Early Childhood Chapters

What if the key to stronger family partnerships isn't getting fathers to show up more, but creating environments where they feel genuinely welcomed, valued, and included? In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , host Emily Garman sits down with Dr. Jawan Burwell, author of Engaging Fathers: Strategies for Inclusive Family Partnerships in Early Childhood , to discuss why father engagement matt...

What happened to kindergarten? In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , host Emily Garman sits down with education policy expert, former teacher, and author Laura Bornfreund to explore how kindergarten has changed over the past several decades and why many classrooms have drifted away from what young children need most. Drawing from research, classroom observations, and her new book, Rediscov...

The "science of reading" has become one of the biggest conversations in education—but what does it actually mean in early childhood classrooms? In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , host Emily Garman is joined by Dr. LaTisha Hayes, editor of Ready to Read: Using the Science of Reading in Pre-K and Kindergarten , along with contributors Muriel Rand and Dr. Lesley Morrow, for a thoughtful co...

In today's early childhood classrooms, children are learning two, three, sometimes even four languages at once. The question isn't whether multilingual learners will be in your classroom—it's how you'll support them. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , Karen Nemeth—author of Many Languages, One Classroom, 2nd Edition —shares practical, research-informed strategies for creating classrooms...

Before children ever pick up a paintbrush, nature has already given them a palette. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , we talk with Janine Kloiber, author of Nature's Palette , about how natural materials can spark creativity, deepen sensory experiences, and help children build meaningful connections with the world around them. Janine shares how slowing down, following children's intere...

Transitions are one of the most challenging parts of the day in early childhood settings—but what if we've been thinking about them all wrong? In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , host Emily Garman sits down with early childhood expert Rae Pica, author of Teachable Transitions , to explore why transitions continue to be a daily struggle and how educators can approach them differently. Tog...

January is often framed as a "fresh start," but for early childhood educators, it's something very different—it's the middle of the year. After winter break, classrooms are filled with children (and adults) who may feel tired, dysregulated, emotionally tender, or disconnected from routines that once felt familiar. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , host Emily Garman is joined by Angela...

What can water teach young children about science, curiosity, and caring for the planet? Author and educator Ann Gadzikowski, MEd, joins host Emily Garman to discuss her new book, Every Drop Counts: Exploring Water Science with Young Children in a Changing Climate (Gryphon House, 2025). Drawing on her collaboration with her daughter, a water scientist, Ann shares how educators can inspire scientif...

In this inspiring conversation, author and educator Jani Kozlowski shares her personal and professional journey toward creating more inclusive early learning environments. Drawing from her own experience as a person with a disability—and as the parent of a child with a disability—Jani helps educators and families see that inclusion is not a place, but a culture of belonging. She offers practical a...

In this episode of  Early Childhood Chapters , host Emily Garman sits down with Dr. Julie Tourigny, pediatric occupational therapist and author of Calm and in Control , Organized and Engaged , and her upcoming release, Alert and Attentive . Together, they explore why attention is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be taught and strengthened in early childhood. Dr. Tourigny shares practical str...

Parent-teacher conferences can feel rushed, overwhelming, or even intimidating—for both educators and families. But when done well, these conversations can build trust, strengthen relationships, and set children up for success. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , we talk with Tricia Shelton, EdD , author of Partnering for Success: Effective Strategies for Parent-Teacher Conferences . Dra...

In this engaging and often funny conversation, Dr. Adam Holland—educator, trainer, and author of the upcoming Gryphon House book Thinking Outside the Prize Box: Navigating Challenging Behaviors in Today's Classroom —shares real-world strategies for managing challenging behavior without relying on prize boxes, clip charts, or other reward-and-punishment systems that lose effectiveness over time. Dr...

In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , we talk with Dr. Thomasa Bond about why family first isn't just a philosophy but a practical approach to building strong, safe, and successful early childhood programs. Dr. Bond brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, including 14 years as a child care licensing consultant. She shares real-world strategies to help program direc...

In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , we speak with Dr. Ginger Welch, clinical psychologist, author, and early childhood expert, about how educators can better understand and respond to challenging behaviors in the classroom. Dr. Welch draws on her decades of experience in homes, schools, and clinical settings to explain why children act out—not as willful defiance, but often as communicat...

In this powerful episode, Dr. Barbara Sorrels, renowned early childhood expert and author of Reaching and Teaching Children Exposed to Trauma and Trauma-Sensitive Care for Infants, Toddlers, and Two-Year-Olds , joins us to explore what it truly means to care for young children impacted by trauma. Dr. Sorrels shares heartfelt stories and actionable strategies from her decades of experience working...

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Lea Ann Christenson and Jenny James, coauthors of Dig In: Outdoor STEM Learning for Young Children . Together, they make the case that outdoor education isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. Lea Ann and Jenny share how nature-based learning supports whole-child development, fosters deeper engagement, and offers rich, differentiated opportunities for every type of l...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , we welcome Dr. Rachel Larimore, an expert in nature-based early childhood education. Dr. Larimore shares her insights on why outdoor learning is essential for young children, how educators and caregivers can integrate nature into daily routines, and the long-term benefits of connecting children with the natural world. Key Topics Discus...

In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , we welcome Dr. Angela Searcy for a deep dive into navigating difficult conversations in early childhood education. Following her recent EdWeb webinar, Pushing Past Conflicts With Adults: Navigating Uncomfortable Conversations in Early Childhood , Dr. Searcy joins the podcast to address lingering questions and expand on key strategies for managing chall...

In this thought-provoking episode of Early Childhood Chapters , we sit down with Dr. Tameka Ardrey and Dr. Ebonyse Mead, co-authors of Building Equitable Early Learning Programs: A Social Justice Approach , along with Gryphon House President Dr. Rebecca Berlin. Together, they delve into the challenges and opportunities of fostering equity in early childhood education, particularly in today's compl...

In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , we sit down with early childhood expert, author, and speaker Kathy Lee Eggers to explore the importance of play-based learning and why reclaiming childhood is more urgent than ever. Kathy shares insights from her decades of experience working with young children, writing books, and developing curricula that prioritize sensory-rich, hands-on experiences...

Self-care is more than just bubble baths and relaxation—it's about reconnecting with the joy that first brought you to your work. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , we're joined by Dr. Teresa Byington, author of Find the Joyful Leader Within , to explore how educators and leaders can cultivate joy in their work and create positive, uplifting environments for themselves and their teams....

In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters , host Emily Garman sits down with Dr. Sarah Vanover, an early childhood education expert and the author of America's Child Care Crisis and Bridging Gaps . Dr. Vanover delves into the systemic challenges facing the child care industry in the United States, from the economic pressures on providers to the difficulties families face in accessing high-qualit...

In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we sit down with Keriann Wilmot, an occupational therapist, author, and toy expert affectionately known as "The Toy Queen." Keriann shares her insights on the importance of fine motor development in young children and offers practical advice for parents, educators, and caregivers. The conversation dives into Keriann's book, Fine Motor Foundations: Tools...

In this powerful episode of Early Childhood Chapters , host Emily Garman sits down with Kimberly King, a certified sexual abuse prevention educator, teacher, and author of Body Safety for Young Children: Empowering Caring Adults . Kimberly shares actionable strategies for teaching body safety in an age-appropriate, empowering way, starting as early as toddlerhood. We discuss the importance of body...

In this episode, Emily interviews MaryAnn Faubion Kohl, a trailblazer in early childhood art education and an advocate for process art. With over 20 books published and decades of experience, MaryAnn shares her passion for empowering children to explore and create without fear of judgment or comparison. From her groundbreaking 1985 book Scribble Art to her continued advocacy for open-ended creativ...