KindlED | The Prenda Podcast

Matt Eicheldinger, NYT bestselling author and educator, shares his journey of persistence and the power of meaningful connections with young people. He centers on building trust and creating space for kids to develop confidence, curiosity, and resilience.• Becoming a teacher because he enjoyed kids and had parents who modeled empathy • Writing his first book for struggling readers, facing 600+ rejections before succeeding • The impact of small moments that resonate with students years later • Playing "the long game" with disengaged students by building trust before pushing academics • The importance of boredom as a catalyst for creativity • Creating space for silence and reflection in our overstimulated world • Showing vulnerability by sharing rejection letters with students • Helping children develop identity beyond academic achievementAbout our guestMatt Eicheldinger is a New York Times bestselling author, storyteller, and educator who brings humor and heart to every story he tells. With a knack for finding the extraordinary in everyday moments, Matt has captivated readers with books like Sticky Notes: Memorable Lessons from Ordinary Moments and Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes, and continues to write stories that capture the imagination and heart for readers. Beyond the page, Matt shares relatable stories with his hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, and has amassed over 100 million views where he makes people laugh, think, and appreciate the small moments in life.Connect with Matthttps://matteicheldinger.com/The Matt Sprouts SeriesSticky Notes@matteicheldingeGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Education is undergoing a seismic shift as families and educators seek alternatives to traditional schooling, with microschools emerging as a powerful option for personalized learning in supportive communities.• 48% of parents feel education is heading in the wrong direction• 17.5% of kids are now outside traditional schools (up from 11.8% in 2018)• The one-size-fits-all classroom approach leaves many students either bored or lost• Education Savings Account (ESA) programs across 25-30 states are making school choice accessible regardless of income level • COVID forced education onto kitchen tables, revealing limitations in traditional approaches• Microschools transform narratives from "problem kid" or "good kid" to recognizing inherent worth and potential• Prenda provides tools to make starting microschools accessible, including goal-setting features and portfolio-based assessment• Some forward-thinking public schools are incorporating microschool elements within their existing structures• The education revolution is gathering momentum, promising to unleash more human potentialCheck out Prenda on social media @prendalearn to learn more about starting your own microschool.Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Adriane Thompson, founder of Raising Kids With Purpose, shares her transformative journey from controlling parenting to creating an environment that meets children's developmental needs through intentional family culture.• Shifting from viewing parenting as controlling children to understanding and meeting their developmental needs• Creating strong family culture through shared values, family meetings, and consistent modeling• Understanding that big emotions and behaviors in children signal unmet needs, not "bad kids"• Helping neurodivergent children by recognizing their unique nervous system needs• Building a family where unconditional love and acceptance form the foundation• Recognizing that our own nervous system regulation directly impacts our children• Starting with awareness of our triggers and patterns from our own upbringing• Using values as an anchor during challenging parenting moments• Creating consistent family time to strengthen connectionsAbout our guestAdriane Thompson is a certified parenting coach living in Surprise, Arizona, with her husband, three energetic boys, and two Aussiedoodles. She’s passionate about helping parents navigate challenges with a connection-based approach and is the creator of the P.U.R.P.O.S.E. Parent Transformation Program, a 12-week coaching experience designed to help overwhelmed parents break generational cycles, build emotional resilience, and foster a strong family culture rooted in mutual respect.With over five years of experience in coaching, education, and mentoring, Adriane has a gift for breaking down complex topics like neurodevelopment, emotional regulation, attachment, and family dynamics into practical, life-giving strategies. She shares value-packed blog posts and printables at Raising Kids With Purpose, offering tools that support parents on their journey toward more peace and joy at home.When she’s not coaching, you’ll find Adriane hiking, camping with her family, leading local mom groups, or mentoring high school girls at her church. She believes in the power of connection, kindness, and lifelong learning to make a lasting impact on the world.Connect with Adrianeraisingkidswithpurpose.com@raisingkidswithpurpose on InstagramGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Karen Glass discusses the power of narration in education, sharing her journey from homeschooling mom to Charlotte Mason education expert and author of "Know and Tell: The Art of Narration."• Narration is simply telling back what you've learned, a natural human activity we use to build relationships• Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy centers on two key principles: "children are born persons" and "education is a science of relations"• Narration develops multiple cognitive skills including comprehension, memory, ordering of thoughts, and communication• The progression of narration moves from oral telling (ages 6-9) to written narration (10-12) to formal composition (junior high and high school)• Narration can be applied to any subject and take many forms—oral, written, artistic, dramatic, or even through building models• Children don't always enjoy narration, but it works effectively regardless, developing communication skills that serve students throughout life• Special needs children can benefit from narration through alternative expressions like drawing, building, or dramatic play• The mental processes involved in narration help students build connections between subjects and with their prior knowledgeAbout our guestKaren Glass has been studying and learning about Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education since 1994. She homeschooled her four children who are now all adult graduates, but her passion for this life-giving view of education has not diminished and she welcomes opportunities to share it with others. She has spoken at homeschool conferences, taught online classes, conducted teacher training at schools, and served as an adjunct professor to teach college-level classes. She is the author of several books based upon Charlotte Mason’s ideas, including Consider This, Know and Tell: The Art of Narration, In Vital Harmony, and most recently Much May Be Done with Sparrows. After living in Krakow, Poland for almost 25 years, she now lives in rural Indiana where she continues to read, learn, teach, and write.Connect with KarenOrder Know and TellLearn more about Karen's workGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Alex Shevrin Venet shares how educators can build unconditional positive regard that helps children feel valued regardless of behavior, improving their ability to regulate emotions and engage in learning.• Trauma affects behavior by triggering stress responses that appear as choices but aren't really choices • Co-regulation (calm adults helping dysregulated children) precedes self-regulation• Restraint collapse explains why children often "fall apart" after holding it together at school• Children behave better when they feel safe, not when they're punished or shamedMore about our guestAlex Shevrin Venet is an educator, author, and professional development facilitator based in Vermont. She teaches graduate teacher education at Vermont State University. Alex works with educators around the country to strengthen their trauma-informed education practices, with a focus on empowering teachers to create systemic change. Connect with AlexEquity-Centered Trauma-Informed EducationBecoming an Everyday ChangemakerUnconditionalLearning.comGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Brock Murphy, co-founder of Parent ProTech, shares critical insights about helping families navigate the challenging digital landscape that's targeting our children. He draws on his unique background spanning government work and SpaceX to offer practical strategies for protecting kids while building healthy relationships with technology. In this episode, we cover...• Building on relationships as the foundation for digital safety conversations rather than leading with restrictions • Understanding the neuroscience behind teen technology use - "overdeveloped accelerators and underdeveloped brake systems"• Creating community standards around technology use to combat the "everyone else has it" pressure• Recognizing that content previously considered extreme has become normalized and easily accessible• Looking at technology access holistically rather than just focusing on phones• Partnering with schools to create consistent approaches to technology both in and out of the classroom• Staying informed about platform changes and understanding the social features hidden within educational apps• Getting involved in your child's digital world by participating in their online activities• Finding resources to help navigate the constantly evolving digital landscapeMore about our guestBrock Murphy is a graduate of Texas A&M University with time spent in the agriculture industry, at the White House, and at SpaceX. After being approached by parents and teachers to solve various problems about new technology and applications, he co-founded Parent ProTech to help empower families and educators with the tools and knowledge needed to safely navigate technology.Connect with BrockVisit ParentProTech.com for resources to help your family navigate technology safely or sign up for their newsletter to stay informed about changes in the digital landscape.Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Engaging students in meaningful thinking and learning is essential for effective education. We explore the principles of creating a thinking classroom with Dr. Peter Liljeddahl, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, purposeful tasks, and a supportive learning environment.What we'll cover...- Discussion of non-thinking behaviors observed in traditional classrooms  - Introduction to the 14 key practices for building thinking classrooms  - Importance of random group formations for collaborative learning  - Strategies for implementing thinking tasks into classroom routines  - The role of teacher-student dynamics in fostering engagement  - Emphasis on valuing mistakes as learning opportunities  - How to incorporate playful and non-curricular tasks into learning  - Insights into Dr. Liljedahl's further resources and booksIf you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe for more insights on transforming education through innovative practices!About our guest...Dr. Peter Liljedahl is a Professor of Mathematics Education in the Faculty of Education and an associate member in the Department of Mathematics at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. Dr. Liljedahl has authored or co-authored 9 books, 26 book chapters, 27 journal articles, and over 50 conference papers. His research interests are creativity, insight, and discovery in mathematics teaching and learning and teacher development. He consults regularly with schools, school districts, and ministries of education on issues of teaching and learning, assessment, and numeracy. Connect with Peter...Building Thinking Classrooms - the book!Building Thinking Classrooms websiteGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Ever feel lost when a child erupts in frustration? You’re not alone! In this episode, we dive deep into understanding childhood anger, why it happens, and—most importantly—how to guide kids toward healthy emotional regulation.Our guest, Samantha Snowden, an expert in emotional intelligence and child development, shares powerful tools for parents, educators, and caregivers to help children manage big emotions with compassion and confidence.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Why compassion is the key to emotional development✅ The root causes of anger and how to address them✅ Practical strategies for emotion identification and regulation✅ How culture and language shape a child’s emotional understanding✅ Post-regulation reflection: Helping kids learn from emotional moments✅ How to foster emotional intelligence and self-awareness in everyday lifeIf you're raising or teaching kids, this episode is packed with insights to help you build emotional resilience and create a supportive learning environment. 🎧 Hit play now and join the conversation!Connect with SamanthaInstagram: @anchored_samSamanthaSnowden.comAnger Management Workbook for KidsGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Discover how homeschooling can revolutionize your child’s education and fit seamlessly into your family’s lifestyle. This episode features Elan Page, the founder of Homeschool Our Way, who shares her inspiring journey from a lifelong learner to a trailblazer empowering families, especially families of color, to embrace homeschooling with confidence. Whether you’re new to homeschooling or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with practical tips and encouragement.We explore critical topics like setting family goals, selecting the right curriculum, and managing work-life balance while homeschooling. Learn about valuable resources like educational savings accounts (ESAs) and how they can open doors for a personalized learning experience. From overcoming challenges to finding homeschool co-ops and expert support, we’ve got you covered.At its core, homeschooling fosters student autonomy and creates opportunities for personalized, mastery-based learning. Elan highlights the importance of representation and community, ensuring every child feels seen and valued. Don’t miss this empowering conversation that’s full of actionable advice to make homeschooling work for your family.More about our guestElan Page, a native of Dallas, Texas, is a lifelong learner who is passionate about helping other families of color access the freedom and fulfillment that homeschool offers.After a brief return to traditional schooling, the Page family made the collective decision to embrace homeschooling as the future for their daughters. Elan then drew on her own learnings from starting the homeschooling process, and she created Homeschool Our Way to help other families of color avoid the overwhelm she had experienced in starting something new. Homeschool Our Way offers a weekly podcast, an online course called the Homeschool Launch Blueprint and other resources to empower families of color to educate their children with confidence and clarity. Connect with ElanHomeschoolourway.comFollow Elan on Instagram @homeschool_ourwayAlso mentioned in this episodeHomeschool Legal Defense PrenGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Join us as we sit down with Peter Fitzpatrick, co-founder of FawnFriends.com, to explore the creation of Willow, a robotic plushie designed to support neurodivergent children in their emotional growth. Peter shares his personal journey, from his experiences with ADHD and familial challenges to the innovative hackathon project that gave birth to Willow. Discover how this cuddly AI companion is transforming the landscape of emotional support for children and their parents, without replacing traditional methods.We also examine the broader implications of AI in child development and mental health, highlighting AI's unique ability to scale educational support and provide tailored assistance. Peter's insights challenge us to consider how robots might enrich our lives, encouraging us to look beyond metal and circuits to see potential companions in child development and emotional well-being.More about our GuestPeter is building Willow, a robotic plushy that helps neurodivergent kids grow up to be successful by helping them learn to regulate emotions, set and pursue goals, and build more secure relationships. Peter, co-founder of FawnFriends.com, is a student of child psychology, how robots can help children mature successfully, and emotional wellness.Connect with PeterFawnFriends.comSign up for the Fawn Friends weekly newsletterGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcastThe KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool