That Early Childhood Nerd

NERD_0374 The Daycare Myth: Author Dan Wuori

For a century, America’s early childhood policy has been premised on a myth. This falsehood—which dictates that child care and education are somehow separate and distinct—not only suboptimizes the most important window into all human development, but costs American taxpayers an untold fortune. It’s time to think differently.
Written in plain yet provocative language by one of the field’s most respected bipartisan policy experts, The Daycare Myth makes the case for why the early years matter; why America’s longstanding early childhood policy approach sacrifices the needs of young children in favor of promoting adult employment; and why fixing the problem makes good sense, regardless of your place on the political spectrum.
With straightforward guidance for policymakers, practitioners, and parents, this incredibly timely book is a wake-up call for a nation that aspires to nothing less than the wholesale transformation of America’s early childhood landscape.
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NERD_0373 When Children are Free to Pretend

Mike Huber is back to talk more about pretend play, children’s power, and the teacher’s liberation as we continue to discuss his new book The Power in Pretend: Supporting Children’s Power, Identity and Agency. 
Mike shares a story of powerful pretend play that started with taking chairs outside so that children could clean them and ended with the children’s own take on what happens when you go to church. So fun! And so powerful. 
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NERD_0372 Rhythms Over Routines with Amy Chiu

"School can be a stressful place. It can be overstimulating and demanding which impacts everyone's nervous system and ability to cope, let alone learn. The prevailing wisdom is that children thrive in predictable routines, but it's not black and white." 
Early childhood education speaker and instructor Amy Chiu suggests that we shift from thinking about routines and rigid schedules to developing rhythms in our days with young children. 
Find more of Amy's work here: https://www.theworkofplay.com/
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NERD_0371 Powerful Play with Author Amanda Morgan

Child development expert Amanda Morgan returns to That Early Childhood Nerd to discuss her new book, "Not Just Cute: How Powerful Play Drives Development in Early Childhood," in which she calls out myths and pressures that push play aside and makes a compelling case for bringing it back. 
Find more Amanda here: https://notjustcute.com/
Order the book here: https://notjustcute.com/book
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NERD_0370 Surviving the Child Care Crisis

Kisa Marx joins host Heather Bernt-Santy to talk about her powerful Exchange article, "A Letter to Educators: Surviving the Child Care Crisis." 
Find the article here: https://hub.exchangepress.com/articles-on-demand/50396/
More about Kisa's work: https://theplaylabnfpoakpark.org/the-play-lab
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NERD_0369 Heather Wrote a Book!

Host Heather Bernt-Santy thought she was joining a recording session to discuss an article shared by Lizz Nolasco--but surprise! The Nerds ambushed her--tricking her into talking instead about her upcoming book Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood!
The book will be out in the fall of 2025, keep your eye out on That Early Childhood Nerd's social media accounts, or Teachers College Press's website: https://www.tcpress.com/browse-books
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NERD_0368 The Power in Pretend pt 2

Mike Huber is back to dig into ideas about how pretend play supports focus, impulse control, and self regulation. And what about super hero play? When children imitate superheroes from tv or movies, can that be considered imaginative? It's a fun conversation! 
Buy the book here: https://www.redleafpress.org/Power-in-Pretend-Supporting-Young-Childrens-Power-Identity-and-Agency-Through-Play-P3107.aspx
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NERD_0367 The Power in Pretend pt 1

Mike Huber has a new book! He joins host Heather Bernt-Santy for the first of (we hope) many conversations about his book The Power in Pretend: Supporting Children's Power, Identity and Agency. 
Buy the book here: https://www.redleafpress.org/Power-in-Pretend-Supporting-Young-Childrens-Power-Identity-and-Agency-Through-Play-P3107.aspxMore
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NERD_0366 Teacher Research and Teacher Survival

San Francisco Transitional KG Teacher Aaron Neimark joins host Heather Bernt-Santy to talk about being a teacher researcher and challenging yourself to survive and thrive! 
For more of Aaron's work: 
1) Do You Want to See Something Goofy? Peer Culture in the Preschool Yard  2) Learning from Children's Humor: Peer Culture as a Teaching Tool(book chapter on peer culture and humor in this book):Educating Toddlers to Teachers: Learning to See and Influence the School and Peer Cultures of the Classroom
3) The Chairs are Theirs: Conflict Resolution in a Kindergarten Classroom(book chapter about problem solving in kindergarten in this book):Teaching Kindergarten: Learner Centered Classrooms for the 21st Century
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NERD_0365 Early Childhood MAYtriarchy: bell hooks and Cheng Xueqin

Welcome to Early Childhood MAYtriarchy 2025, where we celebrate the contributions of women to the work of early childhood.
In this episode: Denisha Jones shares how the work of bell hooks has influenced her and informed her work. Krystina Tapia talks about her life changing experience visiting the Anji schools founded by Cheng Xueqin, and how Ms Cheng's work informed her as an early educator and now as a parent.
I love doing this series! Hope you love it too.
Want to support the show and help keep it ad free? You can make a one time donation or become a member to get access to more TECN content at "Buy Me a Coffee:"
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