From the Field
Practical ideas from real early-learning classrooms.
Explore classroom-tested routines, teaching strategies, activities, visual supports, and free resources for Preschool, Pre-K, TK, and Kindergarten. These are practical ideas designed to solve everyday classroom needs and make learning a little easier to manage.
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From Two Classroom Jobs to a Whole New Collection
What started as a request for two new classroom job cards turned into an entirely new collection! See how a small classroom problem inspired a fresh set of printable cards and original illustrations, and how you can get the complete collection free through Bridge Early Learning.
Beyond Pumpkin Carving:Turning a Pumpkin into a Preschool Science Investigation
Go beyond pumpkin carving with hands-on preschool science! Explore pumpkin parts, investigate textures, sequence the pumpkin life cycle, and connect real-world discoveries to early math and literacy. See classroom activities in action, try our free interactive storybook, and download a free pumpkin life cycle activity.
Family Words: Free Printable Word Cards for PreK Writing Centers
Help beginning writers put meaningful words on paper with these free Family Words cards for PreK and preschool writing centers. Includes four card formats, family vocabulary, message phrases, and blank customizable cards.
When a Child Can Say Every Sound but Still Can’t Read the Word
Sometimes a child can say every sound in a CVC word correctly but still can't blend those sounds into a word. Here's a simple way to make the move from separate sounds to continuous blending more visible and concrete.
There’s More Learning in the Doctor’s Office Than Meets the Eye
A doctor’s office dramatic play center can be much more than stethoscopes and Band-Aids. See how purposeful roles and activities can weave early math, literacy, measurement, language, and problem solving naturally into children’s play.
When a child can’t read “map”
When a child struggles with CVC words, knowing that a word was read incorrectly is only the beginning. Looking separately at segmentation, decoding, and encoding can help pinpoint where the difficulty begins and give us a clearer idea of what to teach next.
Making Fire Drills a Little More Predictable
Fire drills can be loud and unfamiliar for young children. This simple five-step visual routine helps Preschool and Pre-K students learn what to do before the alarm sounds, with free printable visuals, a classroom poster, and a PowerPoint for practice.
Gingerbread Man Clue Hunt
Turn a familiar gingerbread story into a school-wide adventure. This simple clue hunt helps young children meet important people around their school while following clues and collecting a few gingerbread surprises along the way.
5 Easy Question of the Day Formats for Preschool
Question of the Day can be much more than a yes-or-no question. Explore five easy formats that build conversation, thinking, vocabulary, and participation during preschool and Pre-K morning meeting.
Sometimes a Picture Works Better Than Another Reminder
Visual directions give young children a simple way to understand what to do without another verbal reminder. See how we use picture cues in Pre-K to support routines, transitions, independence, and classroom management.
Using a Visual Schedule in Pre-K
A visual schedule gives young children a dependable map of the school day. See how one simple classroom tool supports routines, transitions, independence, and sequencing skills.