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: July
Hey Educators!OK, this is quite cold and chilly in Melbourne right now. In winter, it may be hard to keep yourself joyful and full of beans. I know it may be summer where you are - in the US or UK, Europe or Ireland. But we all have those moments when we are tired and need something to lift our mood. In search of joy, I started to write about things/people/events in life I am grateful for; I indulged in a shopping spree and bought an inexpensive but wonderful table lamp and a lot of books (of course). I also joined my first book club in the local bookstore, which makes new neuronal connections. I invite you to join me in the search for excitement and joy. Think about 100 things/people/ experiences/ tiny moments that bring you joy...
Kate's story from practiceSome of the deepest lessons in early childhood come from the children who are hardest to reach.
Years ago, while visiting a centre in Cranbourne to observe a pre-service educator, I noticed a little boy sitting on the edge of the group. He seemed uneasy, watching rather than joining in.
I sat nearby and started playing with a few plastic dinosaurs, giving them silly voices and letting them stomp around. After a few minutes, he looked straight at me and said,
"I don't like you. Go away."
I smiled and replied, "I'm sorry you feel that way. I hope we can be friends. It's safe to play with me."
I kept playing.
Slowly, he moved closer. First he watched. Then he reached for a dinosaur. Before long, we were playing together.
For the rest of my visit, he stayed nearby.
When it was time for me to leave, something unexpected happened. As I stood up, he grabbed my skirt tightly.
"Don't go."
The educator tried to reassure him, but he held on.
I knelt beside him and said, "We will see each other again. And the people who care for you are here for you."
As I walked to my car, he stood in the doorway watching.
And as I drove away, I cried.
That little boy reminded me that trust isn't built through grand gestures. It grows in small moments of patience, presence, and connection. Sometimes all a child needs is someone who stays.
Theorist of the month: Glenda MacNaughtonStorykate_Theorist_GlendaMacNaughton.pdf
Observation of the month: ReflectionObservations don't have to be complex; one of the most important parts of the observation is focus on learning, what is really happening and on children's interests and achievements. Ask yourself whether this observation will help you to create a more engaging, inclusive or holistic program? During group time, I shared the story of the Gingerbread Man with wooden nesting dolls. Can I ask you for a favour?🌱 A small favour to ask... If you've purchased and used any of my resources on Payhip or Teachers Pay Teachers, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a review. Reviews help other educators decide whether a resource is right for them and support small creators like me to keep making practical resources for the sector. As a thank you, I'll send you any Payhip product of your choice once your review is posted. Simply leave a review and send me a screenshot so I can organise your free resource. Thank you for your support. It truly means a lot. 💛 P.S. Are you doing relief work in Term 3? Hit reply and tell me. I will send you one extra tip from the guide that I could not fit in the PDF. 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!
Hey Educators! Term 2 is nearly done. If you are reading this curled up with a hot drink, wearing three layers, I see you. June in Australia has a particular kind of exhaustion to it. The novelty of the new year has worn off. The children are tired. You are tired. This is exactly when I want to check in. You do not need to overhaul your program before Term 3 starts. You need three or four things that work, and you need to know why they work. That is what I am here for. Check out my channel...
Welcome to storytime with Kate! Hey Educators! Children are capable learners when they are given tools within their ZPD Check out my channel Kate's story from practice My little boy just turned 25 years old. Fully grown up man, a big milestone... When I was pregnant, for some reason, I just knew who I was going to have. The ultrasound confirmed it: a boy. Over time, our home filled up with toy cars. We collected building sets and toy guns. We also gathered a whole bag of little mates. Child...
Welcome to storytime with Kate! Hey Educators! I hope the year has begun kindly for you. The start of a new term can feel noisy. New routines. New children. New expectations. This month, I want to slow things down a little and focus on presence rather than productivity. You don’t need to do everything. You only need to do one thing well.My news - I left my Vocational Education Teacher's job and may now look into bush playgroup positions... New year , new beginnings! Check out my channel...