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.

#126: Understanding Emotional Regulation

The Everything ECE Podcast, brought to you by Early Learning Foundations, is a podcast for early childhood educators and leaders. If you work in a child care, preschool or kindergarten setting, The Everything ECE Podcast will provide you with inspiration and actionable steps with professional and personal tips and tricks to find that ideal work-life balance. 

Join host, Carla Ward, each week as she brings you early childhood topics to help enhance your program and teacher life. The Everything ECE Podcast will inspire you to take action in your profession and classroom.

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Explore practical strategies and insights for creating an inclusive learning environment for left-handed learners in early childhood education on The Everything ECE Podcast. Join host Carla Ward as she shares valuable tips to support the unique needs of left-handed children in the classroom.

Show Notes: https://www.elfoundations.com/142

#142: Supporting Left-Handed Learners



In this episode, Carla Ward is joined by Katie-Lynn Parkinson of ECCDC to dive into the crucial topic of risk and challenge in early learning programs. Together, they explore why educators should lean into potential risks rather than shy away from them.
Katie-Lynn breaks down the distinction between risk and challenge versus hazards or dangers, offering clarity on how embracing the former fosters growth and development in young learners. Through engaging conversation, they discuss the importance of risk and challenge in early childhood education and where some of our fears surrounding them stem from.
As educators, they discuss our role in creating environments that encourage healthy risk-taking and provide opportunities for children to explore and learn. Katie-Lynn shares valuable insights on how to navigate conversations with others who may be more risk-averse, empowering educators to advocate for enriching learning experiences.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of why embracing risk and challenge is essential for the growth and development of young minds, and how we can cultivate environments that support this philosophy in early learning programs.

Show Notes: https://www.elfoundations.com/141

#141: Navigating Risk and Challenge in Child Care with Katie-Lynn Parkinson of ECCDC

Dive into the world of rhyme and colossal words for kids with host Carla Ward and special guest Colette Hiller on The Everything ECE Podcast!
Join Carla as she sits down with Colette, a writer, arts producer, and author of the critically acclaimed poetry book "The B on Your Thumb." With a background in acting on the London stage and appearances in iconic films like "Aliens," Colette brings a unique perspective to the importance of language in early childhood education.
Discover how Colette's children's rhymes, featured on BBC Words and Pictures, and her album "Applehead" have captivated young minds worldwide, selling over 50,000 copies. As a former producer at BBC Education, she shares her passion for introducing big words to little learners and the joy of wordplay.
Tune in as Colette shares excerpts from her latest book, "Colossal Words for Kids," and explores the transformative power of language in shaping young minds. Whether you're a parent, educator, or language enthusiast, this episode is a must-listen!

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

#140: Rhyming Colossal Words with Colette Hiller

This week on The Everything ECE Podcast, host Carla Ward is joined by special guest Faigie Kobre, a seasoned early childhood educator passionate about fostering creativity in the classroom. In the episode titled "Ditching the Copycat Crafts Mindset," Faigie shares her expertise gained from years as an early childhood teacher and director and leading professional development workshops. Learn about her innovative approach to elementary school art using the choice-based method called TAB and discover her recent online program, "Beyond Copycat Crafts." Don't miss this inspiring conversation!

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/139

#139: Ditching the Copycat Crafts Mindset with Faigie Kobre

This week, Susie Beghin joins Carla Ward on the podcast to explore the exciting realm of STEAM in Early Childhood Education. As they chat, you can almost feel the energy as they discuss the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, all within the context of early learning. There's a particular moment where Carla is illuminated by the realization of just how seamlessly play and STEAM intertwine in the development of young minds. Tune in to hear about the magic that happens when curiosity meets creativity, and how STEAM is not just a curriculum, but a way of fostering exploration, problem-solving, and innovation from the earliest stages of education.


Show Notes: elfoundations.com/138

#126: Understanding Emotional Regulation

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