Mato just raised pre-seed Read more
Podcast charts
Published by Amy Murray
Welcome to The Kindergarten Toolbox Podcast , your go-to guide for creating calmer classrooms and more confident writers in the wonderfully unique world of kindergarten. I’m Amy Murray — former kindergarten teacher, Type C “organized-in-piles” human, and vanilla-latte enthusiast. After years of helping teachers streamline their classroom routines with tips and tools that actually make sense for 5- and 6-year-olds, I created this podcast to support you with the practical strategies you’ve been craving. Each episode is short, actionable, and designed to help you: ✔ simplify classroom management ✔ reduce behavior chaos with systems that stick ✔ teach writing in a way that meets beginning writers where they are ✔ build routines that make your day flow ✔ use visuals, tools, and expectations that really work in K Whether you’re a brand-new kindergarten teacher or a seasoned pro looking for clarity and calm, you’ll find step-by-step support to help you feel more confident and in control. Because kindergarten isn’t just the new first grade, it’s a world all its own, and you deserve tools that actually work. Hit follow so you never miss an episode… Here’s to calmer days and more confident writers!
On the charts
Every published chart this podcast appears in, in the snapshot behind this page. Each one links to the chart it came off.
The Mato Topic Intelligence Platform does not report this podcast as charting in a published category in this snapshot.
From the feed
The latest episodes published to this podcast’s own RSS feed. Titles and descriptions are the publisher’s.
Your kindergartener just told you exactly what they want to write...so why can’t they get that sentence onto the paper? Writing a sentence might seem like one simple task to us, but for a beginning writer, there are a LOT of skills that have to come together before they can write a sentence independently. In this episode, we’re talking about why kindergarten students can often say a sentence before they’re able to WRITE it and how the speech-to-print connection impacts beginning writing. You’ll learn why labeling is such an important foundation for kindergarten writing, how phonemic awareness, phonics, high-frequency words, and handwriting all work together during sentence writing, and why you don’t need to rush your students into writing complete sentences before those foundational skills are in place. If your kindergarten students have great ideas but struggle to get those ideas onto paper without your help, this episode will help you understand what’s getting in the way and where to start so you can build more confident, independent writers. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ✏️ Beginning Writers Bundle 📝 Show notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/why-kindergarteners-cant-write-sentences-episode-37/ 🎧 Follow The Kindergarten Toolbox so you don’t miss future episodes with simple, practical kindergarten writing and classroom management strategies.
Do you find yourself telling your kindergarten students to “make good choices” all day long? It sounds like a perfectly reasonable reminder, but there’s one problem: what YOU consider a good choice might be very different from what a five-year-old considers a good choice. In this episode, we’re talking about why “make good choices” is too vague to be an effective behavior expectation in kindergarten and why behavior isn’t always as simple as a “good choice” or a “bad choice.” You’ll learn how to get more specific about what you actually want your students to do, why expectations can change depending on the setting, and how clear, visual behavior goals make it easier for kindergarteners to understand what’s expected of them. If you’re tired of repeating “make good choices” and wondering why it isn’t changing behavior, this episode will give you one simple shift to try with your class this week. Because if students don’t understand the expectation, they can’t meet it. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 🧰 Kindergarten Management Toolbox Show Notes: 🎧 Follow The Kindergarten Toolbox so you never miss an episode!
Does it feel like your kindergarten class was doing SO well and then suddenly...they weren't? The routines you practiced are getting sloppy, students are talking more, and you're repeating directions you swear they were following just fine last week. In this episode, we're talking about why kindergarten classroom management can suddenly feel harder a few weeks into the school year and why you probably don't need to throw out your behavior system and start over. You'll learn how to make an overwhelming behavior problem feel more manageable by choosing one expectation to reteach, getting really clear about what you want students to do, and looking for opportunities to reinforce the positive behavior you want to see more often. If you're already Googling new kindergarten classroom management strategies because it feels like everything that was working suddenly isn't, this episode will give you a simple place to start. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 👾 Free Build-a-Reward Monster 🎧 The Kindergarten Reward System That Doesn't Require a Prize Box 🎧 Lining Up Without the Chaos 📝 Show notes: 🎧 Follow The Kindergarten Toolbox so you don't miss future episodes with simple, practical kindergarten classroom management and teaching strategies.
Does a kindergarten reward system really need a prize box, classroom money, or complicated points to keep students motivated? Some of my kindergarten students' favorite classroom rewards didn't cost me a single penny. In this episode, we're talking about how to use simple whole class rewards to reinforce positive behavior in kindergarten without creating another classroom management system you have to keep up with. You'll learn why free classroom rewards can be just as motivating for five- and six-year-olds, how focusing on one behavior at a time helps students understand the goal, and why the visual component of a reward system can make such a big difference in student buy-in. If you're looking for a kindergarten reward system that's simple for you, easy for students to understand, and doesn't require you to keep a prize box stocked, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 🏗️ Build-a-Reward Characters Bundle 🔗 Show notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/kindergarten-reward-system-without-prize-box-episode-34/ 🎧 Follow The Kindergarten Toolbox so you don't miss future episodes with simple, practical kindergarten classroom management and teaching strategies.
Does it feel like every kindergartener needs you for everything, all day long? And have you caught yourself thinking, I swear last year's class wasn't this needy? In this episode, we're talking about why kindergarten students need so much help at the beginning of the school year and what it really takes to build independence in kindergarten. You'll learn why you might be comparing your brand-new kindergarteners to the independent students you sent home last spring, how classroom routines and visual supports help students become more independent, and what those constant questions can tell you about the systems you still need to teach. If you're tired of answering the same questions over and over and wondering when your students will start doing more for themselves, this episode will help you build kindergarten independence through simple, consistent classroom management systems that work for real five- and six-year-olds. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 👀 Classroom Visuals Bundle 🍎 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint 📝 Show notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/building-independence-in-kindergarten-episode-33/ 🎧 Follow The Kindergarten Toolbox so you don't miss future episodes with simple, practical kindergarten classroom management and teaching strategies.
How many classroom rules do you really need in kindergarten? And what should happen when students don't follow them? In this episode, we're talking about how to keep kindergarten classroom rules simple, explicitly teach your expectations, and choose consequences that actually make sense to five- and six-year-olds. You'll learn why consistency doesn't mean giving every behavior the same consequence, why consequences should be timely and connected to the behavior, and how visuals can help students understand what's expected of them. If you're looking for a practical approach to kindergarten classroom management that teaches students how to be successful in school instead of simply punishing misbehavior, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 🔗 Classroom Rules Posters 🔗 Classroom Visuals Bundle 🍎 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint 📝 Show notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/best-classroom-rules-and-consequences-for-kindergarten/ 🎧 Follow The Kindergarten Toolbox so you don't miss future episodes with simple, practical kindergarten classroom management and teaching strategies.
What behavior system should you use in kindergarten? Classroom economy, Dojo points, desk pets, prize boxes, reward systems...there are SO many options. But just because a behavior system works with older students doesn't mean it's the right fit for five- and six-year-olds. In this episode, we're talking about how to choose a kindergarten behavior system that is developmentally appropriate, manageable for teachers, and actually supports strong kindergarten classroom management . I'll share some popular behavior systems I would think twice about using in kindergarten, why taking away something a student has already earned can create problems, and the questions I want you to ask before choosing a behavior system for your classroom. I'll also share the two behavior tools that became my go-to choices in my own kindergarten classroom and how they helped me reinforce positive behavior without creating another complicated system to manage. And if you're looking for more support with classroom management in kindergarten , Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint gives you both the training AND the tools to build strong classroom management through simple, consistent systems. ►►► Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint is $97 through August 5th. Today is the LAST DAY to save $50! Resources Mentioned: 🍎 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint ✨ Glow & Grow Behavior Notes 🏗️ Build-a-Reward Behavior Charts 🔗 Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/what-behavior-system-should-you-use-in-kindergarten-episode31/
Do you think classroom management starts when student behavior becomes a problem? One of the biggest classroom management myths kindergarten teachers believe is that behavior management is all about consequences, clip charts, rewards, or figuring out what to do when students misbehave. But strong kindergarten classroom management starts long before that. In this episode, I’m sharing the lesson that completely changed the way I thought about kindergarten behavior and classroom management. We’ll talk about why relationships, behavior systems, student independence, consistency, and simple routines all work together to help you feel more confident and in control of your classroom. I’ll also share the story of returning from maternity leave to a kindergarten classroom where my old behavior system suddenly wasn’t working, and what that experience taught me about what classroom management really is. If you’re preparing for a new school year and wondering, “What if they don’t listen?” this episode will help you focus on building strong classroom management from the beginning instead of waiting for behavior to become a problem. Resources Mentioned: 🍎 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint KBB is both a course and a toolbox of ready-to-use classroom management resources built around the BRICK Method: Behavior Systems, Relationships, Independence, Consistency, and Keep It Simple. Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint is $97 through August 5th only. 🔗 Learn more about Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/classroom-management-myth-kindergarten-teachers-believe/
Are you spending your summer organizing centers, decorating your classroom, and shopping for kindergarten supplies, but you're still not sure what to teach during the first week of school? You're not alone. Every summer, kindergarten teachers spend hours preparing classroom centers, bulletin boards, and materials while putting off the one thing that has the biggest impact on the entire school year: planning the first week of kindergarten. In this episode, I'm sharing what actually deserves your attention before school starts, why routines, procedures, and classroom expectations matter more than perfectly prepped centers, and how focusing on the right things will help you start the year feeling confident instead of overwhelmed. If you've been wondering what to teach during the first week of kindergarten or you're feeling unsure about where to start, this episode is for you. I also share all the details about First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint , my three-day workshop designed to help you stop guessing and walk into your classroom with a clear plan for those critical first five days. You'll learn exactly what to teach, when to teach it, and how to build the routines and classroom management systems that set the tone for the entire school year. Resources Mentioned: 🔗 First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint Show Notes:
Should kindergarten teachers send home a daily behavior report for every student? It's one of the most common classroom management questions I see every summer, especially from teachers preparing for a new school year. While many classrooms use daily behavior calendars, clip charts, or behavior reports to communicate with families, are they really the most effective way to talk about kindergarten behavior? In this episode, I'm sharing why I stopped using daily behavior calendars in my kindergarten classroom, what I use instead, and how a simple shift in communication helped create more meaningful conversations with families while saving me time. If you're looking for kindergarten behavior strategies, classroom management ideas, or a better way to communicate student behavior with families, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned: 🔗 First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint 🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint 🔗 Shop Glow and Grow Behavior Notes Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/should-kindergarten-teachers-use-a-daily-behavior-report/
Should kindergarten students have classroom jobs? Classroom jobs have been a tradition in elementary classrooms for years, but are they actually teaching responsibility or creating more work for teachers? In this episode, I'm sharing why I stopped using traditional classroom jobs in my kindergarten classroom and switched to a simple Helper of the Day system instead. You'll hear how this change simplified my classroom management, eliminated job chart headaches, and still gave every student meaningful leadership opportunities. If you're preparing your kindergarten classroom for back-to-school and wondering whether classroom jobs are worth it, this episode will help you decide what works best for your students—and your sanity. Resources Mentioned: 🔗 First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/episode-27-should-kindergarten-students-have-classroom-jobs/
Should kindergarten students have individual school supplies or community supplies? It's one of the biggest classroom setup decisions kindergarten teachers make before the school year begins. In this episode, we're breaking down the pros and cons of both systems and why the "right" answer depends more on your classroom management than the supplies themselves. I'll share why I chose individual toolboxes in my kindergarten classroom, how I used numbered supplies to teach responsibility and accountability, and why explicitly teaching students how to use their school tools is far more important than whether those tools are shared. If you're preparing your kindergarten classroom for back-to-school and wondering how to organize crayons, pencils, glue sticks, scissors, and other classroom supplies, this episode will help you choose a system that works for both you and your students. Resources Mentioned: 🖍️✏️ Free School Tools Worksheets 🔗 First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint 🔗 Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/community-or-individual-supplies-for-kindergarten/
If you're planning for the first week of kindergarten and feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to teach, this episode is for you. One of the biggest mistakes kindergarten teachers make is trying to jump straight into academics before teaching students how to be students. Before children can successfully learn letters, numbers, and all the other skills on your curriculum map, they need to learn how to walk in line, use classroom materials, follow routines, and understand expectations. In this episode, I'm sharing what I actually focused on during the first week of kindergarten and why relationships, routines, and procedures matter so much more than academics during those first few days of school. You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how I taught school tools like crayons, pencils, glue sticks, and scissors one tool at a time so students could build independence while learning classroom expectations. If you're wondering what to teach during the first week of kindergarten, how to introduce school supplies, or how to set your classroom up for success from day one, this episode will give you a practical starting point. Resources Mentioned 🖍️✏️ Free School Tools Worksheets 🔗 First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint 🔗 Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/what-to-teach-first-week-of-kindergarten/
Are you a new kindergarten teacher preparing for your first year in the classroom? Or maybe you're switching grade levels and wondering what makes kindergarten so different from every other grade? In this episode, I'm sharing my biggest piece of advice for new kindergarten teachers: assume they don't know how to do anything. From lining up and walking in the hallway to using the bathroom, sitting at the carpet, and using school supplies, kindergarten students need explicit instruction for routines, procedures, and expectations that older students often take for granted. I'll share stories from my own first year teaching kindergarten, the mistakes I made, and what I wish I had known before those five-year-olds walked through my classroom door. If you're preparing for the beginning of kindergarten, the first week of school, or your very first year as a kindergarten teacher, this episode will help you focus on what matters most: building relationships, teaching routines, and creating a classroom environment where students can succeed. In this episode, we discuss: My unexpected journey into teaching kindergarten Why new kindergarten teachers should assume students know nothing The importance of explicitly teaching classroom routines and procedures Common beginning-of-kindergarten surprises Why relationships and routines matter more than academics at the start of the year Preparing students to use school tools successfully Resources Mentioned: 🔗 Free School Tools Worksheets 🔗 First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/new-kindergarten-teacher-episode-24/
Before school starts, there are five classroom management decisions every kindergarten teacher should make. Too often, we spend our back-to-school time organizing supplies, decorating bulletin boards, and planning lessons while putting off the classroom management planning that actually helps our year run smoothly. But students don't struggle because your classroom isn't decorated. They struggle when expectations aren't clear. I walk you through the five key pieces of a kindergarten classroom management plan: classroom rules, consequences, procedures and routines, positive behavior supports, and family communication. Whether you're a brand-new kindergarten teacher or looking to improve your classroom management this year, these simple decisions can help you start the school year with clear expectations and a plan you can actually stick with. You'll also learn why consistency matters more than complicated behavior systems and how to create a classroom management plan before students walk through the door. In this episode, we discuss: • Creating simple classroom rules for kindergarten • Planning classroom consequences ahead of time • Teaching procedures and routines effectively • Encouraging positive behavior and building classroom community • Creating a family communication plan • Building a kindergarten classroom management plan that works Links & Resources: 🔗 Free Kindergarten Classroom Management Plan 🔗 Last day to save on Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/5-kindergarten-classroom-management-decisions/ Check out my website: https://teachingexceptionalkinders.com/ Follow me on Instagram @teachingexceptionalkinders
Do calm kindergarten classrooms have better-behaved students? Not always. In this episode, we're talking about the real secret to successful classroom management in kindergarten. It isn't a complicated behavior system or the latest classroom management trend. It's simple, predictable systems that help students know what to expect. We'll discuss why consistency matters so much in kindergarten, how routines create student independence, and why classroom management becomes exhausting when everything depends on the teacher. In this episode, you'll learn: Why calm classrooms aren't created by perfect students How predictable routines improve student behavior Why simple classroom management systems work better than complicated ones How to reduce constant reminders, interruptions, and redirection The key to creating a calmer, more manageable kindergarten classroom Links & Resources: 🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint 🔗 Free Kindergarten Classroom Management Plan Show notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/the-real-secret-to-kindergarten-classroom-management/ Check out my website: https://teachingexceptionalkinders.com/ Follow me on Instagram @teachingexceptionalkinders
When classroom management feels exhausting, the problem may not be your students or your behavior strategies. It may be that too much of your classroom depends on you constantly reminding, redirecting, and holding everything together all day long. In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most powerful kindergarten classroom management tools teachers often overlook: simple visual systems. From visual schedules and classroom routines to behavior supports and transition expectations, visual systems help kindergarten students understand what to do without relying on constant verbal reminders. And when students know what to expect, classrooms start to feel calmer, more predictable, and much less overwhelming for both teachers and students. In this episode, we’re chatting about: why classroom management feels exhausting when the teacher becomes the system how visual supports increase student independence why simple classroom management systems work better than complicated behavior programs and the small shifts that can completely transform classroom management next school year If you’re tired of repeating yourself all day, constantly redirecting behavior, or feeling like your classroom only functions when you’re actively managing every moment, this episode will help you rethink kindergarten classroom management in a simpler, more sustainable way. Plus, I’m sharing how Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint helps teachers build calm, consistent classroom management systems that actually work with real five and six year olds. Links and Resources Mentioned: 🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint Show notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/the-one-thing-every-kindergarten-classroom-needs-for-better-classroom-management/
Getting kindergarten students to stop talking can feel impossible sometimes. The blurting, interruptions, constant calling out, and nonstop classroom chatter can quickly make your classroom feel chaotic and exhausting. And after a while, it starts to feel like you’re spending your entire day repeating: “Raise your hand.” “Stop talking.” “Voice level zero.” In this episode of The Kindergarten Toolbox Podcast, we’re chatting about a simple classroom management strategy for reducing calling out and teaching appropriate classroom participation in kindergarten. You’ll learn: Why kindergarten students often struggle with calling out and interruptions How to teach classroom participation expectations step-by-step Why visual supports are so important for kindergarten classroom management How to use a simple whole-class behavior challenge without overcomplicating things Why consistency matters more than complicated behavior systems Easy ways to reduce classroom noise and improve student behavior during lessons I’m also sharing how I used the Chatter Challenge — a simple visual classroom management tool designed to help kindergarten students practice raising their hands, listening, and participating appropriately during lessons. If your classroom has been extra chatty lately, this episode will give you practical, realistic classroom management ideas you can actually use with real five and six-year-olds. Links and Resources Mentioned: 🔗 Chatter Challenge Resource 🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint Show notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/how-to-stop-the-constant-calling-out-in-kindergarten/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review so more kindergarten teachers can find the show too!
If your kindergarten classroom feels louder, messier, and harder to manage right now, you are not alone. End-of-year behavior in kindergarten is real, and May can start to feel like pure survival mode for teachers. In this episode, we’re talking about the “May-cember” effect, why classroom behavior gets harder at the end of the school year, and realistic ways to make these last few weeks feel more manageable for both you and your students. We’ll chat about why it’s easy to focus only on negative behaviors, how to shift back toward connection and positive reinforcement, and simple ways to help your class finish the year strong without overhauling your entire classroom management system. Plus, I’m sharing easy end-of-year behavior supports, positive reinforcement ideas, and why simple incentive systems like Build-a-Reward charts can help reset the tone in your classroom. If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and counting down to summer break, this episode will help you feel more calm, more supported, and a little less alone. 🔗🍩 Try our donut reward chart FREE 🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/end-of-year-behavior-kindergarten
Kindergarten classroom management shouldn’t feel this hard, but if you’re constantly repeating directions, managing every transition, and ending the day exhausted, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down why classroom management still feels overwhelming even when you’re using routines, behavior strategies, and clear expectations. Here’s what’s actually happening: It’s not that you need more strategies. It’s that your classroom systems aren’t working together. When routines, visuals, and expectations aren’t connected, everything falls back on you. That’s when teaching starts to feel exhausting. We’ll talk about how to shift from managing behavior moment by moment to building simple, consistent systems that help your students work more independently so you can actually teach again. If your classroom feels chaotic or harder than it should, this episode will help you see what’s missing and what to do next. 🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint 🔗 Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/episode-18-why-your-classroom-management-still-feels-hard/
Ranking source
Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 19, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
Apple and Apple Podcasts are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Pairs with
Bring this source into Mato to read its transferable patterns, then turn them into an original show for your own audience.