Welcome to Kindergarten Cafe!

I’m Zeba, and I’m here to help you find the *kindergarten magic* in your classroom. I create resources and share strategies to make your teaching easier, more engaging, and focused on those magical moments of growth with your students. Whether you teach kindergarten, preschool, or first grade, you’ll find ideas and activities to bring that *kindergarten magic* to life. Feel free to reach out—let’s make teaching kindergarten magical again!

recent

What I’d Do First If I Were Moving Classrooms ~ Ep. 138

What I’d Do If I Were New to Kindergarten ~ Ep. 137

Did You Have a Hard Kindergarten Year? Let’s Talk About Why ~ Ep. 136

End-of-the-Year Social Emotional Learning: Supporting Big Feelings Before Summer ~ Ep. 135

Creating a Smooth Transition from Kindergarten to First Grade ~ Ep. 134

Early Childhood Education

Play

Easy, Peasy, Pizza Dramatic Play Center

Dramatic Play

Students love changing out the dramatic play center and one of my students’ favorites is a pizza dramatic play center! They love being able to make and sell the pizzas, as well as pretend to be the customers and order their favorite pizzas. The pizza dramatic...

Beautiful Stuff

Early Childhood Education

Beautiful stuff is my students favorite play area every year. They love being able to create and explore with materials in a different way. Setting up a beautiful play center is easy – anyone can do it! I’ll walk you through what beautiful stuff is and...

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

Early Childhood Education

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 which age...

Bakery Dramatic Play Center: Full of Learning and Fun!

Dramatic Play

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 friends. Plus,...

Is my child ready for kindergarten?

Early Childhood Education

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 is, kindergarten...

What Kindergarteners Should Know

Early Childhood Education

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 it is...

Easy Block Area Ideas

Early Childhood Education

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 to provide...

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

Early Childhood Education

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 to me....

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

Dramatic Play

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 of 15...

Starting Purposeful Play in Kindergarten? Outstanding!

Early Childhood Education

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 Purposeful play in kindergarten takes time. I know that everyone’s schedule...