The Everything ECE Podcast

What does it look like to truly humanize early learning? In this rich conversation with Kisa Marx. We unpack why adaptability is now a core competency for educators and families. We explore how belonging builds real resilience, why “good job” falls short, the power of the pause, and how to hold safety, advocacy, and kindness at the same time.

You’ll hear:

• Humanizing practice defined—and how adult-centred habits get in the way
  

• Belonging before resilience: sanctuary, safety, and why “toughness by suffering” is a myth
  

• Language shifts that matter: encouragement over praise, “the pause,” and listening fully
  

• Adapting after 2020: grieving what was, keeping what works, and teaching for the world we’re in
  

• Boundaries and advocacy: speaking up while staying safe in your context
  

Perfect for ECEs, leaders, and families rebuilding culture through play, nature, and authentic connection.

KISA MARX

Kisa is a child advocate, practitioner, and founder of The Play Lab Foundation a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide access to high-quality, self-affirming care for every child regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, ability or neurotype.

Website: https://playlaboakpark.org/

Instagram: @theplaylabfoundation

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The ECE Experience- Link

Website: elfoundations.com

Instagram: @elfoundations

Your classroom is always teaching, even when you’re not speaking. In this episode, Carla Ward explores the concept of the “hidden curriculum” through the Reggio Emilia idea of the classroom as the third teacher. From lighting and plants to blocks, visual schedules, and representation, discover how the environment silently shapes children’s learning and belonging.

Carla also shares a personal story of transforming a windowless classroom with fairy lights and practical strategies you can use to align your hidden curriculum with your values as an educator.

🎟️ Don’t miss Carla’s live event in Mississauga, ON — The ECE Experience on November 8th. Tickets: https://elfoundations.thrivecart.com/the-ece-experience-2025/ 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST

The ECE Experience- Link

The Third Teacher Book- Link

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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!

CONNECT WITH CARLA

Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠

Website: elfoundations.com

Instagram: @elfoundations

Children aren’t the future- they’re people of today.
In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward sits down with Marta Skrzypczak, educator and children’s rights advocate, to explore why children’s participation is a fundamental right, not a privilege.

We cover:
- What Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child means for educators
- The difference between autonomy and agency—and how to respect both
- Practical ways to include children in daily decision-making (from food to classroom routines)
- How participation builds resilience, confidence, and lifelong skills
- Why respecting participation rights reduces educator stress and strengthens classroom communities
If you’ve ever wondered how to balance guidance with giving children a voice, this episode will give you clarity and inspiration.

MARTA SKRZYPCZAK

Marta is an early childhood educator and a children's rights expert. Her mission is to support adults in creating possibilities for children to participate in decisions that concerns them and directly providing possibilities to exercise their agency. She has written scientific papers and has been a guest on some other podcasts. She is a digital creator and participation coach. She also supports participation structures in one of Berlin's districts.

Website: www.participation-coach.com

Instagram: @participation_coach

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!

CONNECT WITH CARLA

Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠

Website: elfoundations.com

Instagram: @elfoundations

Back-to-school means new faces, new energy, and new opportunities to set the tone. But are we over-focusing on the schedule and missing the real magic of routines?

In this episode, I dive into the difference between schedules and routines, why routines matter so deeply for children’s safety, belonging, and learning, and how transitions can be powerful moments for connection. We’ll also talk about using visual schedules to support independence and calm, and why educators need their own arrival and departure rituals to thrive.

If you’ve ever stressed about being “off schedule,” this one’s for you. Spoiler: the only people who can tell time in your classroom are the adults!

Show Notes: ⁠⁠www.elfoundations.com/2024

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Why does social emotional learning need to start with us as educators? In this thought-provoking conversation with Prerna Richards of Together We Grow, we explore how our own regulation, mindset, and choices impact everything from classroom dynamics to the way children learn and grow. This episode blends insight, real-life reflection, and practical ideas you can start using right away.Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/203

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Learn how to plan in early childhood education with calm, connection, and intention. In this episode, Carla Ward shares ECE planning tips for merging curriculum expectations with play-based learning, improving classroom flow, and making documentation purposeful.

Show Notes: ⁠www.elfoundations.com/202

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In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla sits down with Meeghan Carter, a bilingual educator with over 25 years of experience, to explore how early exposure to a second language can boost empathy, cultural awareness, and cognitive development. Meeghan shares her journey building Spanish language programs for young children and offers simple, accessible ways for educators to bring foreign language into their classroom, even if they only speak English themselves.

Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/201

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It’s the 200th episode of The Everything ECE Podcast! To celebrate, I’m bringing you a roundup of powerful insights from 10 incredible expert guests whose voices continue to shape and elevate the early learning profession.

From equity and neurodiversity to art, literacy, and documentation, this episode is filled with the kind of reflections that remind us why we do this work—and how we can keep doing it better.

Whether you’re a new educator or a seasoned leader, these quotes will leave you thinking, “Yes. This is exactly what I needed to hear.”

Featured guests: Emily Clark, Dr. Jasmine Moses, Cathy Belgrave, Beck Goodman, Ron Grady, Laura Shea, Angelica Celinska, Laura Hansen, Robyn Papworth, and Monica Maddison.

Bonus: We’ve got a fresh new podcast cover! Take a peek when you hit play.Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/200Join the ECE Latte Lounge FREE for the month of August: www.elfoundations.com/200latte

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Have you ever wondered if we’re identifying literacy challenges early enough in young children? In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward is joined by Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift to talk about the importance of early detection, the key signs to look for, and practical strategies educators can use to support children who are struggling with reading.

Whether you're in a preschool classroom or supporting early learners at home, this conversation will give you the tools and confidence to make a difference.

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/199

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In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla explores the power and potential of intergenerational teams in early childhood education. With multiple generations working side by side in many ECE programs, there is an opportunity to create stronger, more dynamic teams when we learn to lean into our differences with curiosity and respect. Carla shares real stories, practical tools, and reflection prompts that will help you embrace diverse perspectives and build bridges between experience and innovation. Whether you're new to the profession or a seasoned educator, this episode will leave you feeling inspired, valued, and ready to co-create meaningful change with your team.

Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/198

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