What Actually Matters Before the School Year Starts

Every summer, preschool teachers make ambitious classroom prep lists:

• Cut everything out.
• Laminate everything.
• Organize every bin.
• Create every center.

But once school begins, many of those tasks suddenly feel far less important than they seemed in June.

Instead of preparing endless activities, you’ll learn why preparing classroom systems is what truly sets the tone for a successful school year.

A classroom that runs smoothly can teach far more than a classroom that’s constantly managing chaos.

Topics Discussed:

• Why systems matter more than activities during the first weeks of school
• The five classroom routines that create independence all year long
• How fewer centers and fewer materials often lead to better learning
• What independence really looks like in a preschool classroom
• Why the first month should focus on routines, relationships, and confidence before academics

Related Resources:

• Classroom Management Bundle

Related Blogposts/Episodes:

• The First Day of Preschool: What to Prep (and What to Forget)
• Why Planning for Classroom Management before Day 1 Makes Sense
• How to Teach Classroom Procedures

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