Nobody tells the teacher what to do in that split second. When teachers ask me how to manage big feelings in a preschool classroom, what they usually describe is the children. The behaviors. The meltdowns. The child who will not come to the carpet. Almost never what it costs us to absorb it. I understand why. We are trained to look outward. So we have language for a child's hard moment and almost none for the thing happening in our own body at the same time. The shoulders. The voice we did not choose. The guilt at nap time that follows us all the way to the car. Here is what I have come to believe: You are not losing your patience. You are absorbing a room full of big feelings all day with nowhere to put your own. That is not a character flaw. That is a body doing what bodies do. Think of the last time a child swept the blocks off the shelf, or tore down your bulletin board. Your shoulders were probably up before you decided anything. That reaction was faster than thought. It was already underway before you had a chance to choose it. Which is exactly why "be more patient" has never once worked, for you or for anyone. You cannot decide your way out of something that already happened. There are a hundred resources out there for calming the children. There are almost none for the teacher standing in the middle of it. Jennifer said it better than I could: "I've been seeking this in so many places but it's always about regulating the kids. Everything says, the teacher will feel this way too. But they never tell the teacher what to do for yourself in that split second." So I made something that does. The Regulated Room is 90 minutes of audio, broken into five themes, built for the teacher and not the child. 90 minutes. That is one summer afternoon. Do it in a single sitting, or take one theme at a time over five mornings. Whatever way works for you. More than 117 teachers have already gone through it. I asked them for their honest feedback at the end, and I would rather they tell you than me.

Welcome in, teachers! I'm so glad you're here and I want to make sure you get the most out of our community. 🫶🏼 This community is built to actually make your life in the classroom easier, not add one more thing to your plate. The more you show up, the more you unlock, and your title grows right alongside you. 🧭 Where everything lives Head to the CLASSROOM tab at the top of the page. That's where the lessons, free samples from the Pre-K Prep Club, and your level unlocks all live. 🎮 How points work Every little thing you do here earns you points: 👍 Like received +1 💬 Comment +1 🪄 Post that sparks conversation +3 to 5 🧱 The Levels Your title changes automatically and shows up next to your name so everyone can see how far you've come. 👇 Curious where you stand in the LEADERBOARD? 1️⃣ 👩‍🏫 Line Leader 2️⃣ ✨ Go-Getter 3️⃣ 🌟 Rising Star 4️⃣ 🎨 Play-Based Pro 5️⃣ 💪 Classroom Hero 6️⃣ 📋 Lead Teacher 7️⃣ 🤝 Pre-K Mentor 8️⃣ 🧠 Master Teacher 9️⃣ 👑 Pre-K Legend 🎁 What you unlock ✨ Level 2, Go-Getter: my video on the top 10 play-based ways to teach children their names. A real win for those first weeks of school. And I'm not stopping there! New unlocks will drop at more levels as you climb, so keep an eye on that Classroom tab. 👀 🚀 How to climb fast! - Post a win or a question this week (even a quick one counts) - Like and comment on other teachers' posts - Share what's working in your room Every post, every comment, every like moves you up. Let's grow this together. 🌱 - Cathy

How The Creative Curriculum Empowers Preschoolers for Success As preschool teachers, we often wonder how to prepare our young students for future academic success. The Creative Curriculum's inquiry-based, play-based approach to learning may seem less academic. However, did you know it emphasizes developing essential process skills that predict academic achievement? Let's talk about how these skills are developed through hands-on learning experiences. The Creative Curriculum's emphasis on developing process skills is essential to preparing our young students for future academic success. The curriculum's Foundation Volume 1 outlines five key process skills vital in promoting children's learning and development. In this blog post, we'll closely examine these skills and how they are developed through various Creative Curriculum studies. 1.Observing and exploring This skill involves using our senses to gather information and explore the world. For example, during a Clothes study, children can observe different types of clothing and explore how they feel, how they are made, and who wears them. This skill is essential for developing children's curiosity and interest in learning. 2.Connecting This skill involves making connections between different concepts and ideas. For example, during a Balls study, children can connect different types of balls with their uses and features and learn how to categorize them based on size and shape. This skill is essential for developing children's critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 3.Problem-solving This skill involves using critical thinking to solve problems and find solutions. For example, during an Insects study, children can problem-solve how to create a safe and comfortable environment for insects to live in and learn how to identify different types of insects based on their characteristics. This skill is essential for developing children's problem-solving and decision-making skills. 4.Organizing information This skill involves categorizing and organizing information meaningfully. For example, during a Buildings study, children can organize different types of buildings based on their uses and functions and learn to identify different parts of a building. This skill is essential for developing children's language and cognitive development.

Hey teachers! 🤗 What are your weekend plans? Relaxing, prepping, a combo? Let us know in the comments!

Hey teacher friends! 🙌🏽 Yesterday we hit 500 members. I didn't even get a chance to post about it, because by the time I sat down to write this, we're almost at 600. That's how fast this space is growing, and honestly, it's because of the energy YOU bring. And I have to say it: this isn't just teachers anymore. We have teacher assistants, directors, student teachers, instructional coaches, admins. A whole community of early childhood educators who want to do better for themselves and for their students. I love reading your goals. You are so intentional, so motivating, and we all speak the same language here: play, and learning through play. 💛 Before writing this, I opened the Map tab. And I'm not exaggerating, I got choked up. The US and Canada, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand... we are literally all over the world. 🌎🥳 And it hit me: play is the universal language of children. Different countries, different curricula, different classrooms, and every single one of us is here for the same reason. 🫶🏼 Here's the thing you should know about me: I treat this community the same way I treated my classroom. I believe in building classroom community, and that doesn't stop at the classroom door. It's how I run this Hub, and it's how I run the Pre-K Prep Club. If you're in the Club, you already know how I work. 🍎 So thank you. Truly. For showing up, for answering each other's questions, for making this a space where educators feel less alone. Let's celebrate the only way that makes sense: if you have a teacher friend who would benefit from this energy, invite them in. Send them to the Preschool & Pre-K Teacher Hub and tell them to come say hi. Drop a gif below if you're celebrating with me, and tell us where you're joining from. Let's see this map come alive in the comments! 🌎 - Cathy