Quality Time Podcast

Nebraska Step Up to Quality

5.0 (9)
EDUCATION
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Podcast by Nebraska Step Up to Quality

MAR 4

Mindful Moment #7

Back by popular demand, we are continuing our “Mindful Moments” series with a new guided meditation led by Step Up to Quality Coach Specialist, Lynne Cook. While the work we do is incredibly rewarding, we know it can also be taxing. This episode is designed as a sanctuary for those moments when you need to pause and breathe. We encourage you to save this episode and revisit it whenever you need a quick mental reset. Sit back, take a breath, and enjoy.

15 min
FEB 18

Season 4, Episode 54 - Conversation vs. Interrogation

In this episode of Quality Time, host Laura Cady sits down with Michelle Rupiper and Brenda Saxe, two experienced Step Up to Quality coaches and Literacy Early Learning Guidelines (ELG) trainers. With decades of combined experience, Michelle and Brenda discuss why we need to move beyond "quizzing" children and start having genuine conversations. They share practical advice on narrating daily routines, using "big juicy words" to build vocabulary, and why there is simply "no app to replace your lap."

45 min
FEB 4

Season 4, Episode 53 - Celebrating Community Through Literacy

Today, we’re talking about early literacy and family engagement — and how innovation and leadership can spark new ideas in early learning settings. In this episode of Quality Time, host Laura Cady talks to Janelle Nissen, School Director at Educare Omaha at Indian Hill. Educare of Omaha is part of a national network dedicated to early childhood education, partnering with families and communities to ensure every child has access to high-quality early learning experiences. Janelle leads with creativity, heart, and a willingness to try new things — and we’re so excited to learn from her today.

40 min
JAN 23

Season 4, Episode 52 - Learning Begins at Birth

This episode of Quality Time welcomes Dr. Amy Napoli, an Associate Professor and Early Childhood Extension Specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

44 min
JAN 7

Season 4, Episode 51 - Navigating screen time in a digital world

Technology is an unavoidable part of modern life and parenting - so how can we use it intentionally? In today's episode, Laura welcomes Suzie Fogarty, Community Outreach Coordinator and Education Facilitator at Smart Gen Society. With over 25 years of experience in the education ecosystem, Suzie gives insight on how language from a screen isn't processed in a child's brain the same way face-to-face interactions are. Tune in to learn how parents and providers can navigate digital tools without sacrificing the developmentally appropriate practices that children need to thrive.

45 min
12/17/2025

Season 4, Episode 50 - Prescribing books: How early literacy builds healthy brains

Is reading as important to a child’s health as excersise or nutrition? In this episode of Quality Time, host Laura Cady sits down with Dr. Karla Lester, a pediatrician and author, who believes the answer is a resounding "YES". Dr. Karla Lester views literacy as a vital health indicator, prescribing what she calls a "daily dose of reading books" to support a child's cognitive and social-emotional health. Karla offers advice to parents to meet children where they are, even if that means letting a kiddo flip through pages or babble along rather than finishing the story.

37 min
12/03/2025

Season 4, Episode 49 - Boosting early literacy with ERS and CLASS

Host Laura Cady sits down with Colleen Schmidt, Erica Temperly, and Sarah Voss to unpack two powerful tools that boost quality teaching — the Environmental Rating Scales (ERS) and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). They explore how these tools work hand in hand: ERS builds the physical environment (think cozy reading nooks and easy-to-reach books), while CLASS focuses on intentional teacher–child interactions (like sparking conversations and growing vocabularies). Together, they help kids fall in love with reading from the very start.

33 min
11/13/2025

Season 4, Episode 48 - How to Build a Reader: 5 Simple Skills

Today, we dive into early literacy with Nancy Novotny, Program Manager at the Omaha Public Library (OPL). Nancy reveals how OPL is supporting young children and childcare providers in Nebraska, sharing the five key practices from the American Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read philosophy: reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing. Listen in to learn the practical, everyday details of how these simple, fun activities build essential literacy skills.

21 min

5

out of 5

9 Ratings

Podcast by Nebraska Step Up to Quality

Creator

Nebraska Step Up to Quality
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

58
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© All rights reserved
Show Website

Quality Time Podcast