Happy Teaching

In this episode, Alex shares practical tips for making substitute plans easier to prepare and manage. Whether you're planning for an upcoming absence or unexpectedly waking up sick, having a few things ready ahead of time can make a big difference!

✨ You'll learn:
• Why keeping familiar routines matters more than following every lesson exactly.
• How to organize a sub tub with essential classroom information.
• What activities and materials to prepare ahead of time.
• How to give substitutes flexibility while keeping the day on track.

💡 Sub plans don't have to mean starting from scratch every time you're absent! A little preparation now can save you time, reduce stress, and help your students and substitute have a smoother day.

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:

📋 Sub Plans & Editable Templates
Take the stress out of preparing for a substitute with ready-to-use Pre-K and Kindergarten sub plans! These resources include editable templates for classroom schedules, routines, procedures, and important information, plus activities for literacy, math, and more. Set up your sub tub once, then update it as needed throughout the year!
👉 Shop the Sub Plans & Templates HERE

📚 Sub Plans in the Print and Play Club
Print and Play Club members can download the sub plans, editable templates, and included activities as part of their membership! You'll also find plenty of additional printables and games to keep your sub tub stocked throughout the year. Already a member? Find the Sub Plans inside the club!
👉 Not a member yet? Click here to join the club!
The Happy Teaching Podcast with The Kindergarten Connection is the go-to podcast for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers who want simple, effective, and joyful teaching strategies—fast! 
Hosted by Alex John, this bite-sized podcast delivers classroom management tips, engaging lesson ideas, and real-life solutions you can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to create smoother routines, build stronger student connections, or bring more fun into your teaching day, each episode (in ten minutes or less!) is designed to make your job easier and your classroom happier. 
Subscribe now and start teaching with confidence and joy!
...
Connect with The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenconnection
Visit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.com
Join us at https://www.printandplayclub.com

In this episode, Alex shares one of her favorite circle time games for Pre-K and Kindergarten: Who’s Missing? This playful guessing game is a fun way to build classroom community while practicing names and listening skills. You'll hear exactly how to play, ideas for incorporating clues like rhyming and beginning sounds, and tips for making sure students understand that everyone may not get a turn each time you play.
✨ You'll learn:
• How to play Who’s Missing? with little to no prep.
• Ways to use clues to practice names.
• How the game encourages listening and classroom community.
• Tips for managing turns and keeping the game moving.
💡 A classroom game doesn't have to be complicated to be meaningful! Who’s Missing? gives students a chance to have fun together while learning more about their classmates and practicing important early skills.
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
📱 Do you have a circle time game your students can't get enough of? Send us a message on Instagram or email us at hello@thekindergartenconnection.com with your favorite! Alex would love to hear your ideas and may even share some listener-submitted games in a future episode.
📚 More Playful Classroom Ideas in the Print and Play Club
Looking for more ways to keep your students engaged while building a strong classroom community? Print and Play Club members get access to ready-to-use activities, classroom management support, playful learning ideas, and Poppy, your AI teaching assistant, to help with everyday classroom challenges.
👉 Not a member yet? Click here to join the club!

The Happy Teaching Podcast with The Kindergarten Connection is the go-to podcast for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers who want simple, effective, and joyful teaching strategies—fast! 
Hosted by Alex John, this bite-sized podcast delivers classroom management tips, engaging lesson ideas, and real-life solutions you can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to create smoother routines, build stronger student connections, or bring more fun into your teaching day, each episode (in ten minutes or less!) is designed to make your job easier and your classroom happier. 
Subscribe now and start teaching with confidence and joy!
...
Connect with The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenconnection
Visit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.com
Join us at https://www.printandplayclub.com

In this episode, Alex shares a fun way to make classroom transitions smoother while sneaking in a little extra learning along the way. Instead of having everyone move at once, you can use letters, shapes, numbers, and other familiar skills to gradually excuse students while reviewing what you've been learning.
✨ You'll learn:
Why transitions are a common time for classroom management struggles
How to turn slower transitions into quick learning opportunities
Ways to use letters, shapes, numbers, and subitizing during transitions
How to include students without making the activity feel like a quiz
💡 Transitions don't have to be wasted time! When you need to slow things down, a quick review activity can keep students engaged while helping everyone move calmly into what's next.
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
🔤 Learning Through Transitions
Want to see these transition ideas in action? Check out the related blog posts for pictures and examples of using letters, shapes, numbers, subitizing, and more to add a little learning to transition time.
👉 Simple and Effective Classroom Transition Ideas: Part 1 and Part 2
💡 More Classroom Transition Ideas
Not every transition needs to slow down! Find even more ideas for helping students move smoothly from one part of the day to the next.
👉 Effective Transition Strategies for Regrouping After Recess
🎵 Transition Songs in the Print and Play Club
When you need a quicker transition, Print and Play Club members can head to the PLAYlist for songs that help with lining up, gathering for circle time, routines, and more. They're an easy way to keep students engaged while moving through the day. Not a member yet? Click here to join the club!
The Happy Teaching Podcast with The Kindergarten Connection is the go-to podcast for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers who want simple, effective, and joyful teaching strategies—fast! 
Hosted by Alex John, this bite-sized podcast delivers classroom management tips, engaging lesson ideas, and real-life solutions you can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to create smoother routines, build stronger student connections, or bring more fun into your teaching day, each episode (in ten minutes or less!) is designed to make your job easier and your classroom happier. 
Subscribe now and start teaching with confidence and joy!
...
Connect with The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenconnection
Visit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.com
Join us at https://www.printandplayclub.com

In this episode, Alex shares a simpler approach to classroom jobs for Pre-K and Kindergarten. Instead of assigning and rotating a different job for every student, she uses one helper of the day, keeping classroom responsibilities meaningful for students and much easier for the teacher to manage. You'll hear how this easy system works, why it fits young learners so well, and how it can even help students practice patience, independence, and celebrating their classmates.
✨ You'll learn:
Why traditional classroom job systems can become another thing for teachers to manage
How to use one Helper of the Day instead of multiple assigned jobs
A simple two-container system for making sure everyone gets a turn
💡 Classroom jobs don't have to mean complicated charts and weekly rotations. A simpler system can still give students meaningful responsibility while making classroom management easier for you.
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
⭐ Want to see exactly how Alex manages classroom jobs with just popsicle sticks and two containers? Check out the related blog post for pictures and a closer look at this easy system.
👉 How to Assign Classroom Jobs in Pre-K & Kindergarten
📚 Classroom Management Support in the Print and Play Club
Want more easy systems that build student independence? Print and Play Club members have access to classroom management trainings, routine support, ready-to-use resources, and Poppy, your AI teaching assistant, to help problem-solve everyday classroom challenges. 👉 Not a member yet? Click here to join the club!
The Happy Teaching Podcast with The Kindergarten Connection is the go-to podcast for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers who want simple, effective, and joyful teaching strategies—fast! 
Hosted by Alex John, this bite-sized podcast delivers classroom management tips, engaging lesson ideas, and real-life solutions you can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to create smoother routines, build stronger student connections, or bring more fun into your teaching day, each episode (in ten minutes or less!) is designed to make your job easier and your classroom happier. 
Subscribe now and start teaching with confidence and joy!
...
Connect with The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenconnection
Visit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.com
Join us at https://www.printandplayclub.com

In this episode, Alex shares two simple songs you can use anytime your Pre-K or Kindergarten students need to get their wiggles out, refocus, or fill a few extra minutes. No special materials or planning needed—just your voice and a little movement!
✨ You'll learn:
When brain breaks can be helpful and when it may be time to rethink lesson length
Two easy songs you can use anytime
How movement and freezing can help you regain students' attention
A no-prep way to combine movement with counting practice
💡 Brain breaks don't have to be complicated! A few minutes of simple, purposeful movement can help students reset, refocus, and come back ready for what's next.
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
🎵 Copy Me Brain Break
Try this easy song to the tune of Frère Jacques. Start by having students copy your movements, then choose a student to lead while everyone copies their moves!
Verse 1: Teacher-Led
Copy me now, Copy me now,
Watch my moves, Watch my moves,
Fast or slow now, High or low now,
Copy me, Copy me.
Verse 2: Student-Led
Copy a friend, Copy a friend,
Watch them move, Watch them move,
What will they do? What will they do?
Copy them, Copy them.

🎶 Body Parts Movement Song
Get students moving with this simple song to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Shake, clap, shrug, wiggle, stomp, and don't forget to freeze!
Shake, shake, shake your head.
Shake it just like me!
Shake your head fast and then shake it slow,
Now it’s time to freeze!

Clap, clap, clap your hands.
Clap them just like me!
Clap your hands fast and clap your hands slow,
Now it’s time to freeze!

Shrug, shrug, shrug your shoulders.
Shrug your shoulders like me!
Shrug them fast then shrug them slow,
Now it’s time to freeze!

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle your hips.
Wiggle your hips like me!
Wiggle them fast then wiggle them slow,
Now it’s time to freeze!

Stomp, stomp, stomp your feet.
Stomp your feet with me!
Stomp them fast then stomp them slow,
Now it’s time to freeze!

🌟 Find More Songs in the Print and Play Club
Print and Play Club members can head to the PLAYlist to find even more movement songs, complete with audio and printable activities to use with your students.
👉 Not a member yet? Click here to join the club!
The Happy Teaching Podcast with The Kindergarten Connection is the go-to podcast for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers who want simple, effective, and joyful teaching strategies—fast! 
Hosted by Alex John, this bite-sized podcast delivers classroom management tips, engaging lesson ideas, and real-life solutions you can implement immediately. Whether you're looking to create smoother routines, build stronger student connections, or bring more fun into your teaching day, each episode (in ten minutes or less!) is designed to make your job easier and your classroom happier. 
Subscribe now and start teaching with confidence and joy!
...
Connect with The Kindergarten Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenconnection
Visit us online: https://www.thekindgergartenconnection.com
Join us at https://www.printandplayclub.com