Early Childhood Chatter

Dear listeners, Thank you for your support and for listening to our podcast. Please note that we will no longer be publishing new episodes after October 1, 2025. Our current site will remain open for past episodes and additional content. For new updates and more content, please visit unEdited chatter. We appreciate your continued support! Thank you! Tisha and Steph

In this session, Amy Seck introduces her new book,  Pony Punch —a powerful social-emotional tool for teachers and families. Inspired by the animals on Amy’s homestead in South Central Kansas, this heartwarming story teaches children the value of kindness, patience, and empathy in a fun and unexpected way. It reminds us that because we don’t always know someone’s past, they may act, look, or respon...

Dr. Crystal Parker will discuss the benefits of screen-based media when it is used thoughtfully with young children. Drawing from her recent research on parental perceptions of screen-based media and its influence on preschoolers, she will share practical ways to transform passive screen time into an engaging, interactive experience. By co-viewing and actively participating in your child’s media c...

Kathy Banks explains that biting in infants and toddlers, though challenging for families and caregivers, is often a natural part of development as young children explore and learn about their world. She will discuss the reasons behind this behavior and offer guidance on managing it while fostering prosocial development. This conversation will help providers navigate behavior policies with a deepe...

Kelly Pitzer will introduce the First Five Program, a free daily email offering practical ideas and activities to strengthen student relationships and build a positive class community. She will highlight its three core components—connect, care, and character—and explore features such as memes, questions, at-the-door greetings, quick connects, check-ins, mindfulness, positivity, quotes, and videos....

Dr. Lauren Loquasto notes, “To work with young children is to expect the unexpected, often big questions asked or statements made at the most unexpected time.”  In this podcast, Dr. Lauren will help parents and educators explore how to use this natural curiosity to authentically drive deeper learning in classroom settings and also a powerful bridge to build strong trusting relationships with young...

Dr. Erman Türkili discusses the importance of early childhood music education and its role in shaping creativity, emotional intelligence, and a lifelong love of learning. Drawing insights from his book, First Steps of a Little Artist , he shares practical strategies for making music accessible to all children, including those with developmental challenges, and explores how music can become a vital...

Debbie Wolski explains the practicality of using pancake flipping as the visual for flipping unwanted emotions! If you wait too long to flip any pancake, it will eventually burn. Keeping in mind that every pancake has two sides, opposite sides, we can flip that negative feeling to the opposite before it burns! This should be reinforced by the adult in the child’s life being a good example and flip...

In this podcast episode, Sara McBryde explores the significant role of games in early childhood education, discussing how they facilitate cognitive, social, and emotional development. The benefits of both structured and unstructured play in games help improve problem-solving skills and encourage cooperation and creativity. Games provide a supportive environment where children can experiment, make...

Rob Sanders understands that a positive classroom environment is established before the first child arrives and goes beyond the physical space. (Of course, who doesn’t learn better in a classroom that is stimulating and enjoyable?) A positive classroom environment begins in the heart and mind of an educator. A teacher’s attitudes, perspectives, and actions shape the environment, fostering connecti...

Alicia Oldham asks our listeners to rethink how they teach early childhood education courses and provide professional learning for teachers in the classrooms. Many adults who work with children have lost the ability to play, be curious, and find joy in the moment alongside the child. In order to truly connect with a child and best grow with them, we need to rediscover the shared language of play w...

Calm-down corners began as a way to support students with escalating and disruptive behaviors by providing a space to self-regulate and calm themselves. Laurie Tess will share the importance of recognizing less obvious emotions that might also benefit from a mindful and calming approach to emotional regulation. She will share what educators might put in these areas, along with thoughts on monitori...

When a conversation about a child’s development is hard for us to lead, it is likely also hard for families to hear.  We must approach conversations with compassion.  We so desperately want families to take our advice and seek evaluation that we forget to fulfill our primary obligation to be supporters of children and families.  In this episode, Cindy Terebush will share the experience that change...

Dr. Ariel Sylvester talks about her experience in the field of early childhood education and what has led her to become an entrepreneur and leader in the field of ECE. Dr. Sylvester explains why it is important for early education leaders to support current educators in the field to help improve their practice. She explains how she does this through her early education consulting business. Dr. Syl...

Kristina Lucia shares about the importance of healthy communication. Identifying and understanding both our own feelings and those of others is a skill that requires continuous practice and nurturing. When we develop this awareness, we can empathize more deeply and connect with others, strengthening our communication. Effective communication fosters healthy relationships. Kristina Lucia offers sim...

Rex Kreuder explains why it is vital for teachers to personally connect with parents of the children in their classroom.  Good two-way communication between families and school is necessary for student success.  This collaboration leads to informed decision-making about the child’s learning experiences and helps ensure that the child’s individual needs are met both at home and in the school settin...

Join Dr. Melissa Smith as she debunks common myths about process art in early childhood education, from concerns about messiness to doubts about its educational benefits and how to showcase student creations. Discover how to reframe these misconceptions, balance process, and product art, and implement practical strategies that foster creativity while maintaining structure. Whether you’re a process...

Dr. Michelle Otstot explains the "Walk the Line" activity, a key Practical Life exercise in a Montessori early childhood classroom. The activity is designed to foster motor development, concentration, coordination, emotional regulation, and cognitive skills. She emphasizes how this simple exercise aids children's independence and social awareness while promoting a sense of balance, b...

Jessica Sager discusses the child care cliff that educators and families are facing following the expiration of pandemic relief funds in September. If you would like a closed captioning version of this podcast, please contact Stephanie.heald@uagc.edu.

Breanna Boyd, Founder and CEO of FeedWells , a nationally recognized organization, addresses food insecurity by nourishing students' bodies and minds. Through student-curated, locally-sourced nutritious meals and educational initiatives, FeedWells empowers students with both sustenance and knowledge. If you would like a closed captioning version of this podcast, please contact Stephanie.heald@uagc...

Melissa Thiebaut inspires us with an overview of The Project Approach. If you would like a closed captioning version of this podcast, please contact Stephanie.heald@uagc.edu.


Celeste Venezuela shares that partnerships are everything! Building parent-teacher partnerships are essential for the success, development, and growth of a child. The more we build connections with parents, the more we can help create balance between home and school. This will in turn create consistency and stability for child and parent. Together we can do so much more. If you would like a closed...

Dr. Rhonda Idris delves into early intervention for children with developmental needs, offering insights from her roles as a parent, educator, and early childhood professor. She emphasizes the importance of addressing developmental delays openly, reducing parental guilt, and expanding awareness of screening and monitoring resources. Her approach encourages families and educators to leverage availa...

Collette Hiller shares several ways to help children develop their vocabularies using good, rich words. If you would like a closed captioning version of this podcast, please contact Stephanie.heald@uagc.edu.

Andrea Lara explains how academic conversations have transformed classroom engagement by encouraging students to think critically, analyze information, and consider diverse perspectives. These conversations not only strengthen language skills but also help students articulate their thoughts, express ideas clearly, and use academic vocabulary—all essential for academic success. By actively engaging...