The Preschool Podcast
Ron Spreeuwenberg
The Preschool Podcast, brought to you by HiMama, is a platform for learning from leading professionals in early childhood education. If you work in a daycare, childcare or preschool setting, The Preschool Podcast will provide you with both practical advice for managing your organization, center or classroom, as well as thought provoking content and insights about the field of early childhood education.
Each week, we chat with leaders in early childhood education, from teachers and educators in the classroom with innovative curriculum approaches, to directors who are excelling at empowering their team, and leaders outside of the child care environment that are passionate about making a positive impact on outcomes for young children.
Our goal with The Preschool Podcast is to provide knowledge and inspiration to the future leaders of early childhood education by speaking with experienced and insightful leaders in the world of preschool and early learning today. At HiMama, it is our belief that leadership within early childhood education is crucial to the future of the childcare sector and, of course, the future of our most important asset in this world, our youngest children.
Each week, we chat with leaders in early childhood education, from teachers and educators in the classroom with innovative curriculum approaches, to directors who are excelling at empowering their team, and leaders outside of the child care environment that are passionate about making a positive impact on outcomes for young children.
Our goal with The Preschool Podcast is to provide knowledge and inspiration to the future leaders of early childhood education by speaking with experienced and insightful leaders in the world of preschool and early learning today. At HiMama, it is our belief that leadership within early childhood education is crucial to the future of the childcare sector and, of course, the future of our most important asset in this world, our youngest children.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 7, 2017 • 28min
Parent communication technology as a preschool marketing tool
On episode 34 of The Preschool Podcast, we discuss the role of parent communication technology in preschools with Tiffany Torres, Chief Creator of Opportunities for the Preschool Marketing Group. We talk about the importance of showing parents the hard work that goes into teaching young children. Tiffany emphasizes the importance of using available tools to build relationships that increase parent satisfaction and teacher appreciation in order to earn advocates for your school.
Feb 28, 2017 • 27min
Teaching children through play
This week, we’re on episode 33 of the show. We’ll be discussing teaching children through play with Alistair Bryce-Clegg, author of the blog ABCdoes.com and early years consultant from Cheshire in the UK. We touch on his journey as an educator and how he cultivated an appreciation for the skills required to be successful in working with young children. We also talk about the complexity involved in the profession and the importance of engaging children through child-led activities and play. As Alistair says “thrill, will and skill” all feed into each other in the teaching process
Feb 21, 2017 • 29min
Affecting change through leadership
In this week’s episode, we discuss how to affect change to advance the accessibility of quality childcare for all children. Today, we are really excited to be in conversation with Lynette Fraga, a leading voice for policy change in her role as Executive Director for Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA). Lynette began her career on the floor and was driven to take on multiple leadership roles by her passion to provide quality accessible care for all young children on a national level. In our conversation, we highlight the need to value childcare as a profession and discuss how educators can harness their passion to be leaders and create awareness for the field.
Feb 13, 2017 • 24min
Developing relationships with children and their families
In this week’s episode, we discuss the importance of parent-teacher collaboration in early childhood education. In our conversation with Lynn Arner, we talk about the move towards including “family engagement” as a new measurement of child care quality in California. We also delve into her decision to include parents in her coaching work as she believes that parents are a child’s first teacher and the foundation of their learning. Lynn also gives us some perspective into how the field has evolved over the years and shares some tips for teachers who are trying to connect with parents in a “hyperconnected” society.
Feb 6, 2017 • 25min
Sustained shared thinking for more meaningful conversations with children
In this week’s episode, we unpack the concept of “sustained, shared thinking” that focuses on active listening and positive questioning as a pedagogical approach. In our conversation with Kathy Brodie, an early years consultant based in England, we talk about the importance of having intentional conversations with children that explores interactive dialogue and builds problem solving skills, rather than focusing on the “right” answer. We discuss the research that proves the efficacy of the approach and its practical applications in the classroom. Kathy has also authored the book Sustained Shared Thinking as a resource for teachers.
Jan 29, 2017 • 28min
Applying Conscious Discipline for a positive impact within children
In this week’s episode, we discuss the impact of relationship-based teaching that involves the educator as much as it does the child. In our conversation with Dr. Bailey, we learn about the neuroscience that informs the Conscious Discipline program and practical applications of the methodology. The program encourages a positive approach towards teaching and has impacted the lives of millions of children, parents and educators around the world. If you are looking to learn about how to apply self-awareness when working with children and be inspired by the impact that it has had over the last 20-years, then stay tuned for this episode of the preschool podcast!
Jan 23, 2017 • 30min
Creating alignment between planning and teaching
In this week’s episode, we take a closer look at creating alignment between planning in the boardroom and practice in the classroom. In our conversation with, Carole AlKahouaji, we dive deeper into the scenarios that teachers and administrators face when working with the many moving parts of running a program. We discuss the different methodologies in an early childhood education setting, how foster a healthy relationship between teachers and parents as well as the importance of seeing teachers as professionals -- valuing them for the work that they do. We compare the way different countries implement their programming, from Germany, Italy, France, Japan and more. Particularly the different emphases on maintaining teacher well-being in order to create a low-stress environment that promotes play and active community building for young children.
Jan 9, 2017 • 29min
Impact of high-quality pre-k programs
In this week’s episode we get a first hand view into just how impactful quality preschool education can be for a young child. In this powerful conversation with Liz Huntley, we hear about Liz’s childhood, being raised by her grandmother after her father’s incarceration and her mother’s suicide. Ultimately, the affection, stimulation and support she received through her preschool program saved her life and set her on a path to become a truly inspirational advocate for high-quality pre-k, as well as a successful litigation attorney at Lightfoot, Franklin & White in Birmingham, Alabama. She has also since recounted her childhood in her memoir, ‘More Than A Bird’. If you’re looking for inspiration on how you can lead an impactful career as an early childhood educator through a powerfully emotional journey then stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!
Jan 3, 2017 • 37min
Recruiting and developing top talent
In this week’s episode we discuss some of the key issues facing child care and preschool administrators, focusing in on an issue that almost all administrators face - staffing. We speak with Lori Buxton, Executive Associate of PROEEA, Professional Early Education Associates, about how to find and manage early childhood education talent by looking inward at who you are as an organization, as opposed to starting with who you want on your team. If you’re a leader that wants to attract and develop top talent in your preschool by setting yourself apart, then stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!
Dec 22, 2016 • 26min
Making time for culture in your preschool
In this week’s episode we discuss the crucial role of culture in child care and early learning programs. We look to some external thought leadership about establishing core values, making your team feel valued and non-verbal cues that are all highly transferable to leaders in early childhood education. Chanie Wilschanski M.S.Ed is an early childhood strategist and leadership coach and founder of DiscoverED Consulting, a results driven company designed for progressive directors who want to build school excellence. With a decade of experience and extensive training in the Reggio Approach she has had the privilege of training thousands of educators spanning 6 continents and 16 countries. If you’re a leader looking for resources to take your child care center or classroom to the next level with positive change then stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!
