EP 9 | Sensory Processing + the Sensory Lens
The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
Release Date: 07/15/2024
The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
On today’s episode I speak with Lisa Burman - an author, speaker, professional learning facilitator and every-day researcher of childhood and learning. Lisa has strong roots in true early childhood pedagogy whose work is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and guided by honouring children’s rights. This discussion is a deep exploration of early childhood values and principles. Lisa and I discuss: 🌸 What is meant by a ‘culture of agency.’ 🌸 Shared power and democratic classrooms. 🌸 Common misconceptions of agency (hint: it’s not something that we ‘give’...
info_outline EP 17 | Rethinking Readiness in Early ChildhoodThe Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
On today’s episode I speak with Nathan Wallis, a neuroscience educator on a mission to share the value of brain development in early childhood to the masses. In this discussion, Nathan challenges the concept of "readiness" and advocates for focussing on the present moment rather than preparing them for future academic demands. Earlier and faster isn’t better. Nathan and I discuss: 🌸Readiness and developmental needs. 🌸Sequential brain development. 🌸The impact of cultural norms on education. 🌸The role of play in early childhood. 🌸Dangers of early academic pressure....
info_outline EP 16 | Supporting Children With ADHDThe Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
On today’s episode I speak with Andy Hayes - an accredited ADHD coach with an epic sense of humour. Andy is a dedicated Perth dad, teacher and educational leader with lived experience of ADHD who represents the ideal mentor for children and adults everywhere. Andy and I discuss: 🌸 The four pillars of ADHD and their impact on learning and behaviour. 🌸 Executive functions and their role in daily life. 🌸 The role of dopamine. 🌸 How labels can act as roadblocks to true support. 🌸 Why emotional intelligence is critical. 🌸 Cognitive load and...
info_outline EP 15 | A New Lens for Challenging BehavioursThe Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
On today’s episode I speak with Dave Jereb - an OT and co-founder of Move About Therapy Services. Dave is a gem - he’s relatable, funny, personable and compassionate. He’s got a knack for seeing the bigger picture of behaviour and walks us through how he does this in out chat. Dave and I discuss: 🌸What we mean when we use the term ‘challenging behaviour.’ 🌸The fundamental need for connection when working with challenging behaviours. 🌸Ideas on ways to connect and the importance of micro-moments. 🌸Why we need to remain objective when we speak about challenging...
info_outline EP 14 | Coming Together to Support Children Experiencing AnxietyThe Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
On today’s episode I speak with Kathryn Hackman, founder of the Courageous Kids app. Kathryn is a doctor but, first and foremost, a mama to two children and knows firsthand the challenge in supporting children through anxiety. Her app, Courageous Kids, is a one-stop shop for both parents and educators alike to create individualised social stories - a proven method that supports children through those trickier times. Kathryn and I discuss: 🌸 The prevalence of anxiety for young children. 🌸 The distinction between anxiety + separation anxiety. 🌸 How caregivers and...
info_outline EP 13 | Nature Play + Regulation in the OutdoorsThe Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
On today’s episode, I speak with Cath Fitzhardinge, an OT who is a strong advocate of nature play and children spending time outdoors so much so that she is currently completing a Masters of Philosophy (Arts & Sciences) at Notre Dame University Australia where she is researching play opportunities and the utilization of an intentionally designed nature play space in a primary school to support children’s health, wellbeing and learning. Cath and I discuss: 🌸 What nature play, messy play and sensory mean for children's well-being. 🌸 How nature play benefits sensory...
info_outline Ep 12 | Deconstructing Childhood AngerThe Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
On today’s episode I speak with Jacquie Ward, a psychologist and all round beautiful soul. Jacquie has such a gift in looking beneath the surface of big behaviours and moving beyond the discomfort that anger can bring to us in order to truly support children. Jacquie and I discuss: 🌸Internalised + externalised anger and the fight + flight response. 🌸Removing the stigma surrounding anger. 🌸Anger as a secondary emotion. 🌸When we join the child in their chaos. 🌸Navigating aggressive behaviours. 🌸When to seek specialist support. 🌸When families + caregivers also...
info_outline EP 11 | Children’s Council + Honouring Children’s VoicesThe Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
On today’s episode I speak with Renee Mitchell (Director) and Charmaine Greenwood (Assistant Director) of Goodstart Early Learning in Red Hill, Queensland. I am in awe of Renee, Charmaine and their team as their dedication to honouring children’s rights in their practice is overwhelmingly inspiring. Renee, Charmaine and I discuss: 🌸 Respecting + advocating for children’s rights. 🌸 What is a children’s council and how have they brought it to life? 🌸 The idea of slow pedagogy. 🌸 Supporting transitions with a Children’s Handbook. 🌸 Looking at a child’s...
info_outline EP 10 | A Conversation on Rethinking Dominant Education PracticesThe Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
On today’s episode I speak with Simon Airey, who you may know from instagram as Simon Inclusion Teacher (formerly known as Sassy Supply). I was really drawn to Simon as his passion for inclusion and neuro-affirming practice comes through so loudly. Not always serious, though; Simon sprinkles humour into much of what he does and is sure to bring you a smile or two. In our conversation, we tackle many big questions when it comes to rethinking traditional practices in education. Simon and I discuss: 🌸 Reframing behaviour as something to managed or supported. 🌸 How has inclusion in...
info_outline EP 9 | Sensory Processing + the Sensory LensThe Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
On today’s episode, I speak with Michaelene Kearney from The Teachers OT about an incredibly powerful and transformational lens that we can adopt when it comes to supporting children’s behaviour - the sensory processing lens. Michaelene shares so much of her wisdom with us around not only what sensory processing is but the many ways that it can impact behaviour. Michaelene and I discuss: 🌸What is the role of an Occupational Therapist? 🌸The three step framework that is sensory processing. 🌸The difference between understanding versus judgement when it comes to...
info_outlineOn today’s episode, I speak with Michaelene Kearney from The Teachers OT about an incredibly powerful and transformational lens that we can adopt when it comes to supporting children’s behaviour - the sensory processing lens. Michaelene shares so much of her wisdom with us around not only what sensory processing is but the many ways that it can impact behaviour.
Michaelene and I discuss:
🌸What is the role of an Occupational Therapist?
🌸The three step framework that is sensory processing.
🌸The difference between understanding versus judgement when it comes to behaviour.
🌸What are the eight sensory systems (including the three lesser known sensory systems - proprioception, vestibular input and interoception)?
🌸What happens when one of these systems isn’t doing their job and how does this contribute to behaviour?
🌸The importance of working with OTs and knowing when to seek out their support.
🌸Considerations for sensory friendly classroom environments.
🌸Movement as up-regulating and movement as down-regulating.
Michaelene Kearney is a paediatric occupational therapist with specialised training in the diagnosis & treatment of sensory processing disorder. As an occupational therapist, she collaborates with teachers & school staff on care for her clients in the school setting. After years of providing OT consultative services for schools in the Atlanta area, she created The Teachers OT - an online educational platform where she provides education on all things sensory in the classroom.
Connect with Michaelene:
💫Send her an email: [email protected] &
💫 Find her on Instagram: @theteachers_ot
💫 Visit her website: The Teacher's OT
💫 View her course: Understanding Behaviour in the Classroom
💫 Check our her sensory tools
Join the Little Bloom community:
💫Send me an email: [email protected]
💫Find me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy
💫 Connect with me on LinkedIn: Danica See
💫 Visit my website: Little Bloom Consultancy