Welcome to My Play Based Classroom Blog

Hi there!

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

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

So, let’s make play-based teaching work in your preschool, kindergarten, or first-grade classroom!

Investigations and play

Explicit teaching

Classroom Environment

Social and Emotional

Janelle McArdle 1/12/25 Janelle McArdle 1/12/25

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.

Janelle McArdle 17/11/25 Janelle McArdle 17/11/25

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.

Janelle McArdle 31/7/23 Janelle McArdle 31/7/23

Hands-on Weather Activities and Provocations

Discover my tried and tested hands-on weather activities and provocations for play based learning in kindergarten or first grade.

Janelle McArdle 25/7/22 Janelle McArdle 25/7/22

9 Fun Hands-on Measurement Activities for Kindergarten

Kindergarten measurement made easy! Explore 9 fun hands-on activities using real tools, everyday objects, and playful provocations that help students build key math skills, vocabulary, and confidence.

Janelle McArdle 30/5/22 Janelle McArdle 30/5/22

Teaching the F-2 ACARA Math Learning Intentions Through Play

Discover how to teach ACARA Maths through play-based learning in Foundation to Year 2. This blog post shares hands-on strategies, activities, and resources aligned with Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum.

Janelle McArdle 16/5/22 Janelle McArdle 16/5/22

How to Write Learning Intentions for Kindergarten and Preschool

Are you wondering how to write effective and age-appropriate learning intentions for your preschool or kindergarten classroom? In this blog post you will discover some practical strategies to help you write curriculum aligned learning intentions your kindergarten and preschool children can relate to and use.

Janelle McArdle 4/4/22 Janelle McArdle 4/4/22

Do You Need Learning Intentions and Success Criteria in an Early Years Classroom?

Do you really need to display your learning intentions in a kindergarten or preschool classroom? In this blog post you will discover exactly what learning intentions are and learn some practical teacher tips and ideas for you to have success using or displaying classroom learning intentions in the early years learning environment.

Janelle McArdle 27/9/21 Janelle McArdle 27/9/21

Why Teach Science in Early Childhood

Do you feel Science is just one more thing to add on to your already crammed curriculum? Are you thinking “Why Teach Science in Early Childhood?” Find out why you need early childhood science education in your classroom and how you are probably already teaching it.

Janelle McArdle 15/5/21 Janelle McArdle 15/5/21

Use a Rhyming Basket to Teach Rhyming Words

Discover how to teach rhyming words with a playful rhyming basket activity. Perfect for kindergarten, this hands-on rhyming basket idea builds rhyming skills for phonological awareness.