Big Little Lessons

Summer is coming—and with it, the question every family asks: How do we make it meaningful without overcomplicating it?

In this episode of Big Little Lessons, Jenny and Kristine explore how to thoughtfully design a summer that balances structure and freedom. Drawing from years in the classroom (and real life), they share how creating a simple vision can help guide decisions around camps, downtime, family connection, and learning.

There is also talk about the importance of reading, play, and everyday routines that gently support academic skills—without turning summer into school. Research shows that children can experience “summer slide,” particularly in reading, but simple, consistent habits like daily reading and games can make a meaningful difference.

Because the best summers aren’t perfectly planned—they’re the ones kids remember.

Options:

Research References: 

We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]

Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.

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This week on Big Little Lessons, Jenny and Kristine welcome Nikki DeLoach, parent, advocate, actor, writer, producer, and co-host of the Mind What Matters podcast, for a thoughtful conversation about how families can build emotionally strong homes in today’s fast-changing world.

Together, they explore what Nikki is seeing through her work advocating for children’s mental health and supporting families navigating modern challenges. From the pressures children face today, to the growing influence of screens on attention, connection, and emotional regulation, Nikki offers both perspective and practical encouragement for parents who want to lead their families with intention.

The conversation centers on a powerful idea: parenting is leadership. In this episode, you’ll hear about:

If you’d like to learn more about Nikki’s advocacy, her podcast Mind What Matters, and the organizations supporting children and families mentioned in this episode, we’ve included a few links below.

Resources & Links from This Episode

Mind What Matters Podcast

The Benny Bracelet - Raine Jewelry

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]

Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.

https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

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What if the very thing that makes learning harder for a child… is also the thing that makes them extraordinary?

In this episode, Jenny and Kristine sit down with educator and student advocate Dr. Courtney Behrenhausen to demystify neurodiversity and help families better understand how children learn differently.

Together, they explore common neurodiverse profiles, why early intervention matters, what signs parents and teachers can watch for, and how the right support can transform a child’s confidence and school experience.

Grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience, this conversation replaces fear with clarity — and reminds us that every child’s learning profile is unique.

Big Little Lesson:

We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]

Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.

https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

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What if one of the most loving decisions we can make for a child… is giving them more time?

In this episode, Jenny and Kristine — with more than 50 years of combined classroom experience — explore how to thoughtfully consider whether a child might benefit from an extra year in Pre-K, Kindergarten, or First Grade.

Using a whole-child lens, they discuss academic readiness, social-emotional development, physical stamina, and when families may want to look deeper before making a decision.

This conversation is grounded in both classroom experience and research — and most of all, compassion for families navigating this tender choice.

Research:

Hughes et al. (2017): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6377178/

Jacob & Lefgren (2004): https://doi.org/10.1162/003465304323023778

Schwerdt et al. (2017): https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w21509/w21509.pdf

Winters & Greene (2024): https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w33764/w33764.pdf

We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]

Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.

https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

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What if one of the greatest gifts a child can receive is simply more people to love them?

In this warm and meaningful conversation, Jenny and Kristine sit down with devoted father, proud grandfather, and beloved school volunteer Peter Palmer to explore the powerful role that grandparents and other caring adults play in children’s lives.

Together, they reflect on family, legacy, and the research-backed truth that kids thrive when surrounded by a strong village of support.

Big Little Lesson: Sometimes the most powerful thing we can give a child… is simply to show up.

Research:

NIH/PubMed: Grandparent relationships and mental health outcomes

CDC: Protective role of caring adults and strong support networks

CDC ACEs Prevention Resource

We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]

Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.

https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the behaviors we struggle with most are actually the body asking for support?

In this episode of Big Little Lessons, we sit down with occupational therapist Dani Leon, M.S., OTR/L, founder of Sprout Children’s Therapy Center, to explore how regulation, sensory experiences, and nervous system support impact how children (and adults) learn, connect, and function in everyday life.

Dani helps us understand what occupational therapy really is and how it supports daily participation, independence, and quality of life. We talk about common signs a child might benefit from OT, including sensory sensitivities, difficulty with transitions, fine and gross motor challenges, and regulation struggles — and why these are often connected to how the brain and body process the world.

She shares Sprout’s holistic, relationship-based approach, where building trust, supporting regulation, and partnering with families create a strong foundation for growth. We also discuss how OT can support teens and adults navigating stress, anxiety, and executive functioning challenges.

Dani offers a simple, practical takeaway for families: creating a “Feel Better Kit” to help children (and parents) recognize what helps them feel calm, grounded, and ready to engage.

Big Little Lesson:

We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]

Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.

https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if parenting felt more intentional — not perfect, not rigid, but calmer and more grounded?

In this episode, we’re joined by parent coach and former classroom teacher Andrea Scopp-Robbins to explore what intentional parenting really looks like in everyday moments — and how clear, compassionate boundaries actually help children feel safe, confident, and supported as they grow.

Andrea shares insights from her years in the classroom, her own parenting journey, and her work coaching families to better understand behavior, regulate emotions, and respond with purpose rather than reaction. Together, we talk about how parenting has shifted across generations, why today’s parents feel so overwhelmed, and how shared values can act as a compass during hard moments.

You’ll hear practical examples, reassurance for parents who are trying their best, and a powerful reframe of boundaries as acts of care — not control.

Big Little Lessons:

This episode is for parents who want to slow down, trust themselves, and build strong, connected relationships that grow with their children.

Learn More About Andrea & Parenting Vistas

Instagram: @parenting.vistas

We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]

Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.

https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it really mean to find your voice — and why does it matter at every stage of life?

In this episode of Big Little Lessons, kindergarten teachers Jenny and Kristine sit down with speech-language pathologist Amy Wachsberger, M.S., CCC-SLP, for a thoughtful, reassuring conversation about communication, confidence, and connection.

Together, they explore how speech therapy is not about labels or deficits, but about supporting growth, helping people feel understood, and building strong foundations for learning and relationships.

In this episode, we discuss:

Big Little Lesson:

This conversation is for parents, teachers, caregivers — and anyone who has ever struggled to feel heard or wants to better understand how communication shapes learning at every age.

We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]

Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.

https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

February in the classroom is magical… and completely exhausting.

From Groundhog Day and Lunar New Year to Valentine’s Day, the 100th Day of School, Presidents’ Day, curriculum pacing, assessments, conferences, and everyday teaching — February somehow manages to pack twelve mini-months into twenty-eight days.

In this episode, Jenny and Kristine explore why February feels like so much, what research tells us about teacher burnout, and how educators can protect classroom joy without sacrificing wellbeing, routine, or meaningful learning.

You’ll hear about:

When teachers are regulated, supported, and grounded, classrooms thrive.

This episode is for every teacher who loves creating magic — but also ends February feeling completely spent.

Big Little Lesson:

Skaalvik, E. M., & Skaalvik, S. (2018).

Center on the Developing Child — Harvard University

Ostermeier et al. (2023).

We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]

Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.

https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Big Little Lessons, Jenny and Kristine sit down with Dr. Toya Holiday for a rich and thoughtful conversation about identity, belonging, and the wisdom that shapes who we become.

Together, they explore how identity is formed through personal experience, family foundations, and community connections, and how learning to “see through someone else’s eyes” deepens empathy, understanding, and leadership. Dr. Holiday reflects on her childhood, her faith, her journey into education, and the values that have guided her life as a leader, parent, and mentor to young people.

Listeners will hear about Toya’s Three Pillars of Wisdom — Personal, Family, and Community — and how each one informs her work in schools, her approach to parenting, and her commitment to equity and belonging. She also shares insights from her role as Director of DEIJ, offering practical wisdom for students, educators, and families who are doing the ongoing work of understanding themselves and others more deeply.

She is also a former collegiate and professional basketball player and the proud mom of four collegiate and professional athletes, including NBA Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Jrue Holiday. Toya speaks about her family with humility, warmth, and perspective, offering beautiful insight into intentional parenting and the values that have shaped her children’s lives.

This conversation is an invitation to slow down, listen well, and reflect on how our stories — and the stories of others — shape who we are.

We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]

Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.

https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.