In part two of my conversation with Mel, we delve into the power of recognising our triggers and the transformative role of mindfulness in healing. Mel shares how identifying and managing emotional triggers can accelerate personal growth and positively impact our relationships - especially with children, whether as parents or educators. We also explore how unresolved childhood wounds shape our approach to caregiving and discover Mel's three levels of mindfulness, each offering a pathway to deepen self-awareness and resilience. Join us as we unpack these essential tools for fostering peace and presence in our lives.

Connect with Mel on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/mahuwithmel

Or visit her Website at:

https://www.honowithmel.com/

Follow Conscious Early Learning on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/consciousearlylearning

In part one of our three-part interview, I sit down with Mel from Mahu Wellness to explore the transformative power of self-regulation and practical tools for managing our stress responses. As an Indigenous Māori woman and a trauma-informed therapist with a background in psychology, body-based therapy, and breathwork, Mel brings a unique and deeply compassionate approach to healing. In this episode, she shares insights on breaking old patterns and unlocking deeper layers of healing, guiding us toward true mind-body connection and resilience. Tune in to learn powerful, actionable techniques to help you move from survival to embodied healing.

Find Mel on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/mahuwithmel

Or visit her Website at:

https://www.honowithmel.com/

Follow Conscious Early Learning on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/consciousearlylearning

I had the pleasure of sitting down and having a deep and thought-provoking conversation with who I know to be one of the most embodied self-care queens out there. Milly Ross, founder of Mindbody Alchemy, is a Mindbody Coach with a passion for reconnecting women with their most authentic and empowered essence.

She believes when we are deeply connected within ourselves we show up in the world with flow, purpose and joy which leads to an incredibly enriched quality of life. She explains how we all have this potential within but sometimes need guidance, tools and strategies to move through the process of unbecoming all the things society has conditioned us to believe we need to be.

In this episode, we cover the importance of community and connection (to self first) to others when entering motherhood. We also speak about the "taboo" topic of postpartum depression and how Milly was able to overcome this naturally and how it drew her closer to the work she does with clients today. If you want to deepen your own self-care rhythms in relation to nutrition and digestion, sleep, stress, movement and your environments then tune in because it is a GOODIE!

Thank you for your magic that you bring to the world Milly!

Visit her website: https://www.mindbodyalchemy.co.nz

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindbody.alchemy/

Follow Conscious Early Learning on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/consciousearlylearning

In this episode, we’re talking all about self-care, but from a deeper, more holistic perspective. I’ll share how focusing on your energy, creating regenerative habits, and using habit stacking can transform the way you show up as a parent or teacher. I’ll also dive into how self-care isn’t just about taking time for yourself—it’s about how you stay calm, grounded, and present for the children in your life. Tune in to learn practical tips and tools that will help you build a sustainable self-care routine, no matter how busy life gets! This looks different for everyone and in this episode we get a taster of what it looked like for me during my latest Spiritual CEO HQ retreat day. A short and sweet intro to this pillar.

JOIN CALM & CONNECTION 6 WEEK PROGRAM STARTING 13TH OCT:

https://www.consciousearlylearning.com/calmandconnection

MINDFUL MELTDOWNS GUIDE:

https://www.consciousearlylearning.com/mindfulmeltdownsguide

Welcome to the final episode of our 3 day series, where we talk about how mindfulness and intentional presence can help deepen your connection within and with the children in your care - whether you’re in the centre or at home. This is the heart of what I teach: building authentic, secure attachments by being fully present. When I first became a mother, it became clear how much mindfulness impacted the connection I had with my children. Mindfulness isn’t about achieving a zen state (because let’s be real, that’s not always possible with little ones around) - it’s about small moments of presence that create trust and emotional safety. I’ll guide you through a few simple practices, like mindful breathing or just taking a moment to ground yourself before responding, that you can easily integrate into your day. These tools don’t just transform the way children feel around you, they transform you as well. And believe me, when you’re regulated, connected, and mindful, the ripple effect is incredible - for you and the future generation you’re raising.

JOIN CALM & CONNECTION 6 WEEK PROGRAM STARTING 13TH OCT:

https://www.consciousearlylearning.com/calmandconnection

MINDFUL MELTDOWNS GUIDE:

https://www.consciousearlylearning.com/mindfulmeltdownsguide

This episode takes us to Day 2 of my Centred & Connected program, where we dig into one of the most powerful tools you can develop: self-awareness. Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, self-awareness is like having a superpower - it helps you recognise your own triggers before they spiral out of control. You know that moment when a child keeps interrupting you and you feel the frustration building? Yep, I’ve been there too… but with some mindful practice, you can learn to recognise the trigger, pause, and choose how you respond. It’s a small shift, but it can completely change your day. I’ll share how understanding my own triggers during my healing journey helped me manage those overwhelming moments in both my teaching and my parenting. When you model this for children, they start learning these tools themselves. You’ll leave this episode with practical tips for identifying and managing your own triggers so that you’re responding from a place of calm rather than reacting out of frustration.

JOIN CALM & CONNECTION 6 WEEK PROGRAM STARTING 13TH OCT:

https://www.consciousearlylearning.com/calmandconnection

MINDFUL MELTDOWNS GUIDE:

https://www.consciousearlylearning.com/mindfulmeltdownsguide

In the debut episode of The Conscious Early Learning podcast, join me as I explore the transformative power of shifting your perception of mainstream early childhood education. This episode delves into how redefining self-care, self-regulation, and emotional connection can significantly impact both parenting and teaching. I’ll share personal insights and practical tools that have reshaped my approach, including my signature three step tantrum framework, also emphasising the importance of nurturing our own emotional well-being to foster a secure attachment with our children. Whether you’re a parent, an educator, or both, this conversation aims to inspire you to prioritise emotional development over traditional performance metrics, ultimately helping to raise a more empathetic future generation. Tune in and discover how small changes can lead to transformative shifts in your parenting journey!

JOIN CALM & CONNECTION 6 WEEK PROGRAM STARTING 13TH OCT:

https://www.consciousearlylearning.com/calmandconnection

MINDFUL MELTDOWNS GUIDE:

https://www.consciousearlylearning.com/mindfulmeltdownsguide

This episode is a download of the audio from Day 1 of my Centred & Connected program, where over 100 parents and early childhood educators joined to learn how to respond calmly in high-stress moments. It is a journey on how to ground yourself to respond calmly in stressful situations, fostering peace and trust, so you can deepen your connection with yourself and the children in your life. In this episode, we’ll talk about why emotional regulation matters and how you can start practicing it in real-life situations. Imagine walking into a chaotic room of toddlers (or, let’s be honest, even just your own children in the morning) and instead of feeling overwhelmed, you ground yourself with a simple breathwork technique that keeps you calm and present. I’ll share a few tools that have helped me in my journey as a mother and how they translate seamlessly into teaching. After my own burnout years ago, I had to rebuild my own emotional toolkit, and the strategies I share here are a direct result of that journey.

JOIN CALM & CONNECTION 6 WEEK PROGRAM STARTING 13TH OCT:

https://www.consciousearlylearning.com/calmandconnection

MINDFUL MELTDOWNS GUIDE:

https://www.consciousearlylearning.com/mindfulmeltdownsguide