Early Childhood Chapters

Before children ever pick up a paintbrush, nature has already given them a palette.

Transitions are one of the most challenging parts of the day in early childhood settings—but what if we've been thinking about them all wrong?

January is often framed as a "fresh start," but for early childhood educators, it's something very different—it's the middle of the year. After winter break, classrooms are filled with children (and adults) who may feel tired, dysregulated, emotionally tender, or disconnected from routines that once felt familiar.

In this episode of

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, Every Drop Counts: Exploring Water Science with Young Children in a Changing Climate (Gryphon House, 202...

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...

In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman sits down with Dr. Julie Tourigny, pediatric occupational therapist and author of Calm and in Control, Organized and Engaged, and her upcoming release, Alert and Attentive. Together, they ...

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

In this engaging and often funny conversation, Dr. Adam Holland—educator, trainer, and author of the upcoming Gryphon House book Thinking Outside the Prize Box: Navigating Challenging Behaviors in Today's Classroom—shares real-world strategies for managing challenging behavior without relying on prize boxes, clip charts, or other reward-and-punishmen...

In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we talk with Dr. Thomasa Bond 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, ...

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...

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 educato...

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 developmen...

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:

In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we welcome Dr. Angela Searcy for a deep dive into navigating difficult conversations in early childhood education. Following her recent EdWeb webinar, Pushing Past Conflicts With Adults: Navigating Uncomfortable Conversations in Early Childhood, Dr. Searcy joins the podcast to address lingering questions and expand on key strategies for managing challenging disc...

In this thought-provoking episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we sit down with Dr. Tameka Ardrey and Dr. Ebonyse Mead, co-authors of Building Equitable Early Learning Programs: A Social Justice Approach, along with Gryphon House President Dr. Rebecca Berlin. Together, they delve into the challenges and opportunities of foster...