Musically Minded

I love this post—it really hits on something important. Imagine if, during tours, families were clearly told what learning actually looks like at the school. Then they can make an informed choice about whether it’s the right fit for them.

That alone would take so much pressure off teachers. Instead of constantly explaining or justifying their approach—especially to families expecting worksheets—they could focus their time and energy where it matters most: the children.

I know the childcare landscape is shifting, with more free public options popping up. That can create pressure to enroll anyone willing to pay. But the real question is—are those families aligned with your philosophy?

That’s why it’s so important to be crystal clear about what you believe and make sure what happens in the classroom truly matches what you communicate on tours.

Because at the end of the day, getting the right families into your program isn’t just helpful—it’s everything.

Finland begins formal reading instruction around age 7 — yet its students consistently demonstrate strong literacy outcomes and high levels of well-being.

That isn’t accidental.
It’s developmental alignment.

Before formal reading demands increase, Finnish early childhood classrooms focus heavily on:

• Oral language development
• Play-based learning
• Movement and motor integration
• Self-regulation
• Executive function
• Social problem-solving

These are not “soft skills.”
They are the neurological prerequisites for literacy.

When we rush seat time before those systems are organized, we often see:

• Disengagement during large group
• Behavior challenges
• Surface-level phonics without language depth
• Teacher burnout

Strong literacy is not built by accelerating output.
It is built by strengthening the brain systems that support reading.

The real question for us isn’t:
“How do we get children reading sooner?”

It’s:
“Are our Tier 1 practices aligned with how the PreK brain develops literacy?”

Large group instruction is often where this alignment either strengthens — or fractures.

When circle time is structured for regulation, movement, rhythm, and interaction, literacy grows naturally.

When it becomes extended seat time, we often manage behavior instead of building readers.

If we want long-term literacy outcomes, we have to build the foundation first.

That’s not lowering expectations.
That’s sequencing them correctly.

Love music and love kids?

Then join our team!

Learn more: https://www.indeed.com/job/early-childhood-music-teacher-06bb48e2b8deb5e0

🎶🎉 Virtual music classes with Musically Minded are back and I'd ❤️ for you to try one out for FREE! 🎵 It's this Friday, September 1st from 10:30-11:00 a.m. PST.
Who to bring: 🏫 If your school is in session, bring your students! And your principal or admin if you think they might like a music teacher this year at your school.
Who will love it: 🎉 Because it is music, the class will appeal to a WIDE age range. From 1-7 year olds and probably even 77 year olds!
What you need to provide:
Big Screen 📺: You'll want to show the zoom class on a screen large enough for everyone to see. Just get an HDMI cord and you should be able to connect your computer to a TV.
Room to Move 🕺: Make sure kids can get up and walk, trot and gallop safely around the room because sitting for 30 minutes is not cool.
Materials: Shakers 🎈, scarves 🧣 and rhythm sticks 🥁 for everyone if possible!
How to sign up: Grab your free spot by clicking this link 📲: https://musically-minded.ck.page/c07101927a
Invite a friend!: Copy this link 🔗 and text it to any teacher friends 👩‍🏫 or stay at home parents 🏡 or grandparents 👵 who might love it too.
See you there! 👋🎶

P.S. You'll also get the replay if you can't make it live!

With so much on our plate as educators, we can sometimes forget that it's the little things that are going to make the biggest difference in the lives of the children in our classroom.

Research shows that observing an act of kindness can make someone want to pay that kindness forward?

As educators, we are constantly observed by our students. This means we have a high level of responsibility to model the behaviors that we want to see in them. When it comes to kindness, find ways throughout your day,

Circle time is a great time to demonstrate kindness. It can be as simple as moving over to allow a child to have more room. Know that your kindness is being observed.

In the end, a lot of people, little and big, just need someone to be kind to them today.

Tell us in the comments how you showed or witnessed kindness in your classroom this week!

With so much on our plate as educators, we can sometimes forget that it's the little things that are going to make the biggest difference in the lives of the children in our classroom.

Research shows that observing an act of kindness can make someone want to pay that kindness forward?

As educators, we are constantly observed by our students. This means we have a high level of responsibility to model the behaviors that we want to see in them. When it comes to kindness, find ways throughout your day,

Circle time is a great time to demonstrate kindness. It can be as simple as moving over to allow a child to have more room. Know that your kindness is being observed.

In the end, a lot of people, little and big, just need someone to be kind to them today.

Tell us in the comments how you showed or witnessed kindness in your classroom this week!

With so much on our plate as educators, we can sometimes forget that it's the little things that are going to make the biggest difference in the lives of the children in our classroom.

Research shows that observing an act of kindness can make in someone want to pay that kindness forward?

As educators, we are constantly observed by our students. This means we have a high level of responsibility to model the behaviors that we want to see in them. When it comes to kindness, find ways throughout your day,

Circle time is a great time to demonstrate kindness. It can be as simple as moving over to allow a child to have more room. Know that your kindness is being observed.

In the end, a lot of people, little and big, just need someone to be kind to them today.

Tell us in the comments how you showed or witnessed kindness in your classroom this week!

Do you or someone you know live in Seattle and want to get paid to play?

Join the Musically Minded team or share with someone you think would be a fit.

Help us awaken the rhythm of life!

https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?t=preschool+music+teacher+music+therapist&jk=09d081bf6c7e32ad&_ga=2.28348917.813625590.1664492088-798315531.1663027222

Musically Minded is hiring and you just might know someone who would be a perfect fit!

If they love kids, can play the ukulele and hold a degree in music therapy, music education, theater or similar, please share!

Oh, it's in Seattle and Bellevue

Join our Team! Musically Minded, is currently hiring an early childhood music educator. Teach childen birth-5 in childcare centers throughout Seattle. If you want to get paid to play, apply today!