Early Childhood Chapters

Gryphon House Books
  • 5.0 (4)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

This is the podcast for educators, childcare professionals, and parents who work with children ages 0-5. Hosted by Gryphon House Books, each episode features interviews with leading authors and experts who break down the latest research into practical, actionable strategies for the classroom and home.

  1. Coming Back Gently: Helping Children (and Adults) Re-Settle After Breaks

    FEB 3

    Coming Back Gently: Helping Children (and Adults) Re-Settle After Breaks

    January is often framed as a "fresh start," but for early childhood educators, it's something very different—it's the middle of the year. After winter break, classrooms are filled with children (and adults) who may feel tired, dysregulated, emotionally tender, or disconnected from routines that once felt familiar. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman is joined by Angela Searcy, early childhood consultant and author of Push Past It and Elevating Equity, for a deeply affirming conversation about what a true mid-year reset can look like—one rooted in compassion, realism, and care rather than pressure or perfection. Together, Emily and Angela explore how children, educators, families, and entire school systems experience reentry after winter break—and why regulation, routines, and relationships matter more than rigid expectations during this season. In this episode, you'll hear about: Why post–winter break behavior shifts are normal—for children and adults How sensory-rich, calming environments support reentry and regulation Why routines should be engaging, relational, and playful—not punitive The importance of being visually quiet in classroom spaces How educators can reset without "starting over" or feeling like they've failed What equitable (not equal) responses look like when children return from very different home experiences Why adult regulation and co-regulation are always the starting point How systems, leadership, and colleagues can support educator well-being Practical ways to communicate compassionately with families during a challenging season Mindset shifts that help educators move through heavy, human moments—without shame This episode offers reassurance, practical tools, and a powerful reminder: midyear isn't about pushing harder. It's about slowing down, reconnecting, and giving ourselves—and the children in our care—what we truly need. Listen now and take a deep breath. You're not behind. You're human.

    48 min
  2. Every Drop Counts: Exploring Water with Young Learners

    10/28/2025

    Every Drop Counts: Exploring Water with Young Learners

    What can water teach young children about science, curiosity, and caring for the planet? Author and educator Ann Gadzikowski, MEd, joins host Emily Garman to discuss her new book, Every Drop Counts: Exploring Water Science with Young Children in a Changing Climate (Gryphon House, 2025). Drawing on her collaboration with her daughter, a water scientist, Ann shares how educators can inspire scientific thinking and environmental stewardship—beginning with joyful, hands-on play. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How simple water play helps children develop curiosity, problem-solving, and early STEM thinking. Ways to introduce environmental awareness and stewardship through age-appropriate exploration. How the book aligns with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Next Generation Science Standards. Strategies for addressing children's (and adults') eco-anxiety with reassurance and curiosity. Why play—and time outdoors—is the foundation for future scientific and environmental understanding. Practical classroom ideas for introducing water systems, the water cycle, and conservation through play. Key Quote: "Go outside and play as much as you can. Get wet, play in the mud, and get messy—that's the most important thing." — Ann Gadzikowski Guest: Ann Gadzikowski, MEd is an award-winning educator, author, and curriculum designer specializing in early childhood STEM and critical thinking. Her latest book, Every Drop Counts, empowers educators to teach science through wonder, play, and environmental care. Learn More: Explore Every Drop Counts: Exploring Water Science with Young Children in a Changing Climate at gryphonhouse.com.

    30 min

  3. 10/09/2025

    Every Child Can Fly: Including Children of All Abilities

    In this inspiring conversation, author and educator Jani Kozlowski shares her personal and professional journey toward creating more inclusive early learning environments. Drawing from her own experience as a person with a disability—and as the parent of a child with a disability—Jani helps educators and families see that inclusion is not a place, but a culture of belonging. She offers practical advice for educators who want to welcome every child, explains the importance of people-first language, and highlights how high expectations paired with support help all children grow and thrive. Listeners will walk away with a renewed sense of confidence and compassion for creating classrooms where every child can fly. Key Topics: Jani's personal story and how it shaped her work in early childhood inclusion Why inclusion is a culture of belonging, not just a setting People-first language and how words shape perceptions How teachers and families can partner to support each child's success The benefits of inclusive classrooms for all children Balancing high expectations with appropriate support How educators can start building inclusive practices today Featured Guest: Jani Kozlowski, MEd Author of Every Child Can Fly: An Early Childhood Educator's Guide to Inclusion and Empowering Your Child to Fly: A Parent's Guide to Inclusion (Gryphon House Books)

    38 min

  4. 09/16/2025

    Classroom Strategies to Support Focus and Self-Regulation

    In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman sits down with Dr. Julie Tourigny, pediatric occupational therapist and author of Calm and in Control, Organized and Engaged, and her upcoming release, Alert and Attentive. Together, they explore why attention is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be taught and strengthened in early childhood. Dr. Tourigny shares practical strategies educators and caregivers can use to help children regulate emotions, sustain focus, and thrive in both learning and play. Listeners will learn: Why attention and focus are developmental skills, not personality traits. How self-regulation and emotional control directly affect a child's ability to concentrate. Simple classroom environment adjustments that reduce distractions and support focus. The power of games, play, and routines in building attention span. How screen time has shifted children's ability to self-regulate and why boredom is essential for growth.

    31 min

  5. 09/03/2025

    Conversations That Count: Making Parent-Teacher Conferences Work

    Parent-teacher conferences can feel rushed, overwhelming, or even intimidating—for both educators and families. But when done well, these conversations can build trust, strengthen relationships, and set children up for success. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we talk with Tricia Shelton, EdD, author of Partnering for Success: Effective Strategies for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Drawing from her dual perspective as both an educator and a parent, Dr. Shelton shares practical strategies for turning conferences into meaningful two-way conversations rather than checklist-style meetings. Listeners will learn: How to avoid common mistakes educators make in conference preparation Ways to build trust with families before, during, and after the meeting How to balance academic updates with insights into the whole child Why culturally responsive communication matters—and how to practice it Tips for handling difficult or emotional conversations with empathy and clarity Whether you're a classroom teacher, administrator, or parent, this episode will help you reimagine conferences as opportunities for collaboration and connection.

    27 min

  6. 08/15/2025

    Thinking Outside the Prize Box: Dr. Adam Holland on Challenging Classroom Behaviors

    In this engaging and often funny conversation, Dr. Adam Holland—educator, trainer, and author of the upcoming Gryphon House book Thinking Outside the Prize Box: Navigating Challenging Behaviors in Today's Classroom—shares real-world strategies for managing challenging behavior without relying on prize boxes, clip charts, or other reward-and-punishment systems that lose effectiveness over time. Drawing on his own journey from a "bad kid" in school to an award-winning teacher and now a coach to educators nationwide, Dr. Holland explains why all behavior is communication, how to identify the "why" behind a child's actions, and why moving from compliance to connection changes everything. He breaks down the difference between consequences and punishments, offers insight on co-regulation (including his own missteps), and gives practical, ready-to-use tips for reshaping classroom environments so the "right" behaviors happen naturally. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why traditional rewards and punishments often backfire in the long run How to uncover the real reasons behind challenging behavior The importance of connection over compliance—and how to build it Why clip charts may be doing more harm than good The difference between natural consequences and punishments How small environmental and procedural tweaks can prevent problems before they start Real, tried-and-tested strategies you can implement tomorrow About Our Guest: Dr. Adam Holland has spent more than 25 years in education as a teacher, coach, and trainer. His work focuses on helping educators understand and respond to challenging behavior in ways that build strong relationships, reduce stress, and create calmer, more connected classrooms. His first book, Thinking Outside the Prize Box, will be released September 1 by Gryphon House.

    43 min

  7. 07/14/2025

    Family First: Building Relationships That Support Children's Success

    In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we talk with Dr. Thomasa Bond about why family first isn't just a philosophy but a practical approach to building strong, safe, and successful early childhood programs. Dr. Bond brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, including 14 years as a child care licensing consultant. She shares real-world strategies to help program directors, teachers, and administrators strengthen communication with families and create true partnerships that put children's well-being at the center. Highlights include: Why clear, open communication with families starts before enrollment How strong policies and procedures build trust instead of barriers Advice for handling challenging conversations with parents with empathy and respect The importance of staff training to support effective, consistent communication Real-life scenarios where centers repaired trust with families after mistakes Simple changes centers can implement to keep families engaged and informed Dr. Bond is the author of two Gryphon House books: The Early Childhood Director's Guide to Solving Everyday Challenges and Build Your Dream Team: How to Recruit, Train, and Retain Early Childhood Staff. She's dedicated to helping programs create safe, high-quality environments that truly partner with families to support every child's learning and well-being. Connect with Dr. Bond: Website: drthomasa.com LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X: @DrThomasaBond Virtual and in-person training provided through Early Childhood Education Growth LLC Annual early childhood conference For the episode transcript, video and other resources, view this on our website!

    28 min

  8. 05/27/2025

    Understanding and Addressing Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom

    In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we speak with Dr. Ginger Welch, clinical psychologist, author, and early childhood expert, about how educators can better understand and respond to challenging behaviors in the classroom. Dr. Welch draws on her decades of experience in homes, schools, and clinical settings to explain why children act out—not as willful defiance, but often as communication of unmet needs, anxiety, or trauma. She shares practical strategies from her book How Can I Help? to help educators shift their mindset, reframe behaviors, and build stronger relationships with children and families. Key takeaways include: ✅ Viewing behavior through biological, environmental, and relational lenses ✅ Using a "trauma-first" approach when assessing challenging behaviors ✅ Recognizing how anxiety may appear as inattention or hyperactivity ✅ Practicing self-care through small, daily micro-strategies to prevent burnout ✅ Building positive, strengths-based relationships with families to better support children This episode is a must-listen for early childhood educators, caregivers, and anyone seeking compassionate, research-backed strategies for working with young children. Find Dr. Welch's books at GryphonHouse.com.

    47 min
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About

This is the podcast for educators, childcare professionals, and parents who work with children ages 0-5. Hosted by Gryphon House Books, each episode features interviews with leading authors and experts who break down the latest research into practical, actionable strategies for the classroom and home.

Information

  • Creator
    Gryphon House Books
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Early Childhood Chapters