Little Steps, Big Futures:The Podcast

Drew Vernon is back!

This week we chat to Drew, a returning guest and the Marketing Director at Tonies.

Drew and the team at Tonies USA have created an initiative to encourage parents and children to read together.

W chat to Drew about the value of reading and how this challenge came about.

Use #readtoyourchild on Instagram to get involved!


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This week we chat with Katie O' Donoghue, Art Psychotherapist and Author of 'The Little Squirrel who Worried'.

We talk to Katie about her new, beautiful book which was inspired and created during the COVID19 lickdowns.

Katie wanted to create a story that could help young children deal with the worry and the anxieties that they may be experiencing in their lives and give children the words to help them understand their feelings.

It is a story of bravery and friendship which aims to teach children that it is okay to not be okay.

We hope you love it!

To follow Katie please click here.



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This week we chat to Peig O' Sullivan.

Peig is a Qualified Social Care Practitioner, holds a Diploma in Youth and Community Work and is a Qualified Counselor & Psychotherapist, but Peig's story and how she turned her life around is one of great bravery and resilience.

From a teenage single mom at the age of 17 to a woman with amazing achievements & a thriving career, Peig teaches us that it is never too late to start something new.

We hope you love it!

To follow Peig:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peigosullivanmangan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osultherapy/?hl=en



We speak about many tough issues surrounding mental health during this episode and if you or someone you love is struggling and needs help please call:

- The Pieta House: 1800 247 247
- Samaritans: 116 123
- Turn to me: call or text

It is okay not to be okay.




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This week we chat to Jen Hogan.

Jen is the author of 'The Real Mum's Guide to (Surviving) Parenting',
a journalist, radio & T.V. contributor, an Irish Times Columist and most importantly a mom to 7 beautiful children.

We chat with Jen about all things childhood and parents, from managing a household of 9, the difference between working moms and working dads, pressure of social media and everything in between.

We hope you love it!

To follow Jen, please click here!


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This week we chat to Rebecca Knox - a fellow Early Years Educator, room leader and advocate for the Early Years.

We discuss the ongoing issues that Educators are faced with everyday in the Childcare Sector, pros for joining Big start & Siptu, and especially the new announcement from the Government around formally establishing a 'Standard Wage'.

What does that mean? How will it be rolled out? Should qualifications come into play?

For more information on Siptu and how to join please click here!


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As Early Years Professionals we are always trying to learn more and develop our skills and we have found that there is little to no help for Educators to find information for parents or have access to professionals to find more information.

We have teamed up with some amazing guest speakers for this webinar:

• Tuesday August 3rd: Edel Lawlor - Play Therapist
• Thursday August 5th: Jessica Sinclair - Music Therapist
• Friday August 6th: Peig O' Sullivan - Counselling & Psychotherapist
• Tuesday August 10th: Laura & Lisa - Step by Step Consulting
• Thursday August 12th: Tess O' Connor - Sleep Consultant

Don't miss out! Get you're tickets today!
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/little-steps-big-futures-webinar-series-tickets-162695216773



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Today Aoife and Jenny chat about what parents should look out for when choosing a Childcare Setting and what they should bring in for their first day!

The advice given during this episode comes from our own experiences so always ask your provider if you have any questions.

We hope you love it!

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This week we chat with Amanda Cambridge.

While holidaying in Spain, Amanda lost her 3 year old little boy Avery in a tragic accident, when he fell into the swimming pool.

Amanda bravely takes us through that day and what happened and how she has dealt with the loss of her son and her grief.

Amanda released a new water safety campaign with Water Safety Ireland called 'The Hold Hands Programme' consisting of different water scenarios such as the pool, the beach, the home, the farm, the lake and on holidays.

These bright colourful storyboards, which have been kindly gifted to Preschools and creche settings all over Ireland, will help start a conversation between adults and children about water and how to be safe when you are near water and to always HOLD HANDS with an adult.

We would like to thank Amanda for sharing her story and Avery's story with us and we wish Amanada and her family the best of luck with the campaign!

Please visit https://watersafety.ie/hold-hands/ to read about the campaign and to view the storyboards which are also available to download as a PDF.

To follow Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/amandacambridge81/

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This week on the Podcast we chat with Louise O' Leary - a pediatric Occupational Therapist.

Louise explains what her everyday routine looks like working with children from a very young age up to 18 year of age.

As parents, Occupational Therapy can sound like a daunting place for your child but through this conversation Louise gives us an insight into what an Occupational Therapist can do for your child and gives some tips and tricks too!

Louise also gave us some great resources to check out:

Developmental pyramid of learning

https://otplan.com/pyramid-of-learning/

Gabadoo company in Ireland 

https://www.gabadoo.com/

Books on emotions 

https://www.dianealber.com/

zones of regulation

https://www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html

We hope you love it! 

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This week we chat to Teresa, a Primary School Principal,  about transitions from Preschool to Primary School.

Teresa tells us why having good communication between the preschool and the primary school is beneficial for the children, how Educators can work together to share information and help ease the move from one environment to another.

We hope you love it!

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