The Play Based Learning Podcast

This episode is part two on creativity with Beverly Beck, the creator of 'Happy Little Humans.' With over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, Beverly combines her passion for social-emotional well-being and creativity to inspire children through art and play. Her approach emphasizes compassion, curiosity, and connection, fostering confidence in children to grow in their own unique ways. Beyond education, Beverly is a mom of three, podcaster, entrepreneur, and award-winning artist, making her perspective both multifaceted and enriching.

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Find Beverly here: @happylittlehumansplay or at happylittlehumans.com

Beverly’s Freebie: Art and Play Activities

This episode is part two on creativity with Beverly Beck, the creator of 'Happy Little Humans.' With over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, Beverly combines her passion for social-emotional well-being and creativity to inspire children through art and play. Her approach emphasizes compassion, curiosity, and connection, fostering confidence in children to grow in their own unique ways. Beyond education, Beverly is a mom of three, podcaster, entrepreneur, and award-winning artist, making her perspective both multifaceted and enriching.

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Find Beverly here: @happylittlehumansplay or at happylittlehumans.com

Beverly’s Freebie: Art and Play Activities

This episode’s guest is Beverly Beck, the creator of 'Happy Little Humans.' With over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, Beverly combines her passion for social-emotional well-being and creativity to inspire children through art and play. Her approach emphasizes compassion, curiosity, and connection, fostering confidence in children to grow in their own unique ways. Beyond education, Beverly is a mom of three, podcaster, entrepreneur, and award-winning artist, making her perspective both multifaceted and enriching.

Key Takeaways: 

1. Creativity as Universal and Essential: Both Beverly and Kristen emphasized that creativity is fundamental to everything, from the chair we sit on to entrepreneurial ideas. 

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Find Beverly here: @happylittlehumansplay or at happylittlehumans.com

Beverly’s Freebie: Art and Play Activities

Dr. Jasmine Moses is an Anti-Bias Early Childhood Educator dedicated to helping parents and teachers raise and teach the next generation. With a background as an early childhood teacher and Non-profit community worker, she is passionate about promoting fairness and equity from a young age. Her work aims to create inclusive and respectful environments for all children and their families. She offers resources, professional development, and support for implementing Anti-Bias and Anti-Racist practices. 

Key Takeaways: 

1. Call In, Don’t Call Out: Encouraging conversations around biases by "calling in" rather than "calling out" invites reflection, openness, and growth, creating a collaborative learning environment.

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Find Dr. Jasmine here: @theantibiasece 

Grab Dr. Jasmine's book list here: Free Book List

Jesse Coffino is an educator, author, translator, dad and CEO of Anji Education, Inc. The guy who has spent the last decade introducing True Play and the practices of Anji Play to the world outside of China. 

Key Takeaways: 

1. Reflective Practice: Teachers benefit significantly from observing and reflecting on videos of children's play. This practice helps educators understand and improve their teaching strategies.

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Find Jesse here: @anjiplay  or at anjiplay.medium.com or facebook: Anji Play World

Find the Year long scope and sequence here: anjiplay.com

Samuel and Kisa are fierce childhood advocates and the authors of Rethinking Weapon Play in Early Childhood.

Key Takeaways: 

1. Reflect on Decisions: Educators should regularly examine their reasons for saying "no" to certain play, ensuring they align with the children's best interests.

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Find Kisa here: @iam_still_learning or at Contact here

Find Samuel here: honoringchildhood  or at honoring childhood.org

Find their book here: Rethinking Weapon Play in Early Childhood

Kara is a Play and Mindset Coach and your partner-in-fun on the path to healing perfectionism and rekindling your playful, creative spirit. Kara’s message is that play is anything but fluffy; it’s the secret sauce to more health, confidence, creativity, and joy (science says so too!). It's also a powerful healing tool to help us release perfectionism and connect with our inner child.

Key Takeaways: 

1. The Importance of Play in Adulthood: Play is essential not just for children but also for adults. It helps in reconnecting with our inner child, alleviating stress, and fostering creativity.

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Find Kara Here: @theplayfulwarrior

Discover your playful personality here: Take the Quiz

Anande Ferreira is a mama and pediatric occupational therapist with a special interest in playfulness and sensory integration. She has over 10 years experience supporting children and their families. Upon completion of her Masters degree focused on playfulness, she presented her research at the World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress and has published in the Occupational Therapy International Journal. On this podcast Her and Kristen talk about what play looks like and what people's expectations are of play. 

Key Takeaways: 

1. Misconception of Play: Play can look different for everyone and sometimes caregivers think it should look a certain way with children. This can sometimes create concerns that may not need to be concerns.

Do you find yourself wondering what play really looks like? Then this episode is for you. 

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Find Anande here: @playmoreot

Find Anande’s course here: Making sense of It

Find Anande’s Book here: Born to Play

Beth Duttera from Aut2ask, an autistic woman-led initiative uplifting autistic voices. Her support survey has over 2k voices from the autism community (inc educators!) speaking on how the current system and supports are failing us all. Listen as Kristen asks questions about autism to help others have a better understanding. 

Key Takeaways: 

1. Teacher Training Deficit: Kristen and Beth talk about how many teachers lack formal training about autism, hindering their ability to support autistic students.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges stigmas and highlights the beauty of neurodiversity in education.

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Find Beth Here: @aut2ask

Take Beth’s Data Survey: Survey Link

Deborah MacNamara is a counselor, on Faculty at the Neufeld Institute and author of Rest Play Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (or anyone who acts like one), and Nourish: Connection, Food, and Caring for our Kids (and everyone else we love). Join Deborah and I as we tackle all things boredom. 

Key Takeaways: 

1. Boredom Boosts Creativity: Boredom fosters creativity and self-initiated play in children, encouraging imagination.

I’m sure at some point in your life you have heard the words “I’m Bored!”. This podcast will cover the ins and outs of boredom and why it can actually be a good thing! 

Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

Find Deborah here:  @drdeborahmacnamara or at macnamara.com

Find Deborah's Freebie here: infographic on how you can play out frustration