Are we expecting too much from children, too soon?

In this episode of the Edu-Kate Podcast, Kate is joined by internationally recognized early childhood education expert, author, and keynote speaker Rae Pica to explore whether the expectations we place on children actually match what we know about child development and how children learn.

We discuss how often children are asked to sit still, focus for long periods, complete academic tasks, or manage behaviours they may simply not yet be developmentally ready for. What happens when adult expectations get ahead of children's developmental needs?

Rae and Kate also explore the growing role of screens in childhood, why children need far more opportunities for play and movement, and the importance of protecting children's time to explore, move, imagine, and simply be kids.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why "earlier" doesn't necessarily mean "better" when it comes to learning
• The danger of expecting children to do things they are not developmentally ready for
• Why movement is fundamental to children's learning and development
• The importance of play at school and at home
• The impact of increasing screen use on childhood
• Why expecting young children to sit still for long periods can work against the way they naturally learn
• How teachers and parents can create environments that better reflect children's developmental needs
• Why protecting childhood matters

Rae Pica is an internationally known early childhood education consultant, author, and keynote speaker who has spent more than four decades advocating for developmentally appropriate education and the whole child.

She is the author of numerous books exploring child development, movement, play, and education, including What If Everybody Understood Child Development? and What If We Taught the Way Children Learn? Throughout her career, Rae has worked to help educators and parents better understand how children develop and why children need opportunities to move, play, explore, and be children.

Website: raepica.com
LinkedIn: Rae Pica

In today's short solo episode, Kate shares three key areas that if you get right, you will have a successful school year.

1) Classroom Design

2) Routines

3) Community - creating a sense of belonging

She uses advise from previous guests on the podcast to help get you set up for a great year ahead.

You do not want to miss this one!

In this episode, Kate is joined by K.C. Hansen, a reading interventionist based in Seattle. They discuss what is important when trying to support kids learning to read. K.C. shares Lyon's research behind the science of reading and provides practical tips and advice in teaching and assessing how kids read. K.C also highlights common misconceptions amongst parents and educators and points out red flags to look out for in struggling readers.

Contact K.C:

Instagram: @msdothansen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k-c-hansen-a26380213/

⁠Reid Lyon 10 Maxims⁠:https://readinguniverse.org/article/explore-teaching-topics/big-picture/ten-maxims-what-weve-learned-so-far-about-how-children-learn-to-read-2026

As teachers head back to school and begin preparing their classrooms for a new group of learners, international educator and learning environment designer Carla Dabau Padrosa joins the Edu-Kate Podcast to explore how we can design classrooms with greater intention. Drawing on many years of teaching experience across Spain, the Netherlands, the U.S. and Switzerland, Carla shares practical ideas for creating calm, flexible and inspiring learning spaces that support inquiry, collaboration and creativity—while considering the well-being of both students and the teachers who spend their days in them. If you are a teacher looking for tips and tricks to better utilize your learning space, then this is the episode for you!

Connect with Carla:

https://www.instagram.com/carladabaup

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-dabau-padrosa-986137b2/

Order a copy of Designing Intentional Classrooms: https://www.pearsoncanadaschool.com/pd/products/designing-intentional-classrooms.html

In this solo episode, Kate explores the question of what is the perfect school? It is clear that this evokes more questions than answers, but it will definitely get you thinking about what it could look like for you and also remind you of why we need things to change. She looks at it from both perspectives of a mother and teacher. Listen in and join the conversation.

What does true inclusion really look like—and how do we build schools where every child genuinely belongs?

In this episode of Edu-Kate, Kate is joined by Professor Sigamoney Manicka Naicker, an internationally respected educator, researcher, and advocate for inclusive education. For decades, Professor Naicker has worked to improve educational opportunities for children around the world. He has advised governments, collaborated with UNESCO and UNICEF, and played a significant role in shaping inclusive education policy in South Africa following the end of apartheid. His work continues to influence how schools and education systems think about equity, belonging, and the rights of every learner.

Together, Kate and Professor Naicker explore what authentic inclusion looks like beyond policy documents and classroom labels. They discuss why inclusion benefits every child—not just those with identified learning needs—and share practical ways teachers and school leaders can create classrooms where every learner feels valued, respected, and able to thrive.

The conversation also explores Professor Naicker's thought-provoking new book, Education Systems in the 21st Century Are Engines of Inequality: From a Pedagogy of Convenience to a Pedagogy of Resilience. In it, he argues that many education systems have become centred on bureaucracy, standardisation, and efficiency—a "Pedagogy of Convenience"—rather than the diverse needs of children. He challenges educators and policymakers to embrace a "Pedagogy of Resilience," where schools are designed to adapt to children's realities, promote belonging, and create equitable opportunities for every learner.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, school leader, parent, or anyone passionate about education, this episode will encourage you to rethink what inclusion really means and inspire you to imagine schools where every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Connect with Professor Naicker:

LinkedIn - https://za.linkedin.com/in/sigamoney-manicka-naicker-0027113

In today’s episode I’m joined by early childhood education leader, speaker and author Amy Reyes-Hauff. We explore why it is vital that educators defend the value of play for our students. We discuss why nature matters, how technology is shaping childhood, and what educators and parents can do to help children thrive.

Amy Reyes-Hauff is an early childhood education leader, speaker, and author with more than 26 years of experience supporting children, educators, and schools. She currently serves as the State Early Learning and Literacy Specialist for the Wyoming Department of Education, where her work focuses on early literacy, outdoor learning, child development, and digital wellness.

Amy is the creator of the Get Wild Wyoming initiative, which has brought outdoor learning experiences to more than 300 classrooms and over 6,000 children across the state. She is also the author of Why Did They Do That?, a brain-based guide to understanding young children's behaviour.

Connect with Amy Reyes-Hauff

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amy-reyes-hauff-a1b15844

Why Did They Do That? It's Not a Behavior Problem. It's a Biological One: A Brain-Based Guide to the 3–5 Year Old Mind

Publication date: 2025

Summary: Explains preschool children's behaviour through neuroscience rather than discipline. It covers topics such as impulse control, emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory needs, and why many challenging behaviours are developmentally typical rather than deliberate misbehaviour.

This episode is a rebroadcast.

Today’s special guest is Dr Mariana Brussoni. She is a developmental psychologist and injury prevention researcher passionate about bringing risky play back to children's lives. Her research sits at the intersection between child development, injury prevention, and outdoor play. 

We discuss her new book Embracing Risky Play at School (co-written by Dr. Megan Zeni). Mariana points out how today’s children are missing out on a vital developmental need and how educators need to allow the space, time and freedom for the phenomenon of risky play to occur. Instead of keeping children “as safe as possible” we should aim to keep them “as safe as necessary."

Resources & Links

• Explore Dr. Mariana Brussoni's free Outdoor Play & Learning resources for elementary educators: teacher.outsideplay.org

• Visit the Outside Play Lab for research, practical tools, and additional resources: outsideplay.org

• Book Recommendation: Embracing Risky Play at School – Practical, research-based guidance for K–8 educators on supporting outdoor learning and creating opportunities for risky play.

• Follow the Outside Play Lab on social media:

Instagram: @outsideplayubc

Facebook: @outsideplayubc

X: @outsideplayubc

Bluesky: @outsideplayubc

Today’s guest is Trevor MacKenzie—an educator, author, keynote speaker, and inquiry consultant who partners with schools around the world. He is passionate about student agency, authentic assessment, and helping educators create inquiry-driven classrooms where curiosity and deep learning thrive. 

In this episode, we discuss what meaningful, authentic assessment looks like in the PYP and how educators can use assessment to enhance student learning. Trevor shares what it means to "do less better," what effective feedback looks like, and why developing a culture of curiosity is essential—not only for students but also for educators. There is so much packed into this conversation, so tune in! 

Books by Trevor MacKenzie:

• Dive into Inquiry: Amplify Learning and Empower Student Voice (2016)

• Inquiry Mindset: Nurturing the Dreams, Wonders, and Curiosities of Our Youngest Learners (2019) (with Rebecca Bathurst-Hunt)

• The Inquiry Teacher: Lessons and Strategies for Cultivating Curiosity (2022)

• Amplify Student Voice: Developing Agency Through the Cycle of Inquiry (2024) (with Rebecca Bathurst-Hunt)

Learn more about Trevor MacKenzie:

• Website: https://www.trevormackenzie.com

• Instagram: @trev_mackenzie

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-mackenzie-37103b261/

• X: @trev_mackenzie

In this episode of the Edu-Kate Podcast, I’m joined by Steve Andrews, who leads anti-bullying workshops in schools and works closely with children, educators, and families to create safer and more supportive learning environments.

Steve shares practical insights into what bullying really is, how to recognise the signs, and the best ways to respond. We also discuss how to equip children with the confidence, resilience, and strategies they need to navigate bullying if they experience it themselves, along with the important role that parents and schools play in supporting young people.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or anyone who works with children, this episode offers valuable advice and practical takeaways to help create environments where every child can feel safe, supported, and empowered.

Contact Steve @

[email protected]

604-307-9146

LinkedIn - Steve Andrews Bullying Prevention