The Play Based Learning Podcast

Today I am chatting with Lindsey Nickoles who has been in the Early Childhood Development field for almost a decade and just started a new journey of being a Newborn Care Specialist and Parent Educator! We will be talking about the importance of personalized care, collaboration, and understanding the impact of sleep on a child's well-being and development. Key Takeaways: Individualized Approach: Kristen and Lindsey talk about how to recognize that each child is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to sleep.  Parent-Provider Collaboration: Kristen and Lindsey talk about how to foster open communication between childcare providers and parents regarding sleep routines. Discussing nap times, bedtime schedules, and any concerns can help align the practices at home and in childcare settings. Importance of Sleep Quality: Lindsey emphasizes the significance of quality sleep for children's overall development. She highlights the role of sleep in memory consolidation, mood regulation, and the enhancement of cognitive functions, emphasizing the connection between good sleep and effective learning through play. Creating a Supportive Environment: Kristen and Lindsey talk about ways to establish an ideal sleep environment in childcare settings. Additionally they discuss how to provide a smooth transition from naptime to post-nap activities, incorporating both solitary and group play to accommodate various preferences. Are you a caregiver or childcare provider that has some struggles with naptime and/or bedtime? The tune into this episode because Kristen and Lindsey unravel the complexities of understanding and supporting child sleep. You’ll get some practical tips on how to ensure children are getting quality sleep. Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Lindsey here: @thebrainthatplays or at The Brain That Plays

Today I’m chatting with Finn Menzies, former early childhood educator turned family coach. We discuss how vital it is to shift from traditional teacher performance to authentic and real connections with caregivers. Discover the pivotal roles that play, trust, and open communication play in creating a more authentic educational experience for children and families.  Key Takeaways: Balancing Playfulness and Boundaries: Kristen and Finn share about the challenge of balancing playfulness and setting boundaries in parenting. Finn shares personal experiences, including playful interactions, while still maintaining a sense of boundaries.  Embracing Contradictions and Vulnerability: Finn and Kristen stress the significance of embracing contradictions and vulnerabilities in parenting. They acknowledge that parents are human and make mistakes, and it's essential to model authenticity for children, allowing them to witness the full spectrum of human emotions and behaviors. Permission to Be Human: Give both adults and children permission to be human. Finn and Kristen express the need for more affirmative messages and fewer arbitrary "no's," fostering an environment that encourages personal growth and self-expression. Connective Communication: Kristen and Finn chat about the power of acknowledging and addressing vulnerabilities, sharing personal stories, and creating an open dialogue with children. Get some tips on how to build genuine connections in parent-child relationships. Do you tend to struggle trying to truly be yourself with the families of the children in your care… this episode is for you! Kristen and Finn share their insights and tips for fostering those meaningful connections inside and outside the early childhood space.   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Finn here: @finn.menzies or Schedule consult here

Today I’m chatting with Jerica and Jules from The Connected Child, two former early childhood educators with over 25 years of expertise working with children & families. Their mission is to equip families with strategies designed specifically for their needs to strengthen relationships and form a deeper bond with their children. We discuss how to nurture connection and the fine line between control and healthy boundaries.  Key Takeaways: Shifting from Traditional Control to Child-Centered Boundaries: Kristen, Jerica, and Jules talk about the trap of control in traditional adult/child relationships. They discuss how to prioritize children’s needs to encourage autonomy, problem-solving, and communication. Recognizing Control Traps: Jerica and Jules share about where control stems from and why excessive control negatively impacts all involved. Differentiating Between Control and Healthy Boundaries: Kristen, Jerica, and Jules explore the distinction between control-driven actions and establishing boundaries that promote safety and learning. Learn how to observe children’s responses and emotions. Empowering Children: Respectful, clear communication is important to understand children’s perspectives, needs, and capabilities, fostering an environment that prioritizes children's growth and well-being. If you have been struggling to authentically connect with your children or students and are seeking practical advice to create meaningful interactions within tight schedules, this episode is for you! Kristen, Jerica, and Jules will share their insights about how boundaries can be redefined as expectations and promises that offer stability and trust to children. Recommended Book: Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges by Mona Delahooke   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Jerica & Jules here: @the_connected_child, the-connected-child.com

Today I’m chatting with Jean-Mari Dagarin, an advocate for play-based learning and developmentally appropriate practice (DAP). We define and explore the essence of DAP and its crucial role in childhood and how it fosters optimal learning environments for young children. Key Takeaways: Protecting Childhood: DAP, according to Jean Marie, revolves around honoring and safeguarding childhood. It prioritizes play, exploration, and child-led learning, creating an environment that respects and nurtures children's natural development. Responsive Teaching: A hallmark of DAP is its responsiveness. Teachers adapt to the evolving needs of children, offering flexibility and organic learning experiences that cater to individual growth. Engagement Over Control: The emphasis shifts from control to engagement. Allowing children the freedom to make choices and supporting their autonomy leads to more enriching and fulfilling learning experiences. Inclusive Environment: A DAP environment is inclusive, embracing diversity and ensuring every child feels represented, respected, and included in the learning process. Teacher-Child Relationships: Building respectful, supportive relationships with both children and parents is pivotal. Mutual respect and understanding create an environment where learning flourishes. If you’ve ever been stuck defining developmentally appropriate practice, or wonder how to embrace DAP, this episode’s for you! Jean-Mari and Kristen share ways to create an environment that prioritizes play, responsiveness, and respectful relationships.   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or atKristenRBPeterson.com Find Jean-Mari here: @the.early.childhood.pov and get a free guide on DAP here!

Today I’m chatting with Beverly Beck, the mastermind behind Happy Little Humans, and we’re talking about one of my favorite things: creativity. We chat about creative expression and its profound impact on the social-emotional development of young children. Key Takeaways: Creative Expression as Learning: Beverly elaborates on how creative expression isn't merely an activity but a way of existing in the world. It serves as a powerful tool for children to explore, learn, and understand the world around them. Art as a Universal Language: We discuss how art transcends boundaries, acting as a means of storytelling and communication. Beverly highlights its role as a universal language that connects us all. Nurturing Social-Emotional Skills: Beverly emphasizes the importance of children understanding themselves and their emotions, fostering social-emotional learning for self-acceptance and genuine expression. Holistic Early Childhood Education: We explore effective strategies for cultivating social-emotional skills in early childhood education. Beverly advocates for trust, safety, and authentic human connections within learning environments. Process Art and its Significance: Distinguishing process art from traditional craft projects, Beverly emphasizes the journey over the outcome. She shares insights into valuing exploration and learning in creative endeavors. If you’ve ever wondered if you should stop a child that’s using scissors incorrectly while they are creating, this episode is for you! This episode is filled with practical tips and heartfelt wisdom to help children build self expression and self discovery.   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Bev here: @happylittlehumansplay or at happylittlehumans.com           - grab Bev's free guide with 20 art and play activities here 

Today, I’m chatting with Kristy DeGraaf, a family child care provider, trainer and childcare coach.  Kristy started her career in social work and moved to Family Childcare 15 years ago after finding it hard to locate good care for her own children. We are talking about advocacy in Early Childhood Education and how you can get involved! Kristy sheds light on the importance of this despite the overwhelming challenges in the field. Some key takeaways: Understanding Advocacy: Kristen and Kristy to explore the meaning of advocacy in early childhood education. They debunk common misconceptions, highlighting the importance of actively participating in shaping policies and regulations. Personal Journey in Advocacy: Kristy shares her journey, starting as a family child care provider, feeling overwhelmed by rules and regulations, to realizing the need for active involvement. She describes an eye-opening experience addressing legislative bodies to advocate for quality childcare programs. Challenges in Advocacy: Kristy emphasizes the challenges of advocating effectively, including the need to understand different perspectives, the importance of diplomatic communication, and navigating legislative processes. Community Engagement and Impact: Reflecting on successful initiatives in Utah, Kristy discusses how community efforts led to defeating unfavorable bills and eventually influencing new legislation that positively impacted early childhood programs. Practical Advocacy: Beyond large-scale efforts, Kristy highlights how advocacy can be practiced on a smaller scale. From social media posts to engaging in conversations, she underscores the power of collective action, even through seemingly small contributions. If you have ever wondered how to be an advocate for early childhood, or where to start, this episode is for you! Kristen and Kristy discuss how to engage with established advocacy groups and emphasize that individual contributions, no matter how small, can lead to significant changes in early childhood education policies.   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Kristy here: on IG @kristy.degraaf or on Facebook or at kristydegraaf.com

Today I’m chatting with Jessica Borowets of The Artful Child, which began as an outside the box preschool run by her mother in the late 60’s. Jessica strongly believes that children learn through play, and with all their senses, and that every child deserves the freedom to explore art materials and sensory activities without interruption.   In this episode, we discuss process art and creativity in early childhood education. We define creativity and process art, discussing the differences between crafts and art. We touch on the challenge of embracing mess in creative play, the power of sensory activities, and practical strategies for introducing process-based art to early childhood programs.   Some key takeaways: Creativity and Process Art:Kristen and Jessica define process art and discuss its pivotal role in preschool education.Creativity is an essential tool for childhood development. Crafts vs. Art: Kristen and Jessica share about the difference between guided crafts and child-led art, and how the latter fosters creativity through freedom of expression. Embracing mess: Both Jessica and Kristen acknowledge the challenge some educators face with the mess of creative play. There is value in mess making and the way it encourages children to explore materials liberally to aid in their creative development. Time and Uninterrupted Play: Kristen stresses the importance of uninterrupted, extended periods for children's engagement in activities, allowing ample time for exploration and creative marination. Jessica and her both give loads of ideas to spark inspiration. If you’ve ever wondered about why to allow for extended uninterrupted play and how to nurture children's creativity, this episode is for you! Kristen and Jessica advocate for environments that prioritize exploration, showcasing the incredible capabilities of children when provided with the freedom to create. Recommended Book: The Language of Art: Inquiry-Based Studio Practices in Early Childhood Settings by Ann Pelo   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Jessica here: @theartfulchild and get on the waitlist to join her upcoming digital course Create Your Enchanting Early Childhood Environment

Today, I’m chatting with Lynne Mulligan, a passionate advocate for nature-based learning that founded a pre-K and kindergarten nature-based program. We discuss nature-based literacy in preschool settings, exploring practical strategies and creative approaches. Lynne shares a wealth of experience and ways to weave outdoor play seamlessly into literacy instruction. Some key takeaways: Integrating Nature and Literacy: Lynne emphasizes the importance of seamlessly blending nature and literacy. She shares about how to transform outdoor spaces into learning environments.  Alphabet Adventures: Lynne shares with Kristen her approach to teaching letters and words. This involves storytelling and hands-on activities. Nature Books: Lynne and Kristen share their favorite nature books “Life” by Cynthia Rylant “The Blue Hour” by Isabelle Simler “The Tallest Tree House” Elly MacKay “Sam and David Dig a Hole” by Mac Barnett “The Bog Baby” by Jeanne Willis Backwards Planning: Lynne and Kristen share about how to ensure standards are being met by following children’s interests and aligning them with standards after. Prioritize Outdoor Time: We all know outdoor time is diminishing for children, Lynne shares about how to promote a healthy connection with the environment. If you've ever wanted to bring the wonders of nature into your preschool classroom, foster a love for literacy through creative outdoor activities, or explore the joy of child-led learning in various educational settings, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration to enhance your teaching journey.   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Lynne here: @woodland_learning and explore her website 

HelllllloooooOOOOooooo and welcome back as I revive my podcast with a host of new interviews! Today, I'm chatting with Mariah Burley, the founder and owner of a play based child care center. We discuss intentional teaching practices and creating a welcoming environment for children and families. Tune in to find out about the importance of building relationships, being flexible, and adapting to the needs and interests of the children.   Some key takeaways Intentional Teaching: Mariah defines intentional teaching as teaching with a clear purpose and understanding of "why." It involves planning activities and interactions that are designed to help children grow and develop based on their needs and interests. Setting Up Intentional Environments: Creating intentional learning environments involves using provocations and open-ended materials to spark children's curiosity and creativity. The goal is to let children explore and learn in a purposeful and child-driven way. Relationship Building: Building strong relationships with children and families is essential. Mariah highlights the significance of forming bonds with children and ensuring that they feel valued and supported in the child care center. Family Engagement: Involving families in the learning process is crucial. Mariah suggests incorporating family photos into the classroom and maintaining open communication with parents to build a sense of community and trust. Clean-Up Time: Mariah and Kristen discuss strategies for clean-up time. They emphasize the importance of understanding the unique needs of each group of children. Giving children responsibilities during clean-up and making it a collaborative and positive experience can help ease the process. If you've ever wondered about how to approach early childhood education with intention and the children at the forefront, this episode is a must listen. Join Kristen and Mariah as they swap stories and share tips to create welcoming and inviting environments.   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Mariah here: @mariahburnley_ECS and grab her Free Guide to Open Ended Play Explorations

There are stages to teacher development and I also believe there are stages to a play based journey. I wish I had known about these stages when I first drank the play based learning juice so that I could have settled in to my own journey instead of always wishing I was doing more or better. Walk through the stages with me and try to figure out what stage you are!   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Free Resources (Free mini course on the basics of play) - The Play Basics Course

Kristen is a preschool teacher who started out her teaching career in a teacher directed and dictated environment.  She was inspired by Lisa Murphy and Jeff A. Johnson to learn all things play based learning and has not looked back.  Listen to what a day was like in a teacher directed environment and what a day looks like now at her nature playschool in Minnesota.  Also, she wants to root you on in your journey, so send her a message on IG or FB to let her know you are listening! Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Free Resources (Free mini course on the basics of play) - The Play Basics Course

Today’s episode features an inspiring conversation with Tiffany Pearsall, a passionate play advocate and the founder of Play Frontier, a groundbreaking nonprofit childcare center. Join us as we chat about Tiffany’s journey, from the challenges of relocation to the exciting moment she secured a million-dollar grant to bring her vision to life. Learn about the creative process behind crafting a space that fosters joy, growth, and endless possibilities for children.  Key Takeaways:  Innovative Learning Environments: Kristen and Tiffany talk about creating innovative learning environments that integrate nature, sensory experiences, and community food production gardens. Customized Facilities: Tiffany talks about their customized facilities like sensory sinks and playground equipment, tailored to meet the needs of young learners and enhance their sensory experiences. Grant Writing Strategies: Tiffany shares insights into successful grant writing, emphasizing the importance of making grant-funded programs self-sustainable and focusing on measurable outcomes to demonstrate impact. Organizational Efficiency: Inspired by principles of industrial organizational psychology, Tiffany ensures efficiency in classroom design, staff workflow, and grant utilization to maximize impact and resources through Play Frontier. Persistence and Vision: Tiffany and Kristen highlight the importance of persistence and having a clear vision to achieve organizational goals, emphasizing strategic planning and iterative progress towards their mission. Have you been wanting to open a space for children, but would love some advice and inspiration? This is a great podcast episode to do just that!  Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Tiffany here: @playfrontier or at playfrontier.org

Today I am chatting with Faigie Kobree, a former preschool and kindergarten teacher, director, and now an elementary school art teacher using the choice based TAB method. She also educates teachers how to switch from copycat crafts to creative art. Key Takeaways: Process-based Learning: Kristen and Faigie emphasize learning through exploration, curiosity, and trial-and-error rather than focusing solely on the end product. Messy Play: They encourage others to embrace the messiness of art for young children as a natural part of the learning process, encouraging experimentation with various materials. Individualized Support: Faigie and Kristen talk about how to offer guidance and assistance based on each child's needs and interests, while also allowing them the freedom to explore and create independently. Artistic Growth: Kristen and Faigie help you to understand that artistic abilities evolve over time, with children progressing from exploratory scribbles and messy play to more intentional and refined creations as they grow. Want to dive a little deeper into process art over crafts and when it’s ok for adults to give some ideas and guidance without making the art a craft? Then this episode is for you. Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Faigie here: @eduart4kids or at eduart4kids.com Find Faigie’s free mini course here: Free Mini Course

Today I am chatting with Reagan Fulton, Founder of Playful Acre and advocate for integrating play into daily life for all ages. We chat about the importance of adults including play into their own lives. It is essential not only for children, but for us too!   Key Takeaways:  Play is Essential for All Ages: Reagan and Kristen emphasize the importance of play not only for children but also for adults. Play is seen as a vital aspect of life that contributes to well-being and happiness. Reclaiming Play as Adults: They encourage adults to reclaim play in their lives by prioritizing activities that bring them joy and curiosity. Reagan shares how adults have to challenge societal norms that discourage them from engaging in playful activities. Setting Boundaries for Play: Kristen and Reagan talk about the importance of setting boundaries to create time for play amidst busy schedules. They suggest strategies such as scheduling playtime on calendars and parallel playing with children to prioritize personal play. Overcoming Societal Stigmas: They have a discussion about societal pressures that discourage playfulness as individuals transition from childhood to adulthood and encourage listeners to challenge these stigmas and embrace playfulness in their lives. Promoting Self-Care through Play: Play is presented as a form of self-care that can replenish energy and foster creativity. Kristen and Reagan want listeners to explore activities that bring them joy and fulfillment, emphasizing the benefits of incorporating play into daily routines. Do you feel like you are in an everyday routine taking care of everyone else and forgetting that you need play in your life as well? This podcast may be the push you need to start adding some play for yourself!  Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Reagan here: @playful.reagan or at playfulacre.com and Facebook Find Reagan’s 30 Days of Play challenge here: 30 Days Of Play

Today I am chatting with Prerna Richards, an early childhood education consultant and keynote speaker with 38 years of experience in ECE. Prerna started her own company called Together We Grow, providing professional development, behavior coaching and NAEYC consulting. She believes in empowering and uplifting educators and does that through training and strength-based behavior coaching. She’s a firm believer that when we know better, we do better. In this episode, we will chat about the connection between brain behaviors and play.    Key Takeaways:  Play as the Cornerstone: Both Kristen and Prerna emphasize the importance of play in early childhood education, highlighting its role in reducing challenging behaviors and creating joyful learning environments. Mindset Shift: Prerna discusses how adults should adopt a responsive approach by becoming behavior detectives and understanding the emotions behind children's actions rather than being reactive. Connect Before Correct: Kristen and Prerna share about how to build strong connections with children through empathy and understanding. This reduces the need for constant correction, fostering a more positive learning environment. Authentic Engagement: Genuine, authentic engagement involves following children's lead, respecting their perspectives, and fostering meaningful interactions that prioritize their thoughts, feelings, and experiences over rote questioning or directives. Do you find yourself curious about how lack of play can affect children and how they behave? Then this is a great podcast to listen to! Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Prerna here: @togetherwegrow.online or at togetherwegrow.online.com Also find Prerna on: Linkedin, Facebook, or YouTube

Today I am chatting with Kayla Souza who opened a small play and nature based preschool that she runs from my home and backyard after working for 20 years in traditional classrooms. In this episode we talk about one of my current favorite things to talk about and that is letting go and freeing the glue!  Key Takeaways:  Getting Creative With Glue: Kristen and Kayla talk about ways to encourage children's creativity by providing a variety of materials for them to explore with glue, such as recycled lids, egg cartons, wooden pieces from games, and puzzle pieces. Exploring Different Types of Glue: Kristen and Kayla suggest offering different types of glue, including white glue, glue sticks, and low-heat glue guns, depending on the project and children's preferences, while ensuring proper supervision, especially with tools like glue guns. Budget-Friendly Options: They talk about different examples of budget friendly options.  Trusting the Process: Kristen and Kayla tak about trusting children's natural curiosity and interests, allowing them the freedom to explore materials and projects at their own pace, even if it means revisiting certain activities over time. Starting Small: They talk about how you can begin with simple, low-cost projects using recycled materials and basic art supplies, gradually expanding as you observe children's engagement and creativity flourish. If you struggle with allowing children to explore glue, this podcast may help you have a different perspective and give you all the reasons to start freeing the glue! If you already support freeing the glue but cost is the issue then tune in to hear suggestions on what else you can do!    Free the Glue Party sign up Here: Free the Glue Party Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Kayla here: @littlelilacpreschool or at littlelilacpreschool.com Find Kayla's Glue PDF here: Free the Glue Guide  

Today I am chatting with Jess Teixeira, a certified speech-language pathologist in Massachusetts who specializes in supporting gestalt language processors and their families through direct services and parent and professional consultations and coaching. Have you ever heard of Gestalt Language Processing? If not, you have to listen in because this information can help us understand children so much more!  Key Takeaways:  What is Gestalt Language Processing: Jess explains Gestalt language processing as a different way children develop language, emphasizing that it's a normal variation in language development.  Collaboration Among Parents, SLPs, and Educators: Jess highlights the importance of collaboration among parents, speech language pathologists (SLPs), and educators in supporting Gestalt language processors.  Challenges: Kristen and Jess discuss the challenges families face, including pushback from educators and the mismatch between school curriculums and the needs of Gestalt language processors. Approaches to Literacy: Jess explains how Gestalt language processors may approach phonemic awareness and alphabet knowledge differently, depending on individual interests and developmental stages.  Implementing Supportive Strategies in the Classroom: Jess and Kristen suggest practical strategies for educators, such as using declarative language or "sports casting" to support communication in the classroom. Curious about Gestalt Language Processing just like I was? Then you need to listen to this podcast to learn what it’s all about!  Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Jess here: @jesstheslp or at @playhavenpediatrics 

Today I am chatting with Stacy Benge, an early childhood speaker who approaches learning in the early years with practicality and common sense. Stacy is the author of the new book, The Whole Child Alphabet: How Young Children Actually Develop Literacy, published by Exchange Press. Listen as we talk about how young children actually develop literacy skills.  Key Takeaways:  Understanding the Role of Alphabet in Literacy: Stacy and Kristen emphasize that while the alphabet is important for literacy, it's just one component among many. Shifting Perspective on Alphabet Learning: Stacy suggests instead of viewing alphabet learning as a matter of teaching, to see it as a process of development. Children need to develop foundational skills before they can effectively learn the alphabet, and play-based activities support this development. Encouraging Play-Based Learning Environments: Stacy and Kristen give ideas on how to create environments rich in open-ended materials and opportunities for child-led play. These environments support the development of literacy skills in a natural and meaningful way. Balancing Play-Based Learning with Curriculum Requirements: Stacy and Kristen acknowledge the challenge of balancing play-based learning with curriculum requirements. Stacy suggests finding ways to incorporate play into structured activities and advocating for the importance of play in achieving curriculum goals. Are you feeling the pressure that children need to learn the alphabet in certain ways that doesn’t feel developmentally appropriate? Then this episode is for you and the stakeholders in your program. Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Stacy here: @stacybengems or at stacybenge.com Find Stacy’s book here: The Whole Child Alphabet: How Young Children Actually Develop Literacy

Today I am chatting with Megg Thompson, a neuro-affirming behavior consultant that uses LOVE-based strategies to help kids be their absolute best! In this episode we talk about doing away with behavior charts, stickers, rewards, and more. Tune in to find out what we can do differently!  Key Takeaways: Behavior Charts and External Motivation: Megg and Kristen emphasize that behavior charts, stickers, tokens, and other external motivators diminish internal motivation in children. These strategies may seem effective in the short term but can lead to long-term issues and undermine true learning and motivation. Developmental Appropriateness: They highlight that traditional behavior management techniques are often not developmentally appropriate for all children. While some may respond positively, others may experience increased anxiety, perfectionism, or depression, leading to adverse effects on their well-being. Play-Based Solutions: Both Kristen and Megg advocate for play-based approaches to behavior and social-emotional learning. They argue that allowing children to engage in unstructured play fosters natural social skill development and reduces the need for coercive behavior management tactics. Importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): Kristen and Megg stress the significance of social and emotional learning in early childhood education. They emphasize that educators should prioritize fostering social skills and emotional regulation over traditional academic instruction. Are you someone who uses or questions the use of behavior charts and other behavior management strategies and want to know what to do differently? This podcast is for you!  Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Megg here:  @meggthompson or at meggthompson.com  Check out Megg’s Masterclass and get 50% off with code: HALFOFF

Today I am chatting with Em about all things research! Emily Clark, M. Ed is an international early childhood education advocate with teaching certifications from both the US and the UK. She founded EarlyEdEm.com to bring real early childhood research to the real educators who need it most.   Key Takeaways:  Access to Research: Research can feel overwhelming and inaccessible to many educators, and Kristen and Em talk about how having access to research can empower teachers to deepen their understanding of classroom practices and make informed decisions. Empowering Practice: They talk about how research empowers educators to step back from their day-to-day activities and gain insights into different perspectives and approaches. It provides validation for their gut feelings and allows them to make more informed decisions. Finding your own Research: Em and Kristen talk about tips and tricks on ways you can find and gather research on topics that you are interested in or wanting to use to teach/show others.  Reevaluating Traditional Practices: Em and Kristen talk about how important it is for educators to be open to re-evaluating traditional practices in light of new research findings. For example, research may challenge assumptions about practices like calendar time or seating arrangements, prompting educators to reconsider their approaches. Do you find it overwhelming and challenging to find research when it comes to developmentally appropriate practices? This podcast is for you! Listen to Kristen and Em talk about all things research!  Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Em Here: @earlyedem or at Earlyedem   Sign up for her FREE webinar HERE