Heather Jackson, owner of The Sunflower School, joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss verbs as projects. As a Reggio-inspired educator, Heather has spent many years researching, reflecting and discussing Early Childhood Education and how to take a child’s interest using verbs and play schemas to begin a project without falling into the “theme” trap. By using verbs and play schemas, educators can gain a more complex perspective on projects.  Join Heather and Carla for this fascinating conversation and learn how to take your teaching to new heights.

Ashley Jefferson joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss why bringing puppetry arts into the classroom can change the teaching game.  Puppets can bring so much value to your program. Ashley dives into the importance of being present, not overthinking how to use the puppets and the learning possibilities that come with puppets!

Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/134

How to Work with Carla

In a recent podcast episode, Cara Caudle engages in a discussion with host Carla Ward, delving into the nuances of trauma and trauma-informed practices. Cara emphasizes the importance of adopting a holistic approach to development, particularly in early childhood, where she highlights the significance of focusing on social-emotional domains. She underscores how trauma-informed practices compel us to broaden our perspectives, emphasizing the impact of emotional environments, including the influence of a teacher's mood. Instead of passing judgment, Cara advocates for understanding our own practices, prompting listeners to reflect on their own childhood experiences and key memories. Through her insightful commentary, Cara sheds light on the profound effects of COVID-19 on children and families, implicitly acknowledging the necessity of nurturing supportive environments during challenging times.

How to Work with Carla

It was almost 4 years ago when our worlds were flipped upside down. We went from living our lives unmasked and in close proximity to others to, almost overnight, keeping our distance and being masked up. Even though it was another life ago, we are still working through the consequences of COVID-19, especially for our youngest learners. Socio-emotionally, children are not where they would have been if life had not derailed them.

Sarah Scrivens joins me on The Everything ECE Podcast to dive into children's socio-emotional development and support them through connections. Sarah shares great tips to help close the gaps brought on by COVID.

We discuss looking at the learning environment and how a child feels when they walk into our programs. Sarah shares the brain development when we sing with children because the brain loves rhythm and rhyme. Everything we do should be centred around socio-emotional development, building connections with them and centering ourselves around developing the brain, building those brain connections.

Sarah shares many actionable steps we can take back to our programs today. Join us on The Everything ECE Podcast for some great tips!

Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/132

How to Work with Carla

Angelica Celinska from The Voice of Early Childhood joins Carla Ward to talk about advocacy for Early Childhood. It doesn't have to be big, grand and scary, but we can still step outside our comfort zone and make a big impact. Angelica shares actionable ways that we can make a difference.

Show Notes: https://www.elfoundations.com/131

How to Work with Carla

Beck Goodman joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to talk about how to build early literacy skills in a play-based, child-led environment. This podcast is a must listen as educators have the ability to bring a love of literacy into the lives of children, if done correctly. Beck shares tons of examples, tips and tricks that educators can implement immediately in their programs. 

How to Work with Carla

Candi Vajana joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss her career as a nanny and how she combatted the stigma as a babysitter, a struggle for nannies and Early Childhood Educators alike.

She shares her experience as a nanny working with high-net-worth families and how her consultancy and specialized training, The Experienced Nanny, equips families and nannies with all the childcare tools and know-how they need to help their children blossom into well-rounded individuals.

Show Notes: https://elfoundations.com/129

How to Work with Carla

Lisa Lalonde joins podcast host, Carla Ward, to engage in a comprehensive exploration of Early Childhood Education (ECE), offering a full 360-degree view of the profession. They address the prevalent issue of ECEs deserving higher pay but go beyond that, delving into the various push and pull factors influencing whether individuals in this profession choose to stay or leave. This conversation covers all areas of education and what they would do with their magic wand if they had one. 

Show Notes: https://elfoundations.com/128

In this episode, we sit down with Kisa Marx, an extraordinary educator and childcare owner whose journey in 2023 took an unexpected turn when she began to heed the whispers of the universe.

Join us as Kisa shares her remarkable story of discovery, from her initial steps as an educator to the pivotal moment when she realized there was something more waiting for her. Through listening to the universe's cues, she unlocked a path leading to her true calling.

Through engaging anecdotes and heartfelt insights, Kisa unveils the challenges, triumphs, and revelations she encountered while navigating the world of education and childcare. Her journey encapsulates the essence of following one's intuition and aligning passions with purpose.

Tune in as Kisa Marx inspires us with her wisdom, resilience, and the profound impact of tuning into the universe to uncover one's authentic path. Whether you're an educator, childcare provider, or simply seeking inspiration, this episode promises a compelling narrative of self-discovery and finding purpose.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Kisa Marx on The Everything ECE Podcast!

Carla Ward, host of The Everything ECE Podcast, explores the vital role early childhood educators play in understanding and nurturing children's emotional development. Beginning with a discussion on emotional milestones and the impact of the pandemic, Carla emphasizes the neurological foundations of emotional regulation, involving key areas like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. Drawing from personal experiences with children facing brain injuries, she highlights the complexity of behavior and the brain's role in decision-making. Practical strategies for supporting healthy neural pathways are shared, emphasizing dynamic learning spaces, positive interactions, resilience-building, and emotional regulation techniques. Carla encourages educators to become "emotion detectives" through observation and introduces tools that educators can use in their programs. Stressing the importance of consistent support, she underscores the long-term benefits of fostering emotional regulation in children. The episode calls for educators to adopt a brain-centered perspective.

Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/126