Big Little Lessons

What happens when teaching becomes more than what happens inside a classroom? In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with educator Lindsey Kaufman, whose 40+ year journey in education has taken her far beyond traditional school walls—and into communities around the world, including her work in the Dominican Republic with Strength for the Journey . Lindsey shares how her early love of teaching grew...

What if creativity isn’t just an activity—but a language? In this episode, Jenny and Kristine talk with art educator Kusum Harchandrai Nairi about how creativity helps children express themselves and make sense of the world. From her childhood in Bombay to her path into art education, Kusum shares why open-ended time, simple materials, and less direction from adults can spark deeper imagination an...

Summer is coming—and with it, the question every family asks: How do we make it meaningful without overcomplicating it? In this episode of Big Little Lessons , Jenny and Kristine explore how to thoughtfully design a summer that balances structure and freedom. Drawing from years in the classroom (and real life), they share how creating a simple vision can help guide decisions around camps, downtime...

This week on Big Little Lessons, Jenny and Kristine welcome Nikki DeLoach, parent, advocate, actor, writer, producer, and co-host of the Mind What Matters podcast, for a thoughtful conversation about how families can build emotionally strong homes in today’s fast-changing world. Together, they explore what Nikki is seeing through her work advocating for children’s mental health and supporting fami...

What if the very thing that makes learning harder for a child… is also the thing that makes them extraordinary? In this episode, Jenny and Kristine sit down with educator and student advocate Dr. Courtney Behrenhausen to demystify neurodiversity and help families better understand how children learn differently. Together, they explore common neurodiverse profiles, why early intervention matters, w...

What if one of the most loving decisions we can make for a child… is giving them more time? In this episode, Jenny and Kristine — with more than 50 years of combined classroom experience — explore how to thoughtfully consider whether a child might benefit from an extra year in Pre-K, Kindergarten, or First Grade. Using a whole-child lens, they discuss academic readiness, social-emotional developme...

What if one of the greatest gifts a child can receive is simply more people to love them? In this warm and meaningful conversation, Jenny and Kristine sit down with devoted father, proud grandfather, and beloved school volunteer Peter Palmer to explore the powerful role that grandparents and other caring adults play in children’s lives. Together, they reflect on family, legacy, and the research-ba...

What if the behaviors we struggle with most are actually the body asking for support? In this episode of Big Little Lessons , we sit down with occupational therapist Dani Leon, M.S., OTR/L, founder of Sprout Children’s Therapy Center, to explore how regulation, sensory experiences, and nervous system support impact how children (and adults) learn, connect, and function in everyday life. Dani helps...

What if parenting felt more intentional — not perfect, not rigid, but calmer and more grounded? In this episode, we’re joined by parent coach and former classroom teacher Andrea Scopp-Robbins to explore what intentional parenting really looks like in everyday moments — and how clear, compassionate boundaries actually help children feel safe, confident, and supported as they grow. Andrea shares ins...

What does it really mean to find your voice — and why does it matter at every stage of life? In this episode of Big Little Lessons , kindergarten teachers Jenny and Kristine sit down with speech-language pathologist Amy Wachsberger, M.S., CCC-SLP, for a thoughtful, reassuring conversation about communication, confidence, and connection. Together, they explore how speech therapy is not about labels...

February in the classroom is magical… and completely exhausting. From Groundhog Day and Lunar New Year to Valentine’s Day, the 100th Day of School, Presidents’ Day, curriculum pacing, assessments, conferences, and everyday teaching — February somehow manages to pack twelve mini-months into twenty-eight days. In this episode, Jenny and Kristine explore why February feels like so much , what researc...

In this episode of Big Little Lessons , Jenny and Kristine sit down with Dr. Toya Holiday for a rich and thoughtful conversation about identity, belonging, and the wisdom that shapes who we become. Together, they explore how identity is formed through personal experience, family foundations, and community connections , and how learning to “see through someone else’s eyes” deepens empathy, understa...

Flexibility is more than stretching — it’s a life skill. In this episode of Big Little Lessons , Jenny and Kristine sit down with special education teacher and author Lisa Konstandt to explore how flexible thinking helps children and adults navigate change, manage big feelings, and build resilience. Lisa shares how her personal journey through breast cancer reshaped the way she listens to her inne...

As we step into a new year, it’s easy to feel pressure to rush growth—both for ourselves and for the children we care for. In this episode of Big Little Lessons , Jenny and Kristine slow things down and invite parents and teachers to take a developmental pause. Through classroom stories and lived experience, they explore: Setting intentions instead of resolutions Reviewing growth patterns to bette...

The first year of teaching is full of learning, growth, and moments that quietly shape who we become as educators. In this mid-year reflection, Jenny and Kristine look back on their own first-year experiences and welcome special guest Katelyn Abernathy, a first-year speech teacher supporting over 40 students. Together, they share honest insights about surviving the early months, finding rhythm and...

What if the messiest moments are the most memorable ones?  We know that the holidays are rarely perfect—and that’s exactly what makes them memorable. In this joyful, laughter-filled episode, Jenny and Kristine celebrate the perfectly imperfect holiday moments that unfold in kindergarten classrooms and at home. From holiday shows that go off-script to kids falling asleep on the risers, we reflect o...

Why do certain Christmas stories stay with us long after the decorations are packed away? In this special holiday episode, Jenny and Kristine take a thoughtful and nostalgic look at three beloved Christmas classics — ’Twas the Night Before Christmas , Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer , and How the Grinch Stole Christmas — and uncover the powerful social–emotional lessons woven into their timeless ta...

In this episode, Jenny and Kristine sit down with colleague, educator, and basketball coach Steven Tolbert to uncover how sportsmanship is shaped long before players ever put on a jersey. Drawing from Steven’s years working in kindergarten and coaching athletes, they explore the deep connection between early learning and character on the court. Key Themes • Kindergarten as the Foundation for Sport...

In this heartwarming episode, Jenny and Kristine talk with Ben Enright, a middle and high school choir director, vocal director for musical productions, and middle school history teacher. Ben shares how music and teaching intersect—how the skills that bring harmony to a choir also create connection and curiosity in the classroom. Together, they explore the joy of helping students find their voices...

What does walking a kindergartner into their very first classroom have in common with sending a young adult off to college? More than you’d imagine. In this insightful and heartfelt episode, Jenny and Kristine sit down with college counselor and former Broadway performer Elisa Sagardia—who also happens to be an animal lover with a pet menagerie from dogs and cats to hedgehogs, squirrels, and guine...

What if the traditions we choose—old or new—shape the memories our children carry into adulthood? In this reflective and heartwarming episode of Big Little Lessons , Jenny and Kristine explore the power of traditions—at school, at home, and in our communities. Drawing on decades of teaching kindergarten, they share how simple rituals help children feel seen, grounded, and connected, especially dur...

In this heartfelt episode, Jenny and Kristine explore what it really means to grow gratitude—not just during Thanksgiving season, but as a lifelong habit that brings more joy, connection, and contentment. Drawing from their years of teaching and their own family experiences, they discuss how gratitude can be taught, modeled, and practiced —and why it matters for children and adults. Through storie...

In this full-circle episode, Jenny and Kristine welcome a very special guest — Ava, one of their former kindergarten students who recently graduated from college. Together, they explore what it truly means to be to others, kind and good — the timeless lesson that started in the classroom years ago and continues to shape lives well into adulthood. Ava shares how those early lessons of kindness, emp...

 What if slowing down was the secret to helping children build confidence, creativity, and connection? Through stories from the classroom and real-life reflections, Jenny and Kristine reveal how giving ourselves and our children the gift of time can nurture pride, balance, and deeper relationships. In this episode, Jenny and Kristine discuss: How rushing through the day affects children’s confiden...

Dani shares how we can create space for those emotions rather than rush to fix them — reminding us that being present is often more powerful than having the perfect response. Together, we discuss practical tools for parents, teachers, and anyone learning to pause, listen, and guide with empathy.  In This Episode, We Discuss: Defining big feelings  Understanding the different emotional needs betwee...