Inclusion Matters

Center for Inclusive Child Care
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  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Inclusion Matters is a podcast produced by The Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC). Early childhood experts discuss a wide array of important topics for early childhood professionals. We are excited to have you listen in on our podcast today.

  1. FEB 4

    The Nervous System and Behavior

    Inclusion Matters welcomes Dr. Kris Gendreau back to our program.  She has 32 years’ experience as a pediatrician supporting healthy development of young children.  In this episode, our conversation focuses on the mind/body connection and the way the nervous system influences behavior.   Join the conversation and check out these helpful resources that she shared during the episode.🌟Additional Resources:🔗 Cosmic Kids Yoga🔗 Sesame Street: Elmo's Mindfulness Spectacular!📱 Insight Timer App: The Magic Blanket - Feel Safe, Loved & Ready to Sleep🔗 Guide to Using Sesame Street’s Mindfulness Practices

    23 min

  2. FEB 4

    Nutrition and Behavior

    Inclusion Matters welcomes Dr. Kris Gendreau back to our program.  She has 32 years’ experience as a pediatrician supporting healthy development of young children.  Our conversation focuses on the connection between the foods a child eats and their behaviors.  Join the conversation and check out these helpful resources that she shared during the episode. 🌟Additional Resources: 📱 Start Solids with Confidence - Solid Starts App 🔗 healthychildren.org - Nutrition 📖 Healthy Kids Happy Kids - By: Elisa Song, MD

    24 min

  3. JAN 6

    Milestones: Supporting Early Childhood in Minnesota Since 1977

    Milestones is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building brighter futures, nurturing growth, and creating pathways to success for the early childhood community. Since 1977, Milestones has supported families, child care providers, and educators with comprehensive resources that strengthen early learning across Central Minnesota and beyond.  Join Priscilla Weigel as she talks with Milestones Executive Director, Jeremey Schreifels to hear more about their work across Minnesota.  Through programs such as the Shared Services Alliance, CACFP Family Child Care nutrition sponsorship, Parent Aware coaching, Early Learning Scholarships, and Family, Friend & Neighbor (FFN) support, Milestones connects the early childhood community with tools and funding that promote quality care and education. As a regional partner of Child Care Aware of Minnesota, Milestones also offers robust Professional Development and training opportunities to help providers grow their skills and their impact. 🌟 Learn more about Milestones 🔗 www.milestonesmn.org 📱 Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/MilestonesMN ✨ Join the mission to support the early childhood community—because together, we’re building brighter futures.

    22 min

  4. JAN 6

    Building Strong Partnerships: A Culturally Responsive Approach to Engaging Immigrant Children and Families

    Jamesetta Ross Diggs joins Inclusion Matters to share about the NEW CICC self-study course that she authored for us.  As an immigrant herself, and an early childhood expert, Jamesetta shares her personal stories as well as an overview of the course.  The course equips early childhood professionals with strategies to partner with families in co-creating culturally affirming learning environments for young children. It also offers support to advocate for strength-based approaches that uplift immigrant families, ensuring that young children can thrive in environments beyond home.  Be sure to check out our NEW Self-Study on this important topic:  Culturally Responsive Partnerships with Immigrant Children And Families

    22 min

  5. 12/18/2025

    80x3 Podcast: Trauma Informed Early Childhood Leadership

    Priscilla Weigel and Helene Pearson of Agape Child Development Center discuss some key ways to build a team, embedding trauma informed practices as you teach, support, and care in partnership with families.  Helene provides real life examples of how she and her team through relationships and connection support the scholars they serve each day.  This episode is part of our Greater Twin Cities United Way 80x3 Initiative Partnership. To learn about FREE self-study courses, please visit the 80x3 Page on the CICC Website

    26 min

  6. 12/11/2025

    Creative Opportunities for Infants and Toddlers

    Early Childhood Director Margaret Mahowald joins Priscilla Weigel for a conversation about creative activities that foster discovery, exploration, and delight in our youngest learners.  She shares examples of activities and processes that provide experiences for joy and learning, reminding us that infants and toddlers are more interested in DOING art than MAKING a finished product.

    23 min

  7. 12/11/2025

    Building Early Literacy Skills and a Love of Reading

    Duluth Public Library Early Literacy Librarian, Carmella Hatch joins Inclusion Matters to discuss ways we as caregivers of young children can cultivate the love of reading and learning through books.  She highlights the fact that helping children become successful learners and lifelong readers starts by building interest and early literacy skills when they’re young.

    23 min

  8. 11/21/2025

    Inclusion Matters 300th Episode!

    Our CICC Podcast, Inclusion Matters is celebrating!  The 300th episode of this podcast is now available.   The first origins of Inclusion Matters started back in the early 2000’s with some rudimentary equipment and an idea to spread the word about creating successful inclusive environments for young children.  Today, in 2025 we are on the brink of our 30th anniversary and still sharing content that highlights and supports quality early childhood care for all children.  Tune in to listen to some highlights from our many years of broadcasting Inclusion Matters.

    36 min
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About

Inclusion Matters is a podcast produced by The Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC). Early childhood experts discuss a wide array of important topics for early childhood professionals. We are excited to have you listen in on our podcast today.

Information

  • Creator
    Center for Inclusive Child Care
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Center for Inclusive Child Care
  • Show Website
    Inclusion Matters