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The Preschool Podcast

The Preschool Podcast, by HiMama, is a platform for early childhood educators to share their experiences with their community. Each week, CEO of HiMama, Ron Spreeuwenberg, sits down with someone making a difference to improve learning outcomes for children in child care centers, preschools, daycares and anywhere else children ages 0 to 5 are learning their foundational skills that will last a lifetime.
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Now displaying: 2016

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 child care sector and, of course, the future of our most important asset in this world, our youngest children.

Dec 22, 2016

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!

Dec 14, 2016

In this week’s episode we discuss the role of regulatory bodies in early childhood education by serving and protecting children and families with registration requirements, setting ethical and professional standards for ECEs, and governing member conduct.

Our guest, Melanie Dixon, is herself a Registered Early Childhood Educator, and is the Director of Professional Practice at The College of Early Childhood Educators in Ontario. Melanie sheds light on the purpose of a regulatory body, how and why it was created in Ontario, and the College’s current and future priorities.

If you’re interested in learning more about how a regulatory body can serve the public interest, as well enhance the status of early childhood educators through a professional designation, then stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Dec 13, 2016

In this week’s episode we discuss the science of language development, including the role of culture in dual-language learning and the importance of linking language learning to real life experiences.

Our guest, Karen Nemeth, is an advocate for early childhood education, an author on the topic of language development, and operator of Language Castle that helps preschool programs provide better early education for dual language learners.

If you’re interested in learning more about how you can enable stronger language development, in particular with dual language learners, then stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Dec 6, 2016

In this week’s episode we discuss how providing children in your preschool programs with meaningful exposure to pitch can help them to learn the language of music at an early age. Incorporating musical education helps children sing in tune and understand rhythms, as well as reinforce skills like sequencing and patterning.

Our guest, Rob Young, is the host and creator of Preschool Prodigies, a fun, colourful and accessible program for teaching children music. Rob studied music technology at NYU and after teaching preschool in Delaware he realized that this early age was the right time in a child’s life to start learning about the language of music.

If you’re interested in learning about the cognitive benefits of meaningful exposure to pitch and practical tips on how to implement musical education in your preschool then stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Nov 28, 2016

In this week’s episode we dive into an issue that all early childhood professionals will encounter in their career – young children with challenging behavior. We discuss how to understand the behavior, preventative strategies, and responding effectively to challenging behavior when it happens in your preschool or daycare programs.

Our guest, Barbara Kaiser, is the co-author of Challenging Behavior in Young Children, published by Pearson and available through the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Her writings are based on research, as well as her own personal experiences applying strategies in the classroom as an Early Childhood Educator.

If you’re looking for practical information about how to understand, prevent and respond to challenging behavior in your preschool or childcare programs, then stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Nov 20, 2016

In this week’s episode we examine advocacy in early childhood education – what it means, methods, implications, trends and channels – with someone who is, herself, a passionate advocate for quality early education for all children, regardless of socioeconomic status.

Our guest, Viktoria Bitto, a Registered Early Childhood Educator, works with the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care and as part of her advocacy work has initiated projects such as Portraits of Child Care that uses art as a form of advocacy. We also delve into the relationship between advocacy for child care and advocacy for woman’s rights, including wages and working conditions for early childhood educators.

If you’re interested in hearing first-hand from a passionate young leader about how you can put yourself out there, stay true to what you fundamentally believe in, and advocate with a clear, honest and genuine message, then stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Nov 14, 2016

In this week’s episode we explore how the simple concept of opening yourself up to change and challenging your beliefs as an early childhood educator can have a significant impact on your relationships with children. While all early childhood educators want to do what is best for children and often feel as though they are doing what is best for children, reflecting on your practices both as an individual and with your peers is a liberating experience.

We speak with Tanya Farzaneh, an Early Childhood Educator and Teacher at Seneca College in Toronto. We discuss the impact that the ‘How Does Learning Happen’ document has had in Ontario by guiding child care and early learning programs to be reflective, but we also discuss how to implement theory in practice with leadership and accountability.

If you’re interested in learning more about the reflective practices of a highly progressive lab school program then stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Nov 6, 2016

In this week’s episode we have an insightful conversation about continuous professional learning as an early childhood educator and the importance of sharing your learnings and stories with others in the early years community, in particular online.

We speak with Deborah Stewart, the owner and operator of Teach Preschool blog, as well as The Children’s Studio preschool in Indiana. We explore how Deborah has used The Children’s Studio as a lab school for learning about children’s development and the Teach Preschool blog for sharing her learnings with others on the Internet for the forward progression of early childhood educators as professionals.

To get inspired by an early childhood educator who is always learning and find out how and where you can share your work as an early childhood educator, stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Nov 1, 2016

In this week’s episode we discuss how early childhood educators must take an active role in turning theory to action on positive change for the profession.

We speak with Chanequa Cameron, a Master’s degree student at Ryerson University in Ontario and an active Member of the Board of the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario, about the stakeholders that must work together in order to close the widening early childhood professionalization gap where expectations of early childhood educators are increasing while wages and working conditions are stagnant.

To learn more about how you can take a more active role as a leader and spokesperson for early childhood educators in your community or even at the state or provincial level, stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Oct 25, 2016

In this week’s episode we discuss the complex issue of managing immigrant and refugee children in the childcare and preschool setting.

Children new to your home country may experience culture shock, especially those who have experienced difficult circumstances in their past. Our guest, Julie Dotsch, is an expert and an author on the subject of adapting programs for immigrant and refugee families. She discusses strategies for helping children to deal with change, including the importance of encouraging the use of their first language and just how critical parent presence is when managing child transitions into preschool through gradual separation.

To learn more about how to adapt your childcare programs to help immigrant and refugee children successfully transition into a new environment, stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Oct 17, 2016

In this week’s episode we talk about how Early Childhood Educators can create an environment that is inclusive for all families, including LGBTQ or “Rainbow” families. We delve into why visibility of LGBTQ families is important in the preschool context, how educators can promote inclusivity in their curriculum, and how best to communicate diversity with ALL families in your program.

Our guest, Shelley Secrett, has been an Early Childhood Educator for over 12 years and is currently an ECE at Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre in Waterloo, Ontario. She is also the owner of Secrett Events, which helps organize non-profit events highlighting local talent, people and shared experiences to bring community together.

To learn more about having an inclusive environment in your preschool and working with LGBTQ families, stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Oct 11, 2016

In this week’s episode, we explore technology adoption in preschools, including proper usage by teachers in the classroom, recommended exposure for preschoolers, and how technology can be used for marketing child care and early learning programs.

Our guest, Fran Simon, is the Founder of Engagement Strategies consulting and Producer of Early Childhood Investigations, which offers free webinars to thousands of early childhood educators. She has over 35 years of experience in the field of early childhood education and a passion for technology and marketing.

To learn more about the latest trends in technology and marketing in early childhood education from one of the most well-versed experts on these subjects, stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Oct 4, 2016

In this week’s episode we talk about mentorship and teacher empowerment in the childcare setting with the Director of Education at Childcare Network, Jaime Rechkemmer.

Childcare Network is the fourth largest provider of daycare and early learning services in America, based in Columbus, Georgia. They are providing opportunities for childcare staff to take on a leadership role in their center through the Education Coordinator position. We also discuss the importance of taking professional development learnings and applying them in the classroom.

To learn more about how you can empower your preschool teachers by being intentional with opportunities for growth, stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Sep 27, 2016

In this week’s episode we discuss the profession of being a preschool teacher – all the wonderful things about it, as well as the challenges that come with it. Our guest, Ashley Preston, is the 2016 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year and is an active preschool teacher at Parker Varney Elementary School in Manchester, New Hampshire.

A quote directly from her 2016 Teacher of the Year application sums up her views best, “Preschool students are often underestimated and I feel fortunate that I can be their voice, help them gain the recognition they deserve and prove their learning is valuable no matter what it looks like from the outside.”

To learn more about how we can speak out about the all-important role of preschool teachers, stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Sep 20, 2016

In this week’s episode we dive into emergent curriculum and inquiry-based practices with early childhood education specialist and author Susan Stacey. Susan tells us what emergent curriculum means, how an early childhood educator can best go about learning it for application in the classroom and also how administrators can enable an environment that supports a dynamic curriculum that is responsive, intentional and full of possibilities.

To learn more about emergent curriculum and how you can start on the journey of applying it in your daycare, preschool or childcare programs, stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Sep 13, 2016

In this week’s episode we host Deborah McNelis, an early brain development specialist and founder of Brain Insights, to talk about the science behind why preschool is so important. We delve into some detail about brain development from birth to age five and discuss how this deeper understanding benefits preschool teachers and other early childhood educators when collaborating with children in the classroom.

To learn more about brain development in preschoolers and how we can spread the word about this super important topic, stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Sep 6, 2016

In this week’s episode we have a conversation with a panel of Early Childhood Educators with experience inside the classroom, as well as outside the classroom as Community Advisors with HiMama. We discuss the importance of taking the initiative to stay involved in the early childhood education community and taking ownership of improvements and innovations in your preschool or child care programs, no matter what your role.

Steven Bonnay has a Bachelor of Arts from Brock University as well as an Early Childhood Education Diploma from Seneca College where he later worked as a Registered Early Childhood Educator. Kali Kan has a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Teaching from George Brown College where she later worked as a Registered Early Childhood Educator, in addition to working as a Research Intern at the National Association for the Education of Young Children. And Katelyn Vickers holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies from Ryerson University, as well as a diploma in Early Childhood Education from George Brown College; she has worked as a Registered Early Childhood Educator at a number of child care and early learning programs, including the YWCA.

To learn more about how you can flex your leadership muscle as a Preschool Teacher or Early Childhood Educator, tune into this episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Aug 30, 2016

In this week’s episode we step out of the classroom setting to ponder over some bigger picture questions about child care accessibility and affordability. We explore the question of whether affordable, quality child care can be provided for all families, regardless of circumstances, and how that can come to be through effective policies, frameworks, systems and investment.

Our guest, Don Giesbrecht, is the CEO of the Canadian Child Care Federation and was formerly President of the Manitoba Child Care Federation. He’s also the father of two very active children and actively volunteers as a coach for his children’s various sports teams.

Aug 23, 2016

In this week’s episode we delve into the balanced learning approach, implemented in Primrose School franchises across the U.S.  As the name of the approach states, the emphasis of the curriculum is on balance, including the balance of play-based learning led by children’s natural curiosity, with guiding questions from educators to enable children to take their development to the next level.

Our guest, Dr. Gloria Julius, is the Vice President of Education & Professional Development at Primrose Schools, a forward-thinking, franchise-based early learning organization with over 325 locations across the U.S. She also has over 30 years of experience as a teacher and leader in the Maryland public school system.  If you’re interested in educational philosophies and approaches to curriculum then you’ll wanna stay tuned for this week’s episode of The Preschool Podcast!

Aug 15, 2016

In this week’s episode we discuss the value of partnerships between educators and families. Many families are seeking a more active role in their children’s care and education and are challenging the notion of “teacher-as- expert”. We discuss why child care and early learning programs should embrace family involvement which will ultimately benefit not only families, but educators and children as well.  We also discuss the hot topic of outdoor play and how it is different than indoor play, delving into how it allows for high energy, exuberant play that improves both the physical and mental health of our young children.

Our guest, Lynn Wilson, is the author of several books in early childhood education, including ‘Partnerships: Families and Communities in Early Childhood’ and ‘Outdoor Playscapes: Breaking New Ground’. She is a mother of four children, an early childhood educator, and a former faculty member at George Brown College.  

Aug 9, 2016

In this week’s episode we chat with Kris Murray, Founder and President of Child Care Marketing Solutions, about how you need to make time for passion-filled activities that energize you as an Owner or Director of a preschool or child care organization.

Aug 2, 2016

In this week's episode, we explore what educators mean by a Reggio Emilia approach to early learning and how early childhood educators can use pedagogical documentation to enhance their own knowledge and development while improving learning outcomes for children. We speak with Diane Kashin, Professor of Early Childhood Education at Ryerson University in Toronto, Chair of the York Region Nature Collaborative.

Jul 26, 2016

Today I speak with Julie Bartkus, the Founder of Child Care Business Success. Julie is all about VISION – having a vision and executing on it to create Positive, Productive and Profitable child care businesses. She’s been in the industry for over 17 years and has some really sensible strategies for improving the quality of child care programs with her approaches for child care business success. 

Jul 20, 2016

Today I speak with Debbi Sluys, the Director of Growing Together Family Resource Centre in Blenheim, Ontario. Deb has many years of experience in early childhood education and I thought she would be a great person to host on the podcast because in her years of experience she has the perspective from being a teacher on the ground to being the Director of a child care program with multiple locations. We talk about what has changed in early childhood education since she first started in the field and what has made Growing Together such a successful organization, in particular the progressive culture that encourages discussion, learning, leadership and a sense of community.

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