Carla is joined by Kerry Drake to discuss the vital role of mentorship in early childhood education, highlighting its impact on educators' growth. Kerry, a seasoned educator and founder of KD Talks, shares her positive experiences and emphasizes the need for structured placements and mentor preparation. The conversation covers the importance of building relationships, collective responsibility in mentorship, and the necessity of incentives to support mentors. 

Show Notes: https://www.elfoundations.com/171

Work with Carla: https://www.elfoundations.com/professionaldevelopment

Choosing a word for the year can be a powerful way to set your intentions and stay grounded throughout 2025. In this reflective episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, host Carla Ward guides early childhood educators on a meaningful journey to discover their word for the year. Through moments of reflection, thoughtful prompts, and actionable tips, you’ll learn how to choose a word that inspires you both personally and professionally. Whether it’s balance, connection, or growth, this episode will help you embrace your 2025 word as your North Star. Tune in for inspiration, insight, and community as you step into the new year with purpose.

Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/170

Work with Carla: www.elfoundations.com/professionaldevelopment

How has the pandemic shaped the literacy and motor skills of today’s preschoolers? Join Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift as she explores the startling decline in kindergarten readiness and its ripple effects. Dr. Swift dives into how social-emotional development, phonological awareness, and play-based learning hold the keys to recovery. This episode offers strategies for educators and parents alike—but what’s the one surprising factor that could make all the difference? Tune in to uncover it.

Work with Carla: https://www.elfoundations.com/professionaldevelopment

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward shares five practical strategies to help children start their day on the right foot. Whether you’re in home child care or a center-based program, these tips will empower you to create a welcoming and supportive environment from the moment children arrive.

Tune in to discover how small, intentional actions can set the tone for a positive day.

Work with Carla: https://www.elfoundations.com/professionaldevelopment

What happens when a hurricane or wildfire interrupts a child's early education? For over 500,000 children enrolled in Head Start programs—40% of which are in federally declared disaster areas—the consequences are profound.

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, host Carla Ward speaks with Todd Grindall, Co-Director at SRI Education, to uncover the critical challenges that extreme weather poses to early childhood education. Inspired by the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael, Todd shares insights from his research into how disasters disrupt learning environments, particularly for young children and those with disabilities.

Work with Carla: https://www.elfoundations.com/professionaldevelopment

Carla Ward joins nine incredible podcasting educators who came together for a roundtable discussion to explore the vital themes of mentorship, self-care, and advocacy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of play in maintaining creativity and passion in teaching while offering practical self-care tips and leadership insights. The podcasters share their experiences and highlight the need for proactive mentorship to bridge the gap between educational preparation and real classroom challenges. The podcast advocates for valuing early childhood educators and encourages collaboration to elevate the profession.

Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/165

Work with Carla: www.elfoundations.com/professionaldevelopment

Dana Levin-Robinson, CEO and founder of Upfront, joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss how she is transforming childcare access through innovative data integration. Inspired by her own struggles to find suitable childcare, Dana launched Upfront to tackle the supply-demand mismatch by breaking down data silos and enhancing collaboration with governments and nonprofits. By creating a comprehensive, frequently updated database, Upfront connects families with available childcare spots, streamlines data collection, and supports providers, all while aiming to boost community engagement and resource allocation. Tune in to hear how Dana's vision is reshaping the future of childcare.

Work with Carla: www.elfoundations.com

Join Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast as she talks with Macall Gordon, a specialist in sleep training children, about the importance of naps in early childhood. Macall explains why naps are essential not only for physical growth but also for emotional regulation and behaviour. In this episode, discover:

Don’t miss this insightful conversation that shines a light on the science of sleep and child development. Listen now for practical tips and advice!

For more resources, be sure to visit www.elfoundations.com/163.

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Maddie Pelz, founder of Grow Into Math, joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss the importance of play-based environments in alleviating math anxiety in children. She shares her research on innate math intuitions and the confusion often caused by formal education. Highlighting her experience, she emphasizes integrating math discussions into daily activities and the significance of foundational skills like cardinality and subitizing. Maddie encourages educators to observe and narrate children's play to enhance math understanding and offers practical tips for incorporating math talk into routines.

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