Reimagine Childhood

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with Sarah Philpott—farmer's wife, mom, part-time teacher, and author—about two lift-the-flap board books for young children: Wake Up Little Seed (plant life cycles) and Moo Moo Nap Nap (midday rhythms of rest on the farm). Sarah shares how farm life inspired her to help childr...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes Brock Eastman (aka Dr. Phineas Einstein Fizzlebop), an award-winning author, Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. contributor, and dad of four, to discuss why connecting science and faith matters for young children. Brock shares how Dr. Fizzlebop began as a Clubhouse Jr. science column and grew in...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with Debbie Simmons, founder and CEO of Anchor Point, about why so many early educators feel overwhelmed and how to build resilience without defaulting to control, hustle, or silence. Debbie explains that pressure reveals where our trust systems "leak," and encourages educators...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes back conference favorite Dr. Melissa Ewing, a PhD-trained clinical psychologist and professor at Dallas Baptist University with ministry experience and a passion for integrating scripture with brain science. They discuss why emotions can feel overwhelming, including generational messages...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes Joy Wendling—founder of Created to Play, author, podcast host, and ministry resource coordinator—to model how intentional movement and planned "interruptions" can transform Bible storytelling for preschoolers. Joy demonstrates telling "Jesus Calms the Storm" by inviting children to row, r...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes literacy change leader Melissa Leach, owner and president of Leach Literacy Training, to discuss why young children "won't listen" and how educators can teach listening and behavior skills developmentally and with grace. Melissa emphasizes that it's not a child's job to be engaged; it's t...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with Ann McKittrick, founder of Nurtured Noggins and Texas Childcare Training, about challenges young families have faced since COVID and practical ways early educators can help. Ann describes lingering impacts including fear, isolation around birth and newborn care, disrupted...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with Jesse Lambert, a childcare coaching specialist from West Virginia, about the importance of knowing your "why" in early childhood education—especially during seasons of spring fatigue, difficult days, and burnout. Jesse shares how a moment driving past a church for sale spa...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood by Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer converses with Martha Harvey, co-founder of With Families ministry. They discuss the importance of early faith formation starting even before birth and its role in developing trust, love, and safety in children. Martha shares practical ways for integrating faith into preschool classrooms and engaging pa...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages with Dr. Robin Pearson to discuss managing high-needs behaviors in young children. Dr. Pearson, a certified special education teacher and experienced leader in various educational roles, shares practical strategies for addressing disruptive behaviors such as spitting and chai...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, host Monica Healer discusses combating burnout with Faith Rivera, founder and principal consultant of Allos. Consulting. Faith outlines the causes of burnout, differentiates it from stress and overwhelm, and offers practical strategies for early childhood educators to manage stress and avoid burnout. The conversation delves into the emotional, physical, and...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages in a conversation with education professional Libby Wright about supporting multilingual children in early childhood classrooms. Libby, who has extensive experience fostering community among teachers, parents, and students from diverse backgrounds, discusses practical strateg...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages in a heartfelt discussion with Kris Ramos, a former public school educator turned church-based preschool teacher, about the transformative power of play-based learning. Kris shares her journey from a structured educational setting to embracing a more flexible, child-centered...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, Monica Healer, the host, offers a heartfelt discussion aimed at early childhood educators, focusing on how personal growth in wisdom, physical well-being, and faith can impact their teaching and caregiving roles. Drawing from Luke 2:52, Monica emphasizes the continuous journey of learning, the importance of physical care, and the necessity of deepening one's...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, host Monica Healer welcomes Renee Blaine, associate preschool minister at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. With over three decades of early childhood experience, Renee shares her passion for building biblical foundations in young children in age-appropriate ways. They discuss how to integrate biblical literacy into the classroom, drawing par...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, hosted by Monica Healer and brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, Monica sits down with Ashley Myers, founder of The Abiding Family and a children's minister in Texas. Ashley shares her personal journey of raising a son with Down syndrome and how it has shaped her passion for creating inclusive classrooms. They discuss the importance of in...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Jennifer Howington, associate director and childhood ministry specialist in the Texas Baptist Discipleship and Next Gen Ministries group. They delve into the impact of screen time on child development, exploring concepts like 'digital na...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer chats with Darlene Abbott, an expert in children's music and curriculum, about the significance of music and worship in early childhood development. Darlene shares her extensive experience and provides practical strategies for integrating music into teaching. The conversation delves...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer sits down with Christa Ratcliffe, chapel and music teacher at Little Lights Preschool, to discuss spiritual formation in young children. Christa, a dedicated educator with a background in theological studies, emphasizes the importance of building relationships, modeling Jesus' love,...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, hosted by Monica Healer of Early Childhood Christian Network, special guest Katie Severn discusses the challenges and strategies for addressing sensory processing and emotional regulation in the classroom. Katie, a first-grade teacher and mother of a child with sensory needs, shares her insights on practical tools and approaches for educators. The episode ex...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer discusses how to effectively engage young children using puppets with guest Michon Henneger. Michon, a seasoned educator and brain coach, shares insights on the historical success of puppets in educational settings and explains how modern classrooms can benefit from their use to enha...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, hosted by Monica Healer and brought to you by Early Childhood Christian Network, children's author Valerie Ellis joins the conversation to discuss the impactful role of stories and story time in early childhood education. With extensive experience in teaching and children's ministry, Valerie explains how stories uniquely connect with children and help in tea...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, hosted by Monica Healer and powered by Early Childhood Christian Network, educators are guided on how to create impactful early childhood experiences for both children and their parents. Special guest Nichole Sims, a seasoned children's minister and current children's pastor, lends her insights on equipping educators to flourish. The discussion underscores t...

In this episode of 'Reimagine Childhood,' hosted by Monica Healer of the Early Childhood Christian Network, guest Dr. Nicole Wilke discusses trauma, early adversity, and resilience in children. Dr. Wilke, a researcher, author, and missionary, shares insights on how negative experiences impact child development and how resilience can be built through faith, science, and practical strategies. The di...

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, hosted by Monica Healer, the focus is on how church and weekday ministries can partner effectively to reach young families in the community. Monica is joined by Hope and Jason Huddleston from First Baptist Church in Elgin, Texas. Jason, the senior pastor, and Hope, the preschool and weekday director, share their journey of revitalizing a declining church by...