Reimagine Childhood

Today, there is no special guest, all you have is me, Monica Healer, your host. Today, we're discussing the importance of play for adults by prioritizing activities that bring joy. I know the realities of stress and burnout that many early childhood leaders and teachers experience are real. This is why engaging in activities that stimulate creativity and improve brain functionality is so important. In this episode, we'll discuss activities that we can do to alleviate stress, such as reading for pleasure, playing games, practicing a musical instrument, or spending quality time with family. We will also talk about the negative impact of social media and how it impacts our joy. But of course, the Bible points us to where true joy comes from–the Lord.

A resource on this topic can be found in our Course Library, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"! You can access the link for it HERE.

As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram and on Facebook

I'm chatting with another of our summer keynote presenters today – Shaneil Yarbrough, affectionately known as "PJ" in her circles! You are going to love her. PJ has a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education with a minor in early childhood education from Southern Arkansas University. Her professional career spans over twenty years within the education field, with children at the heart of her work. She is intentional about striving for effectiveness, empathy, and equality for all children and her colleagues. She is currently a training advisor with the University of Arkansas Early Care and Education Projects (ECEP). She's a pastor's wife and women's ministry leader as well! AND she's written three books. Y'all, she is well qualified and she has such a sweet heart for the Lord.

In this podcast episode, PJ and I discuss the various roles and responsibilities of early childhood educators. She shares the many hats childhood educators wear, including (but not limited to) teacher, nurse, coach, safety supervisor, creator of the environment, promoter of diversity, facilitator of learning, and enjoyer of children. Together, we emphasize the importance of valuing childhood and nurturing the development of young children's brains, relationships, and spirituality. We also hone in on the value of finding balance and relying on God's help in wearing each hat.

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation for me is that it's so important for us to really LOVE being with children – to laugh at their silly antics, to marvel at their unique perspective as they discover their world, to join in on the pretend adventures! Which hat is the most difficult for you to balance? For me, it's probably either the Creator of Environments or the Promoter of Diversity. I can definitely have a good attitude most days, but it's harder for me to create an inviting physical environment that is organized but still fun. And, if I'm really honest, promoting diversity – really learning about the culture and traditions of others requires more intentionality than I wish it did. It's pretty easy for me to be comfortable with myself. It's harder to step outside of that comfort zone and be intentional about celebrating differences and incorporating new traditions. What about you? Which of these hats is almost always on – it just comes naturally to you? And which one do you have to really be intentional about putting on? We'd love to hear about it. Send us an email at [email protected] or connect with us on social media! We'd love to hear from you.

You can find PJ on her website at https://www.shaneilpjyarbrough.com/

As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram and on Facebook

Our guest today is Stacy Benge. If you've attended any of our summer conferences over the last few years, you've probably heard from Stacy! She is an early childhood speaker who approaches learning in the early years with practicality and common sense. Standing firm on the truth that children learn best through simple, authentic experiences, Stacy advocates for child-led play to build solid foundations for child development. In addition to a Master of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies, Stacy spent a decade teaching children ages birth to five and has spent the last two decades sharing her passion for child development with fellow early learning professionals with enlightening and informative presentations, and is the author of "The Whole Child Alphabet." We dive deep into the topic of school readiness versus child development.

Stacy and I start the conversation by discussing the importance of prioritizing child development and child-led play over school readiness and academic instruction. Stacy shares an emphasis on the need to focus on the foundations of literacy and other developmental skills before introducing formal instruction. She also shares with us her thoughts on the myth of pre-packaged curriculums and the importance of designing curricula around the interests and needs of individual children. Together, we highlight the significance of respecting and valuing children's play as a crucial aspect of their learning and development.

I just love Stacy's passion and advocacy for whole-child-development. She really wants what's best for children to be the top priority in our decision-making and in our daily practice in the classroom. I'm so excited for y'all to meet her in person at our summer state conferences this year. She'll be one of our Thursday keynote speakers! Stacy regularly shares helpful information about child development and best practices for the whole child. What I love about today's conversation with Stacy is the regular reminder that children are learning All. The. Time. Not just when they're being "instructed." It's wild to think about that – every single experience a child has is forming them into who they will eventually be. Trying to force them to learn to read or write before they are developmentally ready will actually slow down their academic progress later on and could lead to lifelong frustration with literacy. It's mind-blowing to think about all the development that needs to happen before a child can successfully read and write. My challenge to you is that you take a moment and just slow down…what are the children learning in your classroom right now? How does that link to literacy? I BET you can name 10 ways after today's conversation!

You can connect with Stacy via her Instagram or her website

Stacy also has a course in our Learning Library!

As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram and on Facebook

Today I'm chatting with Dr. Mimi Larson, Executive Director of the Center for Faith and Children and Assistant Professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Mimi, a scholar-practitioner and advocate for children's spirituality, brings over 25 years of experience in ministry and curriculum development. She focuses on children's faith formation, in particular, how young children make meaning of their faith. Most recently, she has been exploring children's engagement in sacred play in worship environments. She holds advanced degrees from Wheaton Graduate School, Covenant Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. What I really love about Mimi is her desire to equip everyone who spends time with young children – whether a parent, a Sunday morning volunteer or an early educator - she wants everyone to understand and value the importance of bringing the spiritual into our everyday.

In this episode, we discuss how physical spaces impact learning and spiritual development in young children. Mimi gives us a wonderful insight into the importance of both the physical environment, such as furniture and toys, and the overall atmosphere and relationships within the space. We explore what it looks like for educators to create a welcoming and safe environment that is child-centered and conducive to learning and the importance of integrating spiritual elements into the classroom, such as prayers, blessings, and discussions about God's creation. Together, we offer advice for schools that share space with Sunday school and emphasize the importance of teamwork and communication. Children are valuable in society and we need to prioritize and value them in our actions, not just in our words!

I just love listening to Dr. Larson's calming and peaceful voice. She has such a heart for children and forming faith within them. I especially loved her practical tips for being intentional in considering a child's perspective when we're setting up classroom spaces. Sit on the floor and look around; get on your knees and look around. This is what children see. Is it helpful for their learning? Is it inviting and welcoming? Is it appropriate? In case you sped through the promo, I want you to know that Mimi will be one of our keynote speakers this summer at our state conference in Austin and Dallas. I really hope you'll join us at one of those locations as she talks about the 8 ways we can nurture young children's faith.

When was the last time you sat down on the floor in your classroom? What did you see? Send us an email at [email protected]

As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram and on Facebook

Today's guest is Sarah Scrivens. Sarah has over 15 years of diverse experience in the education field. She has served as an early childhood consultant, preschool director, and classroom teacher. For the past several years, Sarah has provided educators across the nation with professional development and instructional coaching through Building Brains. Sarah is passionate about spreading the importance of early childhood education. She's also mommy to 2 littles – ages 1 and 3 - so she is in the trenches with young children on the daily!

In this episode, we discuss the many benefits and uses of play-dough in early childhood education! Playdough is a versatile tool that can be used for various age groups and across different subjects. Sarah shares with us the importance of oral language development and how playdough can be used to encourage conversation and build brain connections. We also provide ideas on playdough for fine motor skill development, social-emotional skills, math, literacy, and science. Today Sarah provides tips and ideas for incorporating playdough into different activities and themes, as well as the importance of environmental print and labeling in the classroom. Together, we find just how important it is for educators and parents to engage with children through the creativity of playdough.

Sarah mentions several resources that we have linked below for you, and we've created a fun one-page PDF with the playdough recipe and lots of ideas for add-ins or tools to use in your classroom! How many ways can you think of to use playdough to reinforce a story you're reading to your class this week? I hope you're inspired to try something new!

Connect with Sarah via her website or social media!

As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram HERE, and on Facebook HERE.

Episode Resources:

Playdough Recipes and tools download

Plastic Cutting Mats

30 Million Words: Building a Child's Brain

CLI Infant-Toddler Classroom Environment Checklist

Texas PreK Guidelines

Patty Shukla is an award winning American singer, songwriter, musician, author, and keynote speaker. She specializes in music tailored to early childhood curriculum. Her expertise stems from her pioneering work in educational and interactive music videos on YouTube since 2009, captivating millions worldwide on her youtube channel. Patty is part of the worship team at her church and spent years leading children's choirs!

When she's not performing or composing, Patty travels extensively, sharing insights as a keynote speaker at educational workshops, both nationally and internationally.

We think you'll hear her excitement for integrating learning into every song she produces. Monica even got to participate LIVE in a song called "Wiggle It".

Patty shares her personal story of how music helped her non-verbal son develop language skills and excel academically. She emphasizes the importance of incorporating movement into music to engage children and enhance learning. Patty also discusses the benefits of using music in special needs classrooms and the value of parent engagement through music resources. She encourages teachers to create playlists of educational songs on platforms like YouTube to share with parents. The episode concludes with a discussion on the power of traditional childhood games and the importance of reintroducing them in early childhood classrooms.

Patty is passionate about using the power of music and movement to help young children learn skills across all learning domains. We loved that she reminded us about using music to build an inclusive environment with the children who might have some different abilities. We know music is a powerful tool in our classrooms. We hope this episode challenged you to be a little bit more intentional in which music you choose.

Patty has LOTS of resources on her website including CDs and DVDs, she has a Youtube channel with TONS of built in playlists and it's all easily searchable. She even has an App if you're looking for a totally ad-free way to access her content on an apple device. We've linked everything in the show notes for you. And you might want to check out our newsletter and our blog this week as Monica shares even more information about the benefits of music in your classroom. Find all of our recent blog articles at Earlychildhoodchristiannetwork.com/blog/

Patty's Resources:

Website - https://pattysprimarysongs.com/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@pattyshukla

CDs/DVDs - https://pattysprimarysongs.com/shop/

App (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Apple App Store) - https://pattysprimarysongs.com/apps/

Today, I get to have a conversation with Sharon Burnett. Sharon is a publisher and co-founder of two early childhood companies, most currently – CELEBRATE Successful Early Learning. The company creates supplemental big books, little books, music, and digital e-Stories based on a foundation of FUN and SUCCESS for our youngest learners. You might recognize the "Sing and Read" books like "Apple Annie", "Benjamin Bunny" from years past! Sharon works with educators in the areas of Infant, Toddler, Threes, Pre-K, and Kindergarten within school districts, Head Start agencies, and Child Care organizations both nationally and internationally. Her knowledge and expertise in early childhood provide a cornerstone in the foundational years to enhance best practices for our youngest children.

In this podcast episode, Sharon Burnett discusses the current state of early learning classrooms, highlighting the stress, anxiety, and extreme behaviors that both children and adults are experiencing. She attributes these issues to the changing world and society, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Burnett emphasizes the importance of reconnecting, communicating, and creating enjoyable learning environments. She also discusses the significance of music in early learning, citing research that shows its positive effects on reducing anxiety, increasing vocabulary, and promoting fluency and language development. She goes on to encourage educators to incorporate more music into their classrooms and to recognize the value of fun and joy in early childhood education.

Where are you using music to make your day more FUN? I really hope it's not just relegated to your music class, but that you are using fun songs – either recorded or just made up on your own to bring joy, laughter, and connection to your classroom. SO much research tells us that music is good for the brain and for the soul. If you read our newsletter or follow us on social media, you'll often here me saying that it's time to add in another "dance party" to your day! Truly, music, movement and laughter change the atmosphere of every environment. Don't skimp on it! See you next time!

You can find Sharon's website HERE and follow Celebrate Successful Early Learning on social media HERE

As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram HERE and on Facebook HERE.

I have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Beverly Alford on today's episode of Reimagine Childhood. Beverly is a staunch advocate for meaningful play. An Associate Professor of Early Childhood, her focus is on children, ages birth through age seven years. She is particularly fascinated by how young children develop in play-based, non-traditional education settings, as well as the effects of standardized learning practices on young children. Her background in early childhood is varied and extensive, rich in experiences within both the public and private sectors.

In this podcast episode, Beverly and I discuss the importance of noise in the classroom and the need for children to have opportunities to be loud and expressive. We emphasize the value of play and the negative effects of stifling children's natural exuberance. Beverly goes on to suggest creating a balance between quiet and noisy activities in the classroom and encourages teachers to observe and listen to children's play. We also discuss the societal pressure on parents to keep their children quiet and well-behaved in public places. Beverly and I make a point to encourage a shift in mindset to support childhood and make an effort to understand children's individual needs. We suggest that the adults should model appropriate behavior and create a rhythm of noise levels in the classroom to help the students understand and follow when a noise-level transition needs to be made. Beverly concluded by reminding us all to prioritize play and outdoor time and to recognize the individuality and pace of children's learning.

I was reminded today that children learn best through meaningful play and play is often noisy! There are definitely times that require a bit of restraint but I wonder sometimes if we could back off a little bit and allow children to fully experience their environment – even in their noise level! Have you ever just stopped…actually paused everything to LISTEN to your classroom? I'm going to challenge you to do that this week – stop, stand still, and just listen to your classroom – do you hear life-giving laughter, conversation, and FUN? What conversations did you overhear? What arguments or conflicts did you hear? Did you hear singing or humming? Did you hear laughter and giggles, or crying and sniffling? I hope that the next time you feel like your classroom is SO LOUD…that you'll pause for a moment and just listen. Most likely, that pause will cause the noise level in your classroom to naturally decrease as the children wonder why you're so still!

You can connect with Beverly through her website, Curating Play, and her Instagram

You might also like this short article on the value of noise in the classroom.

As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram HERE and on Facebook HERE.

Today on Reimagine Childhood, I have the privilege of chatting with Dr. Pam Rinn. Pam is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice with Acorn Counseling Education Services. She has over 25 years of experience helping families with young children and adolescents navigate their life course. Dr. Rinn spent almost two decades as the Program Director of Camp Fire First Texas, providing leadership and support to early education programs and other youth programs. She has a BS in Child Development, an MS in Human Development and Family Studies, and a PhD in Family Therapy. She is passionate about helping children and those who love them to reach their full potential.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Pam discusses brain states and the impact they have on emotions and actions. She explains Dr. Dan Siegel's research on brain states and introduces the hand model of the brain. The brain is divided into three parts: the thinking part (frontal lobe), the limbic system (emotional memories), and the brainstem (fight or flight response). Dr. Pam emphasizes the importance of regulating brain states and offers strategies for calming the brain, such as deep breathing, sensory activities, and self-soothing techniques. She also discusses the polyvagal system, which regulates organ systems and plays a role in the brain-gut connection. She highlights the significance of co-regulation and attachment in supporting a healthy polyvagal system. She goes on to encourage adults to be observers, noticers, acknowledgers, and empowerers to create a positive and supportive environment for children.

Some overall highlights: we've got to dig deep to look for the underlying reason for behavior – I loved her HALT acronym – is a child HUNGRY, ANGRY, LONELY, or TIRED? Once those questions are answered and needs met, THEN we can dig into other behavior! That goes for me and you – the adults – as well! I know I don't always act right when I'm HUNGRY OR TIRED for sure!! Another is how interconnected our bodies are with our brains. An elevated heart rate or shallow breathing in our bodies can signal to our brains that we need to fight or freeze, putting us in a red or blue zone where we cannot learn. Learning those signs in the children in our classrooms could be a game-changer!

You can find Dr. Pam in her private practice at Acorn Counseling Education Services.

As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram HERE and on Facebook HERE.

My guest on today's episode is Debbie Jones. Debbie is the lead trainer and owner of Confident Director, a company that provides coaching, consulting, training, networking, and online courses. She enjoys guiding directors and teachers to reach their unique potential in their professional roles. She has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education working with faith-based and secular programs. Debbie received her Bachelor of Arts from Howard Payne University and she holds a Texas director certificate.

In this episode, Debbie discusses the concept of risky play and its importance in childhood development. Risky play refers to allowing children to engage in activities that involve some level of risk, such as climbing, exploring, and problem-solving. She emphasizes the need to trust children and their abilities, allowing them to make decisions and learn from their experiences. She also highlights the benefits of risky play, including increased self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and awareness of their surroundings. Debbie suggests that educators should create a "yes environment" that promotes risky play and encourages children to take appropriate risks. She also advises teachers to observe and notice children's interests and abilities, and to provide opportunities for them to engage in risky play in a safe and supervised manner. Overall, Debbie emphasizes the importance of trusting children and allowing them to take risks to foster their development and build their confidence and problem-solving skills.

Are there a couple of traditional rules in your classroom that you're willing to step away from for a few days? I want to encourage you to remember that young children rarely take risks beyond what they are capable of if we trust them! The next time a child takes a risk that makes you gasp….stop yourself to adjust for a split second before yelling STOPPPP or "BE CAREFUL" and take a breath. Be ready to support them but don't stop them. See what happens. My guess is that you'll be celebrating their success at doing something that required bravery and courage!

You can access Debbie's website HERE.

As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram HERE and on Facebook HERE.