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

No Letter or Number Knowledge What Now ~ Ep. 153

How I Teach Foundational Skills ~ Ep. 152

Mistakes in Teaching Letters and Numbers ~ Ep. 151

Why Students Fall Behind Early ~ Ep. 150

Fixing a Classroom With No Routines ~ Ep. 149

Teaching Tips and Tricks

Creating Meaningful Parent-Teacher Partnerships ~ Ep. 107

PODCAST

Apple Spotify Amazon Music The biggest complaint that I get from parents at conferences is that their kids don't talk to them about what they're doing in school.~ Zeba from Episode 107 of The Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary If you've ever wondered how to build better communication and trust with...

Best Storage Solutions for Centers in Kindergarten ~ Ep. 103

Classroom Design

Apple Spotify Amazon Music I have tried many different ways to organize materials. I feel like I finally found a way that works for me.~ Zeba from Episode 103 of The Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary Wondering how to manage all those center materials without creating chaos or drowning in bins...

The Power of Kindergarten Routines ~ Ep. 101

Classroom Community

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Routine is really important routine will help the classroom be independent and run itself and will reduce anxiety so kids can focus on learning.~ Zeba from Episode 101 of the Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary At this point in the year, it’s tempting to shake things up,...

Setting Up A Calm Down Corner For Your Classroom ~ Ep. 100

Classroom Management

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Every single classroom needs a calm down corner. Every single one. You don't need much at all. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be filled with stuff.~ Zeba from Episode 100 of The Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary This episode marks 100(!) episodes...

Fool Proof Sub Plans ~ Ep. 99

PODCAST

Apple Spotify Amazon Music So take the time now and you'll be very thankful for when you are out that you just have to spend 10 minutes editing a few activities. Boom, you're done.~ Zeba from Ep. 99 of The Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary Let’s face it…you will have to...

Here’s How I Introduce Writing ~ Ep. 98

Back to School

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Don't expect them to start writing. When you put those expectations on them and they're not ready for it, that's when behaviors happen. They get disconnected, disengaged, and again, that's when the behaviors happen.~ Zeba from Episode 98 of The Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary A common...

Meet the Teacher: Setting the Tone for a Positive School Year ~ Ep. 97

Back to School

Apple Spotify Amazon Music If you can send out information beforehand that will take care of a lot of their questions and anxieties that they're going to have before the first day of kindergarten.~ Zeba from Episode 97 of The Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary Today we’re talking about how to...

What to Teach the First Month: Getting Kindergarten Off to a Great Start ~ Ep. 96

Back to School

Apple Spotify Amazon Music If you don't spend the time to build these routines and introduce materials and expectations, it will be much more chaotic in your classroom and you will be spending most of your time later on in the year, like putting out fires and talking about...

Preparing for Kindergarten: The 3 Things I Did Before the First Day ~ Ep. 95

Back to School

Apple Spotify Amazon Music Your goal is get kids into the classroom, get kids feeling comfortable and safe, and getting kids home safely.~ Zeba from Episode 95 of The Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary The first day of kindergarten is full of excitement and nerves! Whether it’s your first year...

Effective Classroom Setup: Balancing Play, Learning, and Routine ~ Ep. 94

Back to School

Apple Spotify Amazon Music You'll want areas of the classroom to be available for work and you'll want areas available for play, but they can overlap.~ Zeba from Episode 94 of The Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Episode Summary In this final episode of our Classroom Setup Mini-Series, I’m walking you through how...