The Everything ECE Podcast

Think websites are just for business owners? Think again. In this episode, Carla chats with Chelsea Denny, founder of Early Childhood Creative , about why every educator (from classroom teachers to program owners) can benefit from having a professional online presence. You’ll learn: ✨ How your website can work for you 24/7 💡 Why automation saves you hours every week 🌐 The difference between own...

Conflict doesn’t have to be scary or negative. In this short and powerful episode, Carla explores how reframing conflict can transform classroom challenges into opportunities for connection and growth. From cloakroom chaos to tidy-up time, she shares practical language shifts that help educators move from correcting and directing to connecting. Learn how your tone, words, and mindset can turn mome...

Play isn’t just cute. It’s critical. In this episode, Carla sits down with Amanda Morgan , educator, author, and founder of Not Just Cute , to uncover the real power of play in early childhood education. Together, they explore how play supports mental health, brain development, and lifelong learning, and how educators can communicate its value to families and administrators. Amanda shares research...

What if your documentation could do more than check a box? In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast , Carla Ward shares 5 documentation strategies to bring ECE learning to life: practical, heart-centred ways to make documentation meaningful, authentic, and a natural part of your teaching practice. You’ll discover how to: ✨ Capture the small, everyday moments that reveal big learning ✨ Empow...

Stress shows up in our work, but it doesn’t have to take over. In this episode, Carla Ward sits down with Cameile Henry, award-winning author and CEO of Strengthen Hands Educational Resources Inc., to explore how reflection, awareness, and kindness help educators navigate stress before it leads to burnout. This conversation reminds us that calm is a skill, kindness is a practice, and both are esse...

There are four little words that we, as educators, use far more often than we realize — and they might be quietly holding children back. These words aren’t harsh or negative. In fact, they sound completely ordinary. But the truth is, they shape how we see children, how we interpret their behaviour, and how we respond in the moment. In this episode, Carla dives deep into the power of language —how...

In this powerful episode, Carla welcomes Dawn Montecalvo, CEO of the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, Florida, to discuss what it really means to go all in when early learning is on the line. From shifting the educator mindset from “job” to “career” to reducing turnover through professional development and support, Dawn shares how her team is creating real, lasting change in a community with tremend...

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast , Carla sits down with Rebecca Parlakian, child development and parenting specialist at ZERO TO THREE, to shine a spotlight on the incredible world of infants and toddlers. Together they unpack: The key developmental milestones across social-emotional, cognitive, communication, and physical domains Why everyday moments (like laundry, sunlight, or stirr...

In this engaging conversation, Debbie shares her journey as an early childhood educator and how her experiences have shaped her understanding of the profession. She discusses the natural coaching abilities of educators, the importance of reflective inquiry, and the transformative power of vision boards and manifestation in both personal and professional contexts. Debbie emphasizes the significance...

The words we choose with children matter more than we realize. In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward explores The Language of Encouragement and how it shapes a child’s self-esteem, resilience, and inner voice. Discover: ✔ The difference between praise and encouragement ✔ Why connection before correction preserves dignity ✔ How adding the word yet builds growth mindset ✔ Practic...

What does it look like to truly humanize early learning? In this rich conversation with Kisa Marx. We unpack why adaptability is now a core competency for educators and families. We explore how belonging builds real resilience, why “good job” falls short, the power of the pause, and how to hold safety, advocacy, and kindness at the same time. You’ll hear: Humanizing practice defined—and how adult-...

Your classroom is always teaching, even when you’re not speaking. In this episode, Carla Ward explores the concept of the “hidden curriculum” through the Reggio Emilia idea of the classroom as the third teacher. From lighting and plants to blocks, visual schedules, and representation, discover how the environment silently shapes children’s learning and belonging. Carla also shares a personal story...

Children aren’t the future- they’re people of today. In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward sits down with Marta Skrzypczak, educator and children’s rights advocate, to explore why children’s participation is a fundamental right, not a privilege. We cover: - What Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child means for educators - The difference between autonomy and...

Back-to-school means new faces, new energy, and new opportunities to set the tone. But are we over-focusing on the schedule and missing the real magic of routines ? In this episode, I dive into the difference between schedules and routines, why routines matter so deeply for children’s safety, belonging, and learning, and how transitions can be powerful moments for connection. We’ll also talk about...

Why does social emotional learning need to start with us as educators? In this thought-provoking conversation with Prerna Richards of Together We Grow , we explore how our own regulation, mindset, and choices impact everything from classroom dynamics to the way children learn and grow. This episode blends insight, real-life reflection, and practical ideas you can start using right away. Show Notes...

Learn how to plan in early childhood education with calm, connection, and intention. In this episode, Carla Ward shares ECE planning tips for merging curriculum expectations with play-based learning, improving classroom flow, and making documentation purposeful. Show Notes: ⁠ www.elfoundations.com/202 Email Newsletter: ⁠Click Here⁠

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast , Carla sits down with Meeghan Carter, a bilingual educator with over 25 years of experience, to explore how early exposure to a second language can boost empathy, cultural awareness, and cognitive development. Meeghan shares her journey building Spanish language programs for young children and offers simple, accessible ways for educators to bring fore...

It’s the 200th episode of The Everything ECE Podcast ! To celebrate, I’m bringing you a roundup of powerful insights from 10 incredible expert guests whose voices continue to shape and elevate the early learning profession. From equity and neurodiversity to art, literacy, and documentation, this episode is filled with the kind of reflections that remind us why we do this work—and how we can keep d...

Have you ever wondered if we’re identifying literacy challenges early enough in young children? In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast , Carla Ward is joined by Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift to talk about the importance of early detection, the key signs to look for, and practical strategies educators can use to support children who are struggling with reading. Whether you're in a preschool cla...

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast , Carla explores the power and potential of intergenerational teams in early childhood education. With multiple generations working side by side in many ECE programs, there is an opportunity to create stronger, more dynamic teams when we learn to lean into our differences with curiosity and respect. Carla shares real stories, practical tools, and refle...

In this heart-opening conversation, Carla Ward sits down with Cathy Belgrave , host of The Intentional ECE Podcast , to explore the powerful role of art in early learning—not just as an activity, but as a mindset. Together, they unpack what it means for educators to develop an art mindset , how to move beyond crafts and into intentional creativity, and why art is essential for connection, communic...

Is your circle time built for compliance or connection? In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast , Carla Ward invites educators to rethink traditional circle time practices and shift the focus from managing behaviour to building meaningful engagement. We explore why not every child needs to join the group to be involved, how rigid expectations like “criss-cross applesauce” can harm inclusion,...

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast , Carla Ward sits down with Angela Odusanya - Registered Early Childhood Educator, Ontario Certified Teacher, and children’s book author - to explore how loose parts play transformed her classroom practice and perspective on children's creativity. Angela shares her personal "aha moment," the calming magic of loose parts, and how educators...

What if the behaviours we label as acting out were actually sensory cries for help? In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward pulls back the curtain on the sensory side of behaviour. From spinning in circles to hiding under tables and chewing hoodie strings-these aren't just disruptions; they're messages. Backed by research from Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, Dr. Mona Delahooke, and...

How do we foster a love of literacy in young children without drilling flashcards or forcing reading before they’re ready? In this inspiring episode of The Everything ECE Podcast , literacy expert Melissa McCall of Moving Little Minds joins Carla to explore the power of play-based early literacy and how to build strong literacy foundations in early childhood education. We discuss: ✅ Why toddlers...