[Aleena_Nicaraga]

ne time-saving trick I swear by is creating a daily checklist. It helps me stay focused on essential tasks and ensures nothing gets overlooked.

A golden moment for me was when we turned our cleanup routine into a game. The kids loved it, and it not only made tidying up quicker but also brought a lot of joy to our daily routine.

[Eva Gorsey]

One of my favorite time-saving hacks is to prep materials the night
before. Having everything ready in advance, from lesson plans to
activity supplies, helps the day run smoothly.

[Selma]

I rely on a color-coded schedule to keep things organized. Each activity has its own color, making it easy to glance and see what comes next. It’s been a game-changer in terms of time management.

A golden moment was when we set up learning stations for a hands-on project. Having everything ready in designated areas allowed the children to explore and learn independently, giving me a bit of breathing room while still fostering their curiosity.

[Laura]

My best time-saving hack is preparing my lunch and my kid’s lunches the night before. I plan for breakfasts the night before as well to help get everyone fed quicker and out the door on time. I also plan ahead by checking the weather report and picking out my clothes the night before. My kids help pick out their clothes the night before so they can be laid out and this helps avoid clothing battles and power struggles in the morning when our time is more limited. When my kids and I can get out of the house on time and I’m not late to work and they’re not late to school, it eliminates that extra stress and helps me start the day on a positive note so that I can be my best self with these young learners.

[Jessi]

I love all of these ideas. Recently, I even got savvy enough to take a quick afternoon break at work, and preorder our dinner for pick up later that night! Aslo, I agree with everyone else that a to-do list is so helpful and motivating. It helps me to be inspired to complete needed tasks.

[Christian]

Use time wisely, be organized as much as possible and ask for help if needed.

[Trisha]

I feel like the best time management comes from being consistent and responsible with time. I make sure my classroom materials are ready the night before, to allow for a well-prepared classroom. I answer emails efficiently and make sure I address issues immediately to allow all children to be successful and the classroom environment. I make lists in order of tasks and importance to make each day run smoothly.

[Trainer]

Trisha, your proactive approach to preparation and organization sets a great example for time management. Well-done!

[♥ Martha]

Planning and multitasking! Think ahead, make to do list, set up alarms, and use time wisely.

I use my students as helpers. The help out to clean and organize. We have fun as we do it. I use any down time to prepare, plan, observe, and document.

[Trainer]

Great use of planning and involving students in organizing tasks! Efficient use of downtime for preparation and observation.

[Lauren]

I believe in creating a routine rather than a schedule. With younger children, there needs to be flexibility. Instead of ‘we’re doing this thing at this time’, we just stuck to our routine. I noticed a drastic change in struggles with transitions. Our routine was free play, clean-up (with a 3 minute warning), story time, wiggle break, to the table to practice our shapes/letters/numbers, then an art activity, outside time, inside for lunch, nap, free play, snack, back outside! Your day is organized while making allowances for unexpected instances (children getting hurt, sick children, etc.) Routine is more important than a schedule.

[Trainer]

Lauren, your approach to creating a routine rather than a schedule is insightful and beneficial for young children. Well done!

[Andrea]

In our classroom I have the daily “schedule” posted and classroom helpers. Each child has a task including class organizer, paperwork helper, and lights person. That class organizer is responsible for making sure the classroom in tidy and safe. They love this job and it has been quite successful taking a huge time drain off of me- they sweep the floor, remind others to push in their chair, make sure shelves are organized. The children have really taken ownership of this task and our classroom! Paperwork helper hands out and collects workbooks, worksheets or projects for the time and this allows me to get set up so that as soon as everyone has their book, I am ready to start teaching! Lights person is in charge of the lights, but it has also turned into a tool that they use when they feel it is getting too loud during free choice time or lunch. It is really quite impressive!

Our schedule does not have times on it, it just follows the same progression each day so the children know what to expect. We review it every morning and change out our specialist for the day at this time.

[Nargis Sarin]

I try to manage my time as well as i can, however you never know when a spanner might be thrown into the works.

[Chaleena Simmons]

By using a planner, calendar and preparing ahead keeps things organized and gets things done in a timely manner. While accomplishing these tasks ahead of time, it allows for more free time to work closer with the children and other teachers.

[Donna]

I’m learning alot about Google Keep,

It has the ability for notes but also I can create a master list of my daily routine with daycare and I can insert specific lessons or activities on this list. What I love is that I can add check boxes and when I am done I simply check it and it moves it off the list for me. When the day is over I go to the bottom and mark all boxes unchecked, change the specifics for the next day and everything else is the same. It is really a time saver.

[Donna]

About google keep, I can use it on my computer, tablet or my phone and they synchronize together.

[Julie]

My best time saving hack is actually my environment/classroom! If my classroom is set up for the success of my students and my teachers/myself, I find that it’ll flow in the right direction all day, including with time saving hacks. Need to do some art activities with students? Great! Here’s the paint corner with paint, brushes, paper, and more. It’s a already created prep time. Need time to do some prepping for tomorrow? Here’s the puzzle corner for children to utilize while still being engaged and you can cut paper for tomorrow.