If you’re like me, you want the first day to be full of positive experiences and to set a great tone for the rest of the school year. One of the best ways to calm the nerves and establish positive connections is MUSIC!

Every Christmas, I’ve found that it’s challenging to find songs for Pre-K & Kindergarten that are not too lengthy or wordy. Over the years, my students and I have finally found success with these simple and fun Christmas programs!

There is so much potential, so much wonder to be enjoyed if we not only leave room to be surprised, but continue to believe in and cultivate the best in our students even when it’s difficult to see.

I can still remember the first day I stepped into my elementary school campus. As a baby-faced 23 year old who was fresh out of student teaching, I was scared and unsure of how I was going to manage 700 students coming in and out of my classroom each week.

As a Music Teacher, I find myself trying to explain the importance of respect to my students at the beginning of every school year. I’ve found that respect can be quite an abstract concept for younger students to understand.

One of my favorite things about Mr. Rogers was his ability to effectively dialogue with kids. On “Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood,” he would always propose thoughtful, open-ended questions to kids in his opening monologues.

One of my favorite things about Mr. Rogers was his ability to effectively dialogue with kids. On “Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood,” he would always propose thoughtful, open-ended questions to kids in his opening monologues.

Breathing. It’s so simple, yet so integral to human life. Often we don’t think about the fact that we’re breathing until we exercise or are distressed. But what if we did?

“How are you feeling today?” A simple, yet powerful, question. Sometimes we can go through an entire day without being asked or asking ourselves this question.

Trust. Respect. Smiling Faces. Impactful Relationships. These words don’t need to be reserved to describe some Utopian, Pinterest-ready, photographable classroom.

If you’re like me, you want the first day to be full of positive experiences and to set a great tone for the rest of the school year. One of the best ways to calm the nerves and establish positive connections is MUSIC!