Little Moments Count Radio Podcast

Join us as we explore the intricacies of early childhood brain development with Marie Lister, director of teaching and research at the Childhood Development Center at the University of Minnesota. We discuss the critical first three years of life, where nearly 80% of brain architecture is formed. Marie introduces the fascinating concept of "exuberant synaptogenesis" and shares how simple...

Join us in a discussion with Councilwoman Rebecca Noecker from Ward 2 of St. Paul. Rebecca shares her passion for educational equity and her commitment to transforming early childhood development in St. Paul, with an in-depth look at the high costs and challenges families face when accessing child care in St. Paul.   Listen in as we discuss the disparities in funding for early education compared t...

Join us as we uncover the vital role of social learning for little ones and the importance of laying a strong foundation through playful and educational interactions. Our guest, Jamestta Diggs, is the founder of Social Learning For Littles, an organizations that focuses on parent empowerment for the healthy growth and development of young children. Jamesetta discusses the importance of bridging cu...

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with Carrie Johnson from the Greater Twin Cities United Way, as we shed light on the critical issue of affordable child care and the essential role of early childhood brain development. Listen in as Carrie passionately shares her insights, influenced by her personal journey as a young parent and now grandparent, on the challenges that steep childcare cost...

On our latest podcast episode, we're joined by pediatrician and health equity champion Dr. Nathan Chomilo, who enlightens us on how those early moments of reading are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to childhood brain development. He is the Medical Director for the State of Minnesota’s Medicaid & MinnesotaCare programs and practices as a General Pediatrician with Park Nicollet He...

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast we hear from Janice LaFloe is the founder of Montessori American Indian Childcare Center and LaVon Lee, Director of the Montessori American Indian Child Care Center. They share their expertise on integrating language and culture into early learning. They discuss the Montessori method's unique ability to weave together traditional Indige...

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio podcast, we hear from Vice President of Family and Community Impact at the Northside Achievement Zone, Andre Dukes. We explore the complexities of kindergarten readiness—far beyond the ABCs and 123s. We delve into the partnership between parents and teachers, discussing how families can lay a strong foundation for learning at home and advocate for...

In this episode of Little Moments Count, KRSM host Andrea Pierre interviews Stephanie Goodwin and Vikki Reich of The Family Partnership. Listen in as we explore the transformative power of early interactions in shaping young minds. The conversation sheds light on the critical importance of early childhood brain development. We unpack the nuances of nurturing the mental growth of our little ones th...

Únase a nosotros para una reveladora entrevista de radio con Camila Mercado Michelli, director de Logros Tempranos en CLUES. Camila guía a individuos y familias hacia el éxito académico y ha organizado con éxito la Conferencia Anual de Jóvenes Latinos CLUES. Profundizamos en las iniciativas de CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio) destinadas a avanzar en la equidad social y económica para...

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, join us on Native Roots Radio for a discussion with Kim Lage. Kim has worked with the Child Care Early childhood Program for 20+ years and shares her wisdom from her heritage as a member of the White Earth Reservation and expertise in early childcare, She illuminates the profound effect that love and stability have in fortifying neural con...

On this episode of Little Moments Count Radio Podcast on KMOJ, we hear from Candace Yates, Vice President of Equity and Early Childhood Programs at Think Small. Candace shares her insights on how the first 1,000 days of a child's life are pivotal for brain growth, accounting for a staggering 80% of development. Listen in as we discuss the transformative power of simple actions such as play, re...

On this episode of Little Moments Count Radio Podcast on KMOJ, we hear from Angela Moore-Smith, the Public Affairs and Outreach coordinator for the Wilder African American Babies Coalition. This episode is packed with strategies and stories that highlight the importance of interactive moments with your children, likeplaytime, storytelling, and song. Angela Moore-Smith brings her expertise on cultu...

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast on KMOJ, we hear from Arielle Handevidt, Director of Early Childhood at Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ).  We discuss how crucial the first 1,000 days are for cognitive development and we equip you with actionable strategies to nurture your little one's growth.  We discuss non-verbal cues and the power of tuning into a child's buddi...

En este episodio inaugural de Little Moments Count Radio Podcast en La Raza, 95.7 FM y 1400 AM, la presentadora Maya Santamaría le da la bienvenida a la invitada Jackie Perez, una profesional experimentada con 17 años en el sector sin fines de lucro. Jackie analiza el papel de las experiencias tempranas en el desarrollo del futuro de un niño. Descubra ideas prácticas sobre cómo los padres y cuidad...

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, join us on Native Roots Radio for a discussion with Jannan Cotto. Jannan Cotto is a Child Care Systems Coordinator for First Children’s Finance.  First Children’s Finance is a national nonprofit organization that provides loans and business development assistance to child care businesses serving low- and moderate-income families.  In this...

On this episode of Little Moments Count Radio Podcast on KMOJ, we hear from Dianne Haulcy, President and CEO at  The Family Partnership and host of the Early Risers Podcast. This episode is a roadmap for creating a future where inclusivity and understanding are the norms. Dianne dissects the importance of allowing kids the space to inquire about race and the powerful role educators play in this di...

On this episode of Little Moments Count Radio Podcast on KMOJ, we hear from Rasheda Jenkins, a passionate advocate for child development and a dedicated member of the North Side Achievement Zone. Rasheda shares her wisdom on the benefits of child-directed play, emphasizing the value of letting children lead their learning experiences to foster independence, emotional intelligence, and self-esteem....

On this episode of Little Moments Count, KRSM host Andrea Pierre interviews Heather Charmoli, Program Administrator for the Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children (MnAEYC). Heather gives us a guided tour of MnAEYC's initiatives that are painting a brighter future for young minds. From accreditation coaching to legislative advocacy, we uncover the organization's dedicatio...

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, join us on Native Roots Radio for a discussion with Kris Hoplin, Executive Director of Reach out and Read. Listen in as we discuss the innovative methods of embedding reading and storytelling into pediatric care, and how these acts are not just shaping a child's early language development but are also deeply influencing their school pr...

On this episode of Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, join us on Native Roots Radio with guest Barb Fabre, CEO of Indigenous Visioning. Barb discusses the Tribal Blueprint project, an initiative, developed in collaboration with the Bipartisan Policy Center and Indigenous Visioning, that seeks to improve childcare and early learning in tribal communities. Throughout our discussion, we address the...

On this episode of Little Moments Count Radio Podcast on KMOJ, we hear from therapist Brandon Jones. Growing up amidst the chaos of trauma, Brandon Jones found his calling in the echoes of his childhood experiences. As a therapist and now the Executive Director of the Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health, he joins us to shed light on the pivotal role early childhood development p...

On this episode of Little Moments Count Radio Podcast on KMOJ, we hear from Andre Dukes, Vice President, Family & Community Impact at Northside Achievement Zone. We learn the many ways parents can use holidays and family traditions to foster their children's development, from the joy of dress-up to the stories discovered within fairy tales. Andre shares how the smallest interactions during...

On this episode of Little Moments Count Radio Podcast on KMOJ, we hear from Mary Taris, the visionary founder of Strive Publishing and Strive Bookstore. Mary shares her journey, shedding light on the challenges she faced while pioneering her enterprise in a predominantly white publishing industry. Our conversation explores the urgent need for diversification in children's literature, emphasizi...

In this episode of Little Moments Count Radio Podcast on KMOJ, we hear from Rasheda Jenkins. Among many things, Rasheda is a facilitator of Family Academy Classes at the Northside Achievement Zone. Through our conversation, we learn about early childhood brain development, uncovering how vital the early years are for setting the foundation of an individual's future. Rashida's discusses  th...

In this episode of Little Moments Count, KRSM host Andrea Pierre interviews educator Jamesetta Diggs, a West African Immigrant and mother of two. Jamesetta has served as an early childhood professional for more than 10 years in different capacities as a preschool teacher, family educator, teacher trainer, and early childhood consultant. She is the founder of Social Learning For Littles, an establi...