Podcasts · Kids & Family · Education

Elevating Early Childhood

Vanessa Levin

120 episodes

Are you ready to teach better, save time, and live more? Learn more about my membership program “Teaching Trailblazers” here: https://teachingtrailblazers.com/

More about the show

I'm Vanessa Levin and here on Elevating Early Childhood, we believe in leveling the playing field and bridging the gap between the world of preschool, pre-k, and K-12 education.

Episodes page 1 of 3

  1. Helping Preschoolers Manage Anxiety - SEL

    · 21 min · Episode 119

    Seeds of Success SEL Curriculum https://bit.ly/teachingtrailblazers • MY SHOP: https://www.pre-kpages.com/shop/ • MY BOOK: Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers:…

  2. How to Use Social-Emotional Learning to Keep Your Preschool Classroom Calm

    · 25 min · Episode 118

    RESOURCES MENTIONED • Rand Study: Pre-K Teacher Well-Being...in 2024 https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3279-5.html • Seeds of Success SEL Curriculum https://bit.ly/teachingtrailblazers…

  3. Managing Big Emotions in Preschoolers: SEL Tips for Teachers

    · 29 min · Episode 117

    Links Mentioned: • SOS Curriculum • Teaching Trailblazers • Feelings Check-In • Book Lists Teaching Trailblazers Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers

  4. Play Is Brain Fuel! The Science of Play & Academic Success in the Preschool Classroom

    · 27 min · Episode 116

    In this episode of Elevating Early Childhood, Vanessa Levin speaks with Amanda Morgan, author of 'How Powerful Play Drives Development in Early Childhood,' about the evolving challenges of early childhood education.…

  5. What to Do During Circle Time

    · 15 min · Episode 115

    Teaching Trailblazers Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers

  6. Working with Challenging Families in Preschool and Pre-K

    · 8:19 · Episode 114

    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…

  7. Easing Separation Anxiety on the First Day of Preschool

    · 8:34 · Episode 113

    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…

  8. Fine Motor Journals: 3 Reasons You Don't Need Them and What to Do Instead

    · 11 min · Episode 112

    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…

  9. Preschool Circle Time Makeover

    · 39 min · Episode 111

    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…

  10. Preschool Writing Center Do's and Don'ts for the Beginning of the Year

    · 30 min · Episode 110

    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…

  11. Preschool Circle Time Area Set-Up

    · 31 min · Episode 109

    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:…

  12. Must-Have Sensory Table Tools

    · 21 min · Episode 108

    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…

  13. Dramatic Play Center Tour

    · 33 min · Episode 107

    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…

  14. Preschool Power-Up: Setting Up Your Block Center for Success

    · 21 min · Episode 106

    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.…

  15. Mastering Meet the Teacher Night

    · 49 min · Episode 105

    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…

  16. Feeling Overwhelmed by All the "Non-Teaching" Things?

    · 23 min · Episode 104

    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,…

  17. Do You Feel Like a Failure as a Teacher?

    · 26 min · Episode 103

    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…

  18. Pre-K Edition: What to Teach and When to Teach it?

    · 19 min · Episode 102

    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…

  19. Overwhelmed by student behaviors?

    · 6:38 · Episode 101

    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…

  20. Are You New to Teaching Pre-K?

    · 10 min · Episode 100

    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…

  21. Building a Natural Preschool Math Center

    · 15 min · Episode 99

    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…

  22. End-of-the-School Year: 5 Easy and Stress-Free Hacks for Preschool Teachers

    · 22 min · Episode 98

    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…

  23. Kindergarten Readiness, Should Preschoolers Read Before Kindergarten?

    · 24 min · Episode 97

    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…

  24. Preschool Centers: Puzzle Tips & Tricks

    · 20 min · Episode 96

    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…

  25. 6 Learning Center Myths Preschool Teachers Should Stop Falling For

    · 11 min · Episode 95

    Teachers, have you ever been told by an administrator that centers are “just playing?” Maybe you’re even one of the unlucky ones who have been told by an administrator that you can’t have centers in your classroom…

  26. My Ultimate Guide for Setting-Up and Stocking Your Classroom Centers

    · 13 min · Episode 94

    Do you ever feel like you just don’t have enough center materials in your classroom? Are you wondering if what you have is enough? And how do you know? You see, setting-up and stocking your classroom centers can be…

  27. My Foolproof Formula to Improve Cleanup Transitions

    · 24 min · Episode 93

    Do transitions in your classroom have you at the end of your rope? Does it feel like you’re trying to herd kittens during arrival, dismissal, or cleanup time? Then I have two things to tell you: • You’re not alone. •…

  28. 3 Steps to Improve Handwriting Skills in Preschool

    · 30 min · Episode 92

    Do your students struggle to write the letters of the alphabet? If so, I’ve got some good news for you: You’re not alone! In fact, most preschool teachers have to deal with this issue every single year (if not…

  29. Is Your Classroom Too Loud?

    · 24 min · Episode 91

    Friends, I have a question for you: Are the students in your classroom too loud? If so, then welcome to the club no one wants to join (yes, I have jokes). I can relate to students who have trouble keeping their…

  30. Using ASL in the Early Childhood Classroom

    · 30 min · Episode 90

    Friends, I have a question for you: Could your students use a little extra help paying attention during circle time? Are they constantly interrupting you? Or maybe they're struggling to learn important academic skills?…

  31. The Top 5 Playdough Must-Haves for Preschool

    · 26 min · Episode 89

    Do your students love playing with playdough in your classroom or at home? I know mine do! Playdough is not only super fun for children to play with, it’s also a great tool for them. It can help them develop stronger…

  32. How to Ace Your Formal Observation

    · 26 min · Episode 88

    Nothing strikes fear in the heart of a teacher more than a formal observation. You’re exhausted from all the hours you spent creating the perfect lesson plans. You’re waiting anxiously with a dry mouth and sweaty…

  33. How to Create the Perfect Morning Routine for Your Preschool Classroom

    · 23 min · Episode 87

    Our morning routine sets the tone for our whole day. And the same can be said for your students. You see, what young children do from the minute they walk into your classroom each morning will affect the rest of their…

  34. What to Do When Parents Don’t Want Their Child to Participate in Holiday Classroom Activities

    · 18 min · Episode 86

    Friends, I have a question for you: Have you ever had a parent request that their child not participate in holiday activities in your classroom? If you've taught for any length of time, chances are you've encountered…

  35. What to Do When Parents Bring Up Bullying

    · 25 min · Episode 85

    In the last two episodes, Dan St. Romain and I sat down and discussed everything from how to teach your students to become more independent to how to get them not to interrupt you during small group time. Today, he…

  36. Want More Independent Students? Do This, Not That!

    · 26 min · Episode 84

    In last week’s episode, Dan St. Romain and I discussed how to teach children not to interrupt you during small group time. Something Dan and I really focused on during that conversation was the importance of teaching…

  37. How to Reduce Interruptions During Small Group Time

    · 27 min · Episode 83

    It’s no secret that small group time can be challenging, even for the most seasoned early childhood teachers. Why is that? Simply because it’s not always easy to manage the other students while working with small…

  38. The Art of Redirecting Preschoolers: What, Why, and How

    · 31 min · Episode 82

    Many early childhood teachers feel like a broken record. They’re always saying “no” and “no hitting” and “use your words,” etc… If you’ve been teaching preschool for a while, then you know that every day can be like a…

  39. How to Say “No” to Preschoolers Without Meltdowns

    · 34 min · Episode 81

    Friends, I have a question for you: Do you ever dread saying no to your students because you’re worried they might have a full on meltdown? I get you, I’ve been there too. Trying to say “no” to a child without having…

  40. What to Do When Your Students Wander Around the Classroom and Dump Toys

    · 33 min · Episode 80

    If you’ve ever wondered why your students wander around the classroom and just… dump their toys on the floor, then you’re not alone! Let's face it, we've all had children in our classrooms wandering aimlessly from…

  41. Help! All My Students Want to Go to the Same Center!

    · 27 min · Episode 79

    If you’ve ever taught young children (and my bet is you have, since you’re listening to this podcast) then you’ve probably had your fair share of daily fires to put out. I feel you, I’ve been there too. It’s no…

  42. How to Teach Preschool Students Literacy Skills

    · 13 min · Episode 78

    Teaching young children literacy skills can be tricky. They’re such an important skill that it can become downright intimidating to teach them to your students. Which one do you even start with? Letters? Letter names?…

  43. [Encore] My Top 5 Small Group Counting Activities for Preschool

    · 31 min · Episode 77

    Hello everyone, and welcome back to another episode of Elevating Early Childhood! Before we start, let me ask you a quick question: Do your preschool or pre-k students need help learning how to count and develop…

  44. The Best Winter Activities for Your Preschool Classroom

    · 26 min · Episode 76

    Does this sound familiar to you? While everyone else is out singing carols and decking the halls, you are barely keeping your head above water, because you're trying to do all that plus prep all of your lessons and…

  45. Managing Temper Tantrums in the Preschool Classroom

    · 30 min · Episode 75

    Let me ask you this question. Have you ever had a child in your classroom get upset when they didn't get their own way? If your answer is “yes” (and I’m sure it is), then this episode is for you! Why is that? Simply…

  46. Amazon Favs for Your Preschool Learning Centers

    · 28 min · Episode 74

    If you’re anything like me, then you love a good deal (and truth is, who doesn’t?) Which is why this is such an exciting time of the year. As someone who looooves a good deal, Cyber Monday is one of my favorite ways…

  47. Teaching Preschoolers to Manage Their Boredom

    · 23 min · Episode 73

    I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty certain hearing a student say “I’m boooooored!!” is every preschool teacher’s nightmare. I’ve been through this before, as have you, I’m sure. And, because of that, I know you…

  48. How to Get Your Preschool Students Excited About Your Less Popular Classroom Centers

    · 26 min · Episode 72

    Imagine with me: You’ve got your preschool classroom all set up. The centers are stocked and ready to be used, full of materials you’ve purchased or made yourself. Everything is the best it could be, and you just…

  49. 12 Creative Thanksgiving Ideas To Spice Up Your Classroom This November

    · 26 min · Episode 71

    Are you looking for ways to make things more fun and engaging in your classroom this November? If so, you're in luck because in today's episode of Elevating Early Childhood, I'll be sharing 12 fun, exciting, engaging,…

  50. Preschool Thanksgiving Activities: 4 Steps Towards Inclusivity

    · 19 min · Episode 70

    Whether you love pumpkin pie and turkey, or you dread family get-togethers, one thing's for sure, Thanksgiving is almost here! What does this mean for early childhood teachers like you and me? Well simply… the…

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