EPISODE · Mar 3, 2026 · 17 MIN
115 | No Time for Play in the Classroom? 3 Simple Ways to Boost Engagement and Improve Student Behavior
from Enjoy Teaching Again | Elementary, Teacher Burnout, Student Behavior, SEL, Classroom Management · host Elizabeth M. Peterson - Teacher, Arts Integration Specialist & Creative SEL Consultant
Are your students spending more time on devices than at recess? Are you seeing more conflict, more frustration, and more behavior issues — and wondering what’s changed? In this episode, I share a conversation I had with a kindergarten teacher who is feeling the tension between curriculum demands and the lack of play in her classroom. And honestly? What she’s seeing in kindergarten is showing up in upper elementary too. If you’re tired of constantly managing student behavior and feeling like you’re putting out fires all day, you'll love this conversation and the 3 simple, realistic ways I share to bring playful learning back — without throwing out your curriculum. This isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about shifting what’s already there so your classroom feels calmer, more connected, and more manageable. ~Elizabeth Mentioned in This Episode: Do YOU a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast ✨ The Classroom Reset – If you’re tired of managing behavior and ready to prevent it instead, I would love to support you inside The Classroom Reset. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset 💬 We just RELAUNCHED our amazing community of Creative Teachers Building Calm & Engaged Classrooms. Let’s keep this conversation going! (There's so much to talk about!) Join us here: 👉 theinspiredclassroom.com/community ✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom Follow & DM me on Instagram @theinspiredclassroom Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @theinspiredclassroom
What this episode covers
Are your students spending more time on devices than at recess? Are you seeing more conflict, more frustration, and more behavior issues — and wondering what’s changed? In this episode, I share a conversation I had with a kindergarten teacher who is feeling the tension between curriculum demands and the lack of play in her classroom. And honestly? What she’s seeing in kindergarten is showing up in upper elementary too. If you’re tired of constantly managing student behavior and feeling like you’re putting out fires all day, you'll love this conversation and the 3 simple, realistic ways I share to bring playful learning back — without throwing out your curriculum. This isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about shifting what’s already there so your classroom feels calmer, more connected, and more manageable. ~Elizabeth Mentioned in This Episode: Do YOU a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast ✨ The Classroom Reset – If you’re tired of managing behavior and ready to prevent it instead, I would love to support you inside The Classroom Reset. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset 💬 We just RELAUNCHED our amazing community of Creative Teachers Building Calm & Engaged Classrooms. Let’s keep this conversation going! (There's so much to talk about!) Join us here: 👉 theinspiredclassroom.com/community ✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom Follow & DM me on Instagram @theinspiredclassroom Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @theinspiredclassroom
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115 | No Time for Play in the Classroom? 3 Simple Ways to Boost Engagement and Improve Student Behavior
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