Ep. 68: Exploring the Power of Picture Books and Parables with Valerie Ellis
Release Date: 09/08/2025
Ep. 78 Embracing Language Diversity in Early Childhood with Libby Wright
Reimagine Childhood
In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages in a conversation with education professional Libby Wright about supporting multilingual children in early childhood classrooms. Libby, who has extensive experience fostering community among teachers, parents, and students from diverse backgrounds, discusses practical strategies for creating inclusive, language-rich environments. The episode highlights the cognitive and social benefits of language diversity in classrooms, emphasizes the importance of maintaining home...
info_outline
Ep. 77 The Magic of Play-Based Learning with Kris Ramos
Reimagine Childhood
In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages in a heartfelt discussion with Kris Ramos, a former public school educator turned church-based preschool teacher, about the transformative power of play-based learning. Kris shares her journey from a structured educational setting to embracing a more flexible, child-centered approach focused on hands-on, joyful learning experiences. They delve into the foundational benefits of play for cognitive, emotional, and social development, the challenges teachers face in...
info_outline
Ep. 76 Faith-Based Strategies for Early Childhood Education with Monica Healer
Reimagine Childhood
In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, Monica Healer, the host, offers a heartfelt discussion aimed at early childhood educators, focusing on how personal growth in wisdom, physical well-being, and faith can impact their teaching and caregiving roles. Drawing from Luke 2:52, Monica emphasizes the continuous journey of learning, the importance of physical care, and the necessity of deepening one’s relationship with God. She shares practical strategies for daily reflection, self-care, and spiritual development, encouraging educators to seek God's guidance, nourish their bodies, and strengthen...
info_outline
Ep. 75: Guiding Hearts and Minds: Biblical Teaching in Preschool with Renee Blaine
Reimagine Childhood
In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, host Monica Healer welcomes Renee Blaine, associate preschool minister at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. With over three decades of early childhood experience, Renee shares her passion for building biblical foundations in young children in age-appropriate ways. They discuss how to integrate biblical literacy into the classroom, drawing parallels to teaching emerging literacy. Key strategies include building oral language, introducing repetitive truths, and creating a love for God's Word. The episode highlights the importance of...
info_outline
Ep. 74: Fostering Inclusive Classrooms with Ashley Myers
Reimagine Childhood
In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, hosted by Monica Healer and brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, Monica sits down with Ashley Myers, founder of The Abiding Family and a children's minister in Texas. Ashley shares her personal journey of raising a son with Down syndrome and how it has shaped her passion for creating inclusive classrooms. They discuss the importance of inclusion from a theological perspective, practical strategies for accommodating children with various needs, and the significant impact that inclusive teaching can have on a child's development and...
info_outline
Ep. 73: Balancing Screen Time and Real Play in Early Education with Jennifer Howington
Reimagine Childhood
In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Jennifer Howington, associate director and childhood ministry specialist in the Texas Baptist Discipleship and Next Gen Ministries group. They delve into the impact of screen time on child development, exploring concepts like 'digital natives' versus 'digital immigrants,' the rise in childhood anxiety and depression, and the role of media in shaping young minds. The conversation covers practical strategies for managing screen time,...
info_outline
Ep. 72: Enhancing Early Education Through Music and Scripture with Darlene Abbott
Reimagine Childhood
In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer chats with Darlene Abbott, an expert in children's music and curriculum, about the significance of music and worship in early childhood development. Darlene shares her extensive experience and provides practical strategies for integrating music into teaching. The conversation delves into the emotional and social benefits of music, the innate ability of children to respond to music, and the power of incorporating scripture into songs. The episode emphasizes the importance of...
info_outline
Ep. 71: Spiritual Formation and Early Learning with Christa Ratcliff
Reimagine Childhood
In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer sits down with Christa Ratcliffe, chapel and music teacher at Little Lights Preschool, to discuss spiritual formation in young children. Christa, a dedicated educator with a background in theological studies, emphasizes the importance of building relationships, modeling Jesus' love, and incorporating Bible teachings into everyday interactions with infants and toddlers. The conversation covers practical strategies for integrating faith-based activities into daily classroom...
info_outline
Ep. 70: Navigating Sensory Needs in Early Education with Kadie Seweryn
Reimagine Childhood
In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, hosted by Monica Healer of Early Childhood Christian Network, special guest Katie Severn discusses the challenges and strategies for addressing sensory processing and emotional regulation in the classroom. Katie, a first-grade teacher and mother of a child with sensory needs, shares her insights on practical tools and approaches for educators. The episode explores the increasing sensory needs of children, the impact of modern lifestyle changes, and the importance of understanding and addressing these needs in early education. Katie emphasizes techniques...
info_outline
Ep. 69: Reviving Classic Education Tools: Puppetry in Modern Classrooms with Michon Henegar
Reimagine Childhood
In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer discusses how to effectively engage young children using puppets with guest Michon Henneger. Michon, a seasoned educator and brain coach, shares insights on the historical success of puppets in educational settings and explains how modern classrooms can benefit from their use to enhance engagement, retention, and emotional development. They cover practical ideas for implementing puppetry, even on a budget, and highlight the significance of reviving classic teaching tools. The...
info_outlineIn this episode of Reimagine Childhood, hosted by Monica Healer and brought to you by Early Childhood Christian Network, children's author Valerie Ellis joins the conversation to discuss the impactful role of stories and story time in early childhood education. With extensive experience in teaching and children's ministry, Valerie explains how stories uniquely connect with children and help in teaching both academic and non-academic skills such as emotional literacy and social behavior. She provides practical strategies for making story time effective in classrooms and at home, including her point, pause, and ponder method. Valerie also shares book recommendations and introduces her new book, 'Let's Go Bible Adventures,' which uses transport themes to make Bible stories engaging for young children. This episode is filled with insights for educators and parents on leveraging the power of stories for childhood development. Additional resources and book links are available in the show notes.
00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood
00:42 Meet Valerie Ellis: Author and Educator
01:13 The Power of Stories in Early Childhood Education
03:13 Engaging Children with Stories: Techniques and Tips
09:59 Book Recommendations for Various Learning Domains
16:41 PrimeTime 2025
17:29 Let's Go Bible Adventures: A Unique Bible Storybook
32:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
https://oureverydayparables.com/books/ - 75+ book recommendations for kids ages 0 to 12 in five categories, perfect for families and classrooms pursuing faith, compassion, and fun.
We talked about an activity pack for The Mixed-Up Chameleon. Here is the link to that free download: https://oureverydayparables.com/teach-kids-about-god-with-popular-picture-books/
Valerie's books can be found at https://valerieellis.com/books/
Valerie also does in-person and virtual classroom visits! You can connect with her on Instagram
@iamvelerieellis https://instagram.com/iamvalerieellis