Big Little Lessons

By Kristine Annunziata and Jenny GoodenoughSociety & Culture Science Social Sciences Education Self-Improvement Relationships

Big Little Lessons episodes

January 13Finding Flexibility — Building Resilience Through Change ~ 021
Flexibility is more than stretching — it’s a life skill. In this episode of Big Little Lessons, Jenny and Kristine sit down with special education teacher and author Lisa Konstandt to explore how flexible thinking helps children and adults navigate change, manage big feelings, and build resilience.
Lisa shares how her personal journey through breast cancer reshaped the way she listens to her inner voice and approaches life with greater intention — a journey that led her to write her memoir, Flat as a Pancake.
Drawing from both lived experience and her work in special education, Lisa explains how flexibility is taught through modeling, language, and repeated practice. She shares practical strategies for supporting students — especially those with special needs — when routines shift, plans change, or emotions run high.
Key Takeaways
Flexible thinking allows us to adapt when plans change and emotions rise

Naming, modeling, and practicing flexibility builds resilience over time

Being flexible doesn’t erase disappointment — it helps us move through it

Small, everyday changes create safe opportunities to practice adaptability

Flexibility supports emotional regulation, confidence, and well-being
Lisa’s Book: Flat as a Pancake
My Story of Breast Deconstruction, How I Lost My Boobs and Found Myself
We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]
Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
55 min
January 06Seeing the Year Ahead - Setting Intentions, Not Resolutions ~ 020
As we step into a new year, it’s easy to feel pressure to rush growth—both for ourselves and for the children we care for. In this episode of Big Little Lessons, Jenny and Kristine slow things down and invite parents and teachers to take a developmental pause.
Through classroom stories and lived experience, they explore:
Setting intentions instead of resolutions

Reviewing growth patterns to better understand behavior

Creating a mental vision board for classrooms and home

Honoring children’s current developmental stage while gently supporting the next step
They also share a trusted resource that has guided their teaching for years: Yardsticks by Chip Wood, a practical guide to understanding child development ages 3–14.
This episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t happen by skipping stages—it happens when we notice, nurture, and trust the process.
Research and Recommendations
Children’s understanding of apology develops over time — words often come before meaning.
Vaish, Carpenter, & Tomasello (2011), Young Children’s Understanding of Remorse and Apology

Repairing harm matters more than forced apologies when supporting moral and emotional growth.
Zahn-Waxler & Kochanska (1990), The Origins of Guilt
Yardsticks by Chip Wood — a practical, parent- and teacher-friendly guide to children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development (ages 3–14). We reference this book as a helpful lens for honoring where children are developmentally and supporting what comes next.
We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]
Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
32 min
December 30, 2025First-Year Teaching: A Mid-Year Reflection ~ 019
The first year of teaching is full of learning, growth, and moments that quietly shape who we become as educators. In this mid-year reflection, Jenny and Kristine look back on their own first-year experiences and welcome special guest Katelyn Abernathy, a first-year speech teacher supporting over 40 students. Together, they share honest insights about surviving the early months, finding rhythm and routine, and discovering that growth is happening—even when you can’t see it yet.
Landing that very first teaching job

The first eight weeks: expectations vs. reality

Finding your rhythm, routines, and support systems

Learning to ask for help and lean on mentors

Noticing the small wins that keep you going

Remembering that being a beginner takes time
Listener Poll:
We’d love to hear from you! Take our short listener poll and tell us about your own first-year experiences—and what topics you’d like us to explore next. First year teaching poll
If you have questions or suggestions, please email us at: [email protected]
We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]
Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 12 min
December 23, 2025 Perfectly Imperfect Holiday Bloopers ~018
What if the messiest moments are the most memorable ones? We know that the holidays are rarely perfect—and that’s exactly what makes them memorable. In this joyful, laughter-filled episode, Jenny and Kristine celebrate the perfectly imperfect holiday moments that unfold in kindergarten classrooms and at home.
From holiday shows that go off-script to kids falling asleep on the risers, we reflect on the small, hilarious bloopers that often become our favorite stories.
Together, we explore three big little lessons: noticing the funny moments, letting go of “perfect,” and creating space for joy in the unexpected. Because the magic of the season usually shows up when things don’t go as planned.
We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]
Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
34 min
December 14, 2025 Christmas Stories That Shape Us: And the Social–Emotional Magic Inside Them - 017
Why do certain Christmas stories stay with us long after the decorations are packed away? In this special holiday episode, Jenny and Kristine take a thoughtful and nostalgic look at three beloved Christmas classics — ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas — and uncover the powerful social–emotional lessons woven into their timeless tales.
Drawing from their years in the kindergarten classroom, they explore how these stories model essential skills we all need at every age: anticipation and regulation, belonging and empathy, kindness, self-acceptance, generosity, and growth. These familiar characters remind us that big feelings, mistakes, exclusion, and transformation are part of being human — and that connection and compassion can change hearts.
More than a celebration of holiday favorites, this episode is also an invitation to listen with new ears. Jenny and Kristine encourage listeners to begin noticing the social–emotional learning embedded in all the stories we tell — bedtime books, classroom read-alouds, family movies, and the narratives we return to year after year.
Whether you’re listening with children, students, or simply your own inner child, this episode invites you to slow down, revisit stories you thought you knew, and discover the meaningful lessons still waiting to be found.
We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]
Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
32 min
December 08, 2025 Sportsmanship: From Kindergarten Play to Varsity Games ~ 016
In this episode, Jenny and Kristine sit down with colleague, educator, and basketball coach Steven Tolbert to uncover how sportsmanship is shaped long before players ever put on a jersey. Drawing from Steven’s years working in kindergarten and coaching athletes, they explore the deep connection between early learning and character on the court.
Key Themes
• Kindergarten as the Foundation for Sportsmanship
How sharing, taking turns, collaboration, and managing emotions in early childhood create habits that matter later in athletics.
• Executive Function: The Hidden Skill Behind Great Athletes
Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child describes executive function as the brain’s “air traffic control system.” Through structured play, children learn focus, flexibility, self-control, and emotional regulation—skills that help athletes face pressure, bounce back from mistakes, make quick decisions, and work as a team.
• The Power of Rituals and Routines
Developmental science shows that predictable family rituals (like game nights, pre-game routines, and consistent expectations) build resilience, confidence, and emotional well-being—qualities that create composed kids and grounded competitors.
• Integrity Both On and Off the Court
Steven shares what true sportsmanship looks like: respecting opponents, holding oneself accountable, celebrating others, and modeling positivity regardless of the outcome.
• Lessons for Parents, Teachers, and Coaches
Practical tools for reinforcing sportsmanship at home and in the classroom through play, conversation, and connection.
Why It Matters
Sportsmanship isn’t something that magically appears in adolescence—it’s built through everyday interactions, early rituals, supportive adults, and the social-emotional skills learned in kindergarten. Those early lessons echo for a lifetime.
Harvard Research
We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]
Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
53 min
December 02, 2025 The Joy of Singing and So Much More ~ 015
In this heartwarming episode, Jenny and Kristine talk with Ben Enright, a middle and high school choir director, vocal director for musical productions, and middle school history teacher. Ben shares how music and teaching intersect—how the skills that bring harmony to a choir also create connection and curiosity in the classroom. Together, they explore the joy of helping students find their voices, the parallels between leading an ensemble and leading a class, and the life lessons that come from listening, collaborating, and showing up fully.
Through stories, laughter, and reflection, this conversation reminds us that singing isn’t just about music—it’s about belonging and bringing out the best in one another.
I Sing Because My Soul Is Happy - Mahalia Jackson
We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]
Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
42 min
November 25, 2025 Transitions: From Kindergarten to College ~ 014
What does walking a kindergartner into their very first classroom have in common with sending a young adult off to college? More than you’d imagine. In this insightful and heartfelt episode, Jenny and Kristine sit down with college counselor and former Broadway performer Elisa Sagardia—who also happens to be an animal lover with a pet menagerie from dogs and cats to hedgehogs, squirrels, and guinea pigs.
Together, we explore how the earliest school transitions mirror the big ones at 17 and 18. Drawing from decades in early childhood and college counseling, we unpack universal themes that show up at every age: letting go, building independence, emotional readiness, routines, friendships, confidence, and connection.
Elisa offers practical wisdom on supporting teens without taking over, managing family anxiety, and preparing students for whatever comes next—four-year universities, community college, trade programs, or gap years. Along the way, we highlight the shared rhythms between kindergarten and college: new environments, big feelings, fresh relationships, and learning to trust the process.
With stories, humor, and Big Little Lessons from both ends of the educational journey, this episode invites families to approach transitions with compassion, clarity, and confidence.
We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]
Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 10 min
November 17, 2025Holidays & Traditions: The Little Rituals That Shape Us ~ 013
What if the traditions we choose—old or new—shape the memories our children carry into adulthood?
In this reflective and heartwarming episode of Big Little Lessons, Jenny and Kristine explore the power of traditions—at school, at home, and in our communities. Drawing on decades of teaching kindergarten, they share how simple rituals help children feel seen, grounded, and connected, especially during the holiday season.
Listeners will hear stories from the classroom and insights into how traditions build identity, gratitude, and joyful memories over time. Jenny and Kristine unpack how to hold on to traditions that still serve us—and how to gently let go or reimagine the ones that don’t.
Whether you’re navigating holiday chaos, looking to introduce inclusive rituals in your classroom, or hoping to create meaningful traditions at home, this episode offers both inspiration and practical ideas for cultivating rhythms that truly matter.
Pumpkin Bread Recipe (Jenny & Kristine’s Holiday Favorite!)
A cozy, fragrant tradition straight from our kitchens to yours. Perfect for fall mornings, classroom treats, or holiday gatherings.
Wet Ingredients
3 eggs
¾ cup oil
1 small can pumpkin
½ cup water
1 tsp vanilla

Dry Ingredients
2 ¼ cups sugar
2 ½ cups flour
¾ tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp nutmeg
¾ tsp ginger
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 ¼ tsp salt

Optional Mix-Ins
Mini chocolate chips
Chopped pecans
Walnuts
Raisins

Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together all wet ingredients.
In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until well blended.
Pour batter into well-greased mini loaf pans, filling each about ⅔ full.
Bake at 350°F for approximately 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool slightly, slice, and enjoy warm—or wrap and share as a sweet holiday tradition.
Myquillyn Smith, The Nester
We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]
Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
50 min
November 09, 2025Growing Gratitude: Big Thanks for Little Things ~ 012
In this heartfelt episode, Jenny and Kristine explore what it really means to grow gratitude—not just during Thanksgiving season, but as a lifelong habit that brings more joy, connection, and contentment.
Drawing from their years of teaching and their own family experiences, they discuss how gratitude can be taught, modeled, and practiced—and why it matters for children and adults. Through stories and reflection, they remind us that happiness doesn’t come from material things—it grows when we notice the small, meaningful moments that surround us every day.
Gratitude grows when we notice, name, and nurture it.
Notice what’s around you.

Name what you’re thankful for—out loud, in writing, or through a shared ritual.

Nurture gratitude by repeating these small acts until they become habits.
Every year our students enjoy making a harvest candle for their family. It's easy to make and guaranteed success. Try making one this year! What you need to make 1 Harvest Candle:
8 oz disposable coffee cup

mixed dried beans

elmers glue

a taper candle

sandwich size Ziploc
Step 1: gather one cup of a colorful variety of beans/corn (corn, lentils, black eyed peas, split peas, kidney etc.) and dump them in a sandwich size Ziploc.
Step 2: To that bag add a generous amount of elmers glue (about ¼ cup). Press the air out and seal the Ziploc.
Step 3: Massage the beans until they are all covered with glue.
Step 4: Dump the beans into the cup (it helps to spray the cup lightly with some cooking oil).
Step 5: Place the candle in the middle of the beans and press it down until it hits the bottom of the cup.
Step 6: Allow it to dry for about 24 hours, then peel off the cup. Enjoy your Harvest Candle!
We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]
Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
35 min

About Big Little Lessons

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Meet two passionate kindergarten teachers with over 50 years of combined experience in public and private education, spanning classrooms from New York to Los Angeles. Just as children develop in…

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