Body Safety for Young Children: Empowering Teachers and Caregivers
Release Date: 12/17/2024
Every Drop Counts: Exploring Water with Young Learners
Early Childhood Chapters
What can water teach young children about science, curiosity, and caring for the planet? Author and educator Ann Gadzikowski, MEd, joins host Emily Garman to discuss her new book, (Gryphon House, 2025). Drawing on her collaboration with her daughter, a water scientist, Ann shares how educators can inspire scientific thinking and environmental stewardship—beginning with joyful, hands-on play. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How simple water play helps children develop curiosity, problem-solving, and early STEM thinking. Ways to introduce environmental awareness and stewardship through...
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Every Child Can Fly: Including Children of All Abilities
Early Childhood Chapters
In this inspiring conversation, author and educator Jani Kozlowski shares her personal and professional journey toward creating more inclusive early learning environments. Drawing from her own experience as a person with a disability—and as the parent of a child with a disability—Jani helps educators and families see that inclusion is not a place, but a culture of belonging. She offers practical advice for educators who want to welcome every child, explains the importance of people-first language, and highlights how high expectations paired with support help all children grow and thrive....
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Classroom Strategies to Support Focus and Self-Regulation
Early Childhood Chapters
In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman sits down with Dr. Julie Tourigny, pediatric occupational therapist and author of , , and her upcoming release, . Together, they explore why attention is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be taught and strengthened in early childhood. Dr. Tourigny shares practical strategies educators and caregivers can use to help children regulate emotions, sustain focus, and thrive in both learning and play. Listeners will learn: Why attention and focus are developmental skills, not personality traits. How self-regulation and...
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Conversations That Count: Making Parent-Teacher Conferences Work
Early Childhood Chapters
Parent-teacher conferences can feel rushed, overwhelming, or even intimidating—for both educators and families. But when done well, these conversations can build trust, strengthen relationships, and set children up for success. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we talk with Tricia Shelton, EdD, author of . Drawing from her dual perspective as both an educator and a parent, Dr. Shelton shares practical strategies for turning conferences into meaningful two-way conversations rather than checklist-style meetings. Listeners will learn: How to avoid common mistakes educators make in...
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Thinking Outside the Prize Box: Dr. Adam Holland on Challenging Classroom Behaviors
Early Childhood Chapters
In this engaging and often funny conversation, Dr. Adam Holland—educator, trainer, and author of the upcoming Gryphon House book —shares real-world strategies for managing challenging behavior without relying on prize boxes, clip charts, or other reward-and-punishment systems that lose effectiveness over time. Drawing on his own journey from a “bad kid” in school to an award-winning teacher and now a coach to educators nationwide, Dr. Holland explains why all behavior is communication, how to identify the “why” behind a child’s actions, and why moving from compliance to...
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Family First: Building Relationships That Support Children’s Success
Early Childhood Chapters
In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we talk with about why family first isn’t just a philosophy but a practical approach to building strong, safe, and successful early childhood programs. Dr. Bond brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, including 14 years as a child care licensing consultant. She shares real-world strategies to help program directors, teachers, and administrators strengthen communication with families and create true partnerships that put children’s well-being at the center. Highlights include: Why clear, open communication with...
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Understanding and Addressing Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom
Early Childhood Chapters
In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we speak with Dr. Ginger Welch, clinical psychologist, author, and early childhood expert, about how educators can better understand and respond to challenging behaviors in the classroom. Dr. Welch draws on her decades of experience in homes, schools, and clinical settings to explain why children act out—not as willful defiance, but often as communication of unmet needs, anxiety, or trauma. She shares practical strategies from her book How Can I Help? to help educators shift their mindset, reframe behaviors, and build stronger relationships with...
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Healing Begins with You: Trauma-Sensitive Strategies for Infant-Toddler Educators
Early Childhood Chapters
In this powerful episode, Dr. Barbara Sorrels, renowned early childhood expert and author of Reaching and Teaching Children Exposed to Trauma and Trauma-Sensitive Care for Infants, Toddlers, and Two-Year-Olds, joins us to explore what it truly means to care for young children impacted by trauma. Dr. Sorrels shares heartfelt stories and actionable strategies from her decades of experience working with children, families, and educators. From recognizing the subtle signs of trauma in infants to creating responsive, healing environments, this conversation is filled with wisdom and practical tools...
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Dig In: Grow Deep Roots with Nature-Based Learning
Early Childhood Chapters
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Lea Ann Christenson and Jenny James, coauthors of Dig In: Outdoor STEM Learning for Young Children. Together, they make the case that outdoor education isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. Lea Ann and Jenny share how nature-based learning supports whole-child development, fosters deeper engagement, and offers rich, differentiated opportunities for every type of learner. Drawing on their own experiences as an early childhood professor and a preschool director, they describe the inspiration behind their book, the research that grounds it, and the practical...
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Beyond the Classroom: The Power of Outdoor Education
Early Childhood Chapters
Episode Summary: In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we welcome Dr. Rachel Larimore, an expert in nature-based early childhood education. Dr. Larimore shares her insights on why outdoor learning is essential for young children, how educators and caregivers can integrate nature into daily routines, and the long-term benefits of connecting children with the natural world. Key Topics Discussed: The definition of nature-based early childhood education and how it differs from traditional approaches. The benefits of outdoor learning, including cognitive, social-emotional, and physical...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman sits down with Kimberly King, a certified sexual abuse prevention educator, teacher, and author of Body Safety for Young Children: Empowering Caring Adults. Kimberly shares actionable strategies for teaching body safety in an age-appropriate, empowering way, starting as early as toddlerhood. We discuss the importance of body autonomy, addressing myths and misconceptions, and creating a comprehensive body safety plan for families and classrooms. This episode is packed with practical tips and resources to help parents, teachers, and caregivers feel confident discussing this critical topic and protecting the children in their care.