Foundations of Learning

By Shali Flint

At K3 Homeschool Foundations, we are dedicated to empowering parents on their journey through the ever-evolving landscape of education. Our mission is to create a supportive community where parents

... more

· Education

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Foundations of Learning:

How many episodes does Foundations of Learning have?

The podcast currently has 67 episodes available.

Foundations of Learning episodes:

February 17, 2026 Early Signs of Reading Struggles in Kids & What Parents Can Do
Reading doesn’t begin with letters. It begins with language.
In this episode, I’m walking you through:
• The early signs of reading struggles in toddlers and young children
• Why letter practice alone often doesn’t work • What phonological awareness actually is (in simple parent terms)
• How to strengthen pre-reading skills through play
• What to do if your child forgets letter sounds daily
• The difference between memorizing and mastering reading skills
Many parents think:
“If I just read more books, it’ll click.”
“If we practice flashcards more consistently, they’ll remember.”
“Maybe my child just isn’t a strong reader.”
But often, the real issue isn’t intelligence or effort. It’s foundation.
When we strengthen phonological awareness — rhyming, syllables, sound awareness, vocabulary — letters start to stick naturally.
This episode will help you:
✔ Feel confident spotting early reading challenges
✔ Understand what skills come before reading
✔ Support your child in simple, play-based ways
✔ Build confidence without worksheets or overwhelm
You are not behind. Your child is not behind. You’re building the foundation.
Phonological Awareness Resources
FREE Phonological Awareness Mat
K3 Homeschool Foundations Resources:
Science of Reading Simplified Ecourse
5 Foundations of Reading Ecourse
Skill-Based Literacy Curriculum
Get the first 2 letter lessons for FREE
Get the first 5 Reading Lessons for FREE
Your Guide to Teach High-Frequency Words
Get the first 10 lessons to teach high-frequency words for FREE
The Literacy Clarity Plan- Work one on one with me to create a detailed literacy plan made for YOUR child
FREE Literacy for Littles Ebook
Tuttle Twins Books
Learning with Kelsey Boxes & Resources
...more
15min
February 13, 2026 Can Schools Build Accountability Without Punishment?
In this episode, Shali sits down with Nicholas Bradford, restorative justice expert and founder of the National Center for Restorative Justice, for an honest and nuanced conversation about discipline in schools.
Where do restorative practices truly transform school culture — and where are there tensions or unanswered questions?
Together, they explore:
• The difference between punishment and accountability • The impact of compliance-driven environments on children • What “repairing harm” really looks like • How strong-willed children are often misunderstood • Where restorative justice succeeds — and where implementation gets complicated • Practical tools parents and educators can use immediately
This is not a one-sided conversation. It’s a thoughtful dialogue about how we support children in ways that build identity, belonging, and responsibility — without losing structure.
Get in touch with Nicholas and his team:
Website: nationalcenterforrestorativejustice.com
Nicholas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfordnicholas/
Network: https://nc4rj-network.mn.co/share/dqvuwroCsNuCKex7?utm_source=manual
K3 Homeschool Foundations Resources:
Science of Reading Simplified Ecourse
5 Foundations of Reading Ecourse
Skill-Based Literacy Curriculum
Get the first 2 letter lessons for FREE
Get the first 5 Reading Lessons for FREE
Your Guide to Teach High-Frequency Words
Get the first 10 lessons to teach high-frequency words for FREE
The Literacy Clarity Plan- Work one on one with me to create a detailed literacy plan made for YOUR child
FREE Literacy for Littles Ebook
Tuttle Twins Books
Learning with Kelsey Boxes & Resources
...more
1h
February 09, 2026 Grief, Faith, and Learning: Helping Families Breathe, Heal, and Grow Again
Grief doesn’t just affect our hearts; it shapes how we parent, teach, and connect with our children.
In this powerful episode of Foundations of Learning, I’m joined by Marcia Earhart, certified grief, trauma, brain, and mental health coach, HeartSync Minister, author, and founder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary. Marcia has walked through unimaginable loss and now helps families breathe again, move again, and live again. Together, we talk about how grief and trauma show up in everyday family life — especially in learning environments — and how parents can create emotional safety at home even while they’re still healing themselves.
Marcia shares gentle, practical wisdom on honoring grief without letting it define you, integrating faith into healing, and helping children continue to grow emotionally, spiritually, and academically through hard seasons.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, numb, or unsure how to lead your family forward, this episode offers hope, compassion, and a place to begin again.
Connect with Marcia and The Sterling Rose Sanctuary:
www.thesterlingrosesanctuary.us
https://www.facebook.com/TSRS21
https://www.instagram.com/thesterlingrosesanctuary/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcia-earhart-the-sterling-rose-sanctuary-943a8410b/
https://a.co/d/3Gy550K
K3 Homeschool Foundations Resources:
Science of Reading Simplified Ecourse
5 Foundations of Reading Ecourse
Skill-Based Literacy Curriculum
Get the first 2 letter lessons for FREE
Get the first 5 Reading Lessons for FREE
Your Guide to Teach High-Frequency Words
Get the first 10 lessons to teach high-frequency words for FREE
FREE Literacy for Littles Ebook
Tuttle Twins Books
Learning with Kelsey Boxes & Resources
...more
1h 26min
February 06, 2026 Why Storytelling Shapes a Child’s Confidence, Identity, and Emotional Strength
What helps children stay grounded when they face disappointment, pressure, or failure?
In this episode, I sit down with the author of The Goal of the Game to explore how story, reflection, and shared experience shape a child’s emotional world. Drawing from decades of observing human relationships through sports and storytelling, we talk about what actually builds resilience, confidence, and a strong sense of identity in children. This conversation is especially for parents and homeschooling families who care deeply about raising thoughtful learners, not just high achievers.
We discuss:
Why storytelling plays a powerful role in emotional development
How children make meaning of setbacks in school, sports, and friendships
What helps kids develop resilience without pressure or performance-based worth
How parents and educators can use story and reflection to support children through disappointment
What helps young people feel confident expressing their voice
Where community, mentorship, and belonging fit into raising grounded kids
If you’re focused on nurturing your child’s inner world, not just their outcomes, this episode will resonate.
Check out Harvey's Book
K3 Homeschool Foundations Resources:
Science of Reading Simplified Ecourse
5 Foundations of Reading Ecourse
Skill-Based Literacy Curriculum
Get the first 2 letter lessons for FREE
Get the first 5 Reading Lessons for FREE
Your Guide to Teach High-Frequency Words
Get the first 10 lessons to teach high-frequency words for FREE
FREE Literacy for Littles Ebook
Tuttle Twins Books
Learning with Kelsey Boxes & Resources
...more
53min
January 20, 2026 The Truth About “Fun” Learning and What Kids Actually Need to Learn to Read
We’re constantly told that learning has to be fun, full of games, songs, and entertainment, or kids won’t engage. But here’s the truth most people won’t say out loud: Not every lesson needs to be fun to be meaningful.
In this episode, I explain why focused, sometimes “boring” learning moments are not only normal, they’re essential, especially when it comes to learning to read.
You’ll learn:
Why the brain needs repetition and structure to build real reading skills
What neuroscience says about phonics, practice, and mastery
Why over-entertaining kids can actually work against long-term learning
How short, explicit lessons build confidence, independence, and motivation
A real classroom story showing how structure (not fun) transformed a struggling reader
📚 Literacy Resources Mentioned
If you’re looking for short, structured, brain-building literacy lessons that still honor play and creativity, explore the resources I reference in this episode:
Letters & Sounds Curriculum – foundational phonics, one letter at a time
The Letter Mysteries – phonics through detective-style play
Beginning Reader Curriculum – decoding and fluency with hands-on practice
High-Frequency Word Resource – mastery-based sight word instruction
Each program is designed to build focus, independence, and confidence, without relying on constant entertainment.
Other K3 Homeschool Foundations Resources:
Science of Reading Simplified Ecourse
5 Foundations of Reading Ecourse
Skill-Based Literacy Curriculum
Get the first 2 letter lessons for FREE
Get the first 5 Reading Lessons for FREE
Your Guide to Teach High-Frequency Words
Get the first 10 lessons to teach high-frequency words for FREE
FREE Literacy for Littles Ebook
Tuttle Twins Books (Affiliate)
Learning with Kelsey Boxes & Resources (Affiliate)
...more
11min
January 13, 2026 Is My Child Behind on the Alphabet? Real Timelines for Learning Letters
“Is my child behind on learning letters?”
This is one of the most common questions parents ask —and in this episode, we’re answering it honestly and calmly.
You’ll discover:
What “normal” alphabet learning really looks like
Why every child learns letters at a different pace
How confidence matters more than speed
The signs your child is actually making progress (even if it doesn’t feel like it)
We’ll talk about how slowing down, building mastery, and making learning joyful leads to stronger reading skills long-term, without pressure or comparison.
If alphabet learning feels stressful right now, this episode will help you breathe easier and refocus on what truly matters.
Letters and Sounds Curriculum https://k3homeschoolfoundations.com/literacy-resources/ols/products/letters-sounds-curriculum
Try the first 2 lessons for FREE https://k3-homeschool-foundations.kit.com/d6c6c42aa0
The Letter Mysteries https://k3homeschoolfoundations.com/the-reading-mysteries
...more
9min
January 05, 2026 The Vaccine Questions Parents Are Afraid to Ask (And Why That Matters)
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Joel Gator Warsh, a traditionally trained pediatrician who now practices integrative medicine and is the author of Between a Shot and a Hard Place.
This episode isn’t about telling parents what to do — it’s about empowering them with information, nuance, and confidence so they can make decisions that align with their values and their child’s unique needs.
📘 Learn More from Dr. Joel Gator Warsh
Sign up for his Substack:
@drjoelgator
➡️ Follow Dr. Gator:
Instagram: @drjoelgator
Facebook: Joel Gator
TikTok: @drjoelwarsh
➡️ Get his Books —
Between a Shot and a Hard Place
Parenting at Your Child's Pace
K3 Homeschool Foundations Resources:
Science of Reading Simplified Ecourse
5 Foundations of Reading Ecourse
Skill-Based Literacy Curriculum
Get the first 2 letter lessons for FREE
Get the first 5 Reading Lessons for FREE
Your Guide to Teach High-Frequency Words
Get the first 10 lessons to teach high-frequency words for FREE
FREE Literacy for Littles Ebook
Tuttle Twins Books
Learning with Kelsey Boxes & Resources
...more
1h 7min
December 22, 2025 I Read to My Child Every Day… So Why Can’t They Read Yet?
Why Being Read To Isn’t the Same as Learning to Read You’re doing everything “right.”
You read to your child every day. You prioritize books. You love cozy storytime together. So why is your child still struggling to read or spell?
In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest misconceptions parents hear about early literacy — and why reading to your child, while incredibly valuable, doesn’t actually teach them how to read. You’ll learn:
What reading aloud does support (and why it still matters)
The critical skills kids must be taught explicitly to become confident readers
Why exposure alone isn’t enough — even for bright, motivated kids
How structured, skill-based instruction changes everything
What to do if your child is already feeling frustrated or “behind” If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re missing something — or worried that your child just “isn’t a reader” — this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a clear next step.
K3 Homeschool Foundations Resources:
Science of Reading Simplified Ecourse https://k3homeschoolfoundations.com/literacy-resources/ols/products/science-of-reading-simplified-course
5 Foundations of Reading Ecourse https://k3homeschoolfoundations.com/literacy-resources/ols/products/the-5-foundations-of-reading-e-course
Skill-Based Literacy Curriculum https://k3homeschoolfoundations.com/literacy-curriculum
Get the first 2 letter lessons for FREE https://k3-homeschool-foundations.kit.com/d6c6c42aa0
Get the first 5 Reading Lessons for FREE https://k3-homeschool-foundations.kit.com/fb54993b56
Your Guide to Teach High-Frequency Words https://k3homeschoolfoundations.com/literacy-resources/ols/products/sor-aligned-high-frequency-words-107-zeno-words
Get the first 10 lessons to teach high-frequency words for FREE https://k3-homeschool-foundations.kit.com/5e2086e116
FREE Literacy for Littles Ebook https://k3-homeschool-foundations.kit.com/29e01da942
Tuttle Twins Books https://tuttletwins.com/ref/K3_homeschool_foundations/
Learning with Kelsey Boxes & Resources https://rstr.co/learning-with-kelsey/foundations
You don’t need to be a teacher to teach your child to read — you just need the right roadmap.
...more
14min
December 18, 2025 Can AI Bring Play and Creativity Back Into the Classroom?
Classrooms were never meant to be one-size-fits-all—yet teachers are expected to meet wildly different learning needs with less time and more paperwork than ever.
In this episode of Foundations of Learning, I sit down with Jeffrey Riley, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Day of AI, to explore how AI—when used intentionally—can help teachers differentiate instruction, reduce cognitive and administrative overload, and create space for something that’s been missing from many classrooms: play, curiosity, and passion-driven learning.
This conversation is not about replacing teachers or automating education. It’s about using AI to support what teachers already do best—seeing kids as individuals.
We discuss:
How AI can help teachers differentiate learning without adding more work
Ways AI can reduce paperwork so teachers can focus on instruction and relationships
How technology can support flexible pacing and diverse learning needs
Why play and student passions matter for deep learning—even in academic settings
What parents should understand about how AI should be used at school
Jeffrey brings a hopeful, practical perspective shaped by his work with tens of thousands of educators and millions of students, helping schools adopt AI in ways that protect creativity, equity, and human connection.
If you’re a teacher, parent, or school leader looking for ways to meet students where they are—without burning out—this episode will leave you encouraged and inspired.
Check out Day of AI:
FREE AI curriculum, resources, and community
Sign up for America's Youth AI Festival
K3 Homeschool Foundations Resources:
Science of Reading Simplified Ecourse
5 Foundations of Reading Ecourse
Skill-Based Literacy Curriculum
Get the first 2 letter lessons for FREE
Get the first 5 Reading Lessons for FREE
Your Guide to Teach High-Frequency Words
Get the first 10 lessons to teach high-frequency words for FREE
FREE Literacy for Littles Ebook
Tuttle Twins Books
Learning with Kelsey Boxes & Resources
...more
50min
December 15, 2025 How External Validation Is Undermining Your Child’s Confidence and Resilience
Do our kids really need outside validation to succeed?
From gold stars and grades to praise and awards, children are constantly taught to measure their worth by how others respond to them. But what if this obsession with external validation is quietly undermining their confidence, resilience, and long-term success?
In this episode of Foundations of Learning, we explore why so many kids—and adults—crave approval, how the school system reinforces extrinsic motivation, and what research actually says about building true confidence from within.
We unpack:
Why praise and rewards can weaken intrinsic motivation
How schools unintentionally train children to depend on approval
What psychology research reveals about motivation, grit, and growth Why the most successful people rely on self-validation—not applause
Practical ways parents can raise confident, resilient learners at home
Whether you’re homeschooling, parenting intentionally, or simply questioning the traditional education model, this episode will challenge you to rethink how success is defined—and how it’s nurtured.
Because the greatest gift we can give our children isn’t constant praise… It’s the ability to believe in themselves.
Videos Mentioned: How Schools Were Designed to Control You: The History of American Education
K3 Homeschool Foundations Resources:
Science of Reading Simplified Ecourse
5 Foundations of Reading Ecourse
Skill-Based Literacy Curriculum
Get the first 2 letter lessons for FREE
Get the first 5 Reading Lessons for FREE
Your Guide to Teach High-Frequency Words
Get the first 10 lessons to teach high-frequency words for FREE
FREE Literacy for Littles Ebook
Tuttle Twins Books
Learning with Kelsey Boxes & Resources
...more
12min

FAQs about Foundations of Learning:

How many episodes does Foundations of Learning have?

The podcast currently has 67 episodes available.