Active, outdoor free play is an important part of early childhood curriculum. On this episode, Alyson is joined by RIAEYC board member, Martha Donovan and Angela J. Hanscom, author, pediatric occupational therapist, and founder of TimberNook—an award-winning developmental and nature-based program that has gained international popularity, to discuss the many benefits of immersing children in the natural environment.

NAEYC's Public Policy Forum is an amazing opportunity for early childhood educators to use their personal story to advocate for public investment in child care. On this week's episode, preschool teacher Millie Lawson talks to Alyson about her experience as a first time attendee at last year's forum. She also discusses her year of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, which arrived in the U.S. shortly after our trip to D.C.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood RI is a unique scholarship program for early childhood educators that provides an opportunity to access a higher education curriculum that focuses on the academic, social, and cognitive skills that develop in children from birth through school-age and beyond. It’s also one of the projects managed by RIAEYC! On this episode, we talk to Marinel Russo, Manager of Early Childhood Initiatives at RIAEYC. She’s been at the helm of the T.E.A.C.H. program since joining the RIAEYC scope of work. Listen and learn about how you can advance your career in early childhood education!

This week marks the end of the Trump Administration, and the beginning of the Biden Administration. Lucy Recio from NAEYC is here to talk about our advocacy successes over the past four years and the work that’s still to come.

Happy New Year from all of us at RIAEYC! On this episode, RIAEYC Executive Director Lisa Hildebrand reflects on the roller coaster ride that was 2020 and our plans for the year ahead. This podcast isn’t our only new endeavor!

Happy New Year from the Thrive + Learn Podcast!! This first week of 2021 already weighs heavily. In this week's episode, Alyson talks to the author of "Crawling Behind: America's Childcare Crisis and How to Fix It." Elliot and Alyson reflect on the week and look ahead to the possibility of bold child care investments during the upcoming administration.

Leah Walker, or Ms. Leah, as she is known to her group of three-five year old students, works to create an inclusive classroom environment all year round, but she acknowledges this can be challenging for teachers around the holidays. In this episode, Leah discusses how she navigates holiday excitement in young children while also instilling appreciation for cultural differences and teaching children that not all family traditions are the same.

In our inaugural episode, Alyson talks to Stephanie Ferreira the new Manager of Program Assessment at BrightStars. Stephanie shares how her classroom experience as a preschool teacher, and as a mom that uses child care, shape her philosophy about early childhood program assessment and quality improvement.

In our inaugural episode, Alyson discusses the Thrive + Learn project, its goals, and where our upcoming conversations will take us.