I’m sharing a reminder I needed myself this week: the finished product is not always the point. I had a simple preschool activity planned, but my three-year-old had a completely different idea. Instead of redirecting him back to my plan, I stopped and watched what he was actually doing.

In this episode, I’m talking about why following directions and completing an activity exactly as planned are not the only signs of learning. Sometimes when children take an activity in a different direction, they’re practicing problem-solving, creativity, planning, flexibility, language, and so much more.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why the process matters more than the finished product
• Following their lead without abandoning intentional teaching
• The difference between disengagement and ownership
• How play builds problem-solving and creative thinking
• Why mistakes and pivots are part of learning
• The 10-second pause I use before redirecting

Your "Think Like a Kid" Homework This Week:
Before redirecting your child, pause for 10 seconds and ask yourself: What are they trying to do? Look for the learning underneath their idea.

Recommended Episodes:

• Episode 23: Seven Outdated Preschool Habits to Leave Behind
• Episode 12: How to Know if Your Child is Being Challenged Enough
• Episode 11: Practical Emotional Regulation Techniques That You Can Teach Your Child Today
  

If you loved this conversation, make sure you're following the show so you never miss an episode or a quick win. And hey, if you're looking for a way to bring this 'think like a kid' energy into your daily learning, check out my STEAM Made Preschool Curriculum: https://stan.store/steammadesimple/p/the-steam-made-simple-preschool. It's the best way to give your child a head start with an educational advantage that actually feels like play.

You can also connect with me on Instagram @STEAMMadeSimple for daily tools, behind-the-scenes stories, and playful learning ideas.

I hear it all the time: “Only 20 minutes? That can’t possibly be enough.” But I stand by it. Preschool doesn’t need to mean hours of worksheets, workbooks, or trying to squeeze every subject into a packed schedule.

In this episode, I’m sharing why 20 intentional minutes can be academically valuable while also giving you something just as important: dedicated connection with your child. I talk about how one simple activity can build language, reasoning, sensory awareness, fine motor skills, and more, without your child even realising they’re “doing school.”

In this episode, I cover:

• Why 20 intentional minutes can be enough
• How preschool can build multiple skills through one activity
• Why connection matters just as much as academics
• Why more time doesn’t always mean more learning
• How to make preschool feel simple instead of overwhelming
• Why kids need independent play and time to be bored
• How intentional learning time can fill your bucket too

Your "Think Like a Kid" Homework This Week:
Pick 20 minutes. Put your phone in another room, sit with your child, and do one simple activity, read a book, count something, build, or explore. Focus on being present, not getting everything done.

Recommended Episodes:

• Episode 23: Seven Outdated Preschool Habits to Leave Behind
• Episode 18: The 15 Minute Parenting Hack That Actually Works
• Episode 20: 9-Skill Number Sense Series
  

If you loved this conversation, make sure you're following the show so you never miss an episode or a quick win. And hey, if you're looking for a way to bring this 'think like a kid' energy into your daily learning, check out my STEAM Made Preschool Curriculum: https://stan.store/steammadesimple/p/the-steam-made-simple-preschool. It's the best way to give your child a head start with an educational advantage that actually feels like play.

You can also connect with me on Instagram @STEAMMadeSimple for daily tools, behind-the-scenes stories, and playful learning ideas.

I’m challenging one of the most common phrases we hear about young children: “They’re ahead.” A preschooler being able to count to 49, recognize letters, or complete an advanced worksheet might look impressive, but those flashy skills only tell us one small piece of the learning puzzle. I’d much rather see a child deeply understand numbers, solve problems, communicate ideas, persist through challenges, and build strong foundational skills.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why being “ahead” isn’t the same as being ready to move on, why uneven development is completely normal, and why I believe preschool should focus on going deeper rather than simply rushing children through more advanced material.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why “ahead” can be a misleading label
• Rote memorization vs. true understanding
• Why number sense matters more than counting to 100
• Why uneven learning profiles are normal
• What I look for beyond academic skills
• Why hands-on learning, movement, curiosity, and problem-solving matter
• Why preschool should build strong foundations, not rush children ahead

Your "Think Like a Kid" Homework This Week:
Pick one skill your child already knows and ask yourself: Do they truly understand it, or can they simply repeat it? Look for ways to go deeper through play.

Recommended Episodes:

• Episode 23: Seven Outdated Preschool Habits to Leave Behind
• Episode 15: Top 3 Kindergarten Readiness Skills
• Episode 20: 9-Skill Number Sense Series

If you loved this conversation, make sure you're following the show so you never miss an episode or a quick win. And hey, if you're looking for a way to bring this 'think like a kid' energy into your daily learning, check out my STEAM Made Preschool Curriculum: https://stan.store/steammadesimple/p/the-steam-made-simple-preschool. It's the best way to give your child a head start with an educational advantage that actually feels like play.

You can also connect with me on Instagram @STEAMMadeSimple for daily tools, behind-the-scenes stories, and playful learning ideas.

Starting preschool at home can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to figure out where to begin, what your child needs to know, and whether you’re doing enough. In this episode, I’m sharing why I believe we often make preschool harder than it needs to be and how to take the pressure off.

I’m breaking down how I approach preschool with my own kids, why planning and teaching should be separate, and why you don’t need a perfectly behaved child sitting at a table to know that learning is happening. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is simply start.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why overwhelm often comes from having too many decisions
• Why planning preschool and teaching preschool should be separate
• Where I recommend starting when you don't know what to do
• Why hands-on learning and movement matter
• What to do if your child won't sit still
• Why falling behind isn't something to fear
• How to let go of perfection and simply begin

Featured Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
STEAM Made Simple Preschool: A complete preschool curriculum designed to make learning at home simple, playful, and manageable.

Your "Think Like a Kid" Homework This Week:
Stop planning and start. Pick one simple learning activity to do with your child this week without worrying about doing preschool perfectly.

Recommended Episodes:

• Episode 17: An Easy Activity To Do With Your Kiddo Before the School Year Begins
• Episode 22: How I'm Preparing My Kiddo for Back-to-School Season So That It's an Easy Transition
• Episode 23: Seven Outdated Preschool Habits to Leave Behind

If you loved this conversation, make sure you're following the show so you never miss an episode or a quick win. And hey, if you're looking for a way to bring this 'think like a kid' energy into your daily learning, check out my STEAM Made Preschool Curriculum: https://stan.store/steammadesimple/p/the-steam-made-simple-preschool. It's the best way to give your child a head start with an educational advantage that actually feels like play.

You can also connect with me on Instagram @STEAMMadeSimple for daily tools, behind-the-scenes stories, and playful learning ideas.

What do you say when your child is worried someone might say no? In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story about my preschooler navigating friendship and rejection at recess, and how I learned that preparing kids for disappointment can be more helpful than simply telling them everything will be okay.

I’m talking about why confidence isn’t knowing everyone will say yes. It’s knowing you can handle yourself when things don’t go the way you hoped. I’ll share simple ways to help your child build resilience, prepare for rejection, and figure out what to do next when they hear that little word: no.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why we shouldn’t try to protect kids from every disappointment
• How to validate your child’s fears without promising everything will work out
• Why rejection doesn’t mean something is wrong with your child
• Helping kids understand that “no” means they can try something else
• Using role-play to prepare for tricky social situations
• The difference between confidence and expecting everything to go perfectly
• How small experiences with rejection can build resilience and perseverance

Your "Think Like a Kid" Homework This Week:
The next time your child tells you they’re worried something might go wrong, resist the urge to immediately tell them it won’t. Instead, ask: “What could you do if that happens?” Help them create a simple plan for what they can try next.

Recommended Episodes:
Episode 21: The Regulation Strategy That Always Seems to Win When My Kids Are Having Big Feelings

Episode 22: How I’m Preparing My Kiddo for Back-to-School Season So That It’s an Easy Transition

Episode 23: Seven Outdated Preschool Habits to Leave Behind

If you loved this conversation, make sure you're following the show so you never miss an episode or a quick win. And hey, if you're looking for a way to bring this 'think like a kid' energy into your daily learning, check out my STEAM Made Preschool Curriculum: https://stan.store/steammadesimple/p/the-steam-made-simple-preschool. It's the best way to give your child a head start with an educational advantage that actually feels like play.

You can also connect with me on Instagram @STEAMMadeSimple for daily tools, behind-the-scenes stories, and playful learning ideas.

What if some of the things that look educational aren't actually giving your preschooler the learning foundation they need? In this episode, I'm breaking down seven outdated preschool habits that I'm actively trying to leave behind as a mom and educator. This isn't about being a perfect parent or never using worksheets, screens, or flashcards. It's about making sure we're building the foundation that future learning depends on.

I'm sharing why preschoolers need more play, movement, hands-on experiences, language, problem-solving, and opportunities to struggle and try again. My goal isn't to create tiny first graders. It's to help our kids become curious, confident, resilient learners.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why worksheets aren't always the best starting point for handwriting
• Playing with sounds and language before drilling the alphabet
• Why flashcards don't equal true understanding
• Why preschoolers don't need to sit still to learn
• Letting kids struggle instead of correcting them right away
• Focusing on the learning process instead of getting the right answer
• Why educational screen time isn't the same as hands-on learning
• Why making preschool more academic doesn't necessarily mean your child will be more prepared for kindergarten
  

Featured Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Early Learning Standards Guide: Grab your free copy of the early learning standards:

STEAM Made Simple Preschool:

Your "Think Like a Kid" Homework This Week:
Pick one habit from today's episode that you want to rethink. Don't try to change everything at once. Notice what your child does when you give them more opportunities to move, play, struggle, explore, or learn hands-on.

Recommended Episodes:
• Episode 15: Top 3 Kindergarten Readiness Skills

• Episode 20: Episode 20: Counting is Not Math — The 9-Skill Number Sense Blueprint
• Episode 22: How I'm Preparing My Kiddo for Back-to-School Season So That It's an Easy Transition
  

If you loved this conversation, make sure you're following the show so you never miss an episode or a quick win. And hey, if you're looking for a way to bring this 'think like a kid' energy into your daily learning, check out my STEAM Made Preschool Curriculum: https://stan.store/steammadesimple/p/the-steam-made-simple-preschool. It's the best way to give your child a head start with an educational advantage that actually feels like play.

You can also connect with me on Instagram @STEAMMadeSimple for daily tools, behind-the-scenes stories, and playful learning ideas.

Back-to-school season can bring a mix of excitement, nerves, and big emotions—for both kids and parents. Instead of waiting until the night before school starts, I'm sharing the simple changes I'm making now to help my children feel confident, prepared, and ready for the transition.

In this episode, I walk through my family's back-to-school game plan, from adjusting sleep schedules and practicing morning routines to talking about first-day jitters and creating calming after-school routines. My hope is that these small, intentional changes will help your family ease into the new school year with less stress and more confidence.

In this episode, we cover:
• Why preparing early makes back-to-school transitions easier
• Gradually adjusting bedtime and morning routines
• Practicing your morning schedule before the first day of school
• Helping children manage first-day nerves and anxiety
• Why reconnecting with classmates before school starts can help
• Building independence with simple daily responsibilities
• Creating visual checklists for smoother mornings
• Supporting children who mask their emotions at school
• Planning calming after-school routines to help kids decompress

Featured Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
• My Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids Guide (Calm Down Corner Kit)

Your "Think Like a Kid" Homework This Week:
Think about your family's biggest back-to-school challenge and choose just one small change to make before school starts. Whether it's adjusting bedtime, practicing the morning routine, reconnecting with friends, or creating an after-school plan, focusing on one area can make the transition feel much smoother for everyone.

Recommended Episodes:
• Episode 21: The Regulation Strategy That Always Seems to Win When My Kids Are Having Big Feelings
• Episode 15: Top 3 Kindergarten Readiness Skills
• Episode 18: The 15 Minute Parenting Hack That Actually Works

If you loved this conversation, make sure you're following the show so you never miss an episode or a quick win. And hey, if you're looking for a way to bring this 'think like a kid' energy into your daily learning, check out my STEAM Made Preschool Curriculum: https://stan.store/steammadesimple/p/the-steam-made-simple-preschool. It's the best way to give your child a head start with an educational advantage that actually feels like play.

You can also connect with me on Instagram @STEAMMadeSimple for daily tools, behind-the-scenes stories, and playful learning ideas.

If you've ever felt like nothing works when your child is having a meltdown, you're not alone. After spending a month on vacation with my family, I was reminded just how much changes in routine can affect our kids' emotions—and how important it is to have a few regulation strategies ready to go.

In this episode, I share the one calming technique that consistently works with all three of my boys: the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique. I'll explain why it works, how I introduce it through play, and why turning regulation into a game helps children reconnect with their calm when big feelings take over.

In this episode, we cover:
• Why vacations and changes in routine often lead to more meltdowns
• Why every child responds differently to regulation strategies
• The importance of co-regulation before expecting self-regulation
• How to teach calming strategies before your child needs them
• The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique using the five senses
• How turning regulation into a game encourages participation
• Why modeling calm as a parent is so powerful
• Practicing deep breathing during calm moments instead of meltdowns
• Why consistency—not perfection—is what helps children build emotional regulation skills

Featured Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
• My Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids Guide (Calm Down Corner Kit)

Your "Think Like a Kid" Homework This Week:
Practice the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique with your child during a calm moment. Turn it into a game by exploring your surroundings together, then make it part of your family's toolkit before those big emotions show up.

Recommended Episodes:
• Episode 11: Practical Emotional Regulation Techniques That You Can Teach Your Child Today
• Episode 13: Why You Don't Need to Be a 24/7 Cruise Director
• Episode 18: The 15 Minute Parenting Hack That Actually Works

If you loved this conversation, make sure you're following the show so you never miss an episode or a quick win. And hey, if you're looking for a way to bring this 'think like a kid' energy into your daily learning, check out my STEAM Made Preschool Curriculum: https://stan.store/steammadesimple/p/the-steam-made-simple-preschool. It's the best way to give your child a head start with an educational advantage that actually feels like play.

You can also connect with me on Instagram @STEAMMadeSimple for daily tools, behind-the-scenes stories, and playful learning ideas.

Counting to 100 looks incredibly impressive at the family dinner table, but is it actually math? In this kickoff episode of our 9-Skill Number Sense Series, we're breaking down a major misconception in early childhood education: counting is often just rote memorization, like reciting the alphabet without knowing what any of the letters actually do. If your child can rattle off numbers but still struggles to understand what they actually represent, this episode is your secret weapon.

In this episode, we cover:

• Subitizing: The ability to instantly recognize small amounts (like dots on a die) without counting them one by one.
• One-to-One Correspondence: Pointing to exactly one physical object for every one number word spoken.
• Cardinality: Understanding that the last number said when counting a group represents the total amount of items.
• Conservation of Number: Realizing that a quantity stays the same even if the items are spread far apart or bunched tightly together.
• Magnitude / Comparison: The visual capability to naturally identify which group has "more" or "less" without counting them first.
• Numeral Recognition: Making the mental connection between the spoken word ("three"), the written digit ("3"), and a physical group of three items.
• Spatial Relationships / Patterns: Seeing how numbers fit visually onto structural math tools like ten-frames or number lines.
• Part-Whole Awareness: Understanding that larger numbers are made up of smaller numbers combined
• Hierarchical Inclusion: The concept that smaller numbers are nested inside larger numbers

Featured Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Early Learning Standards Guide: Grab your free copy of the early learning standards:
• STEAM Made Simple Preschool:

Recommended Episodes:

• Episode 15: Top 3 Kindergarten Readiness Skills
• Episode 12: How to Challenge Your Child Without Overwhelming Them
• Episode 17: An Easy Activity To Do With Your Kiddo Before the School Year Begins

If you loved this conversation, make sure you're following the show so you never miss an episode or a quick win. And hey, if you're looking for a way to bring this 'think like a kid' energy into your daily learning, check out my STEAM Made Preschool Curriculum: https://stan.store/steammadesimple/p/the-steam-made-simple-preschool. It's the best way to give your child a head start with an educational advantage that actually feels like play.

You can also connect with me on Instagram @STEAMMadeSimple for daily tools, behind-the-scenes stories, and playful learning ideas.

What if some of the most powerful learning moments for your child are already happening in your everyday routines? In this episode, I sit down with pediatric speech-language pathologist Jennifer Adams Oppenheimer to talk about how simple moments—like getting dressed, bath time, or walking to the park—can become incredible opportunities for language development.

Jennifer shares practical strategies that help children build communication skills through repetition, connection, and play. You'll walk away with easy ideas you can start using today, without buying another toy, app, or curriculum.

In this episode, we cover:
• Why everyday routines are the best place for language learning
• What verbal routines are and how to use them
• How songs and repetition support communication skills
• Creating smoother transitions with simple language cues
• Fun language games for bath time and family walks
• Why using rich vocabulary helps children become stronger communicators
• How parents can naturally build language through everyday interactions

Featured Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Jennifer's FREE Language-Rich Learning Moments Quick Start Guide: https://speakjoy.com/kid

• SpeakJoy Center for Development: https://speakjoy.com/

• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakjoycenter

Your "Think Like a Kid" Homework This Week:

Choose one everyday routine—getting dressed, bath time, mealtime, or bedtime—and create a simple verbal routine or song that you repeat every day. Notice how your child begins to anticipate, participate, and connect through the routine.

Recommended Episodes:

• Episode 17: An Easy Activity To Do With Your Kiddo Before the School Year Begins

• Episode 15: Top 3 Kindergarten Readiness Skills

• Episode 11: Practical Emotional Regulation Techniques That You Can Teach Your Child Today

If you loved this conversation, make sure you're following the show so you never miss an episode or a quick win. And hey, if you're looking for a way to bring this 'think like a kid' energy into your daily learning, check out my STEAM Made Preschool Curriculum: https://stan.store/steammadesimple/p/the-steam-made-simple-preschool. It's the best way to give your child a head start with an educational advantage that actually feels like play.

You can also connect with me on Instagram @STEAMMadeSimple for daily tools, behind-the-scenes stories, and playful learning ideas.