Home & Classroom

Listen to Kate Shannon, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Board Certified Music Therapist talk with Hannah and Rachel about supporting children through music therapy, play, and creative expression. We learned so much and had tons of fun! Mentioned in the show: Creative Therapy Umbrella Podcast @creativetherapyumbrella on Instagram Website: https://creativetherapyumbrella.com Music for Kiddos: http...

Listen to Kate & Lindsay talk about the imaginative side of play with stories about cardboard boxes and skeletons (yes, skeletons!). Mentioned during the show | Home & Classroom Magazine | Vol. 2 Imagination This issue features an article written by Abbe Kovacik, Executive Director at Brightside Up. "Some imaginary friends are invisible boys or girls; however imaginary friends can tak...

Listen to Shann Acevedo, Preschool Teacher, mother, and Creator of Learn As You Play . Shann has been a preschool teacher for 13 years with children ranging from 1- 5 years old. Shann is passionate about the child-led approach to learning and helping children to develop a love for learning while having fun. In 2018, Shann and co-teacher Molly observed the children noticing each other’s skin and qu...

In this episode, Lindsay and Kate share stories shared by listeners describing how children use play and art as a way to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Mentioned during the show | Home & Classroom Magazine | Vol. 2 Imagination This issue features an article written by Barbara Mitchell, Social Emotional Development Educator at Brightside Up. "In play, children do not have to tran...

Listen to Victory Riedy, Md. M., Founder/Director at Victory Child Care, Inc. in Albany, NY discuss how passion, resilience, community dedication, and collaboration have enabled them to stay open since the beginning of the pandemic. "We serve a diverse population...many of our families, particularly our low-income families would have been without care and without care, they can't work......

It's the first episode of our new companion podcast A Day in the Life!  We read your stories of the moments you have with children every day. Tell us all about the times a child in your life has surprised you, challenged you, made you laugh, or made you cry. Join us for some fun, laughter, and meaningful conversation, as we discuss everyday life with children while gaining insight and sharing...

We chat with experts & special guests about children's development, health, nutrition, play, growth, child care, parenting, and more. Email homeandclassroom@brightsideup.org to be a guest or send an interview suggestion today! To kick off the new season, we sat down with Barbara Mitchell, LMHC, and Infant Mental Health Consultant to talk about navigating grief with young children. Barbara...

The Best of Home & Classroom Kate's pick for 'best of' features an interview with Brightside Up's Infant Toddler Specialist, Kathleen Harland. Originally aired on April 11, 2019. Kathleen Harland, Infant Toddler Specialist talks infant and toddler literacy and how our interactions and meaningful conversations using rich language will enhance baby's language and literac...

The Best of Home & Classroom Lindsay's pick for 'best of' is all about art and children's development with Brightside Up's own executive director, Abbe Kovacik. Originally aired on March 21, 2019. Hannah and Rachel chat with Abbe Kovacik, early childhood developmentalist and executive director of Brightside Up (formerly the Child Care Council) about the benefits of the...

The Best of Home & Classroom Hannah's pick for 'best of' features our friend Jeannie Thomma from the Early Care & Learning Council . Originally aired on July 11, 2019. Meditation can improve the body, mind, and spirit. Tune in to hear Jeannie Thomma, Infant Toddler Coordinator at the Early Care and Learning Council & meditation/mindfulness expert share her experience and...

The Best of Home & Classroom Rachel's pick for 'best of' features Dr. Walter Gilliam, Professor of Child Psychiatry and Psychology at the Yale University Child Study Center and Director of The Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy. Originally aired on August 6, 2019. Dr. Walter Gilliam joins us remotely to discuss implicit bias and the alarming rate at whic...

A chat about children's creativity and the "whole book approach" with Courtney Waring, Director of Education and Sara Ottomano, Art Educator from the Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.   The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art has compiled its online resources onto one page. It includes links to at-home Art Studio projects, storytime videos, their first online exhibition, a Shop bl...

Join Hannah and Rachel, joined by Jennifer Pringle, JD, Project Director for NYS TEACHS the New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students who provide information, referrals, and training to schools, school districts, social service providers, parents, and others about the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. https://www.strose.edu/aca...

Lisa Dougherty is the mom of an 18-year-old with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her son Sam was diagnosed at age 4 1/2. Join us as Lisa shares her family's journey, insights, and some helpful, local resources in New York's Capital Region.  -- Home & Classroom is an interview-style podcast featuring child development experts and  Shorties! is a news-style podcast on what's happening a...

Kaela Wallman, Coordinator of Youth Services for Schenectady County Public Library joins Hannah and Rachel to talk about the importance of early literacy, the role the library plays in literacy development, Schenectady County Public library's literacy partners, and the role parents and caregivers play in early literacy development. Schenectady County Public Library website: http://www.scpl.or...

Vaccine advocate and legislative reformer Ethan Lindenberger joins Hannah and Rachel to uncover the truth around vaccines and the impact of misleading information found on social media.  -- Home & Classroom is an interview-style podcast featuring child development experts and  Shorties! is a news-style podcast on what's happening at Brightside Up.

Dr. Walter Gilliam joins us remotely to discuss implicit bias and the alarming rate at which preschoolers are expelled. Dr. Gilliam is Professor of Child Psychiatry and Psychology at the Yale University Child Study Center, as well as the Director of The Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy. His research involves early childhood education and intervention policy analysis (spe...

Sarah Gould Houde from QualityStarsNY sat down with us to talk about freedom of movement in infant caregiving and how it benefits development. Sarah explains how containing children in a bouncy seat or a swing chair, for example, can limit their ability to develop their own way to self-soothe, as well as gross motor development. Interesting perspective on allowing children to look at what they wan...

Meditation can improve the body, mind, and spirit. Tune in to hear Jeannie Thomma, Infant Toddler Coordinator at the Early Care and Learning Council & meditation/mindfulness expert share her experience and tips for adding meditation practice to your life and how it can improve interactions with others personally and professionally. InsightTimer -- Home & Classroom is an interview-style pod...

Lauren Cohen from the Wonder Room joined us in the studio to talk about planned discovery and how it benefits children's development. She shares her expertise in planning while still maintaining flexibility and how to be okay with an outcome that is unexpected.  The Wonder Room http://www.thewonderroomschool.com/ Woodland Park Cooperative School https://woodlandparkcoop.com/who-we-are/teacher...

Kathleen Harland, Infant Toddler Specialist talks infant and toddler literacy and how our interactions and meaningful conversations using rich language will enhance baby's language and literacy. She sheds light on how providing children with options and choices makes the world of difference. Kathleen dives into the importance and benefits of taking children outside and allowing them to explor...

Hannah and Rachel chat with Abbe Kovacik, early childhood developmentalist and executive director of the Child Care Council about the benefits of the early childhood art experience.  Join us at the Children's Art Experience & Show https://artshow.gr8.com/ Visit Harvard for research and inspiration, Project Zero: http://www.pz.harvard.edu/who-we-are/about The Arts Center in Troy, NY for lo...

Join Hannah, Rachel, and Lindsay as they chat with Kimberly Polstein, MSW, Development Education Director for the Child Care Council about the importance of self-care. SELF CARE TIPS: Make a plan Journal Schedule time Mark your calendar Share your plan with someone Make the commitment to yourself APPS: Headspace Insight Timer Mood Meter Aura Calm MyFitnessPal Fitbit Strides Habit Tracker Grateful:...

Jabs - in this episode of Home & Classroom, Rachel explains the importance of immunizations and how they protect your health & your community. Birth to 18 years immunization schedule from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for ages 18 years or younger, United States, 2019 ; Centers for Disease...

Garden Wise – in the very first episode of Home & Classroom, Hannah and Rachel discuss growing microgreens indoors and introducing new veggies to children. Plus ideas for serving and cooking vegetables and how to shape a lifetime of healthy eating. National Farm to School Network - tons of resources for getting started Early Sprouts, Cultivating Healthy Food Choices in Young Children by Karrie...