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. Sep 22

    From the "Money Wall" to Allowances: Talking to Kids About Finances feat. Charles Floeckher

    Learn how to navigate the overwhelming world of family financial planning with certified financial professional Charles Floeckher. Discover why it's normal to feel financially "behind" and how to shift from comparing yourself to others to measuring your own progress. We discuss involving kids in money decisions, managing the stress of the sandwich generation, and why a financial plan is more like a flexible road trip than a rigid destination.   Meet Our Guest: Charles Floeckher is a certified financial professional with Commonwealth Financial Group, husband, and father. Tip: "Don't let the perfect become the enemy of good. You don't have to have every answer today. Just start the conversation."   Top Takeaways Financial planning is about making thoughtful, step-by-step decisions, not being perfectly figured out today. Measure your financial progress against where you were last year, not against your neighbors. A family financial plan is a flexible road trip; adjust as your life changes.   Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Commonwealth Financial Group Website: https://www.commonwealthfinancialgroup.com Charles Floeckher on the Commonwealth Financial Group Website: https://www.commonwealthfinancialgroup.com/our-advisors/charles-floeckher Charles Floeckher Contact Information: Call only: 410.375.7577 cfloeckher@financialguide.com 280 Congress Street, Suite 1300 Boston, MA 02110 Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com   COMPLIANCE: CRN202907-11680482

  2. Sep 1

    TAKEAWAYS from Is Your Child Ready? Kindergarten Teachers Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Butler Share the Truth About Readiness

    Join Melanie Little as she sits down with veteran kindergarten teachers Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Roberts to demystify kindergarten readiness. From bathroom independence and following "group plans" to the importance of phonological awareness and number sense, this episode covers the essential social, emotional, and academic skills your child needs for a successful transition. Discover why it’s okay to let your child struggle a little and how everyday play is the best preparation for the big leap into elementary school.   Meet Our Guest: Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Roberts are kindergarten teachers at Great Oak Elementary School. Tip: "Challenge your kid and let them struggle a little bit. It builds up their confidence and helps them realize they can do things on their own."   Top Takeaways Independence in routines, like bathroom skills and cleaning up, is vital for classroom success. Phonological awareness—playing with sounds—is one of the strongest early predictors of reading success. Resiliency is built when children are allowed to struggle through challenges instead of being saved.   THIS EPISODE REVISITS THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR EPISODE Is Your Child Ready? Kindergarten Teachers Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Butler Share the Truth About Readiness - Go listen to the full episode if you want to learn more.     Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Great Oak Elementary School 76 Pickering Street Danvers, MA 01923   Tel: (978) 774–2533   Great Oak Elementary School's Website: https://danverspublicschools.org/great-oak Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

  3. Aug 25

    TAKEAWAYS from The Magic of Disney feat. Suzanne Sexton

    Discover how to transform high-stress Disney or Universal vacations into joyful family memories. Guest Suzanne Sexton shares insider secrets for navigating parks with preschoolers, including finding quiet zones and avoiding scary ride segments. Learn why using a professional travel planner is 100% free and how they save you time and money by monitoring prices and handling logistics. This episode helps you focus on the magic instead of the overwhelm.   Meet Our Guest: Suzanne Sexton is a DIAMOND Earmarked Mickey Travels planner who has visited Disney 100+ times. Tip: “Don’t try to do everything—set realistic goals and put on your ‘patience pants.’” Top Takeaways Using a travel planner is completely free as Disney and Universal pay commissions directly. Focus on realistic goals and follow your heart regarding what your child can handle. Professional planners automatically monitor for lower prices and manage all stressful booking logistics. THIS EPISODE REVISITS THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR EPISODE The Magic of Disney feat. Suzanne Sexton - Go listen to the full episode if you want to learn more.   Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Suzanne Sexton at Mickey Travels Website: https://mickeytravels.com/team/suzanne-sexton-massachusetts-disney-travel-agent Suzanne Sexton's Mickey Travels Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MickeyTravelsSuzanneSexton Suzanne Sexton's Contact Email: ssexton@mickeytravels.com Suzanne Sexton's Contact Phone Number: 781-249-2627 Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

  4. Aug 6

    TAKEAWAYS from 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. THIS EPISODE REVISITS THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR EPISODE The Nourished Mindset: Grace Sanders on Raising Intuitive Eaters - Go listen to the full episode if you want to learn more.     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

  5. Jul 15

    TAKEAWAYS from Co-Authoring Confidence with 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. THIS EPISODE REVISITS THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR EPISODE Co-Authoring Confidence: How One Fox Hill Alum Became a Published Author feat. Saina and Alicia Ramsdell - Go listen to the full episode if you want to learn more.     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

  6. 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

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.