Tiny Talks on Early Learning

What if parent-teacher conferences became opportunities for real connection instead of rushed conversations? In this special Cross Talk episode of Tiny Talks on Early Learning and UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents , we're joined by Dr. Tricia Shelton and Paula Reese to explore practical strategies for building stronger partnerships between educators and families. Inspired by Dr. Shelton's new book,...

Episode 6 of 6 - A Limited Podcast Series In this final episode of  Voices of Alabama Families , we look ahead—exploring the hopes, values, and changes families across Alabama want for the next generation. Through heartfelt reflections, contributors share a vision of a future where children feel safe, seen, and free to be who they are, while also emphasizing the importance of protecting what matte...

Episode 5 of 6 - A Limited Podcast Series Some of the most important things children need to understand are also the hardest to explain. In this episode, Voices of Alabama Families explores how families across Alabama navigate conversations about difficult history—stories of segregation, integration, and racial injustice that are not just part of the past, but lived experiences that continue to sh...

Episode 4 of 6 - A Limited Podcast Series Raising children has never been something families were meant to do alone, and in communities across Alabama, it hasn't been. In this episode,  Voices of Alabama Families explores what it truly means to "raise a child in a village"—through the neighbors, educators, family members, and community leaders who step in, fill gaps, and show up in ways both seen...

Episode 3 of 6 - A Limited Podcast Series Long before children can explain what they believe, they are already learning what matters—through the patterns, relationships, and traditions that surround them every day. In this episode, Voices of Alabama Families explores how faith, family, and cultural values shape early learning across communities in Alabama. Through powerful personal stories, listen...

Episode 2 of 6 - A Limited Podcast Series Long before children ever step into a classroom, they are already learning—through stories shared in everyday moments. Around kitchen tables, on front porches, and in passing conversations, children begin to understand who they are and where they belong. In this episode, Voices of Alabama Families explores storytelling not as something imagined, but as som...

Episode 1 of 6 - A Limited Podcast Series! What we inherit shapes how we raise our children. In this opening episode of Voices of Alabama Families , we explore how history lives on through families, communities, and everyday experiences—and how those stories become a child's first lessons in identity, belonging, and resilience. From the legacy of Africatown to childhood memories on Davis Avenue, f...

Supporting children on the autism spectrum takes collaboration between families, educators, healthcare providers, and communities. In this special crossover episode of Tiny Talks on Early Learning and UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents , we sit down with Michelle McDaniel, Director of the USA Regional Autism Network, to explore what autism support looks like across the places children live, learn, a...

Transitions—ending playtime, getting out the door, moving from one activity to the next—can feel like small moments to adults but huge emotional events for young children. In this episode, we unpack why transitions so often trigger meltdowns, especially for children under five. Through simple brain science, real-life examples, and practical strategies, we explore what's really happening beneath th...

Physical activity in early childhood programs is often treated as a break from learning—but what if it's actually the foundation for it? In this episode of Tiny Talks on Early Learning, we sit down with Victoria Bolton to explore why movement is essential for young children's brain development, behavior regulation, and overall well-being. Together, we unpack the research behind the brain–body conn...

Young children experience the world through their senses—but when sensory input feels overwhelming or hard to interpret, behavior is often the first place it shows up. In this episode, we explore the eight sensory systems and how differences in sensory processing can shape a child's emotions, attention, movement, and daily routines. From avoiding noise or touch to constantly seeking movement or pr...

The first few minutes of a child's day matter more than we often realize. Arrival time isn't just a transition—it's an opportunity to build trust, create connection, and establish a sense of safety that carries throughout the day. In this episode of Tiny Talks on Early Learning , GRECS colleagues Jessica, Venay and Desira Keith explore how intentional, child-centered arrival routines can transform...

Policies and systems don't exist in a vacuum—they are designed by people, and often carry forward assumptions and imbalances. In this episode, Sterling Freeman and Kathleen Crabbs of OpenSource Leadership Strategies unpack how power, policy, and organizational systems shape uneven outcomes in early childhood education. They'll share insights from their work helping leaders and organizations build...

In Digging In: Cultivating Curiosity Through Gardening and Biodiversity , we explore how everyday experiences in nature—from planting a garden to discovering bugs in the soil—play a powerful role in children's learning and development. Recorded on site at Gulf State Park's Learning Campus and designed for both parents and early childhood professionals, this episode highlights how hands-on outdoor...

In this episode of Tiny Talks on Early Learning , we explore what's working — and what's changing — in today's workplace. With unprecedented turnover, shifts in employee expectations, mental-health pressures, and evolving generational dynamics, the world of work is more fluid than ever. Join us as we unpack the key trends shaping early-childhood programs, schools, parents and educators who are bot...

Recorded live at the 2025 Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Conference in Birmingham, AL, this special edition of Tiny Talks on Early Learning brings you straight into the heart of Alabama's early learning community. Across three days, over 4,000 early learning professionals stopped by Tiny Talks "Chat & Chill" booth to pull three question cards and share real, unscripted reflections...

Running a child care center or early learning program is no small task—leaders juggle tight budgets, high staff turnover, and the emotional demands of supporting children and families every single day. In the middle of all that, how do you keep your team motivated and help them feel truly valued? A quick "thank you" isn't always enough. In this episode of Tiny Talks on Early Learning, Dr. Paul Whi...

As part of our Outdoor Learning Environments mini-series, we're digging into one of the most misunderstood aspects of outdoor play: RISK . What if the very things that make adults uneasy—mud, climbing, running fast, roughhousing—are exactly what children need to grow strong, confident, and capable? In this episode, we're joined by internationally recognized playground designer, author, and child a...

What if the key to early reading success isn't sitting still—but getting moving? In this lively episode, we're joined by educator, literacy advocate, and creator of the ABC See, Hear, Do method, Stefanie Hohl. Drawing on years of classroom and parenting experience, Stefanie shares how movement, multisensory learning, and playful interaction can ignite a child's brain for reading. From why traditio...

* This episode is Part 2 in the "Outside the Lines: Rethinking Outdoor Learning" podcast mini-series. Who says quality outdoor learning environments have to break the bank? In this episode, we explore how the principles of "reduce, reuse, recycle" can help programs create meaningful outdoor play and learning spaces using reclaimed materials, community donations, and creativity. From repurposed cli...

Inclusion in early learning isn't just a practice—it's a mindset that shapes how every child is welcomed, supported, and celebrated. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Abigail Baxter and parent advocate, Anna Knight, to explore what true inclusion looks like in child care and early education settings. Together, they share practical strategies, candid experiences, and heartfelt reflections on ho...

What truly separates a good teacher from a great one? In this conversation, leadership expert, educator, and community builder Dr. Baron Sandlin shares lessons from decades of work in classrooms, boardrooms, and community spaces. From cultivating team culture to building authentic connections with students, Dr. Sandlin explores the mindset shifts, daily habits, and leadership skills that elevate t...

We all agree that outdoor play is essential to healthy child development—but if that's the case, why do so many programs still struggle to make it happen consistently? In this episode of Tiny Talks on Early Learning, we take a closer look at the real barriers to outdoor play from both educator and parent perspectives. From weather worries and limited resources to safety concerns and supervision, w...

After a full day leading sessions on intentional interactions, the research behind play, and guiding children through play-based learning, Amanda Morgan sits down to reflect on her experience with early educators at the 2025 Gulf Coast Early Childhood Summer Symposium. What questions kept coming up? What comments stuck with her? What misconceptions are educators still wrestling with — and what gav...

Why is it so hard for early educators—especially those working with infants and toddlers—to be seen and respected as professionals? Despite the critical brain development that happens in the first three years of life, those doing this essential work are often undervalued and underpaid. In this episode, we sit down with Mr. Ty, The Childcare Whisperer, to unpack the behaviors, habits, and program-l...