That Early Childhood Nerd

Live from the lobby of the Claggett Retreat Center, listen in as attendees and presenters debrief the day’s events–what resonated, what challenged them, and dreams for what happens next. The Play Empowers Teacher Retreat is truly one of a kind. 
Because it was a live recording of a large group, the volume levels vary a bit from person to person–this  may not be an ear bud episode!
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Nikki Darling-Kuria joins host Heather Bernt-Santy to share her growth as a trauma informed early childhood professional in an unpredictable world.
The quote to start this conversation is from Katherine Anne Porter, who said, “The past is never where you think you left it,” meaning that events that we think are in the past and believe we should be “over” aren’t ever over. Nikki shares thoughts and resources about moving through our work and our lives with trauma informed practices. 
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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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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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"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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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
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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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
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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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
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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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
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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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
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:"
buymeacoffee.com/heatherf
Another way to support the show is to leave a review/rating on iTunes or Spotify, and to share on your social media networks!