What are you curious about?

I’m not talking about your curriculum, how many soft vs. hard spaces you have, the academic posters on the walls, or even how organized your shelves are. I mean something deeper.

I’m talking about you.

The real you.

Teaching is an act of vulnerability. It’s sharing the small, personal details; the intimate, everyday pieces of your life, that shine a light on who you are as a human, not just an educator.

Take a look at your dramatic play area. What’s in there?

How does it reflect you or your teaching team?

Do you drink Lactaid or cow’s milk? That answer could show up in the pretend fridge with the same milk bottle you use at home; maybe empty, maybe superglued shut and filled with water. (Heavy lifting am I right?! 🤪

Is your favorite snack Cheez-Its? Toss that empty box onto the play shelf.

Have any old t-shirts, shoes, or shorts that no longer fit? Add them to the dress-up armoire.

Use a specific body wash or shampoo? Rinse the bottle and put it on the pretend shelf.

Have pets? Include stuffed animals and the same real boxes of treats you keep at home.

The more of your real life you bring into the classroom, the more opportunities you’ll have to connect with children and families in small but meaningful ways. These everyday items become conversation starters, points of connection, and bridges for relationships to grow.

Speaking of families…do you have a photo of your family up in the classroom?

This approach can extend beyond dramatic play to every area of your space art materials, reading corners, even the décor. The more you bring in from your world, the more you have to share. And when you share, you model openness. That openness encourages children and families to do the same; whether through stories, contributions, or donations of materials from their own homes.

If you’re able, consider sending home a letter at the beginning of the year or during a home visit. Use it to introduce yourself! Not just your teaching style, but your personality. Include details like your favorite foods, your pets, or why there’s an old shampoo bottle in the play area. These little insights can inspire families to join in and offer their own contributions, maybe an empty food container, a favorite book, or old clothes for pretend play.

Here’s another bonus: when you bring items from home, you save money. You don’t have to buy new materials, they’re real, meaningful, and already part of your life. You’re also modeling sustainability and recycling by reusing plastic, cardboard, and paper items.

Another benefit? Children get hands-on practice with real materials. They can open and close actual containers, handle glass jars with care, and explore items that hold weight, texture, and familiarity.

You may even catch glimpses into their lives. Maybe a child uses the same kind of lotion at home or maybe they’ve never seen a whisk before. Either way, there’s curiosity, discovery, and connection.

The world is filled with fascinating objects, routines, and ways of being. When you bring honest pieces of your life into the classroom, into your materials, your stories, your daily presence, you create a space where relationships can truly flourish.

Teacher or not, I’m curious:

What could you bring into a classroom that might help others learn about who you are?

Top 3 for me:

Bubble Bath Container- I take a bubble bath almost every day! Not nearly as hot or long in the summer but relaxing in a bubble bath with a book is a favorite hobby of mine.

Foam Hand Soap container- Foam soap is my go to. I cannot stand regular hand soap. Contradictory to my bubble bath I suppose in some way haha.

Fair Life Chocolate Milk- The only type of “milk” I will drink. It is not even really milk but I have learned to love it and drink it daily!