Little Moments Count Radio Podcast

Discover the secrets behind early childhood development and learn how you can create a strong foundation for your child's future in our latest conversation with Denise Mayotte, Executive Director of Sheltering Arms Foundation, and Betty Emarita, a national education policy expert. With their insights and experiences, we explore the importance of nurturing children's brains in their first 1,000 days of life and how Little Moments Count plays a crucial role in this process. Join us as we discuss how to support early childhood development through conversations, play, and learning, and the power of reading and talking to children. We also share the importance of integrating children into daily tasks, building strong family bonds through small moments, and the initiatives funded by the Minnesota Community Solutions Fund Advisory Council to support early childhood development. Additionally, we dive into the impact of family, friend, and neighbor care on young children and the work of organizations like Sheltering Arms Foundation in narrowing the opportunity gap between high-impact children and their white peers. Finally, we tackle the challenges faced by both rural and urban communities in Minnesota in terms of childcare, the opioid crisis, and the importance of relationships between leaders and the communities they represent. We also explore ways to get involved in advocacy and policy for parents and caregivers of young children, as well as the role of community partnerships in finding child care solutions. Don't miss this informative and inspiring episode that shows how early childhood development can truly build strong communities.  This episode was recorded on June 6th, 2023 on the live radio program The Narrative on KRSM Radio in Minneapolis.  Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life–just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast  

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Allison Corrado, senior program officer with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, and co-chair of the Start Early Funders Coalition’s Public Policy committee. Corrado discusses what parents can do to maximize their child's brain development while making sure that caregivers have the resources and support they need. On this episode of The Narrative, host Andrea Pierre and Corrado discuss the current legislation in Minnesota that nurtures early childhood development and supports the educators and caregivers taking care of our young children. This episode was recorded on March 14th, 2023 at KRSM's studio in Minneapolis.   Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life – just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast  

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Vice President, Family & Community Impact at Northside Achievement Zone, Andre Dukes. Dukes discusses the ways in which parents and caregivers can create healthy pathways for their young children, that lead to social and emotional health and academic success. On this episode, Afternoon Drive KMOJ host Walter Q. Bear Banks Jr. interviews Dukes on the importance of healthy verbal communication with our young children, including tone, words, feeling and body language. This episode was recorded and aired live on KMOJ Radio on Jan. 31st and Feb. 14th, 2023. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life – just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Anna Sheppard, president of White Earth Tribal and Community College (WETCC) and Tammi Jalowiec, the Head Start Pathways Program Coordinator for WETCC. Hosts Robert, Wendy Pilot and Zoe from Native Roots Radio, I’m Awake, interview Sheppard and Jalowiec on the education programs and scholarships at WETCC, the importance of seeing yourself and culture represented in your educators, and why sign language is important for infants to learn. This episode was recorded on February 15th, 2023 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio - I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Wisconsin. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life–just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Dr. Krishnan Subrahmanian, a primary care pediatrician and pediatric hospitalist at Hennepin Healthcare and the Redleaf Center for Family Healing. Dr. Subrahmanian discusses the tangible things parents can do with their babies as soon as they are born including the importance of skin on skin contact with your child. On this episode of Power Perspectives hosts Andrea Pierre and ShaVunda Brown interview Dr. Subrahmanian on how we can best support our children’s developmental growth.This episode was recorded on February 7th, 2023 at KRSM's studio in Minneapolis. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life – just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Barb Fabre, CEO of Indigenous Visioning as she discusses their tribal childcare licensing program. Hosts Robert and Ogimaa Giniw Ikwe from Native Roots Radio, I’m Awake, interview Fabre about the need for more childcare providers in Indian Country and the tribal childcare licensing program Fabre and Indigenous Visioning created. This episode was recorded on December 21st, 2022 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio - I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Wisconsin. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life–just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from members of the Great Start for All MN Children Task Force, Barb Fabre, Shakira Bradshaw, Sandy Simar , Jenny Moses. The Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force was proposed by early care and education advocates, legislators, and the Walz-Flanagan Administration for the purposes of developing a state plan to accomplish the goal that “all families to have access to affordable, high-quality early care and education. Hosts Robert Pilot and Ogimaa Giniw Ikwe from Native Roots Radio, I’m Awake, interview the team on the importance of all voices being heard at the table in decisions effecting the education of MN children, including livable pay for educators, childcare providers, bus drivers and others that do the important work of educating our children and how you can have your voice heard in decisions effecting our children. More information can be found at: https://bit.ly/3GzQePE This episode was recorded on December 7th, 2022 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio - I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Wisconsin. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life–just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Babycakes Book Stack mobile book store owner, Zsamé Morgan. Morgan talks about how books enhance your child’s life, even before they are able to read and how they can help deal with feelings of grief. On this episode, Power Perspectives hosts Andrea Pierre and ShaVunda Brown interview Morgan why it's so important for children to be able to see themselves represented in books. This episode was recorded on December 7th, 2022 at KRSM's studio in Minneapolis. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life – just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Tammy Wickstrom, Executive Director of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Aanjibimaadizing program which integrates employment, training, and related services to support workforce development, self-sufficiency, and family stability and Baabiitawigiizhigookwe Melissa Boyd who currently serves as the Senior Advisor on Language Revitalization Initiatives for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Host Robert Pilot from Native Roots Radio, I’m Awake, interview Wickstrom and Boyd on the importance of recognizing the effects of how cultivating connections with one’s Indigenous language and culture contributes to improved physical and mental wellbeing, and therefore greater success in school, family, and workplace. . This episode was recorded on November 30th, 2022 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio - I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Wisconsin. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life–just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Barb Fabre and Lucy Littlewolf Arias discuss the Indigenous Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators. Hosts Robert Pilot and Ogimaa Giniw Ikwe from Native Roots Radio, I’m Awake, interview Fabre and Arias on the results from a survey from early childhood educators and how, with knowledge and training, teachers can help reverse adverse experiences for young children and replace them with positive experiences. This episode was recorded on November 9th, 2022 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio - I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Wisconsin. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life–just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Fawn Youngbear Tibbetts and Jewell Arcoren of the Wicoie Nandagikendan Minneapolis’s Ojibwe and DakhotaLanguage Immersion Early Childhood Center, one of the first early childhood urban immersion language learning programs. Hosts Robert Pilot and Ogimaa Giniw Ikwe from Native Roots Radio, I’m Awake, interview Tibbetts and Arcoren on the importance of the development of young children through culture and language. This episode was recorded on October 26th, 2022 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio - I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Wisconsin. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life–just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Brook LaFloe. LaFloe of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, is an Indigenous Montessori Educator and Entrepreneur, and CEO of Niniijaanis One of Ones a culturally-relevant learning materials and curriculum for (birth-6)Indigenous children. Hosts Robert and Wendy Pilot from Native Roots Radio, I’m Awake, interview LaFloe on the Montessori teachings and how they relate to Indigenous teachings and the importance of revitalizing Indigenous languages. This episode was recorded on October10th, 2022 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio - I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Wisconsin. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life–just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Andre Dukes, the President of Family & Community Impact at Northside Achievement Zone in Minneapolis. Dukes discusses the importance of knowing your children and how they respond to different environments and how to parent in a white supremacist culture. This episode was recorded on October 4th, 2022 at KRSM's studio in Minneapolis, Power Perspectives hosts Andrea Pierre and ShaVunda Brown interview Sheila on the importance of nature-based play. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life – just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear Barb Fabre, CEO of Indigenous Visioning and Lynn Sheils, Lead Teacher at Grand Portage Head Start. Hosts Robert and Wendy Pilot from Native Roots Radio, I’m Awake, interview Fabre and Sheils about INDIGEBOX-an educational subscription box for early childhood learning environments serving American Indian children. This episode was recorded on September 28th, 2022 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio - I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Wisconsin. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life–just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from a crew of people in the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative. Beth Ann Dodds is a project coordinator of the program, Kris Manning is a program facilitator, and Lacy Armstrong is a parent participant in the program. Hosts Robert and Wendy Pilot from Native Roots Radio, I’m Awake, interview these guests about the 21-week civics program, the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative from the perspectives of teachers and participants. This episode was recorded on September 14th, 2022 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio - I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Wisconsin. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life–just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from pediatrician Dr. Andrea Singh. Singh is also the chair of Pediatrics at Park Nicollet and co leads children’s health initiative work at Health Partners. In this episode, Singh discusses the many ways in which pediatricians can help parents help their children succeed in life. This episode was recorded on September 1, 2022 at KRSM's studio in Minneapolis, Power Perspectives hosts Andrea Pierre and ShaVunda Brown interview Sheila on the importance of nature-based play. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life – just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Barb Fabre, CEO of Indigenous Visioning and developer of the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative. Hosts Robert and Wendy Pilot from Native Roots Radio, I’m Awake, interview Fabre about the  Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative, whose goal is to transform parents into better versions of themselves, helping them become the leaders they would like to be for their children and families, all through a cultural lens. This episode was recorded on August 17th, 2022 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio - I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Wisconsin. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life–just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Vanessa Goodthunder, director of the C̣aƞṡayapi Waḳaƞyeża Owayawa Oṭi, the Lower Sioux Early Head Start and Head Start Dakota language immersion program Hosts Robert and Wendy Pilot from Native Roots Radio, I’m Awake, interview Goodthunder on the benefits of children and adults knowing their indigenous language. This episode was recorded on August 3rd, 2022 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio - I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Madison. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days ofl ife–just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Sheila Williams Ridge, co-author of “Nature-Based Learning for Young Children: Anytime, Anywhere, on Any Budget.”  Williams Ridge also co-founded  the Minneapolis Nature Pre-School and co-directs the Child Development Laboratory School at the University of Minnesota. In this episode, recorded on August 2, 2022 at KRSM's studio in Minneapolis, Power Perspectives hosts Andrea Pierre and ShaVunda Brown interview Sheila on the importance of nature-based play. Listen to more episodes to hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life – just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

On this episode of the Little Moments Count Radio Podcast, we hear from Barb Fabre. Barb Fabre is the CEO of Indigenous Visioning and All Nations Rise. She is an enrolled member of the White Earth Ojibwe Nation in northwest Minnesota. Hosts Robert and Wendy Pilot from Native Roots Radio, I’m Awake, interview Barb on her work with early childhood education in Indian country. Together they discuss: · Why are the first 3 years of a child’s life so critical? · Why is there such a large achievement gap for low-income families and children of color? · How does historical trauma affect a child’s learning environment? · What are the benefits of parents interacting with children? · What are the latest studies on brain development in babies? Little moments count. The more you talk, play, read and sing to an infant daily, the smarter their brain becomes. The Little Moments Count Radio Podcast is created in partnership with community radio stations throughout Minnesota. Each episode, you'll hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life – just through little moments every day. This episode was recorded on July 20, 2022 on the live radio program Native Roots Radio - I’m Awake, broadcast on various radio station in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Madison. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast