The Educator's Table

When should your baby say their first word? Does screen time cause speech delays? Do boys really talk later than girls? Does baby sign delay speech? And should we actually be telling toddlers, “Say please!” before giving them what they want?

This week, we’re joined by Lauren from Baseline Speech to bust some of the biggest myths around early speech and language development — and talk about what communication actually looks like before kids are having full conversations.

We get into speech and language milestones from ages one to three, why gestures and signs absolutely count as communication, raising multilingual children, what to do when you can’t understand what a child is saying, and why “wait and see” isn’t always the best advice when you’re concerned about development.

Plus, we talk about how parents and educators can support language naturally through everyday interactions- without constantly correcting, quizzing, or asking kids to perform.

And somehow we also end up discussing baby talk, fruit by the toe, weatza-weatza, gobble bum, and why Canadian children eventually need to learn to say please.

Pull up a chair; this one is packed with practical tips for both parents and educators.

As either a parent, daycare or educator, you can find our SLP Queen Lauren on instagram @baselinespeech or head over to her website baselinespeech.ca for more information on SLP services.

We’re back for Season 2 — and we’re starting with a big question: what happens when everything around a child is “no”?

In this episode, we’re joined by Carla Ward to talk about Yes Spaces — environments intentionally designed so children can explore, play, make mistakes, and actually be kids without constantly hearing “no,” “stop,” and “don’t touch that.”

And Vicki has a story.

After spending a month in Mexico with her one-year-old and four-year-old in a home that (very understandably!) was NOT designed for small children, she got an unexpected firsthand look at what it feels like to live in a “no space.” Her kids stopped playing. Behaviour changed. Everyone became dysregulated. And Vicki found herself being corrected in a language she didn’t fully understand, without knowing what she was supposed to do instead.

Sound familiar?

That experience sparked a much bigger conversation about what children may feel when they enter our homes, classrooms, and childcare spaces without understanding the expectations placed on them.

Together, we talk about why the environment matters, what behaviour might actually be communicating, why children need opportunities to take reasonable risks and make mistakes, and how we can stop simply redirecting behaviour and start asking, “What is this child actually needing right now?”

Because creating a Yes Space doesn’t mean children get to do whatever they want. It means creating more opportunities where the answer can be yes.

Pull up a chair — Season 2 starts here. 💛

Love what Carla has to say? Hear more from her!

Follow her on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlatheece/

Subscribe to her podcast: https://tr.ee/BoLfvxXcLS

carlatheece.com

The conversation delves into the mental load of meal planning, the importance of early dinner, strategies for mealtime efficiency, outdoor dining, and variety, and the solutions to the mental load of feeding children. The discussion highlights the impact of meal planning on relationships, quality time, and personal experiences of life.

Featuring Mikayla Hume's talk about her work with Tabled by Biofueled Life and what she has researched about the mental load of mealtimes for families. Hear strategies right from an expert on how to curb that meal fatigue we all know you're feeling.

You can find Mikayla on instagram @fueledbymikayla and @tabled_

Go follow her and ask her questions, she's got the answers! (and a toolkit coming soon!)

Takeaways

• Early dinner can free up time for quality evening activities.
• Variety and outdoor dining can enhance mealtime experiences.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Mental Load of Meal Planning
• 03:13 The Importance of Early Dinner
• 06:03 Strategies for Mealtime Efficiency
• 13:33 Outdoor Dining and Variety
• 19:03 Solving the Mental Load of Feeding Children

The conversation covers the role of play in healthy brain development and emotional growth, as well as the use of play-based strategies in therapy and education. It also explores the challenges and benefits of sand therapy for children, the importance of understanding the why behind a child's behavior, and the difference between punishment and teaching skills. Additionally, it delves into the significance of play in therapy, the resistance of parents to therapy, and the need for parents to develop play skills. The conversation covers strategies for educators to balance the needs of multiple children, differences between home and daycare environments, and effective use of visuals and play in managing challenging behaviors. It also emphasizes the importance of self-care for educators.

Takeaways

• Play is a crucial component of healthy brain development and emotional growth.
• Understanding the why behind a child's behavior is essential for effective therapy and education. Balancing the needs of multiple children
• Differences between home and daycare environments
• Effective use of visuals and play in managing challenging behaviors
• Importance of self-care for educators
  
  You can find Radhika on instagram @enrichbehaviour or you can reach out to her by email at [email protected]
  
  Radhika is such a wonderful resource for families and daycares, so we encourage you to follow her and reach out to her for information on how she can help your child & family!

The conversation covers a range of topics, from a thrilling adventure in BC to the impact of early education and challenges faced in elementary and high school. It delves into the importance of early intervention, observations, and documentation in education, and concludes with a discussion on the future of education.

Takeaways

• Early intervention is crucial
• Observations and documentation are key to understanding children's needs

Chapters

• 00:00 BC Adventure
• 05:20 Early Education Experience
• 06:02 Challenges in Elementary School
• 11:26 Struggles in High School
• 14:08 Impact of Education on Adult Life
• 18:15 Importance of Early Intervention
• 24:03 Observations and Documentation
• 33:24 The Future of Education

In Vicki's first solo interview, she talks with the owner of Gumdrop Daycare with Ms. Jess. The conversation covers Jess' transition from city to rural daycare, her Montessori and Forest School approach, outdoor activities and sensory play, challenges of rural childcare, and innovative outdoor spaces. Key takeaways include the structured freelance approach, emphasis on outdoor play, and community engagement.

You can find Jess' on instagram @gumdropdaycare

She has such cool ideas and inspiring posts, you're going to want to follow along!

Takeaways

• Structured Freelance
• Outdoor Play
• Community Engagement

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Childcare Background
• 01:01 Transition to Rural Daycare
• 03:03 Montessori and Forest School Approach
• 04:06 Outdoor Activities and Sensory Play
• 13:39 Challenges of Rural Childcare
• 23:02 Innovative Outdoor Spaces

Vicki and Emily catch up on recent events, share stories about their lives, and play a game of 'this or that.' They then discuss the differences in children's behavior at home and at daycare, exploring the various factors that contribute to these differences. The conversation explores the differences in behavior and adaptation of children in different environments, such as daycare and home. It delves into the challenges faced by parents and educators in understanding and managing these differences, as well as the importance of effective communication and collaboration between parents and educators.

Takeaways

• Children's behavior varies between home and daycare environments
• Factors such as activities, relationships, and expectations influence children's behavior Behavioral differences in children across different environments are common and do not indicate wrongdoing by parents or educators.
• Effective communication and collaboration between parents and educators are crucial in understanding and managing children's behavior and adaptation in different environments.

Chapters

• 00:00 Children's Behavior at Home vs. Daycare
• 29:16 Eating Habits at Daycare vs. Home
• 34:16 Conditioning Children's Palate
• 39:25 Parental Doubts and Self-Blame
• 45:13 Parent-Educator Communication
• 51:43 Boundaries and Strategies at Daycare

The conversation covers a range of topics, including a weekly recap, a visit to the grandparents' house, attending the Today Illuminating Hope Cocktail Party, the impact of the Today Center and community outreach, evolving the Educators Table, challenges with parent-educator relationships, engaging parents in daycare activities, encouraging parent appreciation for educators, building relationships with parents, insight into children's personal lives, planning based on home experiences, children's behavior at home vs. daycare, bridging the gap between home and daycare, understanding parental anxiety at drop-off, and the importance of parent-educator collaboration.

Takeaways

• Importance of building strong parent-educator relationships
• Understanding the impact of home experiences on daycare planning and engagement

Chapters

• 00:00 Weekly Recap and Grandparents' House Visit
• 05:15 Impact of Today Center and Community Outreach
• 10:29 Challenges with Parent-Educator Relationships
• 16:31 Building Relationships with Parents
• 22:23 Planning Based on Home Experiences
• 28:58 Bridging the Gap Between Home and Daycare
• 34:26 Importance of Parent-Educator Collaboration

If you or someone you know is struggling with a domestic abuse situation, you are not alone. Contact The Today Centre for help.

Or if you're in a position to help support organizations that help people escape family violence situations, contact The Today Centre

https://www.thetodaycentre.ca

Follow us, The Educator's Table on TikTok & Instagram: @the.educators.table

https://www.instagram.com/the.educators.table/

https://www.tiktok.com/@the.educators.table

What happens when a room full of educators get together? 

Pull up a chair as we recap our very first Educator's Table Launch Party before sharing a special live podcast segment recorded right at the event.

In this episode, we dive into the fun world of educator characters; those unique personalities we all bring to our work with children. Then we're joined by special guest Kayla Snidal, owner of Capable Learners Dayhome, to explore her educator character, the realities of dayhome life, and the experiences that have shaped her journey in early learning and childcare.

Whether you're a dayhome educator, childcare professional, or simply love talking shop with fellow educators, this episode is full of laughs, reflection, and community.

Follow us on Tiktok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@the.educators.table?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Follow us on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/the.educators.table?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Follow Capable Learners- Kayla's Dayhome:

https://www.instagram.com/capablelearnersdayhome?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Wildflower Moon - Bracelets & Wristlet Vendor:

https://www.instagram.com/wildflowermoonx?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

The conversation delves into the impact of childhood experiences on education, highlighting the significance of play-based learning and messy play. It explores the role of childhood memories in shaping the approach to education and emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for children to be messy and explore freely. The conversation delves into the importance of child-led activities and messy play in early childhood education, emphasizing the value of connection over correction. It explores the educational philosophy, challenges, and experiences in early childhood education, highlighting the significance of experience in the field and the magic of childhood. The advice for educators emphasizes the prioritization of connection with children.

Takeaways

• Play-based learning
• Childhood memories impact education Child-led activities
• Importance of messy play
• Connection over correction

Chapters

• 00:00 Childhood Memories and Play-Based Learning
• 20:31 Impact of Childhood Experiences on Education
• 25:51 Child-Led Activities and Messy Play
• 35:46 The Value of Experience in Education
• 51:13 The Magic of Childhood and Advice for Educators