In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, host Monica Healer discusses combating burnout with Faith Rivera, founder and principal consultant of Allos. Consulting. Faith outlines the causes of burnout, differentiates it from stress and overwhelm, and offers practical strategies for early childhood educators to manage stress and avoid burnout. The conversation delves into the emotional, physical, and mental health impacts of burnout, the importance of self-care, and setting boundaries. Additionally, Faith highlights the necessity of community relationships and provides her top five habits for preventing burnout. The episode concludes with a call to action for educators to prioritize their well-being to better serve the children in their care.

00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood

00:55 Understanding Burnout with Faith Rivera

02:16 Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

11:08 Impact of Teacher Burnout on Children

15:22 The Impact of Stress on Health

16:46 Top Five Personal Habits to Manage Stress

19:51 The Importance of Being Present

23:28 Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships

Here are some resources to help as you take steps to protect your own well-being:

Habit Tracker downloadable to help you stay on track with goals

Finding Rest in the Rush course on our website.

Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith on 7 types of rest

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages in a conversation with education professional Libby Wright about supporting multilingual children in early childhood classrooms. Libby, who has extensive experience fostering community among teachers, parents, and students from diverse backgrounds, discusses practical strategies for creating inclusive, language-rich environments. The episode highlights the cognitive and social benefits of language diversity in classrooms, emphasizes the importance of maintaining home languages, and provides tips for building strong relationships with families. The conversation also touches on leveraging visual aids, encouraging play-based learning, and using tools like labeling and translation apps to enhance communication. Tune in for a wealth of research-backed insights and actionable tips aimed at helping educators navigate the unique challenges and opportunities presented by multilingual settings.

00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood

00:52 Meet Libby Wright: Embracing Multilingual Classrooms

02:51 Benefits of Language Diversity in Early Childhood

06:06 Creating a Language-Rich Environment

20:01 Modeling Language for Preschoolers

21:49 Creating Inclusive Snack Time

23:09 Embracing Cultural Differences

28:09 Partnering with Parents for Language Development

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages in a heartfelt discussion with Kris Ramos, a former public school educator turned church-based preschool teacher, about the transformative power of play-based learning. Kris shares her journey from a structured educational setting to embracing a more flexible, child-centered approach focused on hands-on, joyful learning experiences. They delve into the foundational benefits of play for cognitive, emotional, and social development, the challenges teachers face in advocating for play-based education, and the role of educators in creating meaningful and developmentally appropriate learning environments. Tune in to discover practical strategies, inspiring stories, and the profound impact of nurturing curiosity and joy in early childhood education.

00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood

00:49 Meet Kris Ramos: Journey to Play-Based Learning

04:25 The Importance and Impact of Play-Based Learning

14:44 Misconceptions and Defending Play-Based Learning

17:19 Regional Conference Promo

20:16 Understanding the Importance of Play in Child Development

21:29 Communicating the Value of Play to Parents

25:24 Practical Steps for Implementing Play-Based Learning

29:58 The Joy and Impact of Early Childhood Education

· Find Kris on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_inspired_llama/

· We have a discounted link for Amanda Morgan's "Why We Play" letters to help you communicate the value of play-based learning to parents, teachers, and other community members. You must have an active ECCN membership to access the discount - https://earlychildhoodchristiannetwork.com/resources/#exclusive

· You can find more of Amanda's resources at https://notjustcute.com/

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, Monica Healer, the host, offers a heartfelt discussion aimed at early childhood educators, focusing on how personal growth in wisdom, physical well-being, and faith can impact their teaching and caregiving roles. Drawing from Luke 2:52, Monica emphasizes the continuous journey of learning, the importance of physical care, and the necessity of deepening one's relationship with God. She shares practical strategies for daily reflection, self-care, and spiritual development, encouraging educators to seek God's guidance, nourish their bodies, and strengthen their faith. Ending with a reminder of the eternal impact educators have on children and their communities, Monica provides actionable steps to grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man in the coming year.

00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood

01:01 A Different Kind of Episode

01:41 Growing in Wisdom

04:39 Taking Care of Your Physical Body

10:26 Nurturing Your Relationship with God

16:50 Growing in Favor with Man

20:39 Final Encouragement and Farewell

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, host Monica Healer welcomes Renee Blaine, associate preschool minister at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. With over three decades of early childhood experience, Renee shares her passion for building biblical foundations in young children in age-appropriate ways. They discuss how to integrate biblical literacy into the classroom, drawing parallels to teaching emerging literacy. Key strategies include building oral language, introducing repetitive truths, and creating a love for God's Word. The episode highlights the importance of partnering with parents and provides practical tips for incorporating faith-based messages into everyday learning. 00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood 00:48 Meet Renee Blaine: A Journey in Early Childhood Education 02:22 The Importance of Biblical Literacy in Early Childhood 07:18 Practical Strategies for Teaching Biblical Literacy 18:47 Regional Conference Promotion 21:03 The Importance of Music in Early Childhood 21:56 Laying a Solid Foundation of Faith 25:41 Teaching God's Word Effectively 29:53 Equipping Parents and Educators Download the Gospel cube Renee talked about in the episode - https://elevatechurchconference.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/8.5x11_GospelCubeImages-1-1.pdf Renee's cube is adapted from this resource (which has TONS of other resources for teaching the Bible)! https://sundayschoolzone.com/bible-story/gods-unfolding-story/ Renee wrote a blog article with great tips for sharing the gospel in an age-appropriate manner with young children, including instructions for using the cube above: https://elevatechurchconference.com/preschool-ministry-sharing-the-gospel/

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, hosted by Monica Healer and brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, Monica sits down with Ashley Myers, founder of The Abiding Family and a children's minister in Texas. Ashley shares her personal journey of raising a son with Down syndrome and how it has shaped her passion for creating inclusive classrooms. They discuss the importance of inclusion from a theological perspective, practical strategies for accommodating children with various needs, and the significant impact that inclusive teaching can have on a child's development and faith formation. This episode is packed with actionable insights and resources for educators seeking to foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood

00:42 Meet Ashley Myers: A Journey with Special Needs

01:29 The Importance of Inclusion in Classrooms

10:17 Practical Strategies for Inclusive Education

20:24 Primetime Promo

22:01 Creating an Inclusive Classroom Environment

24:38 The Power of Visual Supports and Calm Down Spaces

28:46 Effective Communication Strategies for Children with Special Needs

32:42 The Call to Inclusion and Overcoming Barriers

40:04 In Conclusion

Find Ashley on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089046874497

Instagram @abiding.family_ashley.myers

and TikTok https://tiktok.com/@the.abiding.family

You might also want to work through our three-part Special Needs training series provided by Sandra Peoples. HERE is the link to check that out!

Help Me Grow - https://helpmegrownational.org/ — Check for a local affiliate who can help you support families in getting resources.

Milestones Info - https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/families/milestones-matter.html

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Jennifer Howington, associate director and childhood ministry specialist in the Texas Baptist Discipleship and Next Gen Ministries group. They delve into the impact of screen time on child development, exploring concepts like 'digital natives' versus 'digital immigrants,' the rise in childhood anxiety and depression, and the role of media in shaping young minds. The conversation covers practical strategies for managing screen time, fostering play and creativity, and reinforcing strong developmental foundations. Jennifer emphasizes the need for balancing technology use with real-world interactions and community building. The episode also highlights the importance of allowing children to experience and overcome challenges to develop resilience and independence. Join Monica and Jennifer as they offer valuable insights for parents, educators, and ministry leaders to help children thrive in a digital age.

00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood

00:42 Meet Our Guest: Jennifer Howington

01:40 Generational Differences in Technology Use

03:59 The Impact of Screen Time on Child Development

07:07 Navigating Technology in Parenting

16:17 Regional Conference Promotion

17:37 Safety & the Anxious Generation

28:52 Conclusion and Call to Action

Enjoy a new course "Counteracting the Effects of Screentime in the Classroom" in our Course Library - https://earlychildhoodchristiannetwork.com/course-catalog/

Books mentioned in this episode:

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt - https://a.co/d/6G6CcVd

The Pandemic Population - https://a.co/d/bIZO2qU

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer chats with Darlene Abbott, an expert in children's music and curriculum, about the significance of music and worship in early childhood development. Darlene shares her extensive experience and provides practical strategies for integrating music into teaching. The conversation delves into the emotional and social benefits of music, the innate ability of children to respond to music, and the power of incorporating scripture into songs. The episode emphasizes the importance of creating worship moments, being intentional in teaching, and the lasting impact of scripture memory on children's lives. Tune in to explore how these practices not only benefit children's spiritual growth but also support their overall development.

00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood

00:42 Guest Introduction: Darlene Abbott

01:33 The Benefits of Music in Early Childhood

06:30 Incorporating Scripture into Music

21:21 Primetime Promotion

22:53 Engaging Families Through Scripture and Music

23:58 Creative Programs to Unite Families

26:31 Intentional Worship in Early Childhood

29:09 Understanding the Basics

31:40 The Lasting Impact of Teaching Scripture

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer sits down with Christa Ratcliffe, chapel and music teacher at Little Lights Preschool, to discuss spiritual formation in young children. Christa, a dedicated educator with a background in theological studies, emphasizes the importance of building relationships, modeling Jesus' love, and incorporating Bible teachings into everyday interactions with infants and toddlers. The conversation covers practical strategies for integrating faith-based activities into daily classroom routines, the significance of early brain development, and the role of caregivers in shaping a child's spiritual foundation. The episode also recommends resources like the Hug a Bible and music playlists to enhance teaching and engagement. Tune in to explore how intentional teaching and interactions can create lasting spiritual impact from an early age.

00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood

00:41 Meet Christa Ratcliffe: Educator and Musician

01:20 Spiritual Formation in Young Children

03:43 Brain Development and Early Learning

08:19 Practical Activities for Infants and Toddlers

12:16 Regional Conference Promo

14:04 Incorporating Faith in Daily Routines

22:32 Resources and Final Thoughts

Download the complete list in one doc HERE or pick and choose what's interesting/useful for you below:

Basic Chapel Supplies for Infants - 24 months.

Easy Grip Jingle Bells-https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/products/music/musical-instruments/easy-grip-jingle-bells-set-of-8/p/DB952/

HugaBible-https://a.co/d/06qvEIct

Scarves-https://a.co/d/8kQvKJ8

Wrist Ribbons-https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/products/active-play/balance-coordination/lakeshore-wrist-ribbons-set-of-12/p/DD127/

Velcro Dots (to attach Bible Story clip art and pictures to the Flannel Board)-https://a.co/d/5hhBgFl

Flannel/Felt Board-https://a.co/d/09o9rwSV

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, hosted by Monica Healer of Early Childhood Christian Network, special guest Katie Severn discusses the challenges and strategies for addressing sensory processing and emotional regulation in the classroom. Katie, a first-grade teacher and mother of a child with sensory needs, shares her insights on practical tools and approaches for educators. The episode explores the increasing sensory needs of children, the impact of modern lifestyle changes, and the importance of understanding and addressing these needs in early education. Katie emphasizes techniques such as the LEAP method—Listen, Empathize, Affirm, Problem Solve—to build relationships and effectively support children facing sensory challenges. She also highlights the significance of adult self-regulation and consistent routines in creating a safe and supportive learning environment.

00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood

00:41 Meet Katie Severn: Passionate Educator and Mom

01:15 Understanding Sensory Processing in Children

05:04 Addressing Sensory Needs in the Classroom

23:06 Understanding Pre-K Expectations

23:58 Creating a Welcoming Classroom Environment

25:08 Primetime Promo

26:42 Addressing Specific Behavioral Needs

39:11 Building Relationships and Reflecting on Teaching Practices

To find out more about L.E.A.P. — check out Dr. Phil Boucher on Instagram - @philbouchermd

You might enjoy my conversation with Kadie about Brain-based Learning in episode 11 of the podcast.

We also have two courses in our Course Catalog that were developed by Kadie:

Development 101

Brain-Based Learning