The Everything ECE Podcast

What if the change we keep waiting for… is actually us?

In this powerful and honest conversation, I’m joined again by the incredible Kisa Marx to talk about her new book We Are Who We’re Waiting For and the deeper truths behind it.

Together, we explore what’s really holding education back, why neutrality might be our biggest barrier, and how systems can be working exactly as designed… even when they’re not serving children.

We also get into:

• The hidden impact of perfectionism in education

• Why “getting it right” might be doing more harm than good

• How the system shapes “worker bees” instead of thinkers

• The power of small steps and shifting your mindset

• What it really means to advocate for children (even when it feels uncomfortable)

This episode is a mix of real talk, reflection, and a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t come from waiting… it comes from us.

If you’ve ever felt like something in education is off but couldn’t quite name it, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

KISA MARX

Kisa Marx is an author, anti-racist curriculum developer, and founder of The Play Lab Foundation, a nonprofit offering play- and nature-based childcare to families who face barriers to access in Oak Park, Illinois. With over 20 years in the field, Kisa is anchored in the belief that childhood is sacred, nature is restorative, and play is revolutionary. Her newest book just came out, called We Are Who We're Waiting For. When not advocating for equitable early learning or supporting her “crew” of young learners, she spends time with her partner of 26 years, tending to their garden of adult children, pets, and plants. Kisa has also included a pre-workshop reflection for you to do prior to starting her session today that you can find just below the video. SO go ahead and fill that out and then come back to join Kisa in her session. 
 

LINKS

Grab Kisa’s book here: RedLeaf (US)  or Login

Website: https://theplaylabnfpoakpark.org/

Substack: https://kisamarx.substack.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_still_learning/  and https://www.instagram.com/theplaylabfoundation/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmarxoftheplaylab/ 

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Feeling alone in your role as an early childhood educator… even when you’re surrounded by others?

In this short episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward reflects on a powerful takeaway from The Everything ECE Summit: so many educators are craving connection with people who truly get it.

If you’ve ever felt unsupported, unseen, or like no one fully understands the work you do, this episode is your reminder that you are not alone, and that finding your people in ECE is possible.

Carla shares 5 simple, real-life ways to build meaningful connections beyond your workplace, from online communities to social media conversations to in-person events.

This is a quick listen with a big message: you deserve support in this profession.

In this episode:

• Why so many educators are feeling alone (even in busy environments)

• The importance of finding like-minded educators

• 5 practical ways to build your ECE community

• A reminder that connection doesn’t just happen, sometimes you have to start it

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA

The ECE Latte Lounge

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Website: carlatheece.com

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In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla sits down with Danyah Miller, an international award-winning storyteller and author of Seven Secrets of Spontaneous Storytelling, to explore the power of storytelling beyond the book.

Together, they discuss:

• What oral storytelling is and how it differs from reading

• Why storytelling supports language, connection, and imagination

• How educators can build confidence in storytelling

• Simple ways to start using storytelling in the classroom

This episode is perfect for early childhood educators looking to deepen their practice, build stronger connections with children, and bring more creativity into their programs.

🎧 Listen now and discover how storytelling can transform your classroom.

Danyah Miller

Danyah Miller is an international, award-winning storyteller, trainer, and author of ‘Seven Secrets of Spontaneous Storytelling’. 

She shares stories and story training in a range of settings from Royal Opera House Covent Garden to local libraries, RHS Wisley to schools across the country. Danyah was a workshop leader at The International School of Storytelling for over 10 years and is a trustee for The Society for Storytelling.

As Artistic Director of DMS Productions she co-produces, co-writes and performs in solo theatrical storytelling shows, including award-winning I Believe in Unicorns by Michael Morpurgo, which has toured extensively, including 3 West End summer seasons, and most recently The Mystery of…. Show, which won Best Family Arts Activity in the 2025 Fantastic for Families Awards.

In 2025 Danyah took part in BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Great Influencer Experiment’ series, creating a YouTube channel for those working in EYFS. 

Danyah supports people to become more curious, creative and connected. Her work is imagination-rich and often life changing. 

LINKS

Website: https://danyahmillerstoryteller.co.uk/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@danyahmillerthestoryteller 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/DanyahMillerTheStoryteller 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danyah.miller1 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danyah-miller-4b33101b/ 

Book: 

🍁Seven Secrets of Spontaneous Storytelling 

US- Seven Secrets of Spontaneous Storytelling

UK- Seven Secrets of Spontaneous Storytelling

Summit: The Everything ECE Summit

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA

The ECE Latte Lounge

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Website: carlatheece.com

Instagram: @carlatheece

We often talk about curiosity in early childhood education. how we encourage it in children, how we observe it, and how we support it through play and learning.

But what about educator curiosity?

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, we explore the shift from focusing solely on children’s curiosity to reconnecting with our own. Carla shares a personal story about following curiosity outside of early childhood education and how it transformed her perspective, practice, and professional growth.

You’ll also walk away with simple, realistic ways to start leaning into your own curiosity as an educator, without adding more to your already full plate.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or just going through the motions, this episode will invite you to think differently.

Because the best educators aren’t the ones who know the most… they’re the ones who never stop wondering.

LINKS

Summit: The Everything ECE Summit

Sponsor: Ratio Staffing- https://ratiostaffing.com/ 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA

The ECE Latte Lounge

Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠

Website: carlatheece.com

Instagram: @carlatheece

We spend so much time thinking about how to guide, teach, and support young children…

But what if we paused - and asked what they’re teaching us?

In this episode, Carla sits down with Dr. Hasan Merali to explore a powerful shift in perspective: toddlers aren’t just developing humans… they might be doing a lot of things better than we are.

From risk-taking and confidence, to kindness, play, and even sleep - this conversation will challenge the way you see early childhood.

Without giving too much away, this episode will have you reflecting on:

• Why toddlers take risks without hesitation (and what that means for us)

• The kind of confidence we slowly lose over time

• What genuine kindness actually looks like in practice

• How play shows up in everything they do

• And one simple routine that might completely change your evenings
  

This is one of those episodes that doesn’t just stay in the classroom - it follows you into your everyday life.

Dr. Hasan Merali

Hasan Merali, MD, MPH, is an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University and a pediatric emergency medicine physician at McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University. He has published more than twenty-five peer-reviewed journal articles, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, CNN, NBC, and CBC. In 2024, he published his first book titled Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas: Secrets from the Science of Toddlers for a Happier, More Successful Way of Life. 

LINKS

Summit: The Everything ECE Summit

Website: https://hasanmerali.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HasanMeraliMD/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasan-merali 

X: https://twitter.com/Hasan_Merali 

Book: Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA

The ECE Latte Lounge

Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ 

Website: carlatheece.com

Instagram: @carlatheece

In early childhood education, it’s natural to want to step in right away to help children solve problems. But sometimes the most powerful thing an educator can do is pause.

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward explores the idea of the 10-second pause - a simple practice that encourages educators to pause briefly before intervening in children’s play, conflicts, and problem-solving moments.

Inspired by the concept of “le pause” discussed in the book Bringing Up Bébé, this episode reflects on how our culture of instant gratification influences the way adults respond to children. Carla shares how giving children a moment to work through challenges can support independence, problem-solving skills, and confidence.

The episode also explores how practicing the pause can benefit educators by creating space to shift from reacting to responding with empathy and intention.

If you’re an early childhood educator looking to support children’s learning while also creating a calmer classroom environment, this episode offers practical insights and reflection for your daily practice.

Links

Summit: The Everything ECE Summit

Sponsor: Ratio Staffing- https://ratiostaffing.com/ 

Bringing Up Bébé- Book Link

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA

The ECE Latte Lounge

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In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward sits down with early childhood developmental educator Gretchen Camp to explore what might really be behind the rise in challenging behaviours among young children.

They discuss the importance of foundational social-emotional skills, why play remains one of the most powerful learning tools, and how educators can support families in meaningful ways.

Gretchen Camp, M.Ed., has over 25 years of experience working with young children and families and helps adults understand children’s actions through a developmental lens.

Gretchen is also one of the speakers at The Everything ECE Summit happening April 10–12 — a free virtual summit featuring 30+ expert speakers sharing ideas and inspiration for early childhood educators.

Grab your free ticket using the link in the show notes.

Gretchen Camp

Gretchen Camp, M.Ed., is an early childhood professional learning consultant with over 25 years of experience in classrooms and educator development. Her work focuses on making behavior science practical, bridging the gap between what we know about social-emotional development and how it’s applied in daily interactions between educators and families. She is the creator of the Park the Skill™ framework, a clear, skill-based approach that helps adults move beyond managing behavior to intentionally building the skills beneath it.

Links

Summit: The Everything ECE Summit

Website: http://gretchencamp.com 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA

The ECE Latte Lounge

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In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward dives into an important conversation about screen use during mealtimes in early childhood programs.

While screens may make mealtime feel calmer or more compliant, research shows they may interfere with children’s ability to self-regulate, recognize hunger and fullness cues, build social skills, and develop healthy eating habits.

Carla shares:

• What research says about eating during TV viewing

• Why self-regulation starts at the table

• How screen-linked eating patterns can shape long-term habits

• Why mealtime is one of our most powerful social learning opportunities

• And why compliance should never replace development
  

This episode is not about judgment. It’s about reflection. Because lunch and snack time aren’t just about calories. They are opportunities for connection, conversation, and growth.

If we want children who can sit across from someone, engage in meaningful dialogue, and listen to their bodies, it starts now.

Let’s protect the table.

RESEARCH SHARED IN THIS EPISODE

Effect of Television Viewing at Mealtime on Food Intake After a Glucose Preload in Boys

https://www.nature.com/articles/pr2007158

Does Eating during Television Viewing Affect Preschool Children’s Intake?

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2596580/

Screen Time Vs Meal Time: How Screens Are Shaping Your Child's Eating Habits

https://www.ndtv.com/health/screen-time-vs-meal-time-how-screens-are-shaping-your-childs-eating-habits-9564525

Examination of the Life Habits of Preschool Children Based on Their Screen Use Patterns

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11276093/

Television viewing and using screens while eating: associations with dietary intake in children and adolescents

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8671257/

Mealtime TV Use Is Associated with Higher Discretionary Food Intakes in Young Australian Children: A Two-Year Prospective Study

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9268203/

Technological Devices and Their Effect on Preschool Children’s Eating Habits in Communities of Mixed Socioeconomic Status in Istanbul; a Pilot Cross-Sectional Study

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8614987/

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA

The ECE Latte Lounge

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In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla sits down with children’s author and former teacher Christine Devane to explore how storytelling can support introverted learners, build self-advocacy skills, and help children process grief.

Christine shares the inspiration behind her book Elephant Beach, a story about stepping outside your comfort zone while honouring personality differences in the classroom. Together, Carla and Christine unpack the balance between supporting extroverted children without silencing them and intentionally creating space for quieter voices.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between introversion and shyness in children

• How to support quiet children without calling them out

• Why partner selection in classrooms matters

• Practical ways to encourage self-advocacy

• How books help children internalize social-emotional skills
  

Why storytelling is one of the most powerful SEL tools in early childhood education

If you’re an educator looking for meaningful ways to support social development through stories, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped.

Christine Devane 

Christine Devane was a second-grade teacher for thirteen years and enjoyed reading with her students. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her husband John; three children Joey, Nick, and Adeline; and their dog Sophie. Christine loves going to the beach, spending time with family and friends, traveling, and collecting lucky elephants.Links

Website: www.christine-devane.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/stined13

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

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When we talk about letting children struggle, it often makes people uncomfortable. And for good reason. No one wants children to suffer.

But struggle and suffering are not the same thing.

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward unpacks what productive struggle actually looks like in early childhood and why those everyday moments—wrestling with a shoe, rebuilding a block tower, trying again after something doesn’t work—matter more than we think.

Drawing on classroom experience, research on grit and perseverance, and over two decades in early childhood education, Carla explores how confidence is built through experience, not rescue.

This episode invites educators to pause, observe, and rethink when to step in—and when stepping back is the most supportive thing we can do.

Because letting children struggle isn’t about withholding support. It’s about trusting the learning process.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA

The ECE Latte Lounge

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