Every Child's Champion

Sara Beach

For Early Childhood Teachers and the Instructional Leaders who support them. This podcast gives you a thoughtful, informative look at the most important issues and topics in the ECE field. Hosted by a 30+ year veteran with wide ranging experience in Head Start, Child Care, and public schools, Every Child's Champion brings teachers and those who care about them needed supports, encouragement, inspiration, and FUN. Each week you will be challenged to take something specific back into your workplace and put it into practice. A great place to boost your reflective practice and absorb some new info and ENERGY for the most difficult work on the planet!

  1. 08/06/2025

     What does it mean to be a Pyramid Model Classroom?

    Send us a text What if the secret to managing challenging behaviors in young children lies in understanding their unspoken needs? Today, let’s uncover the transformative Pyramid Model and its profound impact on early childhood education. This episode is all about empowering teachers to build nurturing, positive relationships with every child, especially those who express themselves through challenging behaviors. By fostering an inclusive environment, we ensure that each child, regardless of their abilities or challenges, feels valued and accepted. In this episode, venture into the heart of preventive strategies that address the root causes of children's behaviors before they escalate. Explore techniques for promoting social skills and emotional regulation, which are not just essential but transformative. By understanding the 'why' behind behaviors, learn to replace negative actions with positive, constructive ones. Through entertaining and insightful anecdotes, we'll reveal how to craft an environment where children feel secure, valued, and motivated to engage more fully. Make sure you tune in to this podcast, and share it with colleagues, as we discover the inner secrets of beingEvery Child’s Champion! (Refer to the Chapter Markers tab for time-stamped highlights) Thank you so much for joining us on today’s episode. If you liked listening to this episode, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE! On Apple Podcasts                  On Spotify           On Google Podcasts Make sure you’ll never miss out, Children’s Champions!!! For a copy of all our show notes, go HERE 🡨 Even better if you could also join our Facebook Page to share your thoughts and let us fire your sparks, dear Champions! Or follow us on Instagram. Have you missed the last episode? Take a listen here → How to Deepen Children’s Learning and Prevent Challenging Behaviors by Facilitating PLAY, Ep31

    56 min

  2. 10/25/2024

    How to Deepen Children’s Learning and Prevent Challenging Behaviors by Facilitating PLAY

    Send us a text Have you ever considered that PLAY might be the missing piece in making children’s education truly effective and joyful? Join me in this episode as we explore the transformative potential of PLAY-based learning in the classroom. Reconnect with your inner child and rediscover the joy of teaching. We know how life's pressures can overshadow our passion for education but there are strategies to reignite that spark through playful engagement. Educators can become co-players in inquiry-based learning, helping children naturally grasp complex concepts like stabilization through playful interactions. This episode is packed with practical strategies to elevate your teaching game! Learn how to spark meaningful conversations with children using open-ended questions, self-talk, and parallel talk, all while fostering their language skills and critical thinking. Do you know that emotional support and secure attachments contribute significantly to both cognitive and emotional development of these children? By prioritizing these connections, educators can inspire children to become confident, problem-solving individuals. Embrace PLAY, foster curiosity, and witness the transformative impact on both you and your students. Make sure you tune in to this podcast, and share it with colleagues, as we discover the inner secrets of beingEvery Child’s Champion! (Refer to the Chapter Markers tab for time-stamped highlights) Thank you so much for joining us on today’s episode. If you liked listening to this episode, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE!   On Apple Podcasts                      On Spotify              On Google Podcasts   Make sure you’ll never miss out, Children’s Champions!!!   For a copy of all our show notes, go HERE ß   Even better if you could also join ourFacebook Page to share your thoughts and let us fire your sparks, dear Champions! Or follow us on Instagram.   Have you missed the last episode? Take a listen here →Creating Joyful Classrooms: Enhancing Child Relationships and Educator Well-being, Ep30

    18 min
  3. Creating Joyful Classrooms: Enhancing Child Relationships and Educator Well-being

    08/02/2024

    Creating Joyful Classrooms: Enhancing Child Relationships and Educator Well-being

    Send us a text Imagine being the cornerstone of a child's development, where every action you take has the potential to shape their future. As educators, your mental, emotional, and physical well-being is indispensable. In this episode, we will delve into the profound influence you have on your students. Reflecting on self-efficacy, we urge you to list your strengths and find joy in your teaching practice, even amid the current staffing crisis and high stress levels. This episode is a tribute to your immense value, to foster a positive mindset that will enhance both your effectiveness and the learning experience for your students. Building strong relationships with students is at the heart of our discussions. Drawing from attachment theory, we’ll figure out how early relationships influence a child's ability to trust and regulate emotions. By prioritizing personal connections and maintaining a positive attitude, educators can create a secure environment that supports both emotional and behavioral development. This episode is packed with practical advice and heartfelt insights designed to help you become an even more nurturing and effective Champion for every child in your classroom. Make sure you tune in to this podcast, and share it with colleagues, as we discover the inner secrets of beingEvery Child’s Champion! (Refer to the Chapter Markers tab for time-stamped highlights) Thank you so much for joining us on today’s episode. If you liked listening to this episode, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE! On Apple Podcasts                  On Spotify            On Google Podcasts Make sure you’ll never miss out, Children’s Champions!!! For a copy of all our show notes, go HERE 🡨 Even better if you could also join our Facebook Page to share your thoughts and let us fire your sparks, dear Champions! Or follow us on Instagram. Have you missed the last episode? Take a listen here → On Addressing Teacher Shortages and Behavioral Challenges in Early Childhood Education, Ep29

    29 min
  4. On Addressing Teacher Shortages and Behavioral Challenges in Early Childhood Education

    07/05/2024

    On Addressing Teacher Shortages and Behavioral Challenges in Early Childhood Education

    Send us a text What happens when nearly one-third of early childhood educators abandon their classrooms? The alarming ripple effects of teacher shortages, inadequate training, and rising stress levels are unraveling a crisis in early childhood education. In this eye-opening episode of Every Child's Champion, Sara unpacks the statistics and stories behind this troubling trend. Let’s explore the urgent necessity for systemic change, including better support structures like mental health consultants, on-site coaching, and comprehensive training to help educators navigate these turbulent waters. There's hope! This episode can guide you to actionable strategies that can transform early education experiences for both teachers and children. Every Child's Champion offers resources and community support designed to empower teachers. Let’s uncover how we can collectively bring about the broader societal and systemic changes needed to fortify early childhood education for the future. Make sure you tune in to this podcast, and share it with colleagues, as we discover the inner secrets of being Every Child’s Champion! (Refer to the Chapter Markers tab for time-stamped highlights) Thank you so much for joining us on today’s episode. If you liked listening to this episode, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE! On Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts Make sure you’ll never miss out, Children’s Champions!!! For a copy of all our show notes, go HERE 🡨 Even better if you could also join our Facebook Page to share your thoughts and let us fire your sparks, dear Champions! Or follow us on Instagram. Have you missed the last episode? Take a listen here → Preventing and Responding to Challenging Behaviors: The Pyramid Model, with Deidre Harris, Ep28

    37 min

  5. 06/10/2022

    Preventing and Responding to Challenging Behaviors: The Pyramid Model, with Deidre Harris

    Send us a text Teachers at all levels are seeing unprecedented levels of challenging behavior in the classroom due to the pandemic and societal changes. Fortunately, researchers have identified exactly which teacher practices will work best to prevent most negative behaviors, and which practices are most effective when teachers do need to intervene. The Pyramid Model was born from research and is continually adapting, as our knowledge of things like trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), and effective teacher professional development also grows. The Pyramid Model  uses systems thinking and implementation science to give teachers the most effective strategies for prevention and response to challenging behaviors. Today’s podcast features Sara’s interview with Deidre Harris, an educational consultant who’s also a certified professional coach. Deidre has over twenty years experience in the implementation of the Pyramid Model, having worked first as a program administrator and later serving as an implementation coach to work with programs across many states. She reports that she has seen the framework grow and expand over the years and attests to the relevance it continues to make in supporting not only teachers but administrators. The Pyramid Model even influences programs’ policies and procedures. Make sure you tune in to this podcast, and share it with colleagues, as we discover the inner secrets of being Every Child’s Champion! (Refer to the Chapter Markers tab for time-stamped highlights) Thank you so much for joining us on today’s episode. If you liked listening to this episode, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE! On Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts Make sure you’ll never miss out, Children’s Champions!!! For a copy of all our show notes, go HERE ß Even better if you could also join ourFacebook Page to share your thoughts and let us fire your sparks, dear Champions! Or follow us on Instagram.  Have you missed the last episode? Take a listen here →Keys to Building Strong Relationships with Parents of the Most At-Risk Children, Ep27

    48 min
  6. Keys to Building Strong Relationships with Parents of the Most At-Risk Children

    05/27/2022

    Keys to Building Strong Relationships with Parents of the Most At-Risk Children

    Send us a text Engaging parents of our most "at-risk" children can be super hard. Grant-funded programs serving poor and disadvantaged, or otherwise at-risk families utilize a weighted eligibility scale for making enrollment decisions, to ensure that the neediest children are served. But what if the neediest families don't know your program exists?   One program in Mattoon, IL has created the solution to this issue, by establishing a presence within the community and making strong connections with teens and other high-risk parents, right from birth or even before.  In this podcast, Sara interviews Katrina Farris, the Director of Early Childhood in Mattoon, IL.  Katrina spearheaded an effort in Mattoon to create Mattoon's Birth to Three home visiting program for parents of infants and toddlers. Katrina's passion, ingenuity, and sheer dedication to finding out about the needs of young parents and then setting about to bring in the resources families need are what has made this program successful. When it comes to engaging and serving our most hard to reach families, Katrina and her team have identified several key factors: 1) It's all about relationships - we can build them by being where they are and providing help when they need it; 2) Teen parents and other at-risk parents may be in crisis - If we can provide supports at these critical times, we will build the trust that is needed for parents to receive child development and parenting information as well; and 3) Connect them to us (their school or child care program) and the greater community! This way, parents learn how to utilize the community resources that are out there for them, now and forever. Other program administrators and home visitors may really cultivate some good ideas for what they might like to include in their own Infant / Toddler / Parent programs, and will definitely be inspired by this podcast!!  Make sure you tune in to this podcast, and share it with colleagues, as we discover the inner secrets of being Every Child’s Champion! (Refer to the Chapter Markers tab for time-stamped highlights) Thank you so much for joining us on today’s episode. If you liked listening to this episode, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE! On Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts  Make sure you’ll never miss out, Children’s Champions!!! For a copy of all our show notes, go HERE ß Even better if you could also join ourFacebook Page to share your thoughts and let us fire your sparks, dear Champions! Or follow us on Instagram.   Have you missed the last episode? Take a listen here →These kids are STILL driving me crazy!, Ep26

    42 min

  7. 04/22/2022

    These kids are STILL driving me crazy!

    Send us a text This episode is a replay of my all-time highest listened to podcast ever and here we will be talking about classroom management. While you're listening, you might think about next year and plan ahead. Try to ask these questions: -         What routines do you need to put in place? -         What are your classroom rules going to be? -         What things do you have to really work on explicitly teaching the children during the early weeks of school? These questions would greatly help during your planning session. You will have so much better behavior in your classroom and routines can be planned out. Make sure you tune in to this podcast, and share it with colleagues, as we discover the inner secrets of beingEvery Child’s Champion! (Refer to the Chapter Markers tab for time-stamped highlights) Thank you so much for joining us on today’s episode. If you liked listening to this episode, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE! On Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts Make sure you’ll never miss out, Children’s Champions!!! For a copy of all our show notes, go HERE ß  Even better if you could also join ourFacebook Page to share your thoughts and let us fire your sparks, dear Champions!  Have you missed the last episode? Take a listen here →Parent Engagement through the Power of Touch: The Beauty and Benefits of Infant Massage, Ep 25

    42 min

  8. 04/07/2022

    Parent Engagement through the Power of Touch: The Beauty and Benefits of Infant Massage

    Send us a text As we've shared in other podcasts, the prenatal to 3 period of development is all about incredible amounts of brain development that is occurring at this time, with billions of new connections forming the very architecture of the brain not only during the prenatal period but for the entire span of these early years. The sensory inputs (not the least of which is touch) a child is receiving throughout this period is what makes this development happen. In this Sensori-motor period, the ability to touch, taste, smell, see, and hear the world around babies is literally the curricular landscape for infant / toddler teachers. This week's podcast is all about the power of touch for infants and the parents, caregivers and other adults to whom they become attached. An interview with certified infant massage instructor Lynn Barts, owner of Baby and Me, LLC. Lynn brings over 29 years of experience in Prenatal to 3 work, with Early Intervention, Home Visiting, and Early Childhood Professional Development for teachers and caregivers. She shares what a beautiful compliment to the parent-infant bonding experience Infant Massage can be, as well as how this simple but powerful practice can be offered through early childhood programs across multiple sectors of the early childhood field. Make sure you tune in to this podcast, share it with colleagues, as we discover the inner secrets of being Every Child’s Champion! (Refer to the Chapter Markers tab for time-stamped highlights) Thank you so much for joining us on today’s episode. If you liked listening to this episode, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE!  On Apple Podcasts                      On Spotify              On Google Podcasts Make sure you’ll never miss out, Children’s Champions!!! For a copy of all our show notes, go HERE Even better if you could also join our Facebook Page to share your thoughts and let us fire your sparks, dear Champions! Have you missed the last episode? Take a listen here →Mindfulness for Champions: Take Care of You! Ep24

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

For Early Childhood Teachers and the Instructional Leaders who support them. This podcast gives you a thoughtful, informative look at the most important issues and topics in the ECE field. Hosted by a 30+ year veteran with wide ranging experience in Head Start, Child Care, and public schools, Every Child's Champion brings teachers and those who care about them needed supports, encouragement, inspiration, and FUN. Each week you will be challenged to take something specific back into your workplace and put it into practice. A great place to boost your reflective practice and absorb some new info and ENERGY for the most difficult work on the planet!

Information

  • Creator
    Sara Beach
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Every Child's Champion
  • Show Website
    Every Child's Champion