Artwork for podcast Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten
113. Managing Math Expectations and Math Materials
Episode 11311th December 2025 • Kindergarten Cafe Podcast: Simple Tips for Teaching Kindergarten • Zeba McGibbon
00:00:00 00:14:21

Share Episode

Shownotes

This week, I’m answering two real questions from teachers like you, all about math in kindergarten.

If you've been wondering how to organize counting collections without drowning in buttons and cubes… or what students should realistically be able to count and write by December… you're in the right place.

In this episode I share:

  • How I organize and rotate counting collections (without spending a fortune)
  • Why I group collections into 0–10, 10–20, and 20–100
  • Tips for choosing the right containers and labeling systems 
  • What realistic number writing and counting should look like in December vs. February
  • When to worry about number skills and what’s totally developmentally normal
  • Simple strategies to boost number sense + help kids count and organize objects 

Resources:


Connect with Zeba:

Mentioned in this episode:

Caring Critters Books

Felipe the Feeling Frog: https://www.kindergartencafe.org/felipe/ Trixie the Thoughtful Turtle: https://www.kindergartencafe.org/trixie/

Links

Chapters

Video

More from YouTube