The first five years of life shape far more than learning the alphabet or counting to ten.

During those early years, children develop the emotional, social, and cognitive foundations that influence how they handle stress, build relationships, and navigate the world for decades to come.

Preschool teacher Renee Cox has spent more than 20 years watching those foundations take shape. She shares why kindness deserves as much attention as academics, how early childhood trauma can affect lifelong development, and why the adults in a child's life have more influence than they often realize.

Whether you're a parent, educator, caregiver, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the experiences that shape us long before we remember them.