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

In this episode, Kristen and Kelly talk about how play can help support kids with IEPs in fun and meaningful ways. They share ideas on how teachers can focus less on the paperwork and more on the child. You’ll hear real examples of how play helps kids grow and reach goals while having fun. It’s all about making learning simple, joyful, and child-centered.   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find kelly here: @kellyrosecds  Find Kelly’s IEP course and Play Schema Freebie here: Kelly's Courses

In this episode, Kristen and Veronica talk about process art and why it’s more about the experience than the final product. They share how letting kids explore and create freely builds confidence and creativity. You’ll hear simple tips and real stories that remind us it’s okay to get messy and let go of perfection. It’s all about enjoying the process, not the outcome.   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Veronica here: @tigerlilypreschoollearning or at tigerlilyschool.com

Kristen chats with Amanda Morgan from Not Just Cute about what real rigor looks like in early childhood. Spoiler: it’s not worksheets or flashcards—it’s deep, meaningful play. This episode will boost your confidence to stand behind play-based learning and push back on the pressure to keep things “cute.”   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Amanda here: @amanda_notjustcute or at notjustcute.com  Facebook: Not Just Cute - Intentional Whole Child Development Find Amanda’s Course here: Unlock the Power of Play in Your ECE Program Find Amanda’s Book here: NOT JUST CUTE: How Powerful Play Drives Development in Early Childhood

In this episode, Kristen is joined by Lynn Mulligan of Woodland Learning to share three of her favorite read-aloud books and the magic they bring to classrooms. They dive into the importance of wonder, outdoor learning, and playful approaches that keep literacy joyful and meaningful. Lynn also shares her unique Alphabet Adventures curriculum, blending imagination, nature, and standards to help children fall in love with learning.   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Lynn Here: woodland_learning or at thespiralbear.com

This episode dives into the importance of feeling confident in play-based learning and no longer hiding it because there is this pressure for academics. We talk about trusting yourself as an educator, standing firm in what you know is right for children, and giving yourself permission to fully embrace play. It’s all about shifting from defense to confidence and showing up boldly for kids and their learning.   Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com Find Christi Here: @dirtlearning or at dirtlearning.com

Take a listen as the wonderful Rae Pica and I talk all about topics in her most recent book Why Play?. This podcast episode explores the importance of risk-taking, big body play, and rough-and-tumble play in childhood development. Kristen and Rae discuss how societal fears often limit children's natural play instincts, sharing personal stories and research on the benefits of embracing risk in early education. They also provide practical advice for educators and parents on fostering a play-positive environment that builds confidence, resilience, and essential motor skills. Get Rae's book here: Why Play Use code PBL20 for 20% off (code expires June 31 2025)  

In this episode, Kristen reads a chapter in her new book that just released I’m Not Getting Them Ready for Kindergarten- Breaking Tradition in Early Childhood Education.    Get the Book: Kristen Day's New Book Find Kristen here: @kristen.rb.peterson or at KristenRBPeterson.com

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