Leigh Ann Yuen is the Co-founder, director, and lead teacher at Garden Gate Child Development Center on Martha’s Vineyard, providing children with opportunities to be seen and heard through creative exploration and expression for more than 25 years. She has been teaching and advocating for children during this time.  She and Kisha are going talk about her experiences in workshops and retreats for educators wishing to deepen their practice.

Kisha Reid is joined by Becky Gamache, an education coordinator for Duluth Public Schools. Becky has been an early childhood educator for the past 25-years and is a fierce advocate for play-based learning and play equity. She and her team have recently been focused on implementing play-based practices and increased outdoor experiences for Head Start and the universal preschool programs in her school district.

She is an advocate for developmentally appropriate experiences for young children and believes that children learn best through hands on experiences and are motivated through their own interests and ideas. She and Kisha are going to discuss Becky's participation in an initiative to make natural playscapes accessible to economically disadvantaged children.

 Renee is known for her work as an early childhood educator. She has over 50 years of experience, having taught both in Italy and the United States.  She and Kisha talk about her work around "Choice Time" and supporting  NYC public school teachers as they design play conducive classrooms for school-aged children. 

His mission is to help adults truly See, Guide and Trust children. He is pushing the needle a little closer toward world peace. He goes by, “Mr.Chazz” and he even has a song to prove it.  He has been a teacher of teachers and parents for a decade. He has worked with many schools, thousands of teachers and thousands of children as an Educational Specialist.  He earned his Master’s in Executive Leadership at American University. His specialty is self-regulation, and he has found inspiring ways to teach his techniques to teachers and parents. Join us to learn more.

In this episode Kisha Reid is in conversation with Dr. Peter Gray as he breaks down the definition of the word Play. Through  the  five characteristics Peter Gray clarifies the meaning and scope of true play and it's importance for young children's healthy development.

Kisha is in conversation with Atiya Wells, a nurse and a mother of two, who developed a community resource with the mission of reconnecting Black, Indigenous, and People of color to land and nature.  Atiya shares her story and offers concrete tips and advice for others who are interested in creating a sense of community around nature. 

Defending the Early Years' first podcast episode.  Kisha Reid, our host, chats with Suzanne Axelsson.  Suzanne is a pedagogical consultant working on the EY Program at the Department of Child and Youth Studies, Stockholm University. She and Kisha will discuss the ways she uses listening and philosophy with children as tools to improve democratic learning and play spaces in early childhood education.