What does it really mean for educators to feel a sense of belonging? In this heartfelt conversation, Kerry Drake of KD Talks shares her insights on creating inclusive, supportive spaces where educators feel seen, valued, and connected. We talk about mentorship, perspective checking, reflective practice, and why fostering belonging for adults is essential to building strong learning communities for children.

Learn more about Kerry’s work at KD Talks

Instagram:  @kdtalks0

Disclaimer:  The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes; it does not replace the advice of a counselor, psychologist or doctor.

In this inspiring episode, Marta Skrzypczak—early childhood educator and founder of Participation Coach—joins us to explore the vital connection between participation and agency. Marta shares why children's right to participate in decisions, both big and small, is foundational to their sense of self and belonging. From daily routines to long-term planning, she offers practical ideas for inviting children into authentic decision-making. As Marta says, “without participation, there is no agency”—and this conversation shows us exactly why that matters.

Learn more about Marta’s work at Participation Coach

Instagram:  @participation_coach

In this episode, we explore the heart of meaningful conversation: listening. Listening — not just hearing — is key to relationship-building, emotional intelligence, and deeper learning. We discuss how educators can intentionally nurture children’s ability to listen to each other, hold conversations, and build understanding through playful inquiry, trust, and patience.

Resources

Cultivating Professional Friendships by Diane Kashin

The Original Learning Approach by Suzanne Axelsson

What does it look like to move beyond traditional behavior management—and toward something more connected, respectful, and equitable? In this inspiring conversation, Samuel Broaden, founder of Honoring Childhood, shares insights from his new book From Control to Collaboration in Early Childhood Education: Rethinking Classroom Management. We explore how traditional classroom management practices often fall short, and how a collaborative approach can transform both educator and child experiences. If you're ready to reimagine what’s possible in your learning space, this episode is for you.

Learn more about Samuel’s work at honoringchildhood.org.

Instagram:  Honoring Childhood

From Control to Collaboration in Early Childhood Education by Samuel Broaden

In this episode of The Intentional ECE, we take a closer look at dialogue — not as a way to fix or solve, but as a way to connect, reflect, and grow.  Through thoughtful conversations with colleagues, we create space to sit with complexity, share different perspectives, and, in the process, deepen our understanding of children, learning, and the evolving world around us.

In this heartwarming and insightful episode, Carla Ward from the Early Learning Foundation joins me to explore how storytelling tools like felt boards, puppets, and drama can take stories off the page and into children’s hearts. We talk about how these playful practices nurture imagination, encourage problem-solving, support diverse voices, and create a deep sense of connection and belonging in early learning spaces.

Want to dive deeper? Check out Carla’s free workshop Beyond the Book at elfoundations.com/beyondthebook

In this episode, we explore reflection as a powerful way to better understand the process of learning. From noticing patterns in children’s play to revisiting moments through documentation, reflection invites us to slow down, look again, and stay open to what children are truly exploring. By listening deeply—to the children, ourselves, and to our colleagues—we grow our ability to support meaningful learning, honour the complexity of childhood, and cultivate a practice that ripples far beyond the classroom.

Learning is an emotional journey—full of excitement, challenge, perseverance and joy. In this episode of The Intentional ECE, we explore the emotional risk children take when trying something new, the ups and downs of the learning process, and how we can support them with sensitivity, scaffolding, and trust in the process.

In this episode, I share the story of a paper exploration that took an unexpected turn—and how embracing uncertainty led to deeper learning and discovery. Join me as we explore the intersection of art and science, and discover how following children’s curiosity can open the door to meaningful engagement and new questions.

In this episode, we're diving into the power of letting go! Discover how embracing uncertainty and staying flexible as an educator creates space for children to take the lead in their learning—building confidence, curiosity, and a sense of agency. When children feel empowered to make choices and explore on their own terms, they develop the skills and mindset to thrive, seeing themselves as capable, competent learners.