Roots and Wings

foxhillschool

Roots & Wings, from the Fox Hill School and hosted by Melanie Little, serves parents of young children at Fox Hill and throughout the wider community. With over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, Melanie has built strong collaborations with educators, specialists, and families, and brings those connections to the podcast. Each episode offers trusted guidance, expert insights, and real-life conversations on child development, parenting, and early learning. Our mission is to nurture parents’ confidence, provide practical tools and encouragement, and strengthen the partnership between families and educators. By sharing knowledge, stories, and strategies, we help parents raise children who grow with strong roots of responsibility, independence, and self-confidence—and wings to thrive as lifelong learners in the world around them.

  1. May 12

    Fitness Beyond the Gym: How Busy Parents Can Reclaim Their Health feat. Mark Cotreau and Spencer Vinton from Treehouse School of Fitness

    Discover how to rethink fitness for the whole family with Mark Cotreau and Spencer Vinton from Treehouse School of Fitness. Learn why "a little bit is enough" when balancing busy schedules with movement. This episode explores the four pillars of longevity—sleep, nutrition, stress management, and exercise—while previewing exciting new summer programs for elementary-aged children. Find out how to stay mobile, reduce parent-related aches, and turn fitness into a fun, sustainable habit for everyone. Meet Our Guest:   Mark Cotreau (Nurse/Coach) and Spencer Vinton (MBA/Head Coach) lead Treehouse School of Fitness. Tip: "Your mindset just has to be a little bit is enough; you’re going to build on that, and you're going to build on that a little bit." Top Takeaways Fitness includes sleep, nutrition, and stress management, not just the hours spent in the gym. For busy parents, even ten minutes of daily movement creates mental resiliency and sustainable habits. Summer programs at Treehouse focus on fun, social, and safe movement for elementary-aged future athletes. Helpful Links & Tools Resources:   Mark Cotreau Personal trainer with a focus on mobility and longevity in all populations Mcotreau@gmail.com 978-869-0541   Spencer Vinton http://treehouse.fit coachspencer@treehouse.fit 121 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923 978-705-9757   Treehouse's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treehouseschooloffitness   Treehouse's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TreehouseSchoolofFitness     Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

    32 min
  2. Apr 28

    Cultivating Citizens: How Play-Based Learning Prepares Kids for Life feat. Sarah Goodale O'Brien

    Explore the powerful connection between higher education and early childhood learning. Dr. Sarah Goodale-O’Brien, Director of Educational Studies at Endicott College, joins us to discuss how aspiring teachers learn through internships at Fox Hill. We dive into the "experiential edge," the importance of play-based environments for building future-ready skills, and why preschool "work" is vital for developing autonomy, conflict resolution, and the intellectual growth needed for lifelong success in college and beyond.   Meet Our Guest: Dr. Sarah Goodale-O’Brien, Ed.D., is the Director of Educational Studies at Endicott College. Tip: "Observation and reflection are the most important components to becoming an effective educator. See children from where they are." Top Takeaways Experiential learning through internships allows aspiring teachers to bridge theory with real-world classroom practice. Play-based education is vital work that develops essential autonomy, conflict resolution, and intellectual skills. Early childhood experiences as a citizen in a play community prepare children for adult success. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Sarah Goodale-O’Brien, Ed.D Director, Educational Studies | School of Education Endicott College | 376 Hale Street | Beverly, MA 01915 978-232-2198   Dr. Joy Erikson's newest book: https://sunypress.edu/Books/L/Living-Well-Together   E.B. Goodale's newest release: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/robin-and-the-stick_9781419780837   E.B. Goodale's website: https://ebgoodale.com to follow along!     Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

    25 min
  3. Mar 10

    Co-Authoring Confidence: How One Fox Hill Alum Became a Published Author feat. Saina and Alicia Ramsdell

    Melanie Little welcomes back Fox Hill alum Saina Ramsdell and her mother, Alicia Ramsdell, CEO of Mindful Career Paths. They explore Alicia’s journey in career coaching and her TED talk on professional fulfillment. They also share the inspiring story behind their collaborative children's books, The One and Only Incredible ME! and Cluck Pup Cashew. Learn how to encourage your child's creativity and the importance of fostering a lifelong love for reading and self-discovery.   Meet Our Guest: Alicia Ramsdell is the CEO of “Mindful Career Paths” and an author. Saina Ramsdell is a Fox Hill alum and junior co-author. Tip: "Help them find that fulfillment and make sure the little kid they once were would be proud." Top Takeaways Encourage children to explore their interests without the pressure to choose a career immediately. Mindful career development involves being vulnerable about what you want and managing inevitable stress. Collaborating with your child on creative projects like book-writing builds confidence and lasting bonds. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Alicia Ramsdell's Book: The One and Only Incredible ME! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYT2WKF8 Saina and Alicia Ramsdell's Book: Cluck Pup Cashew https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDGXHGTC Mindful Career Path's Website: https://mindfulcareerpath.com Mindful Career Path's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mindful.Career.Path Mindful Career Path's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindful-career-path Alicia Ramsdell's Website: https://aliciaramsdell.com Alicia Ramsdell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciaramsdell     Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

    16 min
  4. Feb 24

    The Nourished Mindset: Grace Sanders on Raising Intuitive Eaters

    Join Fox Hill alum Grace Sanders, a clinical dietitian, as she explains how to transform stressful family mealtimes into positive experiences. Learn about the “Division of Responsibility,” where parents provide the food and kids choose how much to eat. Discover why the “Clean Plate Club” is a thing of the past, how to use neutral language for all foods, and how to involve children in meal prep to build healthy lifelong habits.   Meet Our Guest: Grace Sanders, MS, RDN, LDN, is a Clinical Dietitian at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Nourish. Tip: "Give yourself grace; little mindset shifts and trusting your child’s intuition will pay off over time". Top Takeaways Division of Responsibility: Parents decide the menu/timing; children decide how much they actually eat. Avoid labeling foods as "good" or "bad" to help children develop a neutral relationship. Involve children in meal prep and sensory play to increase their interest in new foods. Helpful Links & Tools Resources:   Nourish Website: https://www.usenourish.com/providers/grace-sanders Grace Sanders’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracesanders Grace Sanders’ Instagram: @restorenutritionrd https://www.instagram.com/restorenutritionrd   Grace Sanders’ TikTok: @restorenutritionrd https://www.tiktok.com/@restorenutritionrd   Grace Sanders’ Work Email: gracesandersRD@gmail.com   The Satter Division Of Responsibility In Feeding: https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/division-of-responsibility   Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

    27 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Roots & Wings, from the Fox Hill School and hosted by Melanie Little, serves parents of young children at Fox Hill and throughout the wider community. With over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, Melanie has built strong collaborations with educators, specialists, and families, and brings those connections to the podcast. Each episode offers trusted guidance, expert insights, and real-life conversations on child development, parenting, and early learning. Our mission is to nurture parents’ confidence, provide practical tools and encouragement, and strengthen the partnership between families and educators. By sharing knowledge, stories, and strategies, we help parents raise children who grow with strong roots of responsibility, independence, and self-confidence—and wings to thrive as lifelong learners in the world around them.