Does the thought of elementary math fill you with anxiety? You're not alone. Host Melanie Little talks with Title I math tutor Patti Sanders about overcoming "math person" myths.

Learn how to foster "number sense" through play, why the "Power of Yet" is essential for a growth mindset, and how everyday activities like board games and building blocks can turn math anxiety into confidence for your preschooler.

Patti Sanders is a Title I math tutor at Highland School and a Fox Hill alumni parent.

Tip: "Mistakes will make you learn! It is safe to make mistakes and build math confidence."

Top Takeaways

Build number sense through counting and reasoning during everyday play activities.

Use the "Power of Yet" to reframe struggles as growth opportunities for children.

Make math fun and accessible with board games like “UNO” or "Go Fish - Make 10."

Helpful Links & Tools

Resources:

Patti Sanders's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattiteachesmath

Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Melanie Little welcomes back Fox Hill alum Saina Ramsdell and her mother, Alicia Ramsdell, CEO of Mindful Career Paths.

They explore Alicia’s journey in career coaching and her TED talk on professional fulfillment.

They also share the inspiring story behind their collaborative children's books, The One and Only Incredible ME! and Cluck Pup Cashew.

Learn how to encourage your child's creativity and the importance of fostering a lifelong love for reading and self-discovery.

Alicia Ramsdell is the CEO of “Mindful Career Paths” and an author.

Saina Ramsdell is a Fox Hill alum and junior co-author.

Tip: "Help them find that fulfillment and make sure the little kid they once were would be proud."

Top Takeaways

Encourage children to explore their interests without the pressure to choose a career immediately.

Mindful career development involves being vulnerable about what you want and managing inevitable stress.

Collaborating with your child on creative projects like book-writing builds confidence and lasting bonds.

Helpful Links & Tools

Resources:

Alicia Ramsdell's Book: The One and Only Incredible ME! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYT2WKF8

Saina and Alicia Ramsdell's Book: Cluck Pup Cashew https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDGXHGTC

Mindful Career Path's Website: https://mindfulcareerpath.com

Mindful Career Path's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mindful.Career.Path

Mindful Career Path's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindful-career-path

Alicia Ramsdell's Website: https://aliciaramsdell.com

Alicia Ramsdell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciaramsdell

Join Fox Hill alum Grace Sanders, a clinical dietitian, as she explains how to transform stressful family mealtimes into positive experiences. Learn about the “Division of Responsibility,” where parents provide the food and kids choose how much to eat. Discover why the “Clean Plate Club” is a thing of the past, how to use neutral language for all foods, and how to involve children in meal prep to build healthy lifelong habits.

Grace Sanders, MS, RDN, LDN, is a Clinical Dietitian at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Nourish. Tip: "Give yourself grace; little mindset shifts and trusting your child’s intuition will pay off over time".

Top Takeaways

Division of Responsibility: Parents decide the menu/timing; children decide how much they actually eat.

Avoid labeling foods as "good" or "bad" to help children develop a neutral relationship.

Involve children in meal prep and sensory play to increase their interest in new foods.

Helpful Links & Tools

Resources:

Nourish Website: https://www.usenourish.com/providers/grace-sanders

Grace Sanders’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracesanders

Grace Sanders’ Instagram: @restorenutritionrd https://www.instagram.com/restorenutritionrd

Grace Sanders’ TikTok: @restorenutritionrd https://www.tiktok.com/@restorenutritionrd

Grace Sanders’ Work Email: [email protected]

The Satter Division Of Responsibility In Feeding: https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/division-of-responsibility

Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Discover how to transform high-stress Disney or Universal vacations into joyful family memories. Guest Suzanne Sexton shares insider secrets for navigating parks with preschoolers, including finding quiet zones and avoiding scary ride segments. Learn why using a professional travel planner is 100% free and how they save you time and money by monitoring prices and handling logistics. This episode helps you focus on the magic instead of the overwhelm.

Suzanne Sexton is a DIAMOND Earmarked Mickey Travels planner who has visited Disney 100+ times. Tip: “Don’t try to do everything—set realistic goals and put on your ‘patience pants.’”

Top Takeaways

Using a travel planner is completely free as Disney and Universal pay commissions directly.

Focus on realistic goals and follow your heart regarding what your child can handle.

Professional planners automatically monitor for lower prices and manage all stressful booking logistics.

Helpful Links & Tools

Resources:

Suzanne Sexton at Mickey Travels Website: https://mickeytravels.com/team/suzanne-sexton-massachusetts-disney-travel-agent

Suzanne Sexton's Mickey Travels Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MickeyTravelsSuzanneSexton

Suzanne Sexton's Contact Email: [email protected]

Suzanne Sexton's Contact Phone Number: 781-249-2627

Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Explore the transformative power of play with occupational therapist Teri Bowen-Irish. Discover why play is essential for brain development, specifically building the prefrontal cortex and executive functions like planning and initiation. Learn how different types of play—parallel, cooperative, and independent—shape social-emotional skills. We also discuss practical ways to integrate learning into play at home, helping children transition to academic environments with confidence and joy.

Tere Bowen-Irish is an occupational therapist, author, and speaker dedicated to "all abilities for all children". Her tip: “Don't be afraid to let your child lead you; follow their lead and play will expand”.

Top Takeaways

Play builds the prefrontal cortex, developing essential executive functions like organization and task completion.

Independent play is a vital skill that helps children learn to regulate and focus.

Using rhythm, movement, and nursery rhymes makes academic concepts like counting and literacy fun.

Helpful Links & Tools

Resources:

Tere’s products at Therapro: https://www.therapro.com/Tere-Bowen-Irish-OTR-L.html

Tere’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tere-bowen-irish-35b0b310

Join Tere’s Facebook page at “All the Possibilities - When You Wish Upon a Child”: https://www.facebook.com/share/17yR4beYcH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Discover the transformative power of art with Paige Covello. This episode explores why all people are inherently creative and how to foster that spirit in preschoolers through exploration and play. Learn why the artistic process matters more than the final product and gain practical strategies for talking to your child about their creations in a way that builds confidence and pride.

Paige Covello is the owner of Create Space and a former public school art teacher with 30 years of experience. Tip: "All people are inherently creative and they just need the opportunity and the tools to tap into that and express that".

Top Takeaways

Art provides a safe environment for children to practice self-expression and creative decision-making.

Focus on the creative process rather than requiring the art to represent a specific object.

Ask "tell me about this" to encourage children to share their artistic choices.

Helpful Links & Tools

Resources:

Create Space Website: https://www.createspacedanvers.com

Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Host Melanie Little welcomes The Grinch to discuss his chaotic holiday plans, including Thanksgiving dinner (roast beast!) and how he celebrates Christmas with the Whos. Discover his unique views on Santa, presents (live rhinos and gassy hippos), and his anxiety over decorating. Plus, learn about his busy schedule, including appearances at the Fox Hill School event and various Massachusetts tree lightings.

The Grinch, famed resident of Mount Crumpet, sits down for a rare interview to share his (reluctant) holiday plans with the Whos.

Top Takeaways

Helpful Links & Tools

Resources:

Discover the power of in-home therapy (Speech, OT, PT) with Coral Care. Lindy Myers explains why early intervention is critical—using the brain's neuroplasticity for rapid skill development. Learn how therapy is integrated directly into daily routines, like diaper changes, making progress feasible and quick for young children. Find out about the new partnership between Coral Care and Fox Hill School, aimed at ensuring families feel supported right away.

Lindy Myers is a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Clinical Director at Coral Care.

Top Takeaways

Helpful Links & Tools

Resources:

Contact Lindy Meyers:

Lindy Meyers

Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist

Clinical Director at Coral Care

Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Discover the vital role of Early Intervention (EI) for children from birth to three. Pam Ferris of Aspire explains the comprehensive services offered, covering development areas like motor skills, communication, and social-emotional growth. Learn the benefits of early intervention for maximizing progress, identifying developmental milestones, and accessing various support options, including cost-free community groups. Find out how easy it is to start services, as parents can self-refer.

Pamela Ferris, DPT, CEIS, CEIM, is the Assistant Director of Aspire Early Intervention-North Shore.

Top Takeaways

Helpful Links & Tools

Resources:

Contact Pam Ferris:

Pamela Ferris DPT, CEIS, CEIM

Assistant Director

Aspire Early Intervention-North Shore

Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

The transition to kindergarten brings big changes, including less parental visibility and a drastic shift from play-based to academic learning. Licensed clinical social worker Liz Faria discusses how parents can manage their own anxiety and help children build resilience. Learn about "anti-fragile" parenting, the crucial role of the "Four D's" (Discomfort, Distress, Disappointment, and mild Danger), and why avoiding accommodations is essential for fostering a competent, sturdy child.

Meet Our Guest:

Liz Faria is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) whose focus is working with the parents of anxious children.

Inspirational tip: "Your kids' neuro pathways are being changed through their experiences and not accommodations or avoidance."

Top Takeaways

Helpful Links & Tools

Resources:

Contact Liz Faria: