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Blog - My Play Based Classroom

Hi there!

I'm Janelle - a play-based early years teacher passionate about creating learning experiences that ignite curiosity, creativity, and academic growth.

On this blog, I share practical tips on meeting curriculum benchmarks through a balance of explicit teaching and play, setting up the ideal learning environment and fostering social-emotional development.

Let’s make play-based teaching work in your your preschool, kindergarten, and first grade classrooms!

Explicit teaching
Investigations and play
Classroom Environment
Social and Emotional
F to 2 Australian Curriculum English V9.0 Explained
F to 2 Australian Curriculum English V9.0 Explained

Discover how to teach F–2 Australian Curriculum English with confidence. Clear guidance, practical examples, and resources to support student learning.

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Janelle McArdle1 December 2025literacy, english curriculum, Australian curriculum, foundation stage, grade 1, grade 2, ACARAComment
F to 2 Australian Curriculum Maths V9.0 Explained 
F to 2 Australian Curriculum Maths V9.0 Explained 

Discover how to teach Australian Curriculum Maths F–2 with clear aims, six strands explained, and play-based strategies that save you prep time.

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Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle17 November 2025maths, Australian curriculum, ACARAComment
Effective Strategies for Teaching Acara Foundation Stage in the Classroom
Effective Strategies for Teaching Acara Foundation Stage in the Classroom

Discover effective strategies for teaching the Acara Foundation Stage through play-based learning, differentiation, and authentic assessment.

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Investigations, Explicit Teaching, Classroom Environment, Social and EmotionalJanelle McArdle10 November 2025foundation stage, ACARA, play based classroom, play based learningComment
Growth Mindset for Kids: A Teacher’s Guide
Growth Mindset for Kids: A Teacher’s Guide

Discover how to teach a growth mindset for kids with practical strategies, activities, and resources to build resilience, confidence, and persistence.

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Social and EmotionalJanelle McArdle20 October 2025growth mindset, kindergarten, preschool, SELComment
Child-led Learning Provocations that Follow Childrens Interests
Child-led Learning Provocations that Follow Childrens Interests

Discover how to use child-led learning provocations based on children's interests to boost engagement and meet curriculum goals in your play-based classroom. Includes examples, tips, and a free observation checklist!

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InvestigationsJanelle McArdle13 October 2025child led, child-led, learning invitation, learning provocation, provocations, childrens interests Comment
5 Easy Ways to Foster a Growth Mindset in Children
5 Easy Ways to Foster a Growth Mindset in Children

Help young children develop a growth mindset with these five practical strategies that build resilience, confidence, and a love of learning. Includes teacher tips, classroom ideas, and resources to support your students.

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Social and EmotionalJanelle McArdle29 September 2025growth mindset, SELComment
How to Make a Weighted Baby Doll for Dramatic Play
How to Make a Weighted Baby Doll for Dramatic Play

Looking for an easy way to make a weighted baby doll for your dramatic play space? Discover how this simple DIY can teach measurement and enhance play-based learning in early years classrooms.

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InvestigationsJanelle McArdle24 July 2025weighted baby doll, dramatic play, measurement, tutorial, diyComment
How to Set Up a Dramatic Play Baby Nursery in Your Classroom
How to Set Up a Dramatic Play Baby Nursery in Your Classroom

Looking to set up a dramatic play baby nursery in your classroom? This step-by-step guide for preschool, kindergarten, and early years teachers shares everything you need from materials to curriculum links. Create an engaging play-based space that supports literacy, numeracy, and SEL.

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Investigations, Classroom EnvironmentJanelle McArdle24 July 2025dramatic play, baby doll, baby nursery, baby clinicComment
Free List of CVC Words for Kindergarten
Free List of CVC Words for Kindergarten

Looking for an easy way to teach CVC words for kindergarten? Download my free CVC word list with decodable sentences in this blog post and discover engaging, hands-on activities to build phonics and reading fluency.

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Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle16 June 2025cvc, cvc words, cvc words list, kindergartenComment
The Perfect Loose Parts Play Setup for Early Childhood Classrooms
The Perfect Loose Parts Play Setup for Early Childhood Classrooms

Discover how to set up the perfect early childhood loose parts play area with simple tips on choosing materials, designing spaces, and using provocations to spark creativity, problem-solving, and learning.

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InvestigationsJanelle McArdle12 May 2025loose parts, loose parts play, provocations, loose parts setupComment
No-Prep Easter Math Printables for Kindergarten
No-Prep Easter Math Printables for Kindergarten

Looking for fun and easy Easter math printables for kindergarten? Check out my no-prep Easter math worksheets to keep your students engaged while reinforcing essential math skills like number concepts, patterning, sorting & more!

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Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle7 April 2025no prep, easter, maths, printables, kindergarten activitiesComment
A Guide to Introducing Yoga in the Classroom
A Guide to Introducing Yoga in the Classroom

Discover how to easily introduce yoga in the classroom - even if you're a beginner! Learn the benefits of yoga for kids, get time-saving tips, and explore my ready-to-use classroom yoga resources to support mindfulness, focus, and self-regulation in your early years classroom.

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Social and EmotionalJanelle McArdle19 March 2025classroom yoga, yoga in the classroom, kids yogaComment
Our Daily Morning Meeting in Kindergarten
Our Daily Morning Meeting in Kindergarten

Discover how to run a successful daily morning meeting in kindergarten! Learn morning meeting activities, ideas, and tips to create engaging routines that foster classroom community, support student learning, and start your school day right.

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Explicit Teaching, Classroom EnvironmentJanelle McArdle10 February 2025morning meeting, kindergarten, teacher planningComment
First Day of Kindergarten Activities
First Day of Kindergarten Activities

Discover practical first day of kindergarten activities, tips for managing those first-day jitters, and ideas to build relationships, establish routines, and create a welcoming classroom community. You can also download my free resources to make your first day stress-free!

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Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle27 January 2025first day, kindergarten, teacher planning, kindergarten activities Comments
Discover Play-based Learning Strategies for Prep or Foundation Stage
Discover Play-based Learning Strategies for Prep or Foundation Stage

Discover essential play-based learning strategies for Prep or Foundation stage classrooms. Learn how to foster curiosity, meet curriculum goals, and create engaging play-rich environments with my tips and free guide.

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InvestigationsJanelle McArdle30 December 2024play based learning strategies, play based learning, kindergarten, prep, foundation stage, preschoolComment
Planning for the First Week of Grade One
Planning for the First Week of Grade One

Make the first week of grade one a success! Discover practical tips, engaging activities, and flexible plans to build your classroom community, establish consistent routines, and feel confident knowing your first week of school planning is done.

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Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle27 December 2024teacher planning, first grade, grade one, grade 1, first week, back to school Comment
My Play Based Kindergarten Daily Schedule
My Play Based Kindergarten Daily Schedule

Discover how to create a balanced kindergarten daily schedule that combines play-based learning with explicit teaching. Get tips, practical ideas, and a free editable planning template to keep your students engaged and meeting curriculum goals!

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Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle16 December 2024kindergarten daily schedule, play based learning, teacher planning, kindergarten Comment
Difference between Kindergarten Centers and Investigation Areas
Difference between Kindergarten Centers and Investigation Areas

What is the difference between kindergarten centers and investigation areas? Discover tips, strategies, and examples for both and create engaging learning areas that meet curriculum goals through hands-on learning.

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Investigations, Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle2 December 2024kindergarten centers, investigation area, kindergarten classroom, play based areasComment
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janelle is a play based early years teacher
 

I’m Janelle and I’m here to help you implement an engaging, play based curriculum

that STILL has your children meeting academic standards and benchmarks!

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