The ECE Classroom with Susie Beghin

Susie Beghin
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The ECE Classroom explores key topics in early childhood education. Each episode offers insightful discussions and practical advice and is designed to inspire, inform, and empower educators, home care providers, and parents alike. As an educator and daycare owner, Susie Beghin is passionate about nurturing young minds and supporting those who work tirelessly to shape the future generation.

  1. S03 Ep. 2: Why Finland Gets Early Learning Right (And What We Can Learn From It)

    5D AGO

    S03 Ep. 2: Why Finland Gets Early Learning Right (And What We Can Learn From It)

    In this episode, Susie Beghin interviews Anu Guttorm, the owner of Moomin Language School, to explore the unique aspects of Finland's early childhood education system. They discuss the importance of emotional learning, the role of play in education, and the innovative approach of language immersion. Anu shares insights into how Finnish educators prioritize social skills and emotional development over academic skills in early childhood, and how her school utilizes digital tools to facilitate language learning. The conversation highlights the significance of nurturing curiosity and creativity in young learners, as well as the potential for technology to enhance educational experiences.Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Early Childhood Education in Finland 03:26 Approach to Early Childhood Education in Finland 07:30 Structure of the Day in Finnish Early Childhood Education 10:00 Emotional Learning and Social Skills in Finnish Education 11:22 The Importance of Free Play and Child-Led Learning 14:15 Digital Language Immersion: A Unique Approach to Learning 22:40 Future of Language Learning and Technology in Education 25:10 Susie’s Reflection on Today’s topic About Our Guest Anu Guttorm is the founder and CEO of Moomin Language School, where they blend Finnish education principles with safe, innovative technology. Through stories and play, they help children and educators discover the joy of language — and prepare young learners for meaningful connections in the future.www.moominls.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anuguttorm/

    27 min
  2. S03 Ep1: Screen Time Isn’t the Enemy: Here’s What Matters Instead

    JAN 20

    S03 Ep1: Screen Time Isn’t the Enemy: Here’s What Matters Instead

    In this episode of the ECE Classroom podcast, host SusieBeghin welcomes Will Maurer from Children's Media Research and Reform to discuss the critical topic of screen time for children under two. Will shares his journey from working in media and entertainment to focusing on the impact of screen use on young children, particularly during the pandemic when he became a parent. He emphasizes the alarming effects of overstimulating content, which can lead to dopamine imbalances and addictive behaviors in children, likening it to the first addiction in their lives. Will highlights the gapbetween existing guidelines that recommend no screen time for children under two and the reality that many children are exposed to screens at a young age. The conversation delves into the characteristics of qualitycontent versus harmful media, with Will advising parents and educators to look for slower-paced, developmentally appropriate programming that encourages co-viewing and interaction. He critiques popular media, including platformslike YouTube, for their rapid pacing and overstimulation, which can hinder a child's ability to learn and develop. Will advocates for a shift in how children's media is produced, emphasizing the need for content that supports language development and meaningful engagement between parents and children.The episode concludes with a call to action for better funding and support for creating high-quality media for young children, echoing the legacy of educational pioneers like Fred Rogers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Screen Time and Early ChildhoodEducation 03:02 Current Research on Screen Use for Children Under Two 06:20 Identifying Quality Content for Young Children 08:30 The Evolution of Children's Media 10:25 The Impact of Fast-Paced Programming 14:15 Co-Viewing: Bridging the Gap Between Screens andLearning 15:55 Evaluating Popular Shows: The Case of Miss Rachel 21:29 Guidance for Educators and Parents on Screen Use 23:30 Susie’s Reflections on Today’s Topic  Music by Mykola Odnoroh from Pixabay About Our Guest - Will Maurer Media and Education | TEDx Speaker on Children’s Media Reform | On a Mission to Positively Impact the Lives of Families Around the Worldwww.cmrrl.org

    26 min
  3. S02 Ep 12: Reflection on 2025 - 5 Lessons Learned

    12/16/2025

    S02 Ep 12: Reflection on 2025 - 5 Lessons Learned

    In this episode of the ECE Classroom Podcast, host SusieBeghin reflects on the past year, sharing highlights from 2025 episodes and the five lessons she's carrying forward as an educator and lifelong learner. The episode emphasizes the power of storytelling, emotional well-being, behavior ascommunication, the importance of movement in learning, and the value of partnerships in education. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and 2025 Reflection 01:10 Storytelling as a Relationship 02:27 Emotional Well-being in Education 03:53 Behavior as Communication 05:06 Learning Through Movement 06:10 Building Partnerships Music by Mykola Odnoroh from Pixabay

    8 min
  4. S02 Ep 11: The Power of Partnership: Connecting Educators, Parents & Community

    11/15/2025

    S02 Ep 11: The Power of Partnership: Connecting Educators, Parents & Community

    In this episode of the ECE Classroom podcast, host Susie Beghin is joined by Kate Woodward-Young and Carrie Casey from the Child Care Conversations podcast. They discuss the importance of building partnerships between educators and parents, understanding cultural expectations, and the role of community engagement in early childhood education. The conversation emphasizes the need for curiosity in educators, realistic expectations for child development, and the use of assessment tools to guide discussions with parents. The episode concludes with practical tips for involving the community in children's learning experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Early Childhood Education Insights 04:15 The Importance of Parent Engagement 12:29 Building Relationships with Families 18:06 Educating Parents on Developmental Expectations 24:13 Engaging the Community in Early Education    Music by Mykola Odnoroh from Pixabay About our Guests Kate Woodward Young, M.Ed., and Carrie Casey are educators, authors, and leadership coaches with more than 60 years of combined experience in early childhood education. Since 2019, they’ve hosted ChildCare Conversations with Kate and Carrie, a twice-weekly podcast with over 300 episodes and more than 25,000 downloads. Each episode offers practical strategies, real-world insights, and encouraging stories that help early learning professionals lead with confidence, strengthen teams, and build sustainableprograms. They are also bestselling authors of 11 books on earlychildhood leadership and administration, used internationally in professional development and higher education. Their writing and training focus on helping directors and owners create positive cultures, retain staff, and grow thrivingprograms. 🎧 Listen to ChildCare Conversations with Kate and Carrie atwww.childcareconversations.com

    29 min
  5. S02 Ep 10: Learn to Read in Motion: Teaching Literacy Through Movement

    10/15/2025

    S02 Ep 10: Learn to Read in Motion: Teaching Literacy Through Movement

    In this episode of the ECE Classroom podcast, host SusieBeghin speaks with Stefanie Hohl from ABC See, Hear, Do about innovative strategies for teaching early literacy through movement. They discuss the importance of incorporating physical activity into reading lessons, creating a literacy-rich environment, and engaging parents in the learning process. Stefanie shares practical tips for educators and parents to make reading funand accessible for all children, emphasizing the need to adapt teaching methods to different learning styles. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Early Literacy and Movement 1:43 Incorporating Movement in Reading 05:24 Engaging Children with Books 06:44 Creating a Literacy-Rich Environment 10:50 Making Reading Fun and Inclusive 12:30 The Role of Parents in Early Literacy 18:00 Understanding Different Learning Styles 20:30 Resources for Early Readers 22:40   Susie’s Insightson Learning to Read Through Movement About our Guest Stefanie Hohl holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Children’s Literature from Penn State and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. After years of teaching preschool co-ops, homeschooling, and guiding her first four children through the process of learning to read, Stefanie realized she needed a new approach for her fifth child. Through extensive research and testing, she developed the ABC See, Hear, Do Method, a fun and effective way to teach early reading skills. www.abcseeheardo.com Link to Learn Letters with Confidence mini-course. https://susie-beghin-academy.thinkific.com/products/courses/teach-letters-with-confidence Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/fortune-cookie/golden-summer-lenny-b⁠⁠⁠⁠ License code: STFPDU3XL7ZR4CHA

    25 min
  6. S02 Ep 9: Navigating September: Strategies for Educators

    09/15/2025

    S02 Ep 9: Navigating September: Strategies for Educators

    In this episode of the ECE Classroom podcast, host SusieBeghin discusses the challenges and strategies for navigating the busy month of September in early childhood education. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, managing transitions, creating calm spaces for children, maintaining open communication with parents, and supporting educators during this hectic time. The episode provides practical tips for fostering strong relationships with both children and parents, ensuring a smooth start to the school year. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the ECE Classroom 01:14 Planning and Preparation is Key for September 05:31 Creating a Calm Space for Overwhelmed Students 14:03 Parent Communication From Day One 16:50 Teacher Overwhelm & Emotional Exhaustion 21:15 Building Strong Relationships with Children   Music from #Uppbeat (free forCreators!): ⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/fortune-cookie/golden-summer-lenny-b⁠⁠⁠ License code: STFPDU3XL7ZR4CHA

    27 min
  7. S02 Ep. 8: Leadership in Early Childhood: Setting the Tone

    08/15/2025

    S02 Ep. 8: Leadership in Early Childhood: Setting the Tone

    In this episode, Susie Beghin and Erica Saccoccio discuss thevital role of play in early childhood education and the importance of leadership in fostering a supportive learning environment. They explore the challenges of educating parents about the value of play, the significance of role modeling for educators, and the need for clear communication and accountability in leadership. The conversation also touches on creating playfullearning environments, the dynamics of intergenerational teams, and the essential qualities of effective educators. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Early Childhood Education andLeadership 02:37 The Importance of Play in Learning 06:20 Educating Parents on Learning Through Play 08:04 Role Modeling and Scaffolding in Education 11:24 Creating a Playful Learning Environment 15:12 The Role of Educators in Learning 17:30 Building a Supportive Team Culture 20:18 Balancing Freedom and Accountability in Leadership 25:32 Intergenerational Dynamics in Education 29:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts About Our Guest Erica is a motivational speaker with 23+ years of experienceas an entrepreneur. Erica is the owner of a multi-location child care centre called “Family Tree” in Rhode Island, USA. Erica is a passionate leader in the early childhood education industry and hosts a podcast called, The Child Care Director’s Chair. www.stellarbusinessconcepts.com https://www.instagram.com/ccdcpodcasthttps://www.youtube.com/@childcaredirectorschair690 Music from #Uppbeat (free forCreators!): ⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/fortune-cookie/golden-summer-lenny-b⁠⁠⁠ License code: STFPDU3XL7ZR4CHA

    31 min
  8. S02 Ep. 7: Teaching Kindness and Acceptance through Storytelling

    07/15/2025

    S02 Ep. 7: Teaching Kindness and Acceptance through Storytelling

    In this episode of the ECE Classroom podcast, host SusieBeghin speaks with Christine Devane, a former educator and author of the children's book 'Elephant Beach.' They discuss the importance of storytelling in teaching children about kindness and acceptance, the themes present in Christine's book, and how to engage children in learning through interactive activities. Christine shares her experiences as a teacher and how they influenced her writing, emphasizing the need to respect individual differences among children and the importance of fostering a love for reading. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:44 The Power of Storytelling in Teaching Kindness 04:43 Exploring 'Elephant Beach' and Its Themes 08:06 Classroom Experiences and Engaging Activities 9:43 Creating Story Kits for Enhanced Learning 11:18 The Significance of Elephants in Children's Literature 12:40 Influence of Teaching on Children's Literature 13:40 Teaching Empathy and Inclusion in Early Childhood 16:15 Respecting Individual Personalities in Education 19:30 Encouraging Lifelong Reading and Learning 24:10 Susie’s Reflections on Today’s Topic About Christine DevaneChristine is the mom of three children, former early childhood educator and author of the children's book, "Elephant Beach". Her book is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/fortune-cookie/golden-summer-lenny-b⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ License code: STFPDU3XL7ZR4CHA

    26 min
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The ECE Classroom explores key topics in early childhood education. Each episode offers insightful discussions and practical advice and is designed to inspire, inform, and empower educators, home care providers, and parents alike. As an educator and daycare owner, Susie Beghin is passionate about nurturing young minds and supporting those who work tirelessly to shape the future generation.

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