Early Childhood Chats

Institute for Childhood Preparedness
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Education
  • Updated Monthly

Welcome to "Early Childhood Chats," the podcast dedicated to all things related to early childhood education. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of early childhood development, parenting tips, teaching strategies, and the latest research in the field. Hosted by passionate educators and experts in early childhood education, each episode brings you insightful discussions, practical advice, and inspiring stories aimed at supporting parents, caregivers, and educators in nurturing the young minds of tomorrow.

  1. 5d ago

    Surviving the Las Vegas Shooting: Lacey Newman’s Story of Resilience

    What happens after you survive the unthinkable?In this powerful episode of Early Childhood Chats, Andy Roszak sits down with Lacey Newman, a survivor of the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas shooting, to hear her firsthand story of survival, recovery, resilience, and preparedness.Lacey recounts the moments when gunfire erupted at the music festival, the realization that she had been shot, and the actions of friends and strangers who helped save her life. She also opens up about what came afterward — returning home to her young son, navigating physical and emotional recovery, living with the lasting effects of trauma, and finding a new sense of purpose through preparedness.The conversation explores the importance of situational awareness, knowing your exits, emergency response training, Stop the Bleed training, and preparing teachers, caregivers, schools, and communities for emergencies before they happen.Lacey’s message is simple but powerful: “Be prepared. Because you never know what’s going to happen.”Topics discussed include:• Las Vegas shooting survivor story• Emergency preparedness and situational awareness• Stop the Bleed training• Trauma, recovery, and resilience• Active shooter preparedness• Emergency response and bystander action• School and childcare safety• Preparing teachers for emergencies• Talking to children after traumatic events• The importance of emergency trainingSubscribe for more conversations about early childhood education, emergency preparedness, school safety, resilience, and protecting children and communities.

    Surviving the Las Vegas Shooting: Lacey Newman’s Story of Resilience

  2. Sep 24

    Where Will the Next Generation of Early Childhood Educators Come From?

    Where will the next generation of early childhood educators come from — and what will it take to prepare them for the realities of today's classrooms?In this episode of Early Childhood Chats, Andy Roszak sits down with Carol Williamson, Professor and Director of the Early Childhood Education Program at Carroll Community College, to explore the future of the early childhood education workforce.Drawing on more than 40 years of experience, Carol shares how early childhood education has changed, what today's aspiring teachers need to succeed, and why hands-on classroom experience should begin long before graduation.Andy and Carol discuss:• The early childhood educator workforce pipeline• Teacher recruitment and retention challenges• Compensation and the early childhood workforce shortage• Career pathways, CDA credentials, associate degrees, and teacher certification• Why real-world classroom experience matters• Developmentally appropriate practice vs. “push-down” curriculum• Screen time and technology in early childhood• The importance of flexibility, curiosity, and a love of learning• Teacher burnout, wellness, and self-care• Mentorship from experienced educators• College partnerships with Head Start and child care programs• Making teacher education more accessible for working and nontraditional students• The future of early childhood educationCarol also shares how Carroll Community College is creating flexible pathways for future educators through service learning, internships, credit for prior learning, and flexible course options — while giving students meaningful classroom experience from the beginning of their education.Whether you're an early childhood educator, Head Start professional, program director, college student, teacher educator, or someone considering a career in early childhood education, this conversation offers an important look at how we can strengthen the profession for the next generation.Learn more about Carroll Community College: https://www.carrollcc.edu/Subscribe to Early Childhood Chats for more conversations about the people, policies, ideas, and innovations shaping early childhood education.----------------------------Early Childhood Chats is hosted by Andrew Roszak - JD, MPA, EMT-PExecutive Director at the Institute for Childhood Preparedness. The Institute for Childhood Preparedness is proud to use its decades of experience to offer comprehensive and expert disaster and emergency preparedness trainings live in-person, via webinar, and on-demand online. // Visit: https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/ to find out more // Schedule your training today https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/trainingFOLLOW UShttps://www.instagram.com/childhoodpreparedness/ https://www.facebook.com/ChildPreparedhttps://twitter.com/ChildPreparedhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-childhood-preparedness© Institute for Childhood Preparedness 2026 all rights reserved

    Where Will the Next Generation of Early Childhood Educators Come From?

  3. Sep 10

    A Regulated Classroom Starts with a Regulated Adult: Nervous System Literacy in Early Childhood

    Monica Rollins from Rooted: A Wellness Collective joins Andy Roszak to talk about what actually changes in an early childhood classroom when you introduce yoga and mindfulness, what nervous system literacy means for educators, a live breathwork demonstration you can try with your class tomorrow, and the new kids yoga teacher certification she just launched specifically for preschool teachers.In this episode, Monica shares her origin story bringing yoga into early childhood classrooms back in 2010, the story of a four-year-old who taught herself to sit in a hallway and breathe through big feelings, a live kid-friendly breathwork exercise, her four pillars of kids yoga (movement, breath, focus, and intentional rest), what nervous system literacy means in plain language, the kids yoga teacher certification she just launched, what she is hearing from educators across the country, and one free thing you can do tomorrow morning to start shifting your classroom culture.CONNECT WITH MONICALinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/monica-kaye-rollinsFree Guide: The Preschool Breathwork Blueprint: https://rootedwellnesscollective.kit.com/freebieLive Workshop: Teach Preschool Yoga Like a Pro: https://rootedwellnesscollective.kit.com/liveworkshopEmail: hello@rootedwellnesscollective.org----------------------------Early Childhood Chats is hosted by Andrew Roszak - JD, MPA, EMT-PExecutive Director at the Institute for Childhood Preparedness. The Institute for Childhood Preparedness is proud to use its decades of experience to offer comprehensive and expert disaster and emergency preparedness trainings live in-person, via webinar, and on-demand online. // Visit: https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/ to find out more // Schedule your training today https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/trainingFOLLOW UShttps://www.instagram.com/childhoodpreparedness/ https://www.facebook.com/ChildPreparedhttps://twitter.com/ChildPreparedhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-childhood-preparedness© Institute for Childhood Preparedness 2026 all rights reserved

    A Regulated Classroom Starts with a Regulated Adult: Nervous System Literacy in Early Childhood

  4. Sep 2

    Deregulation or Dismantling? Inside the Proposed Head Start Rule Changes with Yvette Sanchez Fuentes

    In this special edition of Early Childhood Chats, Andy Roszak sits down with Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, SVP Government Relations and Research at Start Early and former Director of the Office of Head Start, to break down major proposed changes to the Head Start program — and what they could mean for children, families, educators, and programs across the country.The proposed rulemaking could eliminate or change significant portions of the existing Head Start Performance Standards. Andy and Yvette discuss some of the biggest areas of concern, including services for children with disabilities, language and instruction, support for families experiencing homelessness, parent and family engagement, administrative funding, classroom quality, and the future of Head Start's comprehensive services.They also explain what happens during the federal rulemaking process, what could happen after the public comment period closes, and why Head Start programs should use their own experiences and data to tell their stories.The message from Yvette is clear: submit a comment.The public comment deadline discussed in this episode is October 6.Whether you're a Head Start director, teacher, administrator, parent, early childhood professional, or advocate, this conversation will help you better understand what's being proposed and why this moment could have long-term implications for Head Start and early childhood education.Topics include:• Head Start proposed rule changes• Head Start Performance Standards• Federal Head Start regulations• Public comment process• Early childhood education policy• Services for children with disabilities• Dual language learners• Family engagement and comprehensive services• Head Start funding and administration• The future of Head StartResources:https://togetherforheadstart.org/----------------------------Early Childhood Chats is hosted by Andrew Roszak - JD, MPA, EMT-PExecutive Director at the Institute for Childhood Preparedness. The Institute for Childhood Preparedness is proud to use its decades of experience to offer comprehensive and expert disaster and emergency preparedness trainings live in-person, via webinar, and on-demand online. // Visit: https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/ to find out more // Schedule your training today https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/trainingFOLLOW UShttps://www.instagram.com/childhoodpreparedness/ https://www.facebook.com/ChildPreparedhttps://twitter.com/ChildPreparedhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-childhood-preparedness© Institute for Childhood Preparedness 2026 all rights reserved

    Deregulation or Dismantling? Inside the Proposed Head Start Rule Changes with Yvette Sanchez Fuentes

  5. Aug 19

    Major Head Start Changes Proposed: What Programs Need to Know

    Big changes could be coming to Head Start and federal early childhood education policy, but what is actually changing, what is still only proposed, and what can Head Start programs, educators, parents, and advocates do about it?In this episode of Early Childhood Chats, Andy welcomes Whitney Pesek, Senior Director of Federal Child Care Policy at the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), for an important conversation about the federal government's proposed Head Start regulatory changes and what they could mean for children, families, educators, and programs across the country.Whitney breaks down the federal rulemaking process, why a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) matters, and why Head Start programs should understand that these proposed changes have not yet taken effect.The conversation explores:* Proposed changes to Head Start teacher-child ratios and group sizes* Proposed English-only instruction and assessment requirements* How the federal rulemaking process actually works* Why public comments on Head Start regulations matter* How programs can use local data and family experiences to strengthen comments* Potential legal challenges if a final rule is issued* The role Congress could play* Head Start funding and federal early childhood policy* Workforce recruitment and retention challenges* What early childhood leaders should be watching nextWith federal early childhood policy changing rapidly, understanding the difference between proposals, final regulations, legislation, and funding decisions is more important than ever.Whether you're a Head Start director, Early Head Start educator, child care provider, early childhood advocate, parent, policymaker, or community leader, this episode provides important context for understanding what's happening in Washington and how the early childhood community can make its voice heard.Learn more and connect with Whitney here: https://nwlc.org/staff/whitney-pesek/https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneypesek/https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/357712/Whitney_Pesek.html

    Major Head Start Changes Proposed: What Programs Need to Know

  6. Aug 12

    Think Like a Tot, Parent Like a Pro — Play-Based Potty Training with Tot on the Pot

    Potty training is one of those milestones that sounds simple until you are in the middle of it. Parents get conflicting advice. Teachers get put on the spot. Children get confused. And somehow, a process that every human being eventually masters has become one of the most stressful chapters of early childhood for everyone involved.In this episode of Early Childhood Chats, Andy Roszak sits down with Jackie, the founder and Chief Potty Officer of Tot on the Pot, a play-based potty training system she created nearly twenty-five years ago after potty training her own children. What started as a set of rhymes and activities for her nonverbal eighteen-month-old son became a full product line: an anatomically correct training doll, a toy potty, a children’s book, a parent guide, and twenty activity reward cards designed to keep parents and children connected throughout the process.Jackie and Andy talk about why thinking like a toddler is the key to this whole thing. They walk through the fifteen steps a child has to master, the sensory overload of a bathroom from a toddler’s perspective, and why the diaper is actually one of a child’s closest companions. Jackie explains why reward cards that foster connection outperform candy and screen time, how parent anxiety and frustration transfer directly to children and can introduce shame into the process, and why the timeline for potty training has shifted later in recent years — not because children changed, but because culture did.For the early childhood professionals in the audience, Jackie delivers a message worth hearing: you are doing some of the most important work there is in this process, and you are the bridge between home and school that families desperately need. She walks through what consistency between settings looks like, how to handle the parent who shows up asking for advice, and why body awareness conversations should start long before anyone is thinking about a potty.Whether you are a parent in the thick of it, an early childhood educator fielding daily questions, or a new professional who has never potty trained a child in your life, this conversation will give you something practical to take with you. Give it a listen and share it with your team.Learn more about Jackie and Tot on the Pot:https://www.totonthepot.com/----------------------------Early Childhood Chats is hosted by Andrew Roszak - JD, MPA, EMT-PExecutive Director at the Institute for Childhood Preparedness. The Institute for Childhood Preparedness is proud to use its decades of experience to offer comprehensive and expert disaster and emergency preparedness trainings live in-person, via webinar, and on-demand online. // Visit: https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/ to find out more // Schedule your training today https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/trainingFOLLOW UShttps://www.instagram.com/childhoodpreparedness/ https://www.facebook.com/ChildPreparedhttps://twitter.com/ChildPreparedhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-childhood-preparedness© Institute for Childhood Preparedness 2026 all rights reserved

    Think Like a Tot, Parent Like a Pro — Play-Based Potty Training with Tot on the Pot

  7. Jul 30

    Toxic Stress, ACEs & Premature Birth: Protecting Children's Futures

    How do premature birth, toxic stress, environmental health, and childhood experiences shape lifelong development?In this episode of Early Childhood Chats, Andy Roszak sits down with pediatric and neonatal nurse practitioner Dr. Michelle Kelly of Villanova University and the Mid-Atlantic Center for Children's Health and the Environment to discuss the hidden influences affecting children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development.Topics include:• Premature birth and lifelong outcomes• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)• Toxic stress and child development• Environmental health risks including lead, air pollution, and secondhand smoke• Developmental milestones every educator should watch for• How Head Start, childcare providers, and early educators can make a lasting difference• Practical strategies to support children and familiesWhether you're an early childhood educator, childcare director, Head Start professional, healthcare provider, parent, or policymaker, this conversation provides practical insights backed by research that can help children thrive.Subscribe for more conversations on early childhood education, child safety, health, emergency preparedness, and family wellbeing.Learn more: https://www.villanova.edu/university.htmlhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-kelly-11213693/https://www.villanova.edu/university/nursing/faculty-and-research/centers/macche.htmlpacer.net#EarlyChildhood #ChildDevelopment #HeadStart #PrematureBirth #EarlyEducation #EnvironmentalHealth #ACEs #Childcare #Podcast #EarlyChildhoodChats

    Toxic Stress, ACEs & Premature Birth: Protecting Children's Futures

  8. Jul 15

    The Preparedness Gap Nobody's Talking About: Extreme Weather and Kids

    Emergency medicine physician and climate health researcher Dr. Tess Wiskel of Harvard Medical School joins Andy Roszak to talk about what extreme weather actually means for early childhood programs. They cover why young children are uniquely vulnerable, how rising heat affects classrooms and outdoor play, what frontline clinic research tells us about preparedness gaps, the resources available to build climate resilience, and the practical steps every program can take today to protect children and staff.Learn more about Tess:➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tess-wiskel-0a587b35/➡️ https://hsph.harvard.edu/profile/tess-wiskel/➡️ https://fxb.harvard.edu/blog/directory/tess-wiskel-md/➡️ https://www.crisisready.io/team/tess-wiskel/Resources:➡️ https://toolkit.climate.gov/topic/health-care➡️ https://www.americares.org/what-we-do/community-health/climate-resilient-health-clinics/Papers:➡️ https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/disaster-medicine-and-public-health-preparedness/article/preparedness-information-needs-and-interruptions-in-medical-care-after-the-california-oak-fire/F2FE1BF5A2CB195D25D7BFCC8D081AB4➡️ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12875-024-02622-y➡️ https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj-2025-086218?__cf_chl_f_tk=MLhcjcUoDcoxU4PMzpb1ClKqXsU3nEUg9wy3vuAQWj4-1783442437-1.0.1.1-JnjBqHJHX16K3LdDFKG3rtkf6tCm6wFWp5mDVHCGkOA----------------------------Early Childhood Chats is hosted by Andrew Roszak - JD, MPA, EMT-PExecutive Director at the Institute for Childhood Preparedness. The Institute for Childhood Preparedness is proud to use its decades of experience to offer comprehensive and expert disaster and emergency preparedness trainings live in-person, via webinar, and on-demand online. // Visit: https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/ to find out more // Schedule your training today https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/trainingFOLLOW UShttps://www.instagram.com/childhoodpreparedness/ https://www.facebook.com/ChildPreparedhttps://twitter.com/ChildPreparedhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-childhood-preparedness© Institute for Childhood Preparedness 2025 all rights reserved

    The Preparedness Gap Nobody's Talking About: Extreme Weather and Kids
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Early Childhood Chats," the podcast dedicated to all things related to early childhood education. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of early childhood development, parenting tips, teaching strategies, and the latest research in the field. Hosted by passionate educators and experts in early childhood education, each episode brings you insightful discussions, practical advice, and inspiring stories aimed at supporting parents, caregivers, and educators in nurturing the young minds of tomorrow.

Information

  • Creator
    Institute for Childhood Preparedness
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Institute for Childhood Preparedness
  • Show Website
    Early Childhood Chats

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