5 Engaging Read Alouds for the First Day of School

If you are looking for some engaging read alouds for the first day of school, this blog post has 5 wonderful picture books you can read aloud on the first day of kindergarten or preschool. I am sure you will want to add them to your classroom library!

Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle31 January 2022back to school, reading, read alouds, picture books, kindergarten, preschool, prep, early childhood, literacyComment

Christmas Sensory Play

Are you looking for some Christmas sensory play ideas to get you through to the holidays? As Christmas approaches the children get so excited and keeping them settled and on task can sometimes be difficult. Time for some sensory play. Sensory play can help your children to settle and stay on task. I am constantly amazed by the calming effects sensory activities can have on my students.

InvestigationsJanelle McArdle27 November 2021Christmas, sensory, sensory play, christmas activities, kindergarten, preschool, investigations, investigative play, play based learning, provocations for learning, hands-on learning, early childhood Comment

Piaget and Play Based Learning

Piaget’s theories of cognitive development have influenced our modern play pedagogies. See how Piaget and play based learning go hand-in-hand and how his theories reinforce the idea that children learn through play. Discover some practical play-based learning ideas for your classroom.

Investigations, Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle11 October 2021play based, play based learning, play based classroom, piaget, early childhood, early years, hands-on learning Comments

Why Teach Science in Early Childhood

Do you feel Science is just one more thing to add on to your already crammed curriculum? Are you thinking “Why Teach Science in Early Childhood?” Find out why you need early childhood science education in your classroom and how you are probably already teaching it.

Investigations, Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle27 September 2021early childhood, science, teaching science, early childhood science, inquiry, inquiry skills, early years science, kindergarten science, preschool science, first grade science, grade one science, grade 1 science, Australian curriculum, play based learningComment

Stages of Development - Piaget

Piaget’s theories on cognitive development were groundbreaking for the world of education. To this day, Piagetian theories continue to influence curriculum design and implementation. This blog post will take a close look at Jean Piaget’s Stages of development in children.

Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle31 May 2021investigations, playbased, planning, cognitive development, hands-on, teaching, early years, early childhood Comment

Teaching Science in Early Childhood

Find out how to effectively teach the early childhood science curriculum in just 40min a week. The children in my class reach curriculum benchmarks easily. In fact, they learn so much more than the mandated curriculum.

Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle22 April 2021inquiry, investigations, planning, playbased, provocations, science, play based, early years, early childhood, teaching science, reggio, walker learning, integrated curriculum, investigative play, developmental playComment

The Peace Table

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.

Classroom Environment, Social and EmotionalJanelle McArdle24 March 2020social and emotional, social skills, early childhood, teaching, Montessori Comments

DIY Kids Easter Hats Ideas for School

Looking 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!

Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle17 March 2020Easter, early childhood, art, makerspace, easter hatsComment

Short 10 Week Term Planner

Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle12 March 2020play based learning, term planning, teacher planning, curriculum planning, Australian curriculum, ACARA, back to school, planning, early childhoodComment

Affirmations & Growth Mindsets for Children

Social and EmotionalJanelle McArdle4 March 2020early years, early childhood, growth mindset, social skills, social and emotional Comment

Kid-friendly Classroom Plants

Classroom EnvironmentJanelle13 January 2020early childhood, environment as the third teacher Comments

Setting Up A Tinkering Space

Investigations, Classroom EnvironmentJanelle McArdle17 July 2019tinkering, early childhood, fine motor, play based classroom, play based Comments

The 10 Essential Areas of A Play Based Classroom

Ready 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.

Investigations, Classroom EnvironmentJanelle25 August 2018environment as the third teacher, investigations, play based, provocations, kindergarten, early childhood, preschool, prep, play based learning Comments

Blog - Life in a Play Based Classroom

I’m Janelle and I’m here to help you implement an engaging, play based curriculum

that STILL has your children meeting academic standards and benchmarks!