Exploring Early Critical Thinking with Dr. Catherine "Kitty" O'Reilly

Guest: Dr. Catherine "Kitty" O'Reilly (@kittyoreilly71)
Contact:[email protected]

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of early critical thinking development in young children with Dr. Catherine "Kitty" O'Reilly. Kitty is currently designing an educational intervention project focused on fostering critical thinking skills in children aged 3-5. Her project, Storytelling for Critical Thinking (SCT), is a Design-Based Research Educational Intervention that helps young learners make sense of stories, reason, and problem-solve.

Children gather on a story mat as their educator tells a traditional oral story using only voice, tone, and gesture—without text, visuals, or props. This step focuses on building connections between the storyteller and the listeners, using expressive language and eye contact to capture imagination and engagement.

Through an inquiry-based approach, children are encouraged to think deeply about the story. Educators prompt discussion with open-ended questions (e.g., Why did the Little Red Hen not share her corn? ), allowing children to explore alternative perspectives, challenge assumptions, and problem-solve.

Children represent their understanding of the story through drawing. This step provides a second opportunity for children to express their thoughts—especially those who may not have participated in the group discussion. Once their drawings are complete, they verbalize their reflections, offering further insight into their interpretation and reasoning.

• Encourages early problem-solving skills

• Supports cognitive and emotional development

• Enhances communication and reasoning abilities

• Strengthens the connection between storytelling and critical thinking

LearningALOUD is a communication platform dedicated to discussions on Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).

We explore how education can and should evolve during the early years (birth to six), emphasizing innovative and evidence-based approaches to learning.

Follow & Connect:

• Guest Instagram:@kittyoreilly71

• Contact Kitty:[email protected]

• **Learn more about SCT and early childhood education through **learningaloud.ie

Podcast Show Notes: Bridging Corporate Success and Spiritual Wisdom with ModMonk Aanshul

In this episode, I sit down withAanshul Bafna, fondly known asModMonk Aanshul—aBusiness Psychologist, Spiritual Coach, Healer, Hypnotherapist, and Mystic.

With over 17 years of experience, Aanshul has walked both the corporate boardrooms and spiritual sanctuaries, uniquely blendingmodern psychology, management principles, and ancient spiritual wisdom. Her mission? To bridge the gap between the fast-paced modern corporate world and deep-rooted spirituality, helping individuals and organizations find balance, emotional stability, and true success.

✔ How spirituality and psychology intersect in leadership and corporate life
✔ The role ofVedic wisdom, Upanishads, and ancient Indian scriptures in modern-day well-being
✔ How individuals can cultivate"Monkful Bliss" while thriving in a busy, high-pressure environment
✔ The importance ofworkplace spirituality and mindfulness
✔ Tools to managestress, anxiety, and emotional well-being in both professional and personal life

Aanshul works withcorporate senior and mid-management, individuals, students, and faculty to help them navigate challenges such asstress, depression, anxiety, and work-life balance. Her holistic approach empowers leaders to become moreself-aware, resilient, and purpose-driven—creating better leaders for tomorrow.

📩Email:[email protected]
🔗LinkedIn:Anshul Bafna

Tune in to this insightful conversation and learn how toembrace spirituality in a modern world—without losing your edge.

🎧Listen now!

In this episode, Jess takes us on a fascinating journey into the world of angels, blending Irish folklore with contemporary spirituality. Jess’s passion for the mystical world shines through as she shares unique insights on how angels communicate and their relevance today.

This conversation is full of passion and powerful insights, making it a must-listen for anyone curious about how angels continue to shape our world today.

You can follow Jess @shessomedium on Instagram.

There’s an old fable about two loggers working side by side, cutting trees for the same hours each day. During lunch, one would disappear for a while, return, and continue working together.

The other logger couldn’t figure out why the one who took the break always cut down more trees, even though they worked the same hours. So, he asked, “How is it that we work the same amount of time, yet you’re more productive than me?”

The answer came back: “I take time to sharpen my axe during lunch.”

In our busy lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle. But the truth is, we make time for what we value. Sometimes, we stay busy to avoid facing what we’re neglecting.

Like the logger in the story, we have a choice: keep going on autopilot or step back and sharpen the areas of our lives that need attention.

Here’s how you can sharpen your axe:

Sharpening your axe isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter and with purpose. one small step today.

Whether it’s reflecting, scheduling a walk, or looking at your finances, just start with one simple action. Small, intentional steps build momentum and lead to lasting change. You don’t need to do everything at once — focus on one area and give yourself the grace to grow.

Take that first step and see where it leads.

Curiosity has been the driving force behind many of the meaningful connections I’ve made. It’s the spark that leads to new ideas and new possibilities. Whether through my travels or simply by being present with others, curiosity allows me to show up with no agenda other than to listen and help. That openness can break down walls and open doors in ways we don’t always expect.I also joke that all I ever do is drink tea – and yes, as an Irishman, it’s a bit of a ritual! But beyond the drink, it’s about slowing down and taking the time to connect with others. That simple act of being present – of truly listening and learning from others – is where new ideas and opportunities begin to take shape.Here’s something I’ve learned along the way: I’m not afraid to fail. I’ve written plenty of words that ended up in the trash and had many initial calls with potential clients that didn’t lead anywhere. But I’ve learned that the micro failures create macro successes. Hence, curiosity helps me see these moments of failure ( and yes failure can be hard emotionally at times!) as part of the process, not something to fear.Curiosity has been behind so many breakthroughs throughout history. From the first inventions to space exploration, curiosity drives progress. Without it, we wouldn’t have the advancements that have shaped our world – from the wheel to AI. It’s what pushes us to evolve and expand our potential.So why do opportunities seem to find me? It’s simple: by staying curious, embracing growth, and seeking connections, opportunities naturally unfold. 

This morning, I sat down with a cup of tea in front of the TV and watched an interview with a circus high-rope walker. It struck me how much his journey mirrors ours as leaders.

Let me share a short excerpt with you:

Interviewer: Do you ever get scared up there?

High Rope Walker: Yes, especially when the wind blows and I lose my balance.

Interviewer: How do you deal with that fear?

High Rope Walker: I pause to physically, emotionally, and spiritually centre myself. Then I keep moving forward, still scared but centred — one small step at a time.
His response resonated with me because, like him, we often walk a high rope in our own lives — leading through uncertainty, fear, and change.

The winds of doubt can shake us, but the key isn’t eliminating fear; it’s learning to pause, centre ourselves, and take one mindful step after another.

So, let me ask you:

What’s your high rope right now?

And how are you staying grounded through the winds?

Regardless of your journey, remember that it’s okay to feel the fear — as long as you keep moving forward, one step at a time.

I want to share with you some powerful insights from David Thornburg, a leading figure in educational technology. In his book From the Campfire to the Holodeck: Creating Engaging and Powerful 21st Century Learning Environments.

Thornburg identifies three archetypal learning spaces that are vital for our growth as leaders and learners: the campfire, the cave, and the watering hole.

Each of these spaces has a unique role in how we learn, reflect, and connect, and they offer essential guidance on reclaiming healthy rhythms in our everyday lives.

The Cave
The cave is our private sanctuary — a place where we can withdraw from the world’s noise to think, reflect, and transform external knowledge into deeply held beliefs. In the cave, we balance retreat and engagement, creating a sacred space for spiritual reflection and personal growth.

This is where we connect with ourselves and, for those who are spiritually inclined, with God, deepening our understanding and nurturing our emotional and spiritual health.

The Campfire
The campfire represents the space where we gather with others to learn from those who have walked the path before us. Historically, it was around the campfire that wise elders shared oral stories, passing down knowledge and culture to the next generation.

Today, it reminds us of the importance of mentorship and coaching. By engaging with mentors and sharing our own experiences, we not only grow ourselves but also contribute to the growth of others.

The Watering Hole
The watering hole is a communal space where peers gather to exchange ideas informally. It’s where collaboration happens and where diverse perspectives come together to create a richer understanding.)

As we navigate today’s fast-evolving world, we must embrace the mindset of lifelong learning.

Alvin Toffler, a renowned futurist, famously said, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

This highlights the importance of continually expanding our knowledge and adapting to new challenges. The cave, campfire, and watering hole spaces are essential to this process, enabling us to be agile learners and resilient leaders.

Please reflect on these spaces and consider how they influence your life.

Are you taking the time to retreat to your cave?

How can you gather around the campfire with mentors and sharing wisdom?

Where are you participating in the communal learning at the watering hole?

By intentionally cultivating these spaces, we can foster our own growth and the growth of those around us, leading with greater empathy, wisdom, and strength.

Growing up in Northern Ireland, I experienced a lot of tragic events.

One particular occasion was In November 1987. Gordon Wilson and his twenty-year-old daughter Marie were attending a Remembrance Day service in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, when a bomb exploded. The pair were buried under six feet of rubble.

In an interview with the BBC, Gordon described with anguish his last conversation with his daughter and his feelings toward her killers: “She held my hand tightly, and gripped me as hard as she could. She said, ‘Daddy, I love you very much.’ Those were her exact words to me, and those were the last words I ever heard her say.”

To the astonishment of listeners, Wilson went on to add, “But I bear no ill will. I bear no grudge. Dirty sort of talk is not going to bring her back to life. She was a great wee lassie. She loved her profession. She was a pet. She’s dead. She’s in heaven, and we shall meet again. I will pray for these men tonight and every night.”

Historian Jonathan Bardon recounts, “No words in more than twenty-five years of violence in Northern Ireland had such a powerful, emotional impact.”

In their book, Dr Brand & Yancey probe the mystery of pain and reveal its importance saying, “It is an indicator that lets us know something is wrong, pain has a value that becomes clearest in its absence. Indeed, pain is a gift that none of us wants and yet none of us can do without.”

In my coaching, I help others assume every misfortune can be turned into an opportunity/ gift from the perspective of turning pain into a gift to move forward.

Think of it this way; If you put your hand on a hot stove, the pain informs the body to remove your hand. Pain is good! What is not good is to keep your hand on the same spot and continue with the pain, which is precisely what we do when we dwell on misfortunes that have happened to us from a place of fear, guilt, shame, revenge, cynicism and all those other negative behaviours.

Ironically just deciding to let go of negative thoughts is a gift in itself and strengthens ones resilience for events down the road.

This sounds like a circular argument, and it is!

In his book Positive Intelligence, Shizad Chamine, who has worked with and coached thousands of leaders across the world, suggests:

“you choose to initiate either the snowballing, self-reinforcing & self-fulfilling of responding to pain as an obstacle to moving forward in your life or the snowballing, self-reinforcing & self-fulfilling of pain as a guide to help you navigate your life.”

Once you believe you have a choice, it is easier to choose just to let it go or invest your time and energy to turn it into a gift of knowledge, power and inspiration.

Whether you are experiencing a life-changing event, a new career, dealing with conflict or maybe figuring out how to be in a better place than you currently are in other walks of your life, there are three gifts to help take the smallest possible step forward.

The three gifts say ‘when I feel pain (from current or past, or things that I think will happen), I can turn it into knowledge, power, and inspiration.

What gaps are missing, and what knowledge do I need to gain to change the future from what it is currently?

2. Gift of Power

What emotional muscles do I need to strengthen to stop me from constantly feeling ….?

3. Gift of Inspiration

Because of an experience, what inspiration do I now have that I didn’t have before? ‘This hasn’t worked out, so I can…’

Gordon Wilson remains to this day one of my heroes and went on to become a respected peacemaker and an Irish Senator. He set up the charity The Spirit of Enniskillen, which influenced a generation of reconcilers and peacemakers in Ireland.

There is always a constant in the people I coach that someone had stolen their creative dreams when they were young.

I’m still shocked by how many people genuinely believe they are not creative and live their lives conforming to other people’s rules.

How many books were not written, paintings not painted, buildings not built, and stories not told because of creative limits set on most of us as a child?

Here is what I’ve noticed.

No matter what country or culture they are from, teachers, parents, friends, sports coaches, etc., put a limit on creative ability and have scolded us for daydreaming or not being able to draw within the lines.

Research supports this, stating that 95% of five-year-olds are highly creative. In contrast, less than 5% of thirty-year-olds describe themselves as creative. 

We are all used to five years old and brimming with creativity!

How did we get to this point? 

What happened? 

Why do we lose our creativity?

You can listen to my podcast with So-Young, a world-leading educationist redefining learning in the digital age. So-Young says she could never draw within the lines as a child, and she still can’t. 

She says society takes our creativity from us, and those who scold us for daydreaming only want us to draw within the lines and conform.

So-young points out that even the way we learn was designed for a different age, and science is now informing us that we learn best through creativity, play, and curiosity.

If you’ve worked with me, you know how important it is for me to dispel this notion. I’ve helped many folks do all sorts of creative things.

Here are three tools I have used with folks to take a small step towards releasing your creativity:

1. Take some time today and ask yourself what areas of your life you are holding back because you don’t want to go outside the lines. Why are you holding back? Who says you can’t?

2. Ask someone you trust for their opinion of where you are holding back. If this format works, arrange to meet them regularly to coach each other on releasing creativity.

3. Learn a new skill to stretch and help you build your creative muscles.

Work has constantly evolved alongside societal attitudes, technology, and economic realities. Just as household servants vanished with the advent of new opportunities and tools, today’s careers are being reshaped by automation, remote work, and AI. But this isn’t a crisis — it’s an opportunity.

At its best, work:

As we navigate the second half of the 2020s, these principles remain vital. Yet, the linear, “one-size-fits-all” career path gives way to something more dynamic and personalized.

How Work is Changing

On any given day, I collaborate across time zones, starting on one continent and finishing on another — all without leaving home. It’s a reminder that the boundaries of work and the opportunities for meaning and impact are expanding.

The Opportunity Ahead

Change can feel daunting, but it’s also a catalyst. It challenges us to:

Every day, I partner with entrepreneurs, executives, church planters, seasoned CEOs, and others worldwide who see change as a chance to grow, innovate, and lead. Their stories inspire me and reflect a shared belief: change, when embraced, unlocks transformative potential and empowers us to shape our future.

What will your next chapter look like?

I encourage you to explore how you can harness this moment to create meaningful, impactful work for yourself, your community, and future generations.

With hope.