The Intentional ECE

Play invites courage - from children and educators alike. In this episode, Suzanne Axelsson shares how play, learning, and teaching are deeply connected, and why creating brave spaces is essential to honouring children’s rights and voices. To learn more about Suzanne and her work: The Original Learning Approach IG:  Interaction Imagination Substack:  Original Learning Playarista Training

Do your materials have enough possibilities to keep play alive? In this episode, we explore playability - the idea that open-ended materials are active agents, whose affordances meet children's curiosity and imagination to invite, sustain, and deepen play. This episode is an invitation to look at your own environment through the lens of possibility, openness, and connection. Summer Coaching

When we slow down, there’s space for children to show us who they are. In this episode, Heather Jackson shares her Reggio-inspired journey, exploring how inquiry, collaboration, and reflective dialogue support both children’s thinking and educators’ growth - while creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. To learn more/connect with Heather: The Sunflower School IG:  The Sunflow...

What becomes possible when we slow down and truly see before and after school care as meaningful learning spaces? Jamie Wagler shares how relationships, choice, and curiosity can shape rich experiences for children - and why stronger communication between educators can support a more connected, wholistic view of each child. Learn more about/connect with Jamie: https://www.missjamieconsulting.com/...

Care, relationship, and responsiveness are at the heart of infant and toddler education - but they’re not always recognized as pedagogy. In this episode, Paige Wernick invites us to see these everyday moments with more clarity, and to consider how naming our “why” can strengthen both practice and identity. Learn more/connect with Paige: Instagram

What does it mean to be fully yourself while in relationship with others? In this episode, we explore collective autonomy and how play becomes a space where children learn to balance agency, connection, and belonging. Through reflection and real classroom experiences, I consider how we can support children in being autonomous - together. References: The Original Learning Approach by Suzanne Axelss...

In this episode, Paola Lopez shares the story of building her schools from a place of curiosity, imagination, and deep respect for children and educators. What emerged is a culture of inquiry, joy, and possibility - where both children and adults are given time and space to follow their curiosity and grow in confidence and competency. A hopeful conversation that demonstrates the lasting impact of...

In this episode, we explore the play cycle and how understanding the cues and responses between children can help educators see play more deeply. Through a lived observation, Cathy reflects on how play unfolds, how educators can honour and protect the flow of play, and how observing through both ludic and pedagogical lenses can support responsive teaching. References & Resources What is the Pl...

What counts as play - and how do we recognize it? In this episode, Cathy reflects on several definitions of play and uses them as a starting point to explore the many ways children engage with the world through play. From energetic social play to quiet moments of exploration, noticing these experiences more closely helps us understand what children are curious about and how they are making sense o...

In this episode, Cathy speaks with Shane Woodrow about his “Gap Year” travelling and visiting innovative schools around the world. Together, they explore what becomes possible when education is grounded in shared values, curiosity, and agency - and when schools function more like villages that inspire hope, joy, and belonging. A thoughtful conversation about reimagining the purpose of schooling, k...

Educators are often told to “facilitate”, or “teach” - but rarely are we invited to consider the art of knowing when to do each. In this episode, we explore responsiveness as relational attunement in action. Using the metaphor of jazz, we reflect on moving between three stances - honouring play, supporting flow, and extending knowledge. This episode offers both conceptual clarity and reflective qu...

In this episode, Samuel Broaden and Cathy reflect on what it means to care for ourselves and one another within education systems often shaped by efficiency and compliance. Together, they explore how tending to educator wellbeing — through courage, collaboration, and connection — allows us to show up more fully for children and for each other. A hopeful conversation about creating early learning s...

In this episode of The Intentional ECE , Cathy is joined by early childhood educator and literacy specialist Laura Shea to explore how literacy grows through children’s curiosity, storytelling, and play. Moving beyond “learning to read,” Laura shares how emerging reading and writing is woven into children’s everyday life - from play, to art, to conversation and relationship. Together, they reflect...

In this episode of The Intentional ECE , I’m joined by Em Clark for a thoughtful conversation about children’s rights, participation, and what becomes possible when we move beyond systems rooted in control and compliance. Together, we explore how traditional educational structures shape and constrain both children and educators, narrowing what we believe is possible in our work. Em invites us to c...

Why does theory matter in our day-to-day work with children? This episode explores how educational theories shape our beliefs, values, and practices, and how becoming aware of these influences can support deeper reflection, shared language, and more intentional teaching. Resources: Theory & Practice Reflective Tool Reading List Newsletter

In this episode, Ron Grady reflects on what it means to witness children’s lives with care and intention. The conversation explores the idea that children’s lives are not separate from schooling, and that educators - through their close, everyday proximity - are deeply embedded in the learning environment. Together, the episode examines observation and documentation as practices of curiosity rathe...

In this episode, Lisa Goddard invites a slowing down - a shift in how we look, listen, and make meaning with children. Together, the conversation explores how dominant narratives in early childhood education can limit our thinking, and how decentring humans opens new ways of understanding our place within the natural world and the implications for our work with children. Through attention to small...

In this episode’s conversation, early years leader and Playoneering creator Hayley Peacock sheds light on what it truly means to embed playful rigour into learning. Drawing inspiration from the Reggio Emilia Approach, Hayley shares how children’s competence, curiosity, and connectedness are honoured across her early years settings and future-focused school. Together, we talk about inquiry, designi...

This anniversary episode reflects on one year of podcasting and the power of educators coming together in dialogue. Through conversations with guests from around the world, shared themes of trust, care, agency, play, materials, and belonging emerged—deepening understanding and offering hope. A celebration of collective learning and the relationships that shape intentional practice. The Intentional...

In this seasonal episode, Cathy explores the gift of slowing down through a gentle reading of Bear and Wolf by Daniel Salmieri. As the year shifts - into winter’s stillness for some and summer’s brightness for others - this episode invites educators to pause, notice the small wonders around them, and reconnect with curiosity and connection. A quiet moment of calm and reflection for early childhood...

In this episode, we explore what it means to re-member - to piece back together the connections that have been quieted by objectivity, efficiency, and the pressures of modern education. Drawing on the ideas of David Jardine, Shelley Brandon, and Robin Wall Kimmerer, we reflect on wholeheartedness, reciprocity, and our shared belonging with children and the world. A gentle invitation to return to r...

n this episode, kindergarten educator Chaylene Clarke joins the conversation to share what it means to move beyond curriculum and teach through connection. Drawing from her work in Ontario’s full-day kindergarten program, Chaylene reflects on how slowing down, listening deeply, and nurturing relationships with children and families opens space for authentic, meaningful learning. Together, we explo...

What does it mean to truly listen to children - not just with our ears, but with our eyes, presence, and curiosity? This episode explores how our capacity to listen supports children’s rights to play, participate, express, rest, and belong. We reflect on how educators can take intentional, actionable steps to uphold these rights in their practice. Convention on the Rights of the Child

In this gentle and deeply reflective conversation, longtime Reggio-inspired educator Mary Bell invites us to slow down and notice the ordinary moments that shape our teaching and our lives. Together, we explore how being present, building trust, and embracing imperfection help us see the beauty and meaning in everyday interactions with children. Mary reminds us that joy and connection aren’t found...

In this rich conversation with Dr. Misty Paterson, founder of Pop-Up Studio, we explore what it means to make care matter in teaching and learning. Misty invites us to move beyond transmission-based models toward inquiry, creativity, and awe - ways of engaging that honour the complexity of teaching and the wholeness of learners. Together, we reflect on how care, curiosity, and connection can shape...