The Everything ECE Podcast - podcast cover

The Everything ECE Podcast

The Everything ECE Podcast, brought to you by Early Learning Foundations, is a podcast for early childhood educators and leaders. If you work in a child care, preschool or kindergarten setting, The Everything ECE Podcast will provide you with inspiration and actionable steps with professional and personal tips and tricks to find that ideal work-life balance. Join host, Carla Ward, each week as she brings you early childhood topics to help enhance your program and teacher life. The Everything ECE Podcast will inspire you to take action in your profession and classroom.
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Episodes

#136: The Dark Connection Between Early Childhood and Serial Killers

Dive into the chilling connection between childhood experiences and serial killers in our latest podcast episode! From early trauma to criminal behaviour, we uncover the importance of early childhood education in rewriting the script for future generations. Tune in to unlock the secrets of the mind and learn how nurturing environments can be a powerful antidote to the allure of violence. Show Notes: elfoundations.com/136 How to Work with Carla...

Apr 12, 202414 min

#135: Verbs as Projects with Heather Jackson

Heather Jackson, owner of The Sunflower School, joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss verbs as projects. As a Reggio-inspired educator, Heather has spent many years researching, reflecting and discussing Early Childhood Education and how to take a child’s interest using verbs and play schemas to begin a project without falling into the “theme” trap. By using verbs and play schemas, educators can gain a more complex perspective on projects. Join Heather and Carla for this fasc...

Apr 05, 202436 min

#134: Using Puppets as a Teaching Tool with Ashley Jefferson

Ashley Jefferson joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss why bringing puppetry arts into the classroom can change the teaching game. Puppets can bring so much value to your program. Ashley dives into the importance of being present, not overthinking how to use the puppets and the learning possibilities that come with puppets! Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/134 How to Work with Carla...

Mar 29, 202431 min

#133: Trauma and Trauma Informed Practices in Early Childhood Education with Cara Caudle

In a recent podcast episode, Cara Caudle engages in a discussion with host Carla Ward, delving into the nuances of trauma and trauma-informed practices. Cara emphasizes the importance of adopting a holistic approach to development, particularly in early childhood, where she highlights the significance of focusing on social-emotional domains. She underscores how trauma-informed practices compel us to broaden our perspectives, emphasizing the impact of emotional environments, including the influen...

Mar 01, 202437 min

#132: Positive Connections with Sarah Scrivens

It was almost 4 years ago when our worlds were flipped upside down. We went from living our lives unmasked and in close proximity to others to, almost overnight, keeping our distance and being masked up. Even though it was another life ago, we are still working through the consequences of COVID-19, especially for our youngest learners. Socio-emotionally, children are not where they would have been if life had not derailed them. Sarah Scrivens joins me on The Everything ECE Podcast to dive into c...

Feb 23, 202447 min

#131: Active Advocacy with Angelica Celinska

Angelica Celinska from The Voice of Early Childhood joins Carla Ward to talk about advocacy for Early Childhood. It doesn't have to be big, grand and scary, but we can still step outside our comfort zone and make a big impact. Angelica shares actionable ways that we can make a difference. Show Notes: https://www.elfoundations.com/131 How to Work with Carla...

Feb 09, 202435 min

#130: Early Literacy with Beck Goodman

Beck Goodman joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to talk about how to build early literacy skills in a play-based, child-led environment. This podcast is a must listen as educators have the ability to bring a love of literacy into the lives of children, if done correctly. Beck shares tons of examples, tips and tricks that educators can implement immediately in their programs. Show Notes: elfoundations.com/130 How to Work with Carla...

Feb 02, 202436 min

#129: Breaking the Babysitter Stigma with Candi Vajana

Candi Vajana joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss her career as a nanny and how she combatted the stigma as a babysitter, a struggle for nannies and Early Childhood Educators alike. She shares her experience as a nanny working with high-net-worth families and how her consultancy and specialized training, The Experienced Nanny, equips families and nannies with all the childcare tools and know-how they need to help their children blossom into well-rounded individuals. Show Not...

Jan 26, 202433 min

#128: Beyond the Pay with Lisa Lalonde

Lisa Lalonde joins podcast host, Carla Ward, to engage in a comprehensive exploration of Early Childhood Education (ECE), offering a full 360-degree view of the profession. They address the prevalent issue of ECEs deserving higher pay but go beyond that, delving into the various push and pull factors influencing whether individuals in this profession choose to stay or leave. This conversation covers all areas of education and what they would do with their magic wand if they had one. Show Notes: ...

Jan 22, 202449 min

#127: The Power of Resilience with Kisa Marx

In this episode, we sit down with Kisa Marx, an extraordinary educator and childcare owner whose journey in 2023 took an unexpected turn when she began to heed the whispers of the universe. Join us as Kisa shares her remarkable story of discovery, from her initial steps as an educator to the pivotal moment when she realized there was something more waiting for her. Through listening to the universe's cues, she unlocked a path leading to her true calling. Through engaging anecdotes and heartfelt ...

Jan 12, 202426 min

#126: Understanding Emotional Regulation

Carla Ward, host of The Everything ECE Podcast, explores the vital role early childhood educators play in understanding and nurturing children's emotional development. Beginning with a discussion on emotional milestones and the impact of the pandemic, Carla emphasizes the neurological foundations of emotional regulation, involving key areas like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. Drawing from personal experiences with children facing brain injuries, she highlights the complexity of behavior and...

Jan 05, 202426 min

#125: Using Enneagrams to Improve Team Dynamics with Alyssa Sanford

Carla Ward is joined by Instructional Designer and Enneagram coach, Alyssa Sanford to talk about the different Enneagram types and the personalities that they each represent. Alyssa dives into how knowing one's enneagram and that of their team members can really amplify and improve team dynamics. Show Notes: elfoundations.com/125 How to Work with Carla

Dec 22, 202320 min

#124: The Whole Child Alphabet with Stacy Benge

Author and Early Childhood speaker, Stacy Benge, joins Carla Ward on the podcast this week to talk about her new book, The Whole Child Alphabet, and how educators can bring the alphabet to play and WHY it's so important. The tips she shares are perfect for when parents ask how their child is learning their alphabet in a play-based program. Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/124 ⁠How to Work with Carla...

Dec 14, 202330 min

#123: How Research Amplifies Early Childhood Education with Educare

In this episode, Carla Ward interviews 3 members of the Educare team to discuss the importance of research in Early Childhood Education and a Research Agenda that they have developed in order to address the opportunity gap and truly advance racial equity. Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/123 How to Work with Carla

Dec 01, 202344 min

#122: The Benefits of ECE Coaching with Adva Hanan

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Adva Hanan joins Carla Ward to discuss the need for ECE Coaching. Adva dives into how an ECE coach can help teachers level up and find work-life balance. She shares her experiences as an educator and breaks down the qualities to look for in a coach. Tune in to gain insights on the benefits of coaching and how it can transform your teaching career. Show Notes How to Work with Carla...

Nov 24, 202323 min

#121: Getting Comfortable with Lice with Ilene Steinberg

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, we attempt to bust myths and raise awareness about head lice infestations — a common yet stigmatized issue. We are joined by Ilene Steinberg, also known as the Lice Queen, whose expertise in lice treatment spans over 20 years. Together, we delve into topics varying from the reasons behind itching, detection methods, to effective treatment strategies. More importantly, we discuss the social implications, emphasizing that getting lice is neither the c...

Nov 17, 202339 min

#120: Driving Change in Early Education Policies

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Nonie Lesaux, co-founder of the Saul Zaentz Early Education Initiative, joins the podcast. Nonie shares the incredible work they are doing to revolutionize early education, from groundbreaking studies on early learning and development to a professional learning academy for leaders in the field. Nonie and their team are making waves in the world of early education. Join us as we dive into the importance of early education and the challenges we face, ...

Nov 03, 202325 min

#119: Innovative Thinking to Tackle the Child Care Crisis with Allyx Schiavone

Join Carla Ward and guest, Allyx Schiavone, as they dive feet-first into the crisis in education and the urgent need for change. Without action, the situation will only worsen. They discuss being mission-driven and Allyx shares an innovative strategy they are doing in New Haven, Connecticut, to increase ECE wages without charging parents more. Listening will definitely get your wheels turning on how to bring this strategy to your district. Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/119 How to Work with C...

Oct 27, 202344 min

#118: Exploring Kindergarten Practices Worldwide with Klavdija Svet

In this episode, Carla Ward is joined by special guest Klavdija Svet. Together, they discuss the fascinating world of kindergarten education, discussing the similarities and differences they've observed across the globe. Klavdija shares the mission of Kindergartens International, which aims to globally empower early childhood educators through learning opportunities and professional development. Join Carla and Klavdija as they explore the importance of teachers as role models, the value of play-...

Oct 06, 202312 min

#117: Harnessing the Power of Documentation with Ron Grady

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla delves into the importance of documentation in early childhood education with guest, Ron Grady. They discuss the value of systematic recording and documentation to observe the evolution of children's practices within a community. They emphasize the need for reflection and mental health in educators' work. Carla and Ron share practical tips for organizing documentation and highlight the significance of capturing and representing the unique voic...

Sep 29, 202339 min

#116: Artistic Innovation with Elena Loson from Nube Lab

In this episode, Carla interviews Elena Loson from Nube Lab in Chile. Nube Lab is a trailblazing organization that seamlessly blends the arts with education. Elena shares their remarkable journey, from intuitive beginnings to holistic community engagement. Nube Lab offers extracurricular programs, teacher training, and creative curriculum units that integrate soft skills, empowering students with 21st-century skills. Explore how they're reshaping education through creativity, providing resources...

Sep 22, 202326 min

#115: Navigating Professional Friendships with Diane Kashin

In this episode, Carla welcomes Diane Kashin, a prominent figure in the world of early childhood education in Ontario, Canada, and a retired ECE professor. Diane highlights the importance of professional friendships in the ECE community and shares her experiences as a blogger in the field, where she explores various aspects of early childhood education. Carla and Diane delve into the significance of early childhood friendships for children and educators. They emphasize the role of educators in m...

Sep 15, 202334 min

#114: Investing in Children's Financial Future with Emily Naddaf from Wealthsimple Foundation

Join host Carla Ward as she discusses an important topic that usually takes a back seat in Early Childhood Education - securing our children's financial future. Emily Naddaf from Wealthsimple Foundation shares insights on why early financial education and savings matter. Discover government programs like the Canada Learning Bond and Canada Education Savings Grant, which offer up to $2,000 and 20% matching for education savings. Learn how easy it is to open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RE...

Sep 08, 202316 min

#113: How to Turn Your Expertise and Knowledge Into a Profitable Digital Course with Amy Porterfield

Online marketing expert author and top-ranked podcast host, Amy Porterfield, joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss digital courses and why Early Childhood Educators need to join the world of generating passive income. Amy’s action-by-action approach proves that even the newest online entrepreneurs can bypass the overwhelm, and instead generate exciting momentum as they build a business they love. Show Notes: elfoundations.com/113 How to Work with Carla...

Sep 01, 202325 min

#112: Discussing the Child Care Crisis with Renee August

In this week's episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward is joined by Renee August from the Montana Association of Education of Young Children. The focus of this episode revolves around the pressing topic of the child care crisis. This widespread concern stretches across North America, and its impact likely extends to other corners of the globe. The conversation underscores the urgency for individuals beyond the profession to acknowledge and appreciate the vital role played by early chil...

Aug 25, 202337 min

#111: International Fairy Tea Party with Suzanne Axelsson

Believing in magic and fairies is not just for children. There is something beautiful about believing, and this week on The Everything ECE Podcast, Suzanne Axellson joins Carla Ward to talk about a very magical day coming up on the September Equinox: International Fairy Tea Party Day. Suzanne and Carla discuss what it is, how we can celebrate across the globe and why we should be participating. International Fairy Tea Party Day is an invitation to remember that believing is the key to the doorwa...

Aug 18, 202343 min

#110: Teaching Math Holistically with Gillian Berard

One of the key elements to helping children learn and love math is providing holistic experiences. Gillian Berard joins The Everything ECE Podcast this week to help deepen our understanding of holistic math and inquiry-based learning. Gillian is a Holistic Numeracy Architect, and when you hear her speak, you can feel her passion and knowledge shine through. Show Notes: elfoundations.com/110 How to Work with Carla...

Aug 11, 202329 min

#109: Bridging the Communication Gap Between Child Care and Home with Kris Szajner from Seesaw Learning

Having a tool that not only saves you time but also enhances communication with parents and families while children are in your care cultivates stronger relationships that support our youngest learners. In this episode, Kris Szajner from Seesaw Learning discusses the importance of bridging the gap between child care and home and why transparency is so important. He also delves into how using technology productively as learners rather than consumers helps shape children's futures. Show Notes: elf...

Aug 04, 202323 min

#108: Involving Parents in Play with Pretend City

Just when you think you’ve figured out all the possible career paths for an Early Childhood Educator, along comes Pretend City. It is literally a mini city intentionally designed to support children and their families in play. In this episode, the education managers of Pretend City talk all about their organization, the programs they run and how they support the children and their families. Check out the episode and by the end you will probably be looking for spaces in your area to build your ow...

Jul 21, 202337 min

#107: Saying Hello

Adele, Lionel Richie, Lady Gaga and The Beatles all have this one thing in common; a song about Hello. Saying hello is an incredibly powerful word that we can say as human beings to other human beings. When we say hello we are acknowledging another person's existence. In this episode Carla Ward dives into the power behind saying hello and why we should be teaching children to say it and it's not just to be polite. Show Notes: elfoundations.com/107 How to Work with Carla...

Jul 14, 20237 min
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