This episode is a fun quick book review on Purposeful Play by Kristi Mraz, Allison Porcelli, and Cheryl Tyler Here's a quick snapshot of what we discussed in this episode: -Introduction and book summary: We start off by outlining what "Purposeful Play" is all about. The book firmly stands by the idea that play and learning are intertwined and can be a potent mechanism to instill meaningful learning experiences. - Why 'Purposeful Play' is a must-read for early educators: We delve into the...

We all know free play is best, but let's face it, you can only sit with your kid ad play hot wheels for so long or so many hours in a row. Sometimes its fun to plan an engaging integrated interactive activity with your child to change things up a bit.  Welcome to another fantastic episode of Pre-K Spot Talks! In this episode, your host Melysa Mei shares three comprehensive lists of fun and educational summer activities for Pre-K students. These activities not only keep the kids entertained...

In this episode we talk all about how to create and why we create safe spaces in our classroom. We talk all about how to make our classroom as a whole a safe space for all children. Free Mini Course The Open-ended Way Course Find me on Instagram and check out the website Pre-KSpot.com

This episode is all about some sensory info and ideas for providing multiple sensory experiences within the classroom to help children remain regulated. This blog post provides lots of helpful information. Grab your free list of Sensory Table Fillers for a Year. You can always find me on Instagram and my website - Pre-kspot.com

It's time to check in on the visual clutter in the classroom. Let's talk about why its a problem and how to make changes. Here are a few articles to help: Stop Classroom Clutter Heavily Decorated Classroom Disrupt Attention and Learning In Young Children Visual Perception You can find more child-led play-based ideas over on Instagram. Don't forget to check out the website, Pre-Kspot.com

In this episode I talk all about the hot topic that is kindergarten readiness. Does it need to be a thing? Can we shift the language around it? You bet we can. I share ideas for what is considered readiness and why we need to stop teaching K material to anyone but kindergarteners. More on this topic and other great child-led play-based content, check out my instagram. Shop lots of awesome early childhood merch and learning materials on my website, Pre-kspot.com

In this first episode of season 3 I share with you how our day goes and some insight into my thought process during the school day. Dont forget to follow me on Instagram and for more information check out my website.

We know as teachers and teacher parents that life can be crazy and chaotic when working and living with children. I share 5 tips I use daily to help you achieve what feels almost impossible, the ever illusive, work/life balance. Join my newsletter list on my website - scroll all the way to the bottom. Follow me on Instagram. 

I this episode we chat a little bit about why you need a teacher beastie and how to take care of that person. Follow me on Instagram And check out the website 

In this episode we talk classroom set up topics: decor, storage, and schedule. 1:36 - for decor 9:33 - for storage 21:39 - for schedule Click this link to access - decor checklist, decor reminder, and two storage trackers Click here for a editable schedule example. Find me on Instagram and don't forget to check out my website!

In this weeks episode we discuss two important parts of classroom set up - environment and materials. This previously recorded material is repurposed for you at the perfect time of year for setting up classrooms. I share with you some questions and reminders to think about as well as how I go ahead and set up my classroom. Links mentioned in show: Amazon Storefront Environment and Materials Checklists Newsletter Subscribe Keep up with the latest on our website and on Instagram. 

This week we dive a bit deeper into what the 90/10 rule looks like and how it can be incorporated into every aspect of your teaching. For more follow on Instagram @prek.spot Visit our website at pre-kspot.com

In this first episode of season 2 we talk about reflection as our guide forward. Sometimes you have to look back and learn to move on. I share about my reflection process and how we can bring reflection into the classroom, even for our youngest learners. For more awesome content join our mailing list at pre-kspot.com and don't forget to follow me on Instagram @prek.spot 

This week we talk all about letting the materials loose! Using materials all across the room and not just for it's intended area can be called cross-area play. We talk about the benefits and some great ideas from a NAEYC article as well as what it looks like in my classroom. We also talk about the mess it can create and tips and tricks for cleaning up said mess. Check out a quick look at cross-area play in one of my instagram reels. For more awesome info on open-ended child-led play...

In this week's episode we talk all about progressive education. I share and offer my reactions to the essay by Alfie Kohn entitled, Progressive Education: Why it's Hard to Beat, But Also Hard to Find. We share about what defines a progressive program, what progressive programs are not, why they are awesome, and why there is a resistance to them. For more follow me on Instagram or check out the website www.pre-kspot.com

Let's talk about how to be more child-led in your teaching practice. In this weeks episode we talk all about how we can focus more on our students no matter what your teaching style is and the setting you are in. To go even further down the open-ended child-led path grab the FREE mini course - 7 Benefits of Open-Ended Teaching For more follow me on Instagram or visit Pre-kspot.com

In this week's episode we talk all about one of my favorite subjects, rough play! This type of play can super uncomfortable and nerve wracking, but we need to all ow it and start to understand it more. We talk about how it fits into the scheme of play and why it is beneficial. We talk strategy and language around this type of play to help children understand their bodies, regulation and process within the context of very physical play. For more follow us on Instagram or visit...

This is why we teach...the kids. This week we talk all about how we focus on the students and why that is so important in the classroom. Understanding how we view the children and how that effects the classroom and our teaching is an important idea to reflect one. We also discuss ways to shift our focus to the children instead of all the other things being thrown at us. Know a friend who loves early childhood? Share this podcast or share the video version of this podcast on...

In this week's episode we talk all about where the play has gone and how to incorporate more play into your classroom through open-ended teaching strategies. We all know why play is beneficial in the classroom, but it still only shows up for 30 minutes a day in structured choice times. What are we doing instead? Academics. What can we do to incorporate more play? Open up your teaching style to a more open-ended child-led style and make play the pulse of the classroom. Making the shift in...

This week talk all about the stages and types of play. We get down to the basics so that you as a teacher have the foundation you need to incorporate more play in the classroom. This weeks episode discusses what each stage looks like and what each kind of play looks like. We discuss the benefits of play and how to observe and read children's play. Have some struggling students when it comes to play skills? Have a student stuck in one area? We discuss strategies and ideas for helping push...

Another name to call early childhood educators is Brain Architects. Early childhood is inarguably the most crucial time for brain development. Caretakers of young children hold the  upmost important role of building children's brains through experiences.  Play has long been the most developmentally appropriate practice for young children and in today's episode we discuss why and how brain architecture and play set the crucial foundation for children's later academic learning.  For more...