The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

Danica See
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Where big feelings are welcome, tricky behaviour isn’t shamed, and early childhood educators finally feel seen.Are you an educator, teacher, or school leader navigating the messy, beautiful world of guiding children’s behaviour, emotions, and sense of belonging? You’ve just found your people.I’m Danica - early childhood mentor and consultant, and your go-to gal for honest, heart-led conversations about what actually works when supporting young children. Inside The Bloom Room, we go beyond sticker charts and surface-level strategies. Each week, I bring you fresh episodes packed with:
✨ Real, evidence-informed tools you can use tomorrow
.✨ Thoughtful chats with experts and educators doing the work.
✨ Practical guidance for supporting behaviour without shame.
✨ A whole lot of validation, nuance, and “OMG SAME” moments.Whether you're a seasoned leader or fresh out of uni, this is your space to grow, reflect, and reimagine what’s possible for the children in your care - and for yourself.New episodes drop every Tuesday.
Come on in and let’s bloom 🌼

  1. 5d ago

    EP 65 | Is It Really the Child… or Is It the Environment?

    Why can a child cope beautifully in one environment yet really struggle in another? Behaviour is incredibly contextual, and the spaces children spend their time in can have a much bigger influence on behaviour and regulation than we sometimes realise. In this episode, I’m unpacking why the environment is plays a major role in our behaviour support ecosystem - and why the most useful thing we can change is often what’s happening around the child. You’ll hear: ✨ How visual and auditory input can contribute to dysregulation ✨ Why opportunities for movement matter - and what happens when children are constantly asked to contain their bodies ✨ How spatial flow and bottlenecks can accidentally create behaviour hotspots ✨ Why felt safety, relational safety and belonging shape the emotional climate of a space The more we pay attention to where and when behaviour is happening, the better placed we are to notice potential mismatches and to make small, intentional changes that can make things easier for children and educators. Please note - very (very) mild coarse language in this episode. I cover the environment in much greater detail in my guide ‘The Stories of the Space’ - check it out here Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 65 | Is It Really the Child… or Is It the Environment?

  2. Aug 31

    EP 64 | The Behaviour Cheat Code: Understanding Childhood Temperament

    Why can two children experience exactly the same thing... and respond completely differently? Temperament gives us a really useful window into how children experience and respond to the world around them, and understanding it can change the way we make sense of behaviour. In this episode, I’m unpacking why I think temperament is one of the closest things we have to a behaviour cheat code. You’ll hear: ✨ The three broad temperament types: slow-to-warm, easygoing and spirited ✨ The assumptions we can make about each (and why we need to question them) ✨ Why understanding temperament gives us some pretty powerful predictive information ✨ What goodness of fit means and how we can adapt our support to the child in front of us The more we understand about the child showing us the behaviour, the better placed we are to anticipate what they might find tricky - and support them through it. I cover temperament in much greater detail in my guide 'Tuning In To Temperament' - check it out here Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 64 | The Behaviour Cheat Code: Understanding Childhood Temperament

  3. Aug 24

    EP 63 | We Need to Talk About Consequences

    Consequences get a pretty bad rap in behaviour support. Sometimes, fairly so. They’re widely misused, often completely disconnected from learning, and becoming more and more punitive - but consequences and punishment are not the same thing. In this episode, I’m unpacking how consequences can have a place in rights-affirming behaviour support - and become powerful teaching tools - when we use them intentionally. You’ll hear: ✨ Three common misconceptions about consequences and accountability ✨ The difference between natural, logical and illogical consequences ✨ Why consequences are only one tool in a much bigger toolkit ✨ When logical consequences can actually support learning (and when they probably won’t) ✨ The Five Rs Framework (from Amy McReady) for creating teachable consequences If you've ever felt lost with implementing effective consequences, this one’s for you. Let's start to shift our focus from whether consequences are "good" or "bad" to whether they actually help children learn. I cover consequences in much greater detail in my guide 'Consequences Done Differently' - check it out here Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 63 | We Need to Talk About Consequences

  4. Aug 17

    EP 62 | Who Are Your Marigolds? Finding Your People in Education

    This is the final episode of The Bigger Than Behaviour Series! There’s a lot about education that feels heavy right now, and this series has made space for that heaviness - but there’s something else I think we need to talk about: the people we move through the system with. In this episode, I’m exploring the idea of finding your Marigolds - the people who help us grow, remind us who we are when things get hard, and give us somewhere safe to put the messy parts of this work. You’ll hear: ✨ Why finding your people matters when you’re working within systems you can’t always change ✨ Who our Marigolds are - and why we need to look out for pesky walnut trees ✨ What my own experiences with both marigolds and walnut trees taught me about whose voices we allow to shape our own ✨ Why I believe I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today without my marigolds This isn’t a conversation about surrounding ourselves with positive people and pretending the hard stuff isn’t hard. Our people can’t fix the education system, and they can’t remove every barrier or answer the questions we’re carrying. BUT They can sit beside us in the messy middle without making us more hopeless. They can help us stay connected to our values, our voice, our hope, and the reasons we chose this work in the first place. Please note - very (very) mild coarse language in this episode. Read Find Your Marigold: The One Essential Rule for New Teachers from Jenn Gonzalez Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 62 | Who Are Your Marigolds? Finding Your People in Education

  5. Aug 10

    EP 61 | How to Make a Difference When the Education System Feels Broken with Nikki Gleeson

    It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges facing education right now. I've felt the heaviness, too. When the conversations are about burnout, behaviour, staffing shortages and system-wide change, it's easy to start believing that meaningful change is always somebody else's responsibility. In this episode, I sit down with Nikki - early childhood consultant, mentor and founder of NG Wellbeing Consulting - to explore what happens when we stop waiting for the perfect solution and start recognising the influence we already have. You'll hear: ✨ Why "little is better than not at all" has become Nikki's guiding philosophy ✨ The role curiosity plays in creating meaningful change ✨ Why simple, intentional practice is often more powerful than complex strategies ✨ Why leadership isn't just a job title, and that every educator has the capacity to influence change ✨ The tension between wanting to do more and not knowing where to start ✨ Why hope isn't found in having all the answers, but in taking the next small step If you've been listening to this series and feeling the weight of the challenges facing education, I hope this conversation feels like a deep breath. While none of us can change the whole system overnight, we can all be part of changing the experience children have today. Visit Nikki's website: NG Wellbeing Consulting Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Let's Connect! Join the waitlist my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 61 | How to Make a Difference When the Education System Feels Broken with Nikki Gleeson

  6. Aug 3

    EP 60 | It Was Never Meant to Be Us vs. Parents with Abby Thomason

    It's easy it is to fall into blame - parents blaming educators, educators blaming parents. And when we do? The children miss out. In this episode, I sit down with Abby Thomason from Early Emotions to explore what happens when we stop searching for who's at fault and start exploring what children - and the adults around them - actually need. Together, we unpack why children's mental health is still treated differently from every other area of development, why early intervention shouldn't stop at speech or motor skills, and what happens when educators are expected to carry more than they were ever trained or supported to. We also explore the growing rates of preschool suspension and expulsion, the importance of supporting adults to respond to children's emotions, and why meaningful partnerships between families and educators have never been more important. You'll hear: ✨ Why children's mental health deserves the same attention as physical and developmental milestones ✨ The gap between identifying concerns and accessing meaningful support ✨ Why supporting children starts with supporting the adults around them ✨ What rising preschool suspension and expulsion rates reveal about our systems ✨ How blame creates distance between educators and families ✨ Why genuine partnership is one of the most powerful protective factors for children ✨ What gives Abby hope for the future of early childhood education This conversation is a reminder that behaviour is never just about the child. Creating better outcomes for children has never been about choosing between parents and educators; it's about building systems where both feel supported enough to stand on the same side. Connect with Abby on Insta @earlyemotions Download Abby's free guide - Navigating Little People's Big Emotions Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 60 | It Was Never Meant to Be Us vs. Parents with Abby Thomason

  7. Jul 27

    EP 59 | What Do the NDIS Changes Really Mean For Early Childhood? with Dave Jereb

    Over the past few months, you've probably heard bits and pieces about the changes to the NDIS and the introduction of Thriving Kids. But what do these changes actually mean for children, families, and the educators supporting them every day? In this episode, I sit down with occupational therapist, author, and founder of Move About Therapy Services, Dave Jereb, to unpack the changes that are coming and the ripple effect they could have across early childhood settings and schools. Together, we explore what meaningful inclusion really looks like, why changing the environment is often more powerful than trying to change the child, and what educators can do when the support around children starts to shift. You'll hear: ✨ What the NDIS changes and Thriving Kids could mean for children, families, and educators ✨ Why participation - not just therapy - is at the heart of supporting children well ✨ What true inclusion looks like beyond simply being present in the classroom ✨ Why changing the environment is often the quickest and most respectful way to support behaviour ✨ How small shifts in connection, expectations, and meaningful engagement can transform a child's day ✨ Why educators need greater support, collaboration, and training if we want inclusion to be successful This conversation is honest, thought-provoking and, ultimately, hopeful. If you've been wondering what these policy changes might mean for your space, or you've ever found yourself asking how we can better support every child without burning out educators in the process, this episode is for you. Visit Dave's Instagram @moveabout.ot Buy Dave's book - Challenging The Story: A Surprisingly Simple Approach to Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviours Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 59 | What Do the NDIS Changes Really Mean For Early Childhood? with Dave Jereb

  8. Jul 20

    EP 58 | Are We Preparing New Educators For the Reality Of Behaviour Support? with Chloe Cao

    University teaches you the theory, but what happens when you step into a real classroom? In this episode, I sit down with Chloe - a recently graduated early childhood educator - to explore the gap between what we're taught at university and what it actually feels like to support children, families and colleagues in the real world. You'll hear: ✨ What surprised Chloe most when she stepped from university into the classroom ✨ The invisible mental and emotional load that no textbook can prepare you for ✨ Why understanding behaviour and responding to behaviour are two very different skills ✨ The role mentors play in shaping confident, capable educators ✨ Where Chloe believes universities are preparing educators well - and where there are still important gaps ✨ Why working alongside families is often far more complex than we expect This conversation is honest, thoughtful and incredibly reassuring. Whether you're a new educator finding your feet, a mentor supporting the next generation, or an experienced teacher reflecting on your own journey, I think you'll find yourself somewhere in Chloe's story. Connect with Chloe on RedNote (her ID is 602288284) Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 58 | Are We Preparing New Educators For the Reality Of Behaviour Support? with Chloe Cao
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Where big feelings are welcome, tricky behaviour isn’t shamed, and early childhood educators finally feel seen.Are you an educator, teacher, or school leader navigating the messy, beautiful world of guiding children’s behaviour, emotions, and sense of belonging? You’ve just found your people.I’m Danica - early childhood mentor and consultant, and your go-to gal for honest, heart-led conversations about what actually works when supporting young children. Inside The Bloom Room, we go beyond sticker charts and surface-level strategies. Each week, I bring you fresh episodes packed with:
✨ Real, evidence-informed tools you can use tomorrow
.✨ Thoughtful chats with experts and educators doing the work.
✨ Practical guidance for supporting behaviour without shame.
✨ A whole lot of validation, nuance, and “OMG SAME” moments.Whether you're a seasoned leader or fresh out of uni, this is your space to grow, reflect, and reimagine what’s possible for the children in your care - and for yourself.New episodes drop every Tuesday.
Come on in and let’s bloom 🌼

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