If you’ve been teaching for a while, you’ve probably felt it—teaching preschoolers today is harder than it used to be.
Many teachers are noticing the same thing:
🌀 Kids have more difficulty sitting still and following routines.
🌀 They struggle with self-regulation and managing big emotions.
🌀 They seem less engaged, more distracted, and harder to connect with.
And honestly? It’s exhausting.
If you’re feeling burnt out, frustrated, or even questioning if you can keep doing this, you are not alone. The world has changed, and so have young children. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to fight against it.
Instead of struggling to make kids fit into the old ways of learning, what if we met them where they are?
That’s where the Play-Based STEAM System comes in. It’s not just another teaching method—it’s a mindset shift that makes teaching easier, more effective, and a lot more joyful.
Let’s break it down.
What’s Changed in Preschoolers Today?
Children today are growing up in a world that looks very different from even five years ago. They have:
- Less Unstructured Play – More time is spent on structured activities and less free play.
- Increased Screen Time – Digital devices are a bigger part of their daily lives.
- Fewer Opportunities to Move – Safety concerns and overscheduling mean less time for active, independent play.
- Higher Academic Pressures Earlier – Kindergarten expectations are creeping into preschool, pushing more structured learning.
And all of this impacts how children behave, learn, and interact in the classroom.
So if you feel like your kids are “all over the place” this year, it’s not you—it’s the world they’re growing up in.
The solution? We need to shift our expectations and our approach.
The Mindset Shift: From “Control” to “Connection”
Old-school preschool teaching often focused on control—expecting children to sit still, follow directions, and absorb information.
But that approach no longer works for today’s kids. Instead, we need to shift to a connection-based, play-driven, movement-rich approach to learning.
What Does This Shift Look Like?
🔄 Instead of “Sit still and listen,” try: Engaging, hands-on, sensory play.
🔄 Instead of “Follow my directions exactly,” try: Open-ended challenges where kids explore and create their own solutions.
🔄 Instead of “Stop wiggling,” try: Incorporating movement and sensory activities into learning.
This isn’t about lowering expectations. It’s about teaching in a way that actually works for the children in front of us.
That’s exactly why Play-Based STEAM is so powerful.
How the Play-Based STEAM System Makes Teaching Easier
Play-Based STEAM follows a simple, flexible structure that supports both child-led exploration and teacher guidance.
1. Play Prep: Setting the Stage for Learning
💡 Mindset Shift: From “Sit Still and Listen” → To “Engage and Explore First”
Many children struggle with transitions and structured learning because they haven’t had enough time to explore first.
Play Prep helps ease them into learning by:
✔️ Setting up hands-on exploration areas before structured lessons.
✔️ Encouraging curiosity through sensory play and open-ended materials.
✔️ Giving children independence and choice, increasing engagement.
Example: Instead of starting a science lesson with a long explanation, set up a table with ramps, balls, and blocks and let kids explore first. Then introduce vocabulary and guided discovery.
2. Play Magic: Hands-On, Open-Ended Exploration
Mindset Shift: From “Follow My Directions” → To “Let’s Discover Together”
Young children learn best by doing, not by sitting and listening. Play Magic encourages movement, curiosity, and problem-solving through:
✔️ Open-ended STEAM challenges that allow for multiple solutions.
✔️ Child-led exploration that builds confidence and self-regulation.
✔️ Interactive, hands-on learning that keeps kids engaged.
Example: Instead of giving step-by-step instructions to build a bridge, ask, “Can you build something strong enough to hold a toy car?” This invites problem-solving and collaboration—without fear of getting it ‘wrong.’
3. 5-Star Play: Reflection and Deeper Learning
Mindset Shift: From “Complete the Activity” → To “Reflect and Deepen Understanding”
Children today often struggle with self-regulation, transitions, and attention. The 5-Star Play step builds in structured reflection, helping kids:
✔️ Develop focus and self-regulation.
✔️ Connect their learning to real-world experiences.
✔️ Express their understanding in different ways (drawing, storytelling, building).
Example: After a building challenge, ask children to share what they learned through drawing, storytelling, or hands-on demonstrations. Instead of a worksheet, use conversation and observation to assess learning.
Why This Works for Today’s Preschoolers (And Teachers!)
✔️ It’s Play-Based – Kids learn through movement, exploration, and curiosity.
✔️ It’s Child-Centered – Instead of fighting against kids’ energy, we channel it into meaningful learning.
✔️ It Supports Self-Regulation – Hands-on play helps children manage emotions, attention, and social skills.
✔️ It’s Flexible – It lets teachers adapt lessons based on how kids are engaging in the moment.
And best of all? It makes teaching feel FUN again.
Making the Shift Without Overwhelm
If you’re burnt out and feeling like teaching just isn’t the same anymore, start small.
✅ Observe – Pay attention to how kids respond to different learning experiences.
✅ Adjust Expectations – Instead of fighting against wiggly bodies, incorporate movement into learning.
✅ Try One Play-Based STEAM Activity – Let kids explore before jumping into structured lessons.
This shift isn’t about adding more work—it’s about teaching in a way that actually works for both kids and teachers.
You’re Not Alone—And You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
If this message resonates with you, you’re not alone. Preschool teachers everywhere are feeling this shift—and the best way forward is to support each other in embracing play-based learning.
That’s why we created Preschool STEAM Pathways—a membership that gives you:
- Ready-to-Use Play-Based STEAM Lessons (so you don’t have to plan from scratch).
- Professional Development & Coaching to help you make this mindset shift.
- A Supportive Community of teachers navigating these same challenges.
Because teaching doesn’t have to feel this hard. You deserve to love what you do again—and kids deserve a learning environment that meets them where they are.
What changes have you noticed in your preschoolers? How are you adapting your approach? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear your thoughts! ⬇️
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