Early Childhood Education | Kindergarten Cafe

Kindergarten Cafe

Welcome to Kindergarten Cafe - your home for teaching ideas, activities, and strategies across all content areas! I am Zeba McGibbon and I love creating resources for teachers and sharing my teaching experience with others. Kindergarten Cafe is aimed for kindergarten, but teachers of Preschool-First grade can find resources here for their students! I love to connect with other teachers so please reach out and say hello!

recent

Holidays

Earth Day Magic in Kindergarten ~ Ep. 30

Zeba McGibbon

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Math

Loving Teaching While Using New Curriculum ~ Ep. 29

Zeba McGibbon

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PODCAST

The Chick Life Cycle Unit is Pure Kindergarten Magic

Zeba McGibbon

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Early Childhood Education

Child-Led Play and Learning with Melysa from PRE-K Spot Talks ~ Ep. 27

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PODCAST

What to Do When a Child Won’t Stop Crying ~ Ep. 26

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Play

Early childhood or Elementary ed? Which one is best for me?

Early Childhood EducationZeba McGibbon

You love working with children. You know you want to be a teacher. But which license should you get - early childhood or elementary ed? This was the exact scenario I found myself in when I was applying to college. I just didn’t know...

Bakery Dramatic Play Center: Full of Learning and Fun!

Dramatic PlayZeba McGibbon

Children always love the kitchen aspect of dramatic play and so turning it into a bakery dramatic play is a natural transition. The set-up is beyond easy and the children will have so much fun playing baker and selling their baked goods to their...

Is my child ready for kindergarten?

Early Childhood EducationZeba McGibbon

I am frequently asked by parents, “Is my child ready for kindergarten?” and while it may seem like it should just be an easy checklist to give out to decide if their child is ready or not, there isn’t an easy answer. The truth...

What Kindergarteners Should Know

Early Childhood EducationZeba McGibbon

I know many parents and caregivers are curious about what kindergarteners should know so that they can support them as needed. It also helps to know what is typically expected for this age group. Teachers also like to compare what kindergarteners should know, because...

Easy Block Area Ideas

Early Childhood EducationZeba McGibbon

The block area is always a favorite play area of the classroom. The students love being able to build with different toys and materials, but after a while, they get bored with the same materials and ideas. This is when misbehaviors occur. You need...

Teaching in 2021: I’ve lost the joy of teaching

Early Childhood EducationZeba McGibbon

I am writing this blog post on the day before returning to school after just over a week off for December break. The time at home to relax, sleep, read, watch t.v., get some projects done, and spend time with family has been invaluable...

Vets Office Dramatic Play- an Easy Set Up for Kindergarten And Preschool!

Dramatic PlayZeba McGibbon

If you are looking to change up your dramatic play center, your students will probably love a vets office dramatic play center! This center combines the children’s love for stuffed animals and animals with their love of playing doctor! Plus, it took me all...

Starting Purposeful Play in Kindergarten? Outstanding!

Early Childhood EducationZeba McGibbon

Are you interested in trying purposeful play in kindergarten? Are you looking to make your playtime more meaningful and intentional? These steps will definitely help you to get starting starting purposeful play with your students! Schedule time

The Myth of Kindergarten Readiness Skills

Early Childhood EducationZeba McGibbon

Tons of workbook and worksheet companies, and even teachers might be mad at me for telling you this secret…. There is no such thing as kindergarten readiness. Kindergarten teachers and classrooms are designed to meet your child where they are and support them in...

Dear Public, From Teachers

Distance and Digital TeachingZeba McGibbon

Hey world, it’s me, a teacher. Remember us teachers? Remember when just 3 months ago you were calling us, “heroes” and saying things like, “teachers should get paid millions of dollars every day?!” Yes, believe it or not teachers today are those same people...