Let’s talk about circle time, shall we? Do you love it? Or do you loathe it? Some of us have mixed feelings about circle time. And depending on how you structure yours, it can lead to a wonderful group experience or a chaotic and frustrating mess.

Today, let’s go into some do’s and don’ts of circle time!

Topics Discussed:

• Consistency in circle time
• How and when to give choices during circle time
• Adding in newness to keep circle time engaging
• Setting boundaries and expectations during circle time
• Bringing in jobs to your circle time
• Movement

Resources Mentioned:

• Rules & Expectations (Sitting Choices Graphic)

Related Episodes or Blogposts:

• Episode 17: Supercharge your Circle Time
• Episode 81: Keep Circle Time Lively

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

Whole group games work SOOO incredibly well at circle time.  I use them on the daily and these games allow me to work with students as a group to practice and review academic skills – but in a fun way!

In this episode, I want to share with you 5 of my favorite types of circle time games that you can play and adapt for any theme or season! Tune in!

Topics Discussed:

• 5 Circle Time Games described (in detail) for you, that you can use for any season!

Resources Mentioned:

• Circle Time Games Bundle

Related Episodes or Blogposts:

• Episode 17: Supercharge your Circle Time
• Blogpost with Photos

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

Got a Circle Time Cart?  This is one idea for circle time that you are going to want to hear about!

When you take a minute to stop and think of all the things that you use or could use during circle time, a long list might start forming. Calendar pieces, pointers, markers, well-wishing wands, music, a pocket chart…. 

But, do you make sure that all these items are readily available at your fingertips? 

I’m loving the organization of my Circle Time Cart.  So much so that I wanted to share it with you!

Tune in!

Topics Discussed:

• The cart itself
• TONS of ideas for what to put inside of your cart for circle time

Related Episodes or Blogposts:

• Blogpost with Photos of 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

Circle time is a beloved and essential part of the preschool classroom, providing a space for children to connect with their peers, learn new things, and develop important social and emotional skills. 

To create a successful and engaging circle time experience, it's crucial to carefully consider the physical environment. 

This episode lays out the key features I think about when setting up circle time.

Topics Discussed:

• The right space
• The board and wall
• Integrating core and add-in activities

Related Episodes or Blogposts:

• Podcast Episode 81: Keep Circle Time Lively

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 time is a major staple of a preschool program. And if you are running a play-based classroom like I am… free-play centers is the key ingredient! But have you ever wondered…. how long should I schedule time in centers? Tune in and I will walk you through what the recommendations are for scheduling center time.

Topics Discussed:

• ECERS (Early Childhood Environmental Education Rating System) recommendations.
• Recommendations based on length of day
• How to schedule center time so it doesn't feel so overwhelming

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Schedule Workbook

Related Episodes or Blogposts:

• Blogpost: How Long to Schedule Centers - With a helpful simplified scheduling chart!

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

Setting up a preschool classroom is both exciting and daunting.

This is the space where new little young minds will explore, learn, and grow. As a play-based classroom, my classroom truly is the second teacher. But, I truly believe we can’t just ‘wing it’.

There are some important factors to take into consideration when setting up your preschool classroom – and I’m sharing them all here with you! Tune in!

Topics Discussed:

• The 7 key factors to think about before setting up your preschool classroom

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Classroom Set Up Workbook

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 first day of preschool is a whirlwind of excitement, nerves, and new faces. As preschool teachers, we know the importance of creating a warm and welcoming environment from the start. And we also know how a little strategic planning can go a long way in setting the stage for a smooth and successful year.

In this episode, we’re talking about why investing time in planning classroom management before those tiny humans even walk through the door is a game changer. 

Tune in!

Topics Discussed:

• 5 ways to pre plan your classroom management - there might just be a couple you haven't thought of.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Chill Spot: Free Resource
• The Schedule Workbook - Free Resource
• Procedure Cards
• Guide to Social Emotional Learning
• Simplifying Classroom Management Training

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 teachers often find themselves navigating many tiny humans with big emotions. While the rewards of being a preschool teacher are huge, it doesn't come without challenges! Behavior management in the preschool classroom is complex and so much of it is our own mindset. Let's talk about the hard truths of behavior management!

Topics Discussed:

• 6 hard truths about behavior management in the preschool classroom
• What preschool teachers can do to change their mindsets around behavior management

Resources Mentioned:

• The Chill Spot: Free Resource

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

No preschool classroom is immune to it… little learners with BIG emotions. Some years are different from others, but every school year we will have children in our class that need help processing big emotions. And this year was the year I finally created something that I feel like really helps…. It’s called The Chill Spot and I want to share it because I’m so excited about the progress I am seeing! Tune in to find out what it is and the benefits I have seen from using it!

Topics Discussed:

• What the Chill Spot is
• Why and how it is used
• How it has been working in my classroom

Resources Mentioned:

• The Chill Spot FREE Resource

Related Blogposts or Episodes:

• Blogpost: The Chill Spot: What it is and how it’s Working

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

We all know the importance of fostering a strong literacy foundation in our little learners. But with so much to juggle, ensuring we're hitting all those crucial emergent literacy goals can feel overwhelming.

I do understand why many teachers still grasp to a step-by-step plan. It makes sense to our brains and makes us feel confident that we are covering the skills we should be (even if it's done in a way that research tells us is not best for young children).

But in this episode, I will help you understand how and why taking the non-traditional path to teaching emergent literacy skills is truly the way to go!

Topics Discussed:

• Literacy plan - why I no longer use plans like LOTW
• What makes this plan different from a sequential curriculum

Resources Mentioned:

• Get Your Lit Together: Preschool Literacy Made Easy course

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