The PrinciPALS Podcast

Parenting is hard. Teaching is hard. But both are a little bit easier when done in partnership. Join the princiPALS, Emma Wellman and Brittney Hansen, as they examine some of the most common questions and concerns about the preschool and elementary school years, as well as share methods on how to raise children who thrive. It’s always a great day to visit the princiPALS’ office! PrinciPALS is brought to you by Rowland Hall, an independent school in Salt Lake City, Utah, and hosted by Conor Bentley.

5.02: Back to Basics: Let’s Talk About Sleep 01/15/2025

5.02: Back to Basics: Let’s Talk About Sleep Ask any parent: if your child is sleeping well, life just seems to run smoother. But when good sleep feels out of reach? The pressure (and exhaustion!) can be intense. In the first of a new batch of episodes going back to basics on raising children who thrive, the princiPALS are talking about sleep. Leaning on their own experiences as parents and educators, as well as a bit of sleep science, the pals share information on building healthy sleep routines, dealing with inevitable bumps or pushback, and knowing if your child is getting enough sleep. Episode resources: American Academy of Pediatrics app app by Alexis Dubief (check out the too!) /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/34872670

5.01: A Panel Discussion on ‘The Anxious Generation’ 10/23/2024

5.01: A Panel Discussion on ‘The Anxious Generation’ The princiPALS are back with an episode about the parenting book that seems to be everywhere right now: Jonathan Haidt’s . This episode features a panel discussion about the book, with four childhood experts weighing in on topics including balancing screen time with productive play, protecting children’s mental health, helping children process what they see online, and even making changes to your family’s social media decisions (it’s never too late!). Whether or not you’ve read the book, this episode will help you better navigate the challenges that face today’s families. Podcast resources: by Jonathan Haidt Panelist biographies: is Rowland Hall’s director of learning services for grades PreK–5. She has 20 years of experience in PreK–12 education as a special education classroom teacher, inclusion specialist, and learning specialist, and as a leader in public, charter, non-public, non-traditional, and independent school settings across the United States. is Rowland Hall’s emotional support counselor for grades PreK–5. As a school counselor working in different schools and settings, Deborah has partnered with organizations such as Communities In Schools, Partners in Education, Stewards of Children, and various other stabilization and community wraparound programs. has worked as a pediatric occupational therapist for over 20 years, specializing in sensory processing disorders and various developmental motor deficits and diagnoses. She is the owner of Blue Sky Therapeutics, which has served Summit County, Utah, for the past 18 years. is a licensed clinical social worker at Full Circle Yoga & Therapy. She specializes in directive and non-directive play therapy to help children process and heal developmental challenges and traumas. /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/33584607

4.03: Ask the PrinciPALS, Part II 06/10/2024

4.03: Ask the PrinciPALS, Part II It’s part two of our Ask the PrinciPALS series. Join Emma, Brittney, and Conor as they discuss even more of listeners’ top questions: how to teach kids about finance, how adults can help children understand that their actions impact others, how much support adults should provide when it comes to school assignments and projects, and how much families should really worry about summer slide. /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/31682827

4.02: Ask the PrinciPALS 01/18/2024

4.02: Ask the PrinciPALS This special episode is about you, our listeners. Join Emma, Brittney, and Conor as they discuss some of your top child-rearing questions: how to get habits and behaviors to stick, how to address distressing current events, how to get kids interested in activities and hobbies, and how to manage sibling rivalry during the elementary years. This warm, supportive conversation will help you feel seen, understood, and even better prepared to support the children in your life. /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/29546218

4.01 Screen Time 11/15/2023

4.01 Screen Time Screens are a necessary tool in today’s world, but they can cause a lot of family anxiety. As parents themselves, Rowland Hall’s princiPALS understand this struggle—and so they’re tackling the topic. Join the pals for a discussion about current guidelines (and why it’s understandable if you can’t always adhere to them), high-quality programming, social media, the importance of balancing screen time and productive play, and how you can get the whole family involved in identifying values and boundaries that will guide screen time in your home. Podcast resources: Current social media guidelines: , , , /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/28654333

3.02 Behavior and Discipline 05/17/2023

3.02 Behavior and Discipline Behavior and discipline: no matter what kind of parent you are, they’re two topics you think about often. And chances are, you’re often wondering, “Am I doing this right?” In this episode of princiPALS, Emma, Brittney, and Conor focus on methods for recognizing children’s behavior patterns, as well as share tips for how parents can best guide those behaviors in positive directions. Podcast resources: by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson by Ross W. Greene by Sheri Glucoft Wong and Olaf Jorgenson by Becky Kennedy /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/26867376

3.01 Rebuilding Resilience after COVID 01/23/2023

3.01 Rebuilding Resilience after COVID COVID changed a lot about parenting, including how caregivers view the kind of risk-taking that helps build resilience in young children. Now that we are living in a different phase of the pandemic—one that’s more focused on management instead of avoidance—it’s an ideal time to revisit the topic of resilience: what it is, its many benefits, and how families can build it back into their routines. Podcast resources: by Jessica Lahey by Sheri Glucoft Wong featuring Denise Pope /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/25702743

2.03 Bullying 06/09/2021

2.03 Bullying Emma and Jij explain what it means when educators use the word "bullying," as well as walk listeners through what’s happening to kids developmentally during the early childhood and elementary years so that they understand what behaviors are typical and which may require intervention. /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/19415201

2.02 How to Talk to Kids about Race, Part II 04/21/2021

2.02 How to Talk to Kids about Race, Part II The princiPALS are back in the office to revisit one of today’s most essential topics: how to talk to kids about race. Join Emma Wellman and Jij de Jesus as they discuss how to teach children to have thoughtful conversations about race and racial differences, as well as share tips on how to model antiracist behaviors for children. /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/18812417

2.01 What We’re Learning about Learning during a Pandemic 01/11/2021

2.01 What We’re Learning about Learning during a Pandemic In this episode, Emma and Jij discuss some of the most inspiring things they’ve learned (so far) while educating preschool- and elementary-aged children during the pandemic, with a hope that their perspectives on in-person learning may help other educators—as well as answer some questions parents and caregivers have as schools readjust learning models in 2021. Emma and Jij also give tips that will help parents and caregivers continue to support children (and themselves) at this time. /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/17507078

1.03 How to Talk to Kids About Race 05/20/2020

1.03 How to Talk to Kids About Race In this episode of princiPALS, Emma and Jij discuss the importance of talking to kids about race. Join them to unpack common fears around discussing race and bias, including the role socialization plays, and explore studies on kids and race. Listeners will also get tips to help them feel more prepared for these necessary conversations. /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/14502566

1.02 Academic Rigor 02/13/2020

1.02 Academic Rigor The princiPALS are back in the studio to discuss academic rigor during the early childhood and elementary school years. While traditional education focused on the memorization and regurgitation of facts to display knowledge, Emma and Jij show how today’s students succeed when they know how to seek, evaluate, and use knowledge. They also provide practical tips to help parents and caregivers inspire lifelong learning and collaboration in children. /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/13140311

1.01 Building Resilience in Children 10/31/2019

1.01 Building Resilience in Children Emma and Jij chat about what resilience in children looks and sounds like, and share ways that caregivers and educators can work together to build this skill. /episode/index/show/principalspodcast/id/11862110

The PrinciPALS Podcast

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