-BAM! Body, Mind and Child - Preparing Your Child's Body and Mind for Life!

By BAM Radio Network

What's -BAM! Body, Mind and Child - Preparing Your Child's Body and Mind for Life! about?

How are you preparing your child for life? Leading experts agree the key to a child's success in life is a healthy mind in a healthy body. BAM! is an acronym for "body and mind." Listen to BAM! and get fast, expert tips on how to develop your child's mind/body connection, put your child on the right track early on, sort through the myths and get to the heart of what really takes to prepare your child's body and mind for life!

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-BAM! Body, Mind and Child - Preparing Your Child's Body and Mind for Life! episodes:

04.04.2012
Why Young Children Bite, How to Talk About It, How to Manage It
Why do young children who don't bite at home come to preschool or day care and suddenly mimic carnivores? Our guest explain why young children bite, how to talk to parents about the problem and how to minimize the occurrences. Susan...
03.20.2012
Child Abuse:Understanding the Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Educators
The definition of child abuse varies from state to state, as do the laws regarding abuse. The problem of understanding and meeting your mandated requirements as an educator is further complicated by the fact that policies regarding child abuse tend...
02.17.2012
How Classroom Setup and Clutter Affect Learning and Behavior
Classroom setup and structure are critical elements in teaching and controlling behavior and student interactions. What do you need to know? What are the best practices? How might rearranging your classroom help you? Dr. Rebecca Gail Isbell has been working in...
02.08.2012
Four Strategies for Managing Unmanageable Students In The Classroom
You know the student we're talking about. Yes, the one who regularly makes you want to consider a new career. Dealing with difficult students has always been a part of teaching, but with all the new demands, many teachers are...
01.27.2012
DISSED! Part 1: The Teacher - Principal Relationship: Why Is It Often So Rocky?
We hear it all the time: teachers feel disrespected by principals; principals feel disrespected by superintendents; superintendents feel dissed by local school boards; school boards feel discounted by the feds; early child- hood educators feel dismissed by the rest of the...
01.27.2012
Fine Motor Skills: To Important to Overlook
The development of fine motor skills are often a casualty of the rush to get young children up to academic speed. In this segment our guests explain why fine motor skills are a critical building block for higher learning and...
01.12.2012
Why Are We Arguing about Professionalism?
Why is professionalism such a controversial subject among educators? Why is there a raging debate about whether some sectors of the education community qualify as professionals? What does professionalism really mean in the education field and, in practical terms, what...
01.06.2012
5 Tips for Teaching Children with ADHD
There are reports that ADHD in children is on the rise. But are we seeing a growing epidemic of ADHD or simply an increase in labeling children with the affliction? Our guests give us some insight into what is...
12.16.2011
Playing it Safe, Too Safe?
Of course parents, teachers, and school directors all want children to have safe environments in which to play. But is sterilizing playground dirt going too far? Our guests disagree. Tune in and decide for yourself where to draw the...
12.13.2011
Banning Chocolate Milk...Really?
Hard to believe that with everything educators are dealing with today that chocolate milk has become controversial. Tune in to find out why some schools are banning this flavored delight and decide whether your school Connie M. Weaver, Ph.D., Distinguished...
12.02.2011
Ganging Up to Fight Bullying
Fighting bullying requires a collective, collaborative effort among teachers, parents and school administrators. This segment explores the barriers to effective school/home collaboration against bullying, along with strategies to overcome them. Walter B. Roberts, Jr., Ed.D. is a professor of counselor education...
11.18.2011
OMG! Parent -Teacher Conferences: Why They Fail, Making Them Work
Parent-teacher conferences are notorious for being dreaded, poorly attended and adversarial when they do occur. Our guests unpack the dynamics behind parent-teacher conferences and share tips on how to make them positive, effective, collaborative opportunities that help students. Betsy Landers...
11.10.2011
Teaching Together: Moving from Isolation to Collaboration
Our guests disagree on whether teacher collaboration is new, but they all agree that teacher collaboration is becoming more important, is being done in new ways and is more important now than ever. Learn more... Ellen Meyers is author of "The...
11.03.2011
Three Great Reasons and Ways to Move Your Classroom Outdoors
According to our guests, immersing your students in nature offers many benefits to both students and teachers. Find out why you should take your students outside as often as possible. This segment also offers specific outdoor lessons you can...
10.28.2011
Is Teaching Keyboarding in Kindergarten Developmentally Appropriate?
Many argue that teaching penmanship is a thing of the past, but at what age should children be taught to use a computer keyboard? Some are starting as early as kindergarten, but is it developmentally appropriate? We turn to...
10.20.2011
Victims of Excellence: Teaching Children to Learn From Mistakes, Parents to Allow Them
Learning from mistakes is one of those notions that is easier said than done. In fact, the way teachers and parents react when children make mistakes says volumes to young children and can impact them for the rest of...
10.13.2011
Helping Parents Develop Appropriate Expectations for Their Children
These days many parents want their children to have "advanced" academic skills. Too often these expectations are developmentally inappropriate. In this segment our guests provide guidance to teachers on how to manage inappropriate expectations from parents. Jody Martin...
10.07.2011
Teaching Kids to Think Critically in the Age of Standardized Testing
Experts and advocates recommend at least 1 to 2 hours a day of physical activity for children. But how do you fit it into your daily program, when there�s so much else for you to do? And what kind of...
09.30.2011
Fitting Fitness in the Curriculum
Experts and advocates recommend at least 1 to 2 hours a day of physical activity for children. But how do you fit it into your daily program, when there�s so much else for you to do? And what kind of...
09.23.2011
Handling Teacher Stress: Increase The Positive, Decrease The Negative
Many people wonder why teachers - especially early childhood teachers - would be stressed. But, often, even the teachers wonder why they are feeling stressed, when education is a field they entered out of love. There are good reasons...
09.15.2011
Stressed Out Kids, Parents, Teachers, How to Cope
Not all stress is to be avoided. According to our guests there are three different types of stress. Positive stress, tolerable stress, and toxic stress. Teachers need to be able to distinguish the different types and the symptoms...
09.08.2011
Teaching Beyond The Test
In an era of high-stakes accountability and standardized testing, is there room for teaching beyond the test? You bet, say our guests, and here's how to do it without losing your job. Kate Beaudet is Co-founder and organizer of Coalition...
09.02.2011
Teachers Beat Down: 3 Ways to Fight Back Without Losing Your Job
Many teachers returning to school this year report a growing sense of powerlessness to effect change and do their jobs. An increasing number of teachers are expressing their disagreement with education policy in a climate that often ignores them. In...
08.11.2011
Stealth Bullies: The Hidden Face of Bullying
Despite all of the attention to the problem of bullying, much of it continues under the radar of many teachers and parents. In this segment we shine a light on the hidden side of bullying, explain why...
08.05.2011
Avoiding Mistakes in Teaching Twins
Some educators have reported an increase in the number of twins in their classrooms. According to our guests, there are a few myths and some misguided ideas about teaching twins that need to be corrected. In this segment...
07.28.2011
How We Teach Girls To Have Unhealthy Self-Image
Some of us are victims; others of us are unwitting conspirators in a process that teaches girls that how they look is who they are. The impact is far-reaching. Our guests today discuss the impact of the early practices that...
07.21.2011
Let's Get Real About What Makes a Good Teacher
There's a lot of attention on evaluating teachers these days. The relentless pursuit to improve student achievement has put teacher performance under the microscope. But are we clear about what really makes a good teacher, how to measure good...
07.14.2011
Time To Give "Time Out" a Time Out
In many ways "time out" has become the new spanking. First, it has become the default approach for dealing with child misbehavior. But, like spanking, conventional application of time out is now being challenged as harmful and inappropriate. Our guests...
07.07.2011
Pre-K Testing The Good, the Bad and The Ugly
Some say the concerns about Pre-K testing in the new Race to Top - Early Learning Challenge program are a premature tempest in a teapot. Others see it as a new road to education hell, being paved with...
06.30.2011
Bad Behavior: When to Ignore, When to Intervene
We could call this segment, "how to pick your battles." What is clear is that all undesirable behavior should not be addressed, every time, on the spot. Our guests offer insights and guidelines for determining when to intervene and when...
06.23.2011
Seven Reasons to Take a Second Look at Homeschooling
According to our guest, homeschooling is not what it used to be nor what many people think it is. If you haven't looked at homeschooling in a while this may be a good time to update your understanding -- before...
06.17.2011
Yup! Today's Parents Are Different: What Teachers Need to Know to Survive
All of our guests in this segment seem to agree that today's parents are very different from generations past. They cite diverse examples and offer a variety of reasons, but all prescribe useful tips to help today's teachers survive...
06.10.2011
Understanding the Teacher/Parent Communications Gap
In America, early childhood professionals often look at parents as pests rather than partners in the education process. Some teachers dread the prospect of meeting with parents, and parents often are less than thrilled with their interactions with teachers. This...
06.10.2011
Why Play Time is Not Break Time
Every teacher knows that when the children go outside to play, that's the time for teachers to have a break and for children to do their own thing. Well, today’s guests say that play time is not break time and...
05.27.2011
Managing Classrooms With Punishments & Rewards
According to a recent study, 98 percent of teachers are using punishments and rewards for classroom management, but are they really effective? Are there better ways to motivate young students? If so, why are sticks and carrots so...
05.19.2011
Are We Moving From Common Standards to a Common Curriculum?
There has been some buzz around the topic of creating a national common core curriculum. The notion has engendered quite a bit of push back, raising fears of loss of local control. We invited two education advocates and...
05.13.2011
Debunking 3 Big Myths About Teaching Boys Versus Teaching Girls
Are boys’ brains and girls’ brains fundamentally different? If there are differences, are they significant – and do they really matter in the context of teaching? In this segment our guests identify and attempt to debunk the big myths about...
05.05.2011
Creating Praise Junkies: Are You Giving Children Too Much "Positive" Reinforcement?
"Great job!" "That was very good!" Teachers and parents use phrases like these everyday to give positive reinforcement to children. But are we creating praise-addicted children by giving them too much unwarranted, rote and excessive praise? Turns out that...
04.28.2011
Why is There a Disconnect Between What We Know and What We Do?
Despite a plethora of research in the area of early childhood education, much of it is not being transferred into practice. In this segment we explore why this disconnect exists and what needs to happen to build a...
04.21.2011
Is Teaching Cursive Handwriting Still Important in This Digital Age?
Many believe that there is a correlation between the quality of a child's handwriting and their literacy and intelligence. Others assert that there is no relevant connection and, more importantly, that the advent of computers makes practicing handwriting less important.
04.07.2011
Teaching Reading: When Is Too early, Too late?
Is early reading very important or highly overrated and generally misunderstood? Dr. Carla Hannaford points out that in our culture we believe that reading equals intelligence. This is false, she asserts, as our guests discuss the literature that supports and...
04.01.2011
Missing Students: A Bigger, Younger Problem Than We Think
Most teachers and parents have no idea how big of a problem absenteeism is in the early grades, nor the impact it has on classrooms and children for years to come. Moreover, a recent study found that most...
03.26.2011
Why Kids Aren't Going Out to Play, Why They Should
Today there are many reasons why children are spending more time indoors than out. In this segment our guests explore the reasons, the results and make some recommendations for correcting the imbalance.
03.18.2011
At What Age Should Young Children be Exposed to Classroom Competition?
Some children's games are competitive while others are collaborative. There are some educators who believe young children should not be exposed to win/lose games. Others say competitive games prepare young children for the realities of life. Tune in to listen...
03.11.2011
5 Ways Technology May Adversely Alter Child Development
The ubiquity, application and use of technology in early childhood continue to expand. How is technology impacting child development? How much is too much? Who is best suited to define the proper balance for children? Our guests offer research, expert...
03.04.2011
Should You Have a Bachelors Degree to Work With Young Children? Maybe, Maybe Not
Most would agree that educating young children requires some specialized knowledge. Today we ask, is a child development credential enough or should a bachelors degree be required for all those who work with educating young children?
02.25.2011
Should You Assign Homework in Preschool?
There is quite a bit of confusion about homework in preschool. Many believe in the value of homework at the preschool level, others are sure homework in preschool is a misguided idea. Today we try to shed some light and...
02.17.2011
Ratings Scales for Child Care and Family Care Programs. Good, Bad or Just Ugly?
There is a drive underway to rate child care centers and family care providers. The aim is to provide parents with objective tools to identify the best providers and avoid substandard providers. But some argue that a ratings programs will...
02.11.2011
Moving Toward Child Development Requirements for Teachers
Traditionally, the preparation of teachers who want to work with children birth to age 5 has focused on the development of young children. But elementary teacher prep has focused on teaching methods and content areas instead. But this maybe changing...
01.21.2011
Ooops! Why Rote Memorization is a Valid Teaching Tool
In this segment we talk with a cognitive psychologist and memory researcher who challenges the wholesale notion that rote memorization is not authentic learning or quality teaching. He argues that, contrary to conventional wisdom, there is indeed a place for...

What's -BAM! Body, Mind and Child - Preparing Your Child's Body and Mind for Life! about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

-BAM! Body, Mind and Child - Preparing Your Child's Body and Mind for Life! episodes:

Why Young Children Bite, How to Talk About It, How to Manage It

Child Abuse:Understanding the Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Educators

How Classroom Setup and Clutter Affect Learning and Behavior

Four Strategies for Managing Unmanageable Students In The Classroom

DISSED! Part 1: The Teacher - Principal Relationship: Why Is It Often So Rocky?

Fine Motor Skills: To Important to Overlook

Why Are We Arguing about Professionalism?

5 Tips for Teaching Children with ADHD

Playing it Safe, Too Safe?

Banning Chocolate Milk...Really?

Ganging Up to Fight Bullying

OMG! Parent -Teacher Conferences: Why They Fail, Making Them Work

Teaching Together: Moving from Isolation to Collaboration

Three Great Reasons and Ways to Move Your Classroom Outdoors

Is Teaching Keyboarding in Kindergarten Developmentally Appropriate?

Victims of Excellence: Teaching Children to Learn From Mistakes, Parents to Allow Them

Helping Parents Develop Appropriate Expectations for Their Children

Teaching Kids to Think Critically in the Age of Standardized Testing

Fitting Fitness in the Curriculum

Handling Teacher Stress: Increase The Positive, Decrease The Negative

Stressed Out Kids, Parents, Teachers, How to Cope

Teaching Beyond The Test

Teachers Beat Down: 3 Ways to Fight Back Without Losing Your Job

Stealth Bullies: The Hidden Face of Bullying

Avoiding Mistakes in Teaching Twins

How We Teach Girls To Have Unhealthy Self-Image

Let's Get Real About What Makes a Good Teacher

Time To Give "Time Out" a Time Out

Pre-K Testing The Good, the Bad and The Ugly

Bad Behavior: When to Ignore, When to Intervene

Seven Reasons to Take a Second Look at Homeschooling

Yup! Today's Parents Are Different: What Teachers Need to Know to Survive

Understanding the Teacher/Parent Communications Gap

Why Play Time is Not Break Time

Managing Classrooms With Punishments & Rewards

Are We Moving From Common Standards to a Common Curriculum?

Debunking 3 Big Myths About Teaching Boys Versus Teaching Girls

Creating Praise Junkies: Are You Giving Children Too Much "Positive" Reinforcement?

Why is There a Disconnect Between What We Know and What We Do?

Is Teaching Cursive Handwriting Still Important in This Digital Age?

Teaching Reading: When Is Too early, Too late?

Missing Students: A Bigger, Younger Problem Than We Think

Why Kids Aren't Going Out to Play, Why They Should

At What Age Should Young Children be Exposed to Classroom Competition?

5 Ways Technology May Adversely Alter Child Development

Should You Have a Bachelors Degree to Work With Young Children? Maybe, Maybe Not

Should You Assign Homework in Preschool?

Ratings Scales for Child Care and Family Care Programs. Good, Bad or Just Ugly?

Moving Toward Child Development Requirements for Teachers

Ooops! Why Rote Memorization is a Valid Teaching Tool