into setting up the perfect Circle Time Area for your little learners. Discover how to create a space that inspires, educates, and brings everyone together!Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Does setting up your centers stress you out?
Are you looking for ways to make your sensory table center more fun and engaging for your students?
In this episode of Elevating Early Childhood we'll be looking at the best sensory bin tools to enhance sensory play and fine motor skills. We'll also discuss sensory bin fillers and there's even a free printable included to make setting up, planning for, and managing your sensory table a breeze!
Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Do you have questions about setting up the dramatic play center in your classroom?
Are you looking for ways to make your dramatic play center more engaging and deepen the play and learning?
Or maybe you just LOVE peeking into other teacher’s classrooms.
If any of these describe you, then you’re in the right place. This episode of elevating early childhood is part of a series I’m doing called Learning Center Tours where I draw back the curtains on each center, so stick around until the very end so you won’t miss a thing!Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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In this impactful episode of Elevating Early Childhood with Vanessa Levin, we dive into the heart of the early childhood classroom with a focus on blocks – the cornerstone of creativity and cognitive development.
Discover the intricacies of setting up your block center for unparalleled success in this center tour. Answering burning questions from my e-mail inbox, I'll will guide you through the crucial components of an effective block center set-up.
Join me for this in-depth tour, showcasing real-life examples and the best tips and tricks to avoid catastrophe, before it strikes! I'll provide detailed insights on what to put on the shelves in your block center for the first day(s) of school, and expert troubleshooting tips to set yourself and your kids up for success in the block center.
Tune in and empower your teaching journey with my comprehensive guide to creating a thriving block center. This episode is an absolute must for any educator looking to refine their approach and set up their block center for success. Let's leverage the power of blocks and shape our future one block at a time!Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Teachers, do you want the upcoming school year to be your best year ever?
What if I told you that you can start laying the foundation for a successful school year BEFORE your kids ever walk through your classroom door?
Yes, you heard me right! You can get a jump start on things during the summer that are going to ease your "schoolmares."
In this episode of EEC I’ll be sharing my secret weapon to combat your schoolmares head-on, right now, before the first day of school.
Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Teachers, are you overwhelmed by all the “non-teaching” responsibilities you have at school?
I’m talking about the things not related to when the students are in the classroom, like labeling the tubs in your centers, communicating with parents, planning events like meet the teacher etc. I could go on because the list is endless, but you know what I’m talking about. All these things can add up quickly and lead to feeling completely overwhelmed.
In this episode I'll be sharing ways to make all the "non-teaching" related tasks you have just a little bit easier and less overwhelming.Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Teachers, have you ever felt like a failure? Of course you have, and so have I! Every teacher out there feels like a failure some, or even all of the time. And that feeling of failure, it can really drag you down if you let it, am I right? That’s exactly why #teacher quittok exists.
But before you throw in the towel and turn in your resignation, I encourage you to watch/listen to this episode until the very end because I’m going to share my #1 method to help you STOP feeling like a failure, and start experiencing that sweet success you deserve.Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Listen, it's no secret that teaching preschoolers isn't easy peasy. It's full of ups and downs with lots of bumps along the way, which leaves you exhausted from trying to find a balance between work and life.
You just wish somebody would tell you what to teach and when to teach it, so you can find time to do the endless mounds of laundry or cook the occasional meal for your family.
If any of this sounds familiar to you, I want you to know that you're not alone. In this episode of Elevating Early Childhood I'm sharing my top 3 tips for knowing what to teach and when to teach it in your pre-K classroom. Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all the behaviors in your preschool classroom? That’s a trick question because every teacher feels like that sometimes. And those behaviors, do they seem like they’re getting worse each year?
If any of this sounds familiar, then you’re in the right place because this week’s episode of Elevating Early Childhood has the answers you’ve been looking for. But those answers might surprise you, so be sure to stick around until the very end so you don’t miss a thing.Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Let me ask you a question, how is teaching Pre-K different from, let’s say, 4th grade?
Or even first, second, or third grade?
It’s an entirely different animal, isn’t it?
So, if you’ve you been moved down to Pre-K from a higher grade,
OR you’re brand new to teaching Pre-K,
Then this episode of elevating early childhood is for you!
And if you’re an administrator, instructional coach, or a classroom teacher who works with teachers new to Pre-K – you’ll find this episode useful too! Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Are you looking for ways to incorporate more nature into your classroom? Bringing the outdoors into your classroom can provide a calmer and more soothing environment for young children. Who doesn’t want more calm and less chaos in their classroom, am I right?
In today’s episode of elevating early childhood I’m going to share easy and inexpensive ways to build a more natural math center in your preschool or pre-k classroom. Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Teachers, let’s be honest, the end of the school year is almost as stressful as the beginning of the year, am I right?
If you’re not rehearsing for the end of the year “program,” you’re assessing your students, doing report cards, planning Mother’s Day and Father’s Day events, field trips, and much more! The very last thing teachers need at the end of the school year is more “stuff to do” piled on their already overflowing plates. In today’s episode of elevating early childhood, I’m going to share 5 easy hacks preschool and even kinder teachers can use to lighten the load during this busy time.Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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What does it really mean to be “kindergarten ready?”
Should we be teaching kids to read before they enter kindergarten?
Are you worried that your preschool or Pre-K kids won’t have all the skills they need to excel in today’s kindergarten classrooms?
In this episode I'm going to break it all down for you so your kids will be well-prepared for kindergarten - and beyond.Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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Do puzzles cause headaches in your classroom? Are your kids uninterested in puzzles? Or maybe they’re frustrated because they can’t put them together? If you think puzzles are too much of a hassle, or they’re too old school for today’s kids – think again!
In today’s episode I’ll be sharing my best tips and tricks for teaching smarter, not harder when it comes to puzzles in the classroom, AND how to set your kids up for success with puzzles by following the developmental sequence that nobody taught you in college.Teaching Trailblazers
Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers
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