Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast

Most preschool classrooms need routines, not more rules.
When children aren’t doing what we expect, it’s tempting to add another rule:
Don’t run.
Don’t interrupt.
Don’t dump the toys.
Don’t leave that there.
But rules and routines have different jobs.
Rules establish the big boundaries of your classroom. Routines teach children what to actually do within those boundaries.
In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at why routines can make your preschool classroom calmer, more predictable, and more independent.
When a behavior keeps happening, ask if there is a rule that hasn’t been taught yet.
Topics Discussed:
The difference between classroom rules and routines
Why telling children what NOT to do isn’t always enough
Why a routine needs to be taught and practiced
How visuals can help preschoolers as they become more independent

Related Resources:
Visual Procedure Cards
The First Six Weeks Playbook
Center Expectation Visuals *NEW!

Related Blogposts/Episodes:
Classroom Management Isn’t About Finding the Perfect System—It’s About Having the Right Framework
The Preschool Classroom Mistakes That Create Chaos Later

Connect with Ashley
Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion
Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group

More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast
Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives, and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way!
As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher.
Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com

There is a big difference between telling children what to do and teaching them how to do it.
In preschool, we give directions all day:
“Clean up,”
“Wash your hands,”
“Choose a center,”
And when children don’t follow those directions, it’s easy to think, “But I already told you!”
The truth is, telling communicates an expectation.
Teaching gives children the skills to meet it.
In this episode, we are talking about the difference between telling and teaching.
Plus, check out the new Center Expectation Visuals resource linked below!
Topics Discussed:
Why simple directions aren't always simple for preschoolers
How classroom routines and behaviors need to be explicitly taught
The question to ask when you find yourself constantly correcting
Why teaching, reteaching, and practicing are necessary for independence
How investing time in teaching routines now can reduce repeated corrections later

Related Resources:
Visual Procedure Cards
The First Six Weeks Playbook
Center Expectation Visuals *NEW!

Related Blogposts/Episodes:
How to Teach Classroom Procedures
The Preschool Classroom Mistakes That Create Chaos Later

Connect with Ashley
Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion
Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group

More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast
Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives, and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way!
As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher.
Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com

One of the biggest classroom management mistakes isn't having expectations. It's assuming children learned them because we explained them once.
In this episode, we're talking about the difference between telling and teaching. Preschoolers don't automatically know how to line up, clean up, walk in the hallway, or participate during circle time. These are skills that must be intentionally taught through modeling, practice, coaching, and repetition.
If you find yourself repeating the same directions all day, it may not be a listening problem. It may be a teaching opportunity.
Topics Discussed:
Why explaining a classroom expectation isn't the same as teaching it
The preschool mindset that changes how you approach behavior
Why reminders alone don't help children master new skills
How intentional instruction can reduce repeated corrections and build independence

Related Resources:
The First Six Weeks Playbook
Webinar: Stop Repeating Yourself All Day

Related Blogposts/Episodes:
I Open Centers on Day One—But I Don't Expect Independence
The Preschool Framework I Use Every Year

Connect with Ashley
Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion
Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group

More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast
Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives, and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way!
As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher.
Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com

What classroom management system do you use?
It's one of the questions I hear most often from preschool teachers. The answer may surprise you:
I don't rely on one classroom management system.
I rely on a framework:
Build It. Teach It. Reinforce It.
In this episode, we're breaking down why so many classroom management strategies fall apart and what teachers can do instead to create systems that actually work.
Topics Discussed:
How to create an environment that answers children's questions before they need to ask
Why we can't expect children to know how to "do school" without intentionally teaching skills
How successful classroom management happens through repetition and support
Why teachers feel stuck when it comes to classroom management

Related Resources:
The First Six Weeks Playbook + Bundle
Stop Repeating Yourself All Day Training Registration

Related Blogposts/Episodes:
Why Planning Classroom Management Before Day 1 Makes All the Difference

Connect with Ashley
Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion
Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group

More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast
Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives, and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way!
As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher.
Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com

One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "When do you introduce centers?" Many teachers are surprised by my answer: I open centers on Day One.
But there's an important difference.
I don't expect children to be independent on Day One.
In this episode, we're talking about the biggest mistakes teachers make when introducing centers, why preschoolers struggle during those first few weeks, and how you can teach center routines in a way that builds confidence instead of chaos.
Topics Discussed:
Why keeping centers closed can actually slow down learning
Why expecting independence too soon leads to frustration
The skills children need before they can successfully work in centers
How to teach routines while children are actively playing
Why repetition and practice create lasting independence

Related Resources:
Preschool Centers Guide (free)
First Six Weeks Playbook + Bundle
Stop Repeating Yourself All Day Training Sign Up

Related Blogposts/Episodes:
Why "Just Go Play" Doesn't Work: Explicitly Teaching Center Skills
Preschool Centers: Free Choice or Rotation?
5 Reasons Why Assigning Centers Can Backfire

Connect with Ashley
Follow on Instagram @lovelycommotion
Join the Lovely Preschool Teachers Facebook Group

More About the Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast
Are you a busy preschool teacher who loves gaining new ideas, perspectives, and inspiration for your classroom? The Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast is here to help you up your confidence in educating early learners in a quick, actionable way!
As an early educator who is still in the classroom, Ashley Rives will share the ins and outs of how she runs her classroom in a play-based, child-centered way. Each week, expect a new episode focused on actionable strategies to level up your abilities and confidence as a preschool teacher.
Ashley Rives is an early educator with over 17 years of experience and a strong passion to help teachers implement child-centered learning in preschool classrooms all over the world. You can follow her on Instagram @lovelycommotion or learn more at the Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources website: www.lovelycommotion.com