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!
The Peace Table is your solution to managing classroom conflicts effectively. The Montessori-inspired Peace Table teaches children self-regulation and conflict resolution strategies they can use in the classroom and the home to foster inner calm and share peace with others.
Read MoreLooking for fun and easy DIY kids Easter hat ideas for school? Discover step-by-step tips, creative hat inspiration, and free planning resources to make your Easter Hat Parade a success!
Read MoreLearn how to use affirmations to build a growth mindset for children with my easy classroom routines, examples, and resources to boost student confidence and resilience.
Read MoreCreate a purposeful and engaging tinkering space in your early years classroom with this practical guide. Learn what a tinkering space is, how to set one up, and why it supports STEM, problem-solving, and creativity in young children.
Read MoreReady to transform your classroom for play-based learning? This detailed blog post outlines the 10 essential areas you need to create engaging and educational spaces for your students to learn through play.
Read MoreLearn how to teach phonics with play dough in a play-based classroom through sensory play experiences. Enhance literacy and learning with props and phonics playdough mats for engaging and effective teaching.
Read MoreLearn how to teach phonemic awareness effectively and enhance early reading skills. In this blog post you’ll get strategies and activities for isolating, blending, and segmenting phonemes to use with your young students.
Read MoreDiscover how CVC sentences can boost decoding fluency and help beginning readers become confident, fluent readers. Learn practical strategies, research insights, and tips for using CVC Flip Sentences in your classroom today!
Read MoreFind out how open-ended questions for kids can foster higher order thinking. Discover practical tips, sample questions, and how to use these powerful tools to boost critical thinking and student confidence in your classroom.
Read MoreDiscover how to use weather gnomes to teach Year 1 students about weather patterns and seasonal changes in line with the ACARA Science Curriculum.
Read More
