Our fifth episode of Backwards and Forwards is with guest Nicole Williams, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Nicole brings a unique perspective on the emotional side of learning. Nicole discusses how stress, self-esteem, and family relationships can shape a child’s experience with reading and learning, and how supporting a student’s emotional well-being can be just as important as teaching academic skills. In this episode, Nicole explores the connection between emotional health and literacy development, and Josephine shares her own experience dealing with anxiety related to schoolwork and how it has shaped her journey as a learner.