Little Steps, Big Futures:The Podcast

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THEO!  This week we finally finish Theo's birth story. Aoife shares  her real and honest experiences about her time in hospital and remembers the emotions and craziness of the day.  Listen to the end for a surprise! Theo turns one year old today. We can't believe how fast the time has gone by and we are so lucky to have our special boy in our lives.  We love you so much. ...

This week we discuss Jenny’s new job! Jenny shares the reasons she made the change and has some advice for anyone who is thinking about taking the leap and moving to a new job.  P.S. Listen to the end to hear Aoife sob about Theo turning 1. We hope you love it! Support us: https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures

This week on the podcast Aoife recaps the last 10 months of parenthood and talks about all the challenging moments in the early stages of becoming a new mom.  We hope you love it!  Support us: https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures

In this episode, we explore the importance of using a positive tone of voice in the early years setting. As caregivers and educators, our tone of voice can have a significant impact on the children in our care. From greeting children in the morning to providing feedback on their work, we provide examples of how to use a positive tone of voice to create a supportive and encouraging environment.  Su...

This week on the podcast Aoife and Jenny catch up and chat about some topics they will cover over the next few weeks featuring a very special guest!  We hope you love it!  Support us: https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures

Oh hi again! Lets pretend we didn't just take a hiatus from podcasting for the past 6 months! We are coming back. Life has been busy! But that's all explained in this short update. We are so glad you're here. We missed you! Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ Support us: https://www.instagram.com/little_steps...

This week we chat about Aoife's birthing experience via c-section! We go into a lot of detail so if you are squeamish or have had a poor birthing experience please skip this one and catch us next time! :) We hope you enjoy it! Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ Support us: https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_fu...

This week we ease back into recording and chat about the newest member of the Little Steps Family. Welcome to the world Baby Theo! Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ Support us: https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures

This week we chat to Dr. Emma O' Brien, a Chartered Senior Clinical Psychologist about responsive parenting. Responsive parenting refers to parents that respond to their child's physical and emotional needs consistently and is sensitive to their child's range of emotions. Emma gives us some examples and goes into detail on how we can be more responsive to children as both parents an...

This week Aoife and Jenny chat about the recent pay recommendations for the Early Years. We chat about the proposed rates and how this may impact the future if the sector. We hope you love it! Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ Support us: https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ https://www.facebook.com/littles...

This week we chat to Caroline Michniak, a Certified Infant Massage Instructor.  Caroline tells us about the benefits of a baby massage for both the parents and the baby, and what happens in each class.  We even chat about parent support groups along the way!  We hope you love it!  Follow Carolines Journey:  Instagram  Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures https://www.instagram...

This week we chat with Donna, 1 half of Dyslexia Matters Ireland.  Donna talks to us about what dyslexia is, how it can present itself in a child or adult and how we can support a child or adult who might be struggling with this sometimes silent learning ability.  We hope you love it!  To follow their journey online: Instagram  Facebook Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures ht...

This week we tried to chat about our Childhood Experiences in the schooling system but true to fashion we chatted about more than that! Enjoy this casual chat on a Thursday! Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ Support us: https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures

This week we chat to Susan,  founder of the Irish Franchise formally known as Gymboree now Chime in and Play. Hailing from California USA, Susan attended Gymboree classes with her first baby in New York City. After a move to Ireland Susan hoped to find some Gymboree classes  where she could connect with other parents but was shocked to find how little resources were available. Drafting up a busine...

This week we chat to Tina from Fit By Tina.  Tina is a mom, wife and successful business woman however has suffered with major parent guilt since her son was born.  Trying to achieve her own goals and dreams with a little boy was proving difficult but Tina never gave up and shares her story of how she has such a successful business and home life today.  We hope you love it! Follow Tina's jour...

My mom Kay McCarthy lost her 4 year battle with cancer on the 25th of April 2017, a day after her birthday. Last year we held the first '3K FOR KAY' walk to raise money for Irish Cancer Society while remembering Kay.  This year we are asking you to join us on the Sunday the 24th of April at 'Navé Coffee House' in Killarney at 9.45am to walk 3K in memory of Kay. We will meet bac...

This week we chat to Sharon Flanagan, CEO of Fitness for Kids.  Sharon has spent over twenty years working with children. Include owning and running her own creche and also being a nanny, this led her to combining all her passions to make a real difference in children’s every day lives. In todays world many children spend too much time being sedentary having too much ‘screen time’. Fitness for Kid...

Our guest today has many titles and achievements. She’s President of OMEP Ireland, A lecturer of Early Childhood Care and Education at Mary Immaculate  College and a huge Early Years advocate just name a few.  Dr. Mary Maloney is Jennys former lecturer at Mary I Limerick, where she gives so much support and guidance both professionally and personally to her students. We are delighted to have the o...

Our guest today has many titles and achievements. She’s President of OMEP Ireland, A lecturer of Early Childhood Care and Education at Mary Immaculate  College and a huge Early Years advocate just name a few.  Dr. Mary Maloney is Jennys former lecturer at Mary I Limerick, where she gives so much support and guidance both professionally and personally to her students. We are delighted to have the o...

This week we are flying solo and chatting catching up on some key happenings in the Early Years Sector as well as catching up with one another. Happy St. Patrick's Day! We hope you enjoy it! Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ Support us: https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ https://www.facebook.com/litt...

This week we chat to Caoimhe Keogan from Jigsaw Kerry who is the Youth and Community Engagement worker.  Jigsaw was founded by Dr. Tony Bates, a clinical psychologist, in 2006 in Galway and Kerry was the second loction set up.  Jigsaw caters for young people between the ages of 12-25 years old but does not offer medical supports.  The 3 main supports Jigsaw offers are; 1:1 support, Case Consultati...

This week we are chatting to Minna Murphy, a service provider and Early Years Advocate. Minna chats to us about the Early Years System in Finland where she is from originally and compares the pros and cons to the Early Years System in Ireland. We talk about the future of the Early Years in Ireland and why we all should be part of SIPTU. We hope you love it! Support us: https://www.facebook.com/lit...

This week we chat to Aoife Sheahan, Early Years Educator and owner of two Montessori Settings in Sydney, Austraila.  Aoife talks about how life in OZ is different to life in Ireland, the similiarities between the Childcare Systems and how she set up two successful businesses with the help of great family and friends.  Aoife shares her opinions about the paperwork, daily life and respect in the Chi...

This week we chat to Sarah Murray. Sarah is a Paediatric Behaviour Analyst with her own business in Cork.  In this episode we chat about Early Intervention, the benefits of external help as well as how to become a behaviour analyst.  Sarah shares some great knowlege, tips and pointers for both parents and educators as well as a list of helpful supports.  We hope you love it!  To follow Sarah'...

This week we chat to Charlotte aka The Nursery Nurse on Tik Tok and Instagram. Some of our listeners may already know who Charlotte is but if not Charlotte burst onto our screens during the depths of the pandemic bringing brilliant sketches about the Childcare world. If you are a parent, guardian, educator or teacher you will find humour in all the beloved characters Charlotte plays. Charlotte cha...