Storykate: an early childhood teacher and trainer, armed with ukulele and the gift to generate endless curriculum ideas.
Hello, fellow educators!👋🏻 I'm Kate, an experienced early childhood teacher and tertiary education instructor passionate about enriching early learning. With extensive experience across various roles—from nanny and storyteller to educational leader and early childhood trainer—I bring a wealth of knowledge and innovative teaching strategies to the table. At Storykate, I'm dedicated to sharing engaging educational practices through stories, puppet shows, action songs, ukulele, mind maps and circle games. Whether you're teaching young children or training future educators, you'll find invaluable resources here. I offer a treasure trove of free resources, creative ideas, and digital products designed to enhance your teaching methods and pedagogy. I helped hundreds of students and educators achieve their professional goals. 👇Why Subscribe? Subscribe to get your hands on exclusive content that blends storytelling, puppetry, and music with effective teaching techniques. These resources are perfect for keeping your programs lively and educational, especially during circle time. 🐞Join me at Storykate to explore new ways to jazz up your teaching style and connect with a community of like-minded early childhood educators. Let’s make learning fun and meaningful together!
Storykate Stories: April
Welcome to storytime with Kate!Hey Educators!
"Writing precedes reading. One who writes learns to read with greater ease and understanding." – Maria Montessori
Kate's story from practiceWhen I was working with a group of 4- to 5-year-olds, we set up a soccer goal one day. The children seemed excited, especially the boys, who quickly organised themselves and started a game. One of the girls walked up and asked, “Can I play too?”Conner responded, “No, girls don’t play soccer. It’s not for girls.”I could feel the tension straight away. The girl’s face dropped, and the other boys looked unsure. This was more than just a playground moment — it was a chance to challenge a stereotype. I’d been reading Paulo Freire’s work on critical theory and had just finished Glenda McNaughton’s book, so I decided to step in. “Actually, girls do play soccer,” I said. “There are girls’ teams all over the world.”Conner frowned. He wasn’t convinced. So I pulled out the iPad and showed him photos of the Matildas, Australia’s women’s soccer team. also told him that my son plays soccer with girls. “They play just as hard as the boys — sometimes harder,” I said. Conner studied the pictures. He still looked unsure — these stereotypes run deep — but after a moment, he said to the girl, “Okay… you can play.” On International Women’s Day, I think about that moment. Change often starts small — a quiet decision on a playground, a boy realising that strength and skill aren’t defined by gender. Song of the monthIncy Wincy Spider in English, Russian and German Here is Incy Wincy Spider in German, sung by my former student and current educator - Silvana Quote, theorist and a book of the monthA child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. – Rachel Carson The Sense of Wonder by Rachel Carson is a beautifully written celebration of the natural world and the importance of nurturing a child's sense of curiosity and awe. Carson’s gentle reflections on exploring the outdoors with her young nephew remind us that wonder is not something to be taught, but something to be experienced and protected. Her lyrical prose invites readers to slow down, observe, and reconnect with the magic of nature through the eyes of a child. It's a timeless reminder that fostering a deep connection with the natural world in early childhood can spark a lifelong sense of care and respect for the environment. You can get the book here or watch this video for free
Resource of the month: Triomino
Triomino or TRIANGLE DOMINO isn’t just fun — it’s an excellent resource for supporting mathematical thinking in early childhood settings like a preschool room. Games like Triomino create a natural and enjoyable environment for exploring early maths concepts. While luck plays a role in which tiles you draw, success in Triomino comes down to strategy. Preschoolers learn to think ahead, plan their moves, and problem-solve when they encounter a tricky piece. This type of strategic thinking builds persistence and flexibility — skills that transfer into other learning areas. Games like Triomino are a fantastic way to build social skills in a preschool room. As we played with my son, he was
When my son and I played, he learned how to think strategically. He also learned how to engage in respectful competition. He learned to celebrate wins and to handle disappointment. These social and emotional skills are just as valuable as the maths skills being developed. You can get it online https://amzn.to/4bVhffE The story of the month "The Gruffalo" is a fantastic book for learning as well. It encourages children to use their imagination and develops their storytelling skills. The book introduces new vocabulary and engages readers in rhyming patterns, enhancing language and literacy skills. Additionally, the story teaches about friendship, problem-solving, and overcoming fear, providing valuable life lessons. The vivid illustrations and memorable characters make "The Gruffalo" an engaging and enjoyable learning experience for children ."The Gruffalo" is a fantastic book for learning as well. It encourages children to use their imagination and develops their storytelling skills. The book introduces new vocabulary and engages readers in rhyming patterns, enhancing language and literacy skills. Additionally, the story teaches about friendship, problem-solving, and overcoming fear, providing valuable life lessons. The vivid illustrations and memorable characters make "The Gruffalo" an engaging and enjoyable learning experience for children. Ideas to extend the book 🪇 Felt board story with the main characters Gruffalo story bag with Gruffalo puppet Drawing monsters or fantasy creatures. Invite children to use their imagination and create their own unique creatures like the Gruff alo. Provide art materials and encourage them to draw, paint, or sculpt their creature. Discuss its appearance, characteristics, and special abilities. Acting out the story with Gruffalo masks Paper puppets Singing a song Gruffalo and playing rhythm sticks WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RESOURCE, BOOK OR GAME FOR YOUNG CHILDREN? Thanks for reading, and I hope these resources spark new ideas in your classroom. Stay tuned for next month’s edition; remember, creativity is key to keeping the joy in learning! All the best,
P.S. Share the Love!
Explore More on Storykate What would you like me to make articles and videos about? What resources would you like me to create? Send me a message via DM or FB and I will try my best to make it. |
Storykate: an early childhood teacher and trainer, armed with ukulele and the gift to generate endless curriculum ideas.
Hello, fellow educators!👋🏻 I'm Kate, an experienced early childhood teacher and tertiary education instructor passionate about enriching early learning. With extensive experience across various roles—from nanny and storyteller to educational leader and early childhood trainer—I bring a wealth of knowledge and innovative teaching strategies to the table. At Storykate, I'm dedicated to sharing engaging educational practices through stories, puppet shows, action songs, ukulele, mind maps and circle games. Whether you're teaching young children or training future educators, you'll find invaluable resources here. I offer a treasure trove of free resources, creative ideas, and digital products designed to enhance your teaching methods and pedagogy. I helped hundreds of students and educators achieve their professional goals. 👇Why Subscribe? Subscribe to get your hands on exclusive content that blends storytelling, puppetry, and music with effective teaching techniques. These resources are perfect for keeping your programs lively and educational, especially during circle time. 🐞Join me at Storykate to explore new ways to jazz up your teaching style and connect with a community of like-minded early childhood educators. Let’s make learning fun and meaningful together!
Welcome to storytime with Kate! Hey Educators! How are you? Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s dive into another Storytime with Kate.☕ I am recovering from the operation on the voice chords, which, fingers crossed, can give me the ability to sing and talk without tension soon. Stay tuned and you may watch my new videos with ukulele! I love hot chocolate and all sorts of weird teas, including turmeric latte with almond milk. What about you? Kate's story from practice I started working in...
Welcome to storytime with Kate! I am glad you are here! Grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s dive into another Storytime with Kate. Hey Educators! How have you been? It has been a bit of a challenging time for me, as I had an operation on my voice cords to get on top of the chronic dysphonia. The thing is it stops me from singing with children, teaching face-to-face classes. It turns out, that losing voice while teaching is quite a common professional risk (remember WHS unit of study?) Whether...
Welcome to storytime with Kate! Hey Educators! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!🎄 A new year always feels like a fresh start, doesn’t it? It’s a magical time to reflect on where we’ve been and dream about where we’re going—both in our professional and personal lives. This newsletter is here to remind you of the joy in teaching, the magic of childhood curiosity, and the little moments that make all the difference. Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s dive into another Storytime with Kate....