Joan Spoerl, of The Literacy Cooperative and Director of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library book-gifting program, a former kindergarten teacher of 10 years, avid volunteer, world changer and encyclopedia. From episode one to our last NEW episode of 2024, our last episode for our Literacy Cooperative series this woman and organization has done nothing short of knocking our socks off. Their passion and enthusiasm is tangible through an email and even more so through these episodes. How we enjoy all of their team's company and love the conversations we have been so lucky to have with Joan! This episode does a review of all the amazing guests and episodes we have had along the way as well as truly breaks down the Imagination Library and how the Literacy Cooperative gets books into the hands of many children throughout Northeast Ohio - let's help them make it ALL children.

With the holidays rapidly approaching, if you want to give back to an incredible organization that is working to start at the root of the problem and support all ages with their literacy struggles...Donate to this amazing organization here.

"It's $25 per child per year is what we need to raise locally. That's like two books in a bookstore."

-What it costs to pay for a whole year of books for a child

Key Takeaways

How all our episodes in this series with The Literacy Cooperative connect to literacy and/or boundaries

[00:03:43] Importance of play in development

[00:05:52] Children's insights on bullying

[00:10:41] Advocating for your child

[00:15:07] Occupational therapy and literacy

[00:18:08] Media literacy

[00:23:15] Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

[00:29:16] Importance of early childhood reading 

[00:34:23] Joyful reading for children

[00:37:12] Literacy and childhood development

Where to Find Joan

Where to Find The Literacy Cooperative

Where to Find Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

See if it's available for your little one's here!

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Dr. Lisa Huisman Koops is Professor of Music Education at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research and teaching on parenting musically spans twenty-five years. Lisa recently published the book "A Family Guidebook for Parenting Musically," intended for parents and families to use in weaving music into everyday life. Koops is host of the podcast "Parenting Musically," this podcast features award-winning musicians with responses from research in music education. Koops's research focuses on the vital role of the family in optimizing early childhood music development and education. In addition to teaching at CWRU, Lisa teaches early childhood music classes. Previously, she taught elementary school general music in Zeeland, Michigan and early childhood music classes at the Michigan State University Community Music School. Join in as she shows us how music can bring our families together, support us as parents and become a beneficial tool for educating our children.

Join us for this next episode of our series with The Literacy Cooperative, Donate to this amazing organization here.

Key Takeaways

[00:03:17] Parenting musically and development

[00:06:04] Benefits of using music while raising children

[00:08:53] Practical Applications of Music in Daily Life

[00:12:41] Music listening with grandparents

[00:16:17] Music and literacy development

[00:20:32] Found sounds and tidying game

[00:25:37] Music and child development choices

[00:36:26] Formal vs informal music experiences

[00:40:44] Loose parts in music education

[00:44:30] Classical music misconceptions

[00:48:28] Parenting Musically Podcast Insights

Where to Find Lisa

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Wendy Pavicic, Pediatric Occupational Therapist of over 20 years joins us to discuss the importance of involving play and your body in every learning experience (especially as a child). The basics of physical growth and development are directly correlated to literacy. It's as simple as crawling, these seemingly "easy" skills so early on support reading, motions for doing so, as well as writing. Wendy also points out the value of multimodal learning, which is the benefit of learning with multiple senses together which allows children to better retain material. Listen in to find ways to add more play & body work to your little one's day!

Join us for this next episode of our series with The Literacy Cooperative, Donate to this amazing organization here.

Key Takeaways

[00:01:30] The importance of play for children

"The opposite of play is not work, it's depression."

[00:06:09] Importance of play for adults

[00:12:01] Multimodal learning and senses

[00:19:48] Pediatric occupational therapy explained

"I like to say or like to think that we help kids do what they need to do and achieve their highest level of independence and individual potential regardless of what the skill is."

[00:23:48] Movement Activities @ Home

"Giving kids opportunity for heavy work, which is proprioceptive input, as well as kind of the calming movement."

[00:29:30] All early body development and it's importance to literacy

[00:32:20] Healthy boundaries in play

"We're a whole person and that social emotional piece is key."

[00:39:36] Finding help through word of mouth

Where to Find Wendy

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In a time where we are inundated with media, it's difficult to tell which side is up, and more importantly during an extremely polarizing election year we need to ensure we are doing our best to decipher that our sources of information can be trusted. Paul Brandus has been a member of the White House press corps and White House Correspondents Association since 2008. He is a columnist for Dow Jones/MarketWatch, and Washington bureau chief for Evergreen Podcasts. He is a successful author, podcast host, and has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CNN, PBS, CSPAN, the British Broadcasting Corp., Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and others, hosted a Voice of America global affairs program for three years and is a weekly contributor to Washington’s all-news WTOP Radio. Previously, Brandus spent five years based in Moscow, including working as a U.S. Embassy staffer and then foreign correspondent, primarily for NBC Radio and the award-winning public radio business/finance program “MarketPlace.” In addition to criss-crossing Russia for many years, he has reported from China, Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and other locales. With his incredibly impressive background Paul joined us to discuss the importance of media literacy and how to responsibly consume the news and navigate it's complexities.

Join us for this next episode of our series with The Literacy Cooperative, Donate to this amazing organization here.

Key Takeaways

[00:00:45] Election Season Overwhelm

[00:01:51] Importance of Media Literacy

[00:02:58] Misinformation vs. Disinformation

[00:10:05] The Challenge of Fact-Checking

[00:14:29] Confirmation Bias in Media Consumption

[00:17:06] Setting Boundaries Around News Consumption

[00:24:00] Politicians and Censorship Claims

[00:26:09] Internet's Impact on News Consumption

[00:33:24] Importance of Voting

This serves as a reminder that voting is not just a civic duty, but a privilege that should be cherished and exercised!

Where to Find Paul

How to find us - Visit our website – hardnopodcast.com – for show notes, which include links to books and other helpful resources. Like what you hear? Please subscribe, rate and review so others can find us, and make sure to follow us on social media. We're @hardnopodcast on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn & YouTube!

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We were lucky enough to share this conversation with TWO experts in the field of Speech Pathology in the next episode of our series with The Literacy Cooperative, Donate to this amazing organization here. Shavon and Tala join us to discuss common misconceptions around early speech abilities, easy ways to bring language learning into your daily routines, and setting boundaries around those who just don't understand.

Shavon St. Germain is a licensed bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist & Audiologist with over 20+ years of experience helping families like yours, a mom of 3 and the creator of Listen Learn Talk. Shavon teaches parents simple, actionable steps that are easy to incorporate into their routine so they can feel confident teaching their children to be better communicators.  

Tala Hershey is a speech-language pathologist with her own pediatric private practice, Hershey Therapy. Tala specializes in toddler language development and coaching for parents to learn research-based strategies to boost their toddlers' language for toddler’s who present with expressive language difficulties.

Listen in to learn about the best practices for providing your child the best opportunity at language learning and literacy. 

Key Takeaways

[00:00:31] Language-rich environment importance

[00:04:11] Importance of reading to children

[00:10:05] Speech and language distinction

[00:12:56] Signs of speech development issues

[00:24:17] Early literacy skills development

[00:29:03] Fun ways to encourage reading

[00:39:33] Myths about speech delays

[00:44:21] Trusting parental instincts in evaluations

[00:49:02] Importance of parental involvement

Where to Find Shavon 

Where to Find Tala

How to find us - Visit our website – hardnopodcast.com – for show notes, which include links to books and other helpful resources. Like what you hear? Please subscribe, rate and review so others can find us, and make sure to follow us on social media. We're @hardnopodcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn & YouTube!

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Sarah Rintamaki is the Founder and Executive Director of Connecting for Kids, a nonprofit organization based here in Northeast Ohio that provides education and support to families with concerns about their children. Sarah actually started out in the business management field. She has an MBA from the University of Chicago and spent a summer on Wall Street. In her 20s and 30s she built a career as an international strategic business consultant, flying all over the world to advise corporate leaders about how they should be guiding their companies. One such client, Peter B. Lewis of Progressive Insurance, talked her into coming to work for him, and that led her to the greater Cleveland area, which she now calls home. It was later, as a young mom, that things started to change. It became clear that her children were struggling and needed some pretty intense interventions. Sarah took what she thought would be a temporary leave of absence to help research what was needed and put a plan in place for her kids. Eventually, after several major life events, it became clear to Sarah that she needed to find another path, and that path led her to what she’s doing now. But that choice she made, that she felt she had to make – the pressures and lack of options that many, especially working mothers, face – is something she thinks deeply about. Listen in as Sarah talks routes to find advocacy and support during a time of concern.

 This is another episode in our series with The Literacy Cooperative to bring more information and support to parents and children about better ways to learn, have a safe learning environment and beyond. Donate to this amazing organization here. Listen in now!

Key Takeaways

[00:02:12] Developmental delays in children

[00:06:57] Early intervention evaluation resources

[00:09:14] Evaluation for disability services

[00:13:34] Advocacy through communication strategies

[00:16:50] Documenting student social interactions

[00:20:47] Evaluation and intervention process

[00:23:37] Inequitable school funding in Ohio

[00:30:05] Parent support and resources

[00:31:53] Dyslexia screening in schools

[00:35:43] Signs of dyslexia in children

Where to Find Sarah

Where to Find Connecting for Kids

How to find us - Visit our website – hardnopodcast.com – for show notes, which include links to books and other helpful resources. Like what you hear? Please subscribe, rate and review so others can find us, and make sure to follow us on social media. We're @hardnopodcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn & YouTube!

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Being a pre-teen is HARD. As parents we are desperate for a look inside the days and lives of our kids - the days of school being "good" and learning "nothing" today have begun and parents are slowly appearing less and less cool in the eyes of their once adoring fans. The school day and time spent with peers are full of opportunities to set boundaries where our children feel safe, happy, and comfortable. Do they have the tools to do so? What is working? What isn't? This episode with two ten-year-olds provides some insight into all of these burning questions.

 This is another episode in our series with The Literacy Cooperative to bring more information and support to parents and children about better ways to learn, have a safe learning environment and beyond. Donate to this amazing organization here. Listen in now!

Key Takeaways

Boundaries in Your Daily Life

[00:07:11] Peer Pressure

[00:11:00] Confidence in saying no

[00:13:30] Exclusion in friend groups

[00:22:40] Bullying and its consequences

[00:30:45] Standing up to bullying

[00:38:17] Stress and coping mechanisms

How to find us - Visit our website – hardnopodcast.com – for show notes, which include links to books and other helpful resources. Like what you hear? Please subscribe, rate and review so others can find us, and make sure to follow us on social media. We're @hardnopodcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn & YouTube!

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Denisha Jones is the Executive Director of Defending the Early Years and an adjunct professor at Sarah Lawrence College and Howard University. Her research interests include organizing activist research projects that examine grassroots movements to achieve racial justice in education, documenting the value of play as a tool for liberation with an emphasis on global approaches to play, and collaborating with parents and educators to foster positive racial, ethnic, and cultural identity development in the early years. Her first co-edited book, Black Lives Matter at School: An Uprising for Educational Justice, was published in December 2020 by Haymarket Books. She joins us today to remind us and share with us the value of having play in our lives and more importantly the lives of our young children.

This is the next episode in our incredibly series with The Literacy Cooperative to better provide resources for those looking to continue their education, prepare their children for the world, or extend their lifelong learning. Donate to this amazing organization here. Listen in now!

Key Takeaways

[00:00:45] Definition of play 

[00:03:45] Productive educational play exploration

[00:08:34] The value of play

[00:12:55] Importance of unstructured play

[00:17:04] Solo play versus group play

[00:22:19] Screen time 

[00:25:34] Screen time and brain development

[00:35:01] Lack of play effects

[00:36:40] The Value of Homework

[00:39:45] Afternoon restraint collapse in children

[00:50:18] Importance of play in life

[00:52:25] Children's liberation through play

Where to Find Denisha

Where to Find Defending The Early Years

How to find us - Visit our website – hardnopodcast.com – for show notes, which include links to books and other helpful resources. Like what you hear? Please subscribe, rate and review so others can find us, and make sure to follow us on social media. We're @hardnopodcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn & YouTube!

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Joan Spoerl of The Literacy Cooperative as Director of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library book-gifting program, a former kindergarten teacher of 10 years, avid volunteer, world changer and encyclopedia is back for part two! This second half really digs into a lot of specific details about best practices for parenting and educating side by side (which is no easy feat). Joan talks boundaries and literacy for parents and adults alike as well as all The Literacy Cooperative has to offer. Donate to this amazing organization here. Listen in now!

Key Takeaways

If you don't take away anything else, these are the two most important items:

1. The Literacy Cooperative provides support for the entire family to develop better literacy skills

2. Joan Spoerl is a human library

[00:03:08] Limiting screen time for children

[00:06:04] Goldilocks effect in brain development

[00:10:13] Feeding your child's interests

The Importance of Setting Boundaries in Early Childhood Development

[00:12:57] Remember quality as much as quantity

[00:17:32] Routines & Environment, Especially Sleep

[00:22:43] Importance of imaginative & unstructured play

[00:32:51] Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

[00:35:08] Long-term literacy program support

What to Expect Out of Our Series

Where to Find Joan

Where to Find The Literacy Cooperative

Where to Find Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

See if it's available for your little one's here!

How to find us - Visit our website – hardnopodcast.com – for show notes, which include links to books and other helpful resources. Like what you hear? Please subscribe, rate and review so others can find us, and make sure to follow us on social media. We're @hardnopodcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn & YouTube!

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Joan Spoerl works for The Literacy Cooperative as Director of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library book-gifting program, a former kindergarten teacher of 10 years, avid volunteer, world changer and encyclopedia. She will draw you into this episode in the first few seconds of hearing her sweet quick voice. Her passion will radiate through your ears. The way she understands and cares about supporting all people struggling with any form of literacy is one unmatched. Joan will take us through the all the efforts of the Literacy Cooperative, how they began, how we came together and why this is of such value to both of us! Donate to this amazing organization here. Join us on this journey!

Key Takeaways

If you don't take away anything else, these are the two most important items:

1. The Literacy Cooperative provides support for the entire family to develop better literacy skills

2. Joan Spoerl is a human library

[00:02:32] Mission and Programs of the Literacy Cooperative

[00:06:24] Imagination Library Value & Enrollment

[00:10:06] Literacy Statistics and Challenges

[00:17:08] Addressing Literacy from Early Years to Adulthood

[00:18:02] Overcoming Literacy Challenges and Dyslexia

[00:24:38] Neuroplasticity and Lifelong Learning

[00:28:23] What to Expect Out of Our Series

Where to Find Joan

Where to Find The Literacy Cooperative

Where to Find if Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

See if it's available for your little one's here!

How to find us - Visit our website – hardnopodcast.com – for show notes, which include links to books and other helpful resources. Like what you hear? Please subscribe, rate and review so others can find us, and make sure to follow us on social media. We're @hardnopodcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn & YouTube!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices