The Big Hearted Podcast Victoria Edmond

Episode Summary: In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of intentional teaching and seasonal planning for early childhood educators. Discover how these strategies can enhance your work-life balance, increase your professionalism, and positively impact children's experiences. Key Points: Introduction to Intentional Teaching: Understanding the concept of intentional teaching and its benefits. How intentional teaching can help educators feel more professional and balanced. The positive impact on children when educators use intentional teaching methods. Personal Journey and Challenges: The host shares their initial struggles with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). The journey from confusion to mastery of the EYLF. Importance of embracing and understanding educational frameworks. Seasonal Planning and Its Benefits: Introduction to 12-week seasonal planning. How seasonal planning aligns with the principles of Steiner education. The benefits of pre-planning activities and the positive effects on children and educators. Practical Applications: Strategies for implementing intentional teaching and seasonal planning. Examples of daily themed activities (e.g., painting, gardening, baking). Balancing child-led and educator-led activities for a more engaging learning environment. Professional Growth and Advocacy: The importance of educators' well-being and enjoyment in their roles. Encouraging a balance between structured planning and flexibility. Advocating for children's needs in the current educational landscape. Conclusion and Call to Action: Encouraging educators to join the Spring Planning session on 3rd August. Details on how to register for the session and what to expect. Emphasizing the value of connection and continuous learning in early childhood education. Relevant Links: Register for the Spring Planning Session: www.bigheartededucation.com/spring-planning-2024 Hashtags: #bigheartededucation #bigheartedpodcast #FDC #FDCeducator #intentionalteaching #seasonalplanning #earlychildhoodeducation #professionaldevelopment #childledlearning #educatorwellbeing

Episode Description:

In this episode, we provide practical guidance for family day care educators on how to effectively answer submission questions for the Educator of the Year nominations. Discover how to highlight your unique strengths, empower children in your care, and engage with the wider community. Whether you're an educator, coordinator, or service manager, these tips will help you stand out and showcase the exceptional work you do.

Key Points Covered:



Empowering Children:


How to empower children to be active participants in their own learning and development.
Creating environments that encourage exploration and choice.
Example activities and projects that highlight child-led learning.



Planning and Implementing Educational Programs:


Strategies for developing relevant, engaging, and intentional educational programs.
Balancing flexibility to meet individual needs with structured planning.
Emphasising the importance of reflective practice for continuous improvement.



Building on Strengths:


Recognising and utilising the strengths of children, families, and the wider community.
Engaging with families to understand each child's unique strengths.
Incorporating community resources and support into your programs.



Highlighting Unique Practices:


What sets your family day care apart from others.
Personal examples of unique programs or practices you implement.
Reflecting on your strengths and how they benefit the children in your care.



Coordinator and Service Support:


How coordinators can support educators to feel valued and supported.
Encouraging critical reflection and ongoing learning among educators.
Facilitating engagement with the wider community to improve practice.



Final Thoughts: If you've been nominated for Educator of the Year, take the time to thoughtfully complete your submission. Highlight your unique strengths and the impact of your work. Join our upcoming planning sessions and masterclasses to further enhance your practice and connect with a supportive community of educators.

 #bigheartededucation #bigheartedpodcast #FDC #FDCeducator #earlychildhoodeducation #communitysupport #professionaldevelopment #awardnomination

Links Mentioned:


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Big-Hearted Education Planning Sessions

Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform and share your thoughts on today's episode. Your feedback helps us reach more educators and make a bigger impact.

In today's episode, we look at practical strategies to help family day care educators avoid burnout by working with the seasons and prioritising self-care. From setting up a slow cooker the night before to establishing consistent routines, discover actionable tips to fill your cup and maintain your passion for early childhood education. Key Points Covered: Embracing Seasonal Changes: Adapting your routine to align with the seasons. Tips for winter: Warming activities like reading and quiet games in the morning. Enjoying the shift in energy and light during spring. Radical Acts of Self-Care: Preparing breakfast the night before, such as apple cinnamon porridge in a slow cooker. The importance of maintaining a self-care routine year-round. Strategies for ensuring a good night's sleep, including setting screen boundaries. Building Your Support Network: The value of community and seeking help. Engaging with our membership for access to masterclasses, Q&A sessions, and a supportive Facebook community. Prioritising Authentic Observations: Focusing on meaningful observations that inform your programming. Avoiding burnout by ensuring your work is impactful and enjoyable. Outsourcing Tasks: Freeing up time by outsourcing tasks you dislike, such as cleaning or ironing. The benefits of investing in services like HelloFresh to simplify your life. Seeking Professional Help: Recognising when to see a psychologist for additional coping strategies. The importance of addressing issues before they become overwhelming. Establishing Routines and Boundaries: The necessity of consistent routines and managing time effectively. Setting realistic expectations and boundaries with families and yourself. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine. Joining the Morning Magic Facebook group for a guided start to your day. Planning and Taking Holidays: The importance of booking holidays in advance. The benefits of taking regular breaks to recharge and avoid burnout. Quotes: "Your house smells incredible and you just know that you've done an act of self-care for yourself the night before and so present you is thanking past you for being there." "When things become routine, we start to lose our connection to them." Things to action: Join our Morning Magic Facebook group for a structured start to your day with yoga, meditation, and journaling. Prioritise your self-care and connect with a community that supports you. Links Mentioned: 21 Morning Magic Facebook Group Join our Membership Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform and share your thoughts on today's episode. Your feedback helps us reach more educators and make a bigger impact.

Podcast Show Notes: Managing Illness in Your Family Day Care Episode Summary: In this episode of the Big Hearted Podcast, I discuss managing illness in family day care services. I provide practical tips on setting boundaries, communicating with parents, and implementing a wellness policy to protect both educators and children. I share insights on the importance of rest, nutrition, and outdoor play for children's health and offer a free wellness policy template for listeners. Key Points: Setting Boundaries and Holding the Space: Educators have the right to refuse care for unwell children. Clear communication with parents about the child’s health is essential. Establishing a wellness policy helps set expectations upfront. Recognising and Managing Illness: Be alert to symptoms such as glassy eyes, green snot, and warmth to touch. Have honest conversations with parents about their child’s well-being. Encourage parents to keep children home if they’re not coping. Importance of Mental Health Days: Children sometimes need a break due to overwhelming emotions and experiences. A day of rest can prevent prolonged illness and support overall well-being. Environmental and Nutritional Factors: Children need freedom to run, play outside, and engage with their environment. Advocating for nutritious, whole foods over processed snacks can boost immunity. Implementing a Wellness Policy: A downloadable wellness policy template is available for educators. The policy includes parent acknowledgment of illness protocols and alternative care arrangements. Building Trust with Families: Consistently enforcing the wellness policy helps build trust. Clear boundaries ensure the health and safety of all children in care. Regulatory Compliance: Adhere to health and safety regulations to avoid legal implications. Report communicable diseases to health authorities as required. Impact on Child Development: Frequent illnesses can disrupt learning and social development. Healthy children are more likely to engage and thrive in educational activities. Downloadable Resource: Free Wellness Policy Template: Available for download on the podcast website. This template helps set clear boundaries and expectations for illness management in family day care. Call to Action: Feedback and Suggestions: Victoria encourages listeners to share their thoughts and suggest topics for future episodes. Review the Podcast: Leave a review on your preferred podcast platform to help spread the word and build the community. Connect with Us: Hashtags: #bigheartededucation #bigheartedpodcast #FDC #FDCeducator #wellnesspolicy #childcare #earlychildhoodeducation

Introduction Welcome to the Big Hearted Podcast! Today, we have a very special guest, Jana, a renowned myofunctional therapist. Jana is here to enlighten us on the intricacies of myofunctional therapy and its impact on early childhood development and beyond. Key Points Covered What is Myofunctional Therapy? Jana explains that myofunctional therapy is akin to physiotherapy but focused on the head, neck, mouth, and breathing functions. It aims to restore normal functions such as speaking, eating, chewing, swallowing, and breathing. Common issues addressed include snoring, sleep apnea, allergies, asthma, and improper breathing patterns. Implications of Myofunctional Issues Jana shares personal experiences, highlighting how improper tongue and mouth function can lead to significant dental issues like crowded teeth. She emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention to prevent long-term issues such as improper jaw development and facial structure. Common Signs of Myofunctional Disorders in Children Mouth breathing, snoring, excessive drooling, thumb sucking, and difficulty with eating solid foods are some of the red flags. Educators are encouraged to observe children’s sleep patterns, behavior, and physical signs to identify potential issues. Impact on Sleep and Behavior Improper breathing can lead to poor sleep quality, which in turn affects a child’s mood, behavior, and learning abilities. There is a connection between breathing issues and ADHD symptoms in children. Role of Early Childhood Educators Educators can play a crucial role in identifying and supporting children with myofunctional issues. Jana suggests that educators collaborate with parents to address these issues, promote nose breathing, and discourage habits like thumb sucking and pacifier use. Importance of Proper Chewing and Nutrition Introducing a variety of textures in children’s diets is crucial for jaw development. Jana advocates for baby-led weaning and encourages the consumption of real, solid foods over processed, soft diets. Challenges for Women and Menopause Jana discusses how hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can exacerbate breathing issues and sleep apnea in women. It’s essential for women to address any pre-existing breathing issues before reaching menopause for better management. Available Support and Resources Jana offers online consultations and resources for families and educators. She provides practical tips for improving breathing habits and supporting overall oral health. How to Connect with Jana Website: Functional Wellbeing Social Media: Facebook: FunWellbeing Instagram: FunWellbeing YouTube: Functional Wellbeing Final Thoughts Jana’s insights highlight the crucial role of myofunctional therapy in ensuring children’s proper development and overall health. Her expertise provides invaluable knowledge for both parents and educators in supporting children’s well-being.

Episode Summary: In today’s episode, I tackle the contentious issue of whether family day care services should disclose their financial breakdown to educators. Triggered by recent posts from educators questioning service fees, I dive deep into the complexities and challenges faced by service providers. Key Points Discussed: The Importance of Understanding Fees: I've previously recorded episodes about setting fees and the importance of educators knowing their fees. Links to these episodes will be shared in today’s stories. Initial Reaction to Fee Questions: I express my frustration at posts asking about service fees. I question the motive behind these posts and emphasise the potential misunderstandings and animosity they can create. Educators’ Earning Potential vs. Service Providers: I compare educators' potential earnings to the income of service providers. Discussing the lack of funding for services and the financial sacrifices made by service providers. Operational Costs and Confidentiality: I break down various operational costs and financial obligations of services. Highlighting the importance of maintaining confidentiality regarding staff salaries and financial details. Strategic and Competitive Considerations: The need for services to maintain a competitive edge and protect strategic priorities. Balancing transparency with protecting information that could undermine service operations. Focus on Outcomes and Quality: Shifting the focus from granular financial details to the quality and outcomes of services provided. Examples of investments in professional development and community involvement. Regulatory Compliance and Operational Efficiency: Explanation of regulatory requirements and the necessity for services to be financially accountable. Discussing the challenges and resource intensiveness of preparing detailed financial reports. Addressing Educators' Concerns: I acknowledge the valid concerns of educators but urge them to consider the broader perspective and complexities faced by service providers. Emphasising the need for respect, compassion, and unity within the family day care community. Final Thoughts: I call for greater understanding and collaboration between educators and service providers. I encourage listeners to voice their thoughts and engage in respectful dialogue about the issues discussed.