Welcome to Kindergarten Cafe!

I’m Zeba, and I’m here to help you find the *kindergarten magic* in your classroom. I create resources and share strategies to make your teaching easier, more engaging, and focused on those magical moments of growth with your students. Whether you teach kindergarten, preschool, or first grade, you’ll find ideas and activities to bring that *kindergarten magic* to life. Feel free to reach out—let’s make teaching kindergarten magical again!

recent

A Developmental Approach to Teaching Writing with Melissa from Teaching to Transform ~ Ep. 114

Managing Math Expectations and Math Materials ~ Ep. 113

A Kindergarten Social Studies Year-Long Plan ~ Ep. 112

A Kindergarten Social Studies Unit: Families ~ Ep. 111

Honest Talk on Handling Teacher Burnout and Difficult Students ~ Ep. 110

Classroom Design

Dramatic Play

Best Storage Solutions for Centers in Kindergarten ~ Ep. 103

Classroom Design

Apple Spotify Amazon Music I have tried many different ways to organize materials. I feel like I finally found a way that works for me.~ Zeba from Episode 103 of The Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary Wondering how to manage all those center materials without creating chaos or drowning in bins...

Effective Classroom Setup: Balancing Play, Learning, and Routine ~ Ep. 94

Back to School

Apple Spotify Amazon Music You'll want areas of the classroom to be available for work and you'll want areas available for play, but they can overlap.~ Zeba from Episode 94 of The Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary In this final episode of our Classroom Setup Mini-Series, I’m walking you through how...

Building a Classroom That Invites Curiosity and Exploration ~ Ep. 93

Back to School

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Keep the classroom inviting, not distracting.~ Zeba from Episode 93 of The Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary In this week’s episode of our Classroom Setup Mini-Series, we’re focusing on how to set up your classroom in a way that naturally invites curiosity, creativity, and exploration. Something every...

Classroom Organization Tips For Overwhelmed Teachers ~ Ep. 92

Back to School

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Before tackling the clutter, you want to have a clear plan in mind for how you will organize your materials and spaces in your classroom.~ Zeba from Episode 92 of The Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary Welcome to the Classroom Setup Mini-Series! We’re kicking things off with...

Do’s and Don’ts of Classroom Decor ~ Ep. 42

Back to School

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Episode Summary In this episode, we discuss classroom decoration dos and don'ts from a kindergarten teacher's perspective. We want to create purposeful decor, avoiding overstimulation, and prioritizing student needs over personal aesthetics. Tips on cost-effective decoration and fostering student ownership are shared, encouraging a student-centered approach...

Back to Basics: Classroom Organization ~ Ep. 41

Back to School

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Episode Summary This episode covers key insights on effective classroom organization for kindergarten teachers. I discuss the importance of using visual labels to aid student independence and emphasize font readability and supply organization based on traffic flow and subject areas. I also explore strategies for managing...

Creating a Child-Centered Classroom with Holly from Research and Play ~ Ep. 33

Classroom Design

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Episode Summary In this episode, I have my teacher friend, Holly, from Research and Play on the Kindergarten Cafe Podcast. We explore the significance of purposeful classroom setup, focusing on child-centered approaches including the Reggio Emilia method. Holly stresses designing rather than decorating the classroom, using...

The Power of Dramatic Play in the Classroom ~ Ep. 23

Dramatic Play

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Episode Summary In this episode of the Kindergarten Cafe Podcast, we discuss the importance of having a dramatic play center in the classroom. Dramatic play allows children to try on different roles, understand social situations, and promote language development. It also integrates math and literacy and...

7 Tips for Organizing The Classroom: Supplies

Classroom Design

As teachers prepare their classrooms for the upcoming school year, organizing the classroom and supplies becomes a top priority. A well-organized classroom promotes independence, cleanliness, and efficient learning. In this blog post, we will explore seven tips for organizing the classroom supplies, focusing on creating independent...

The Kindergarten Must-Haves: Classroom Supplies and Materials

Back to School

Preparing for the start of a new school year can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to stocking up on supplies for your kindergarten classroom. To help you get organized, we've put together a list of must-haves that will ensure your students have everything they need...