Reimagine Childhood

Jaksot

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  Ep. 94 Noticing the Signs: How Early Educators Can Help Families with Early Diagnosis with Kate Moebel & Dr. Diana Castro 07.09.2026 41min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with grandmother Kate Mobell, whose grandson Shepherd was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy just before kindergarten, and Dr. Diana Castro, a board-certified neurologist and neuromuscular physician. They explain why early educators' daily observations can help families pursue quicker evaluations and referrals, especially when concerns have been minimized. Dr. Castro outlines common early signs of Duchenne—delayed walking, speech delays, fatigue at recess, frequent falls, difficulty with stairs or jumping, toe walking, enlarged calves, and Gower's sign—and notes possible cognitive and learning impacts. The conversation also covers why early intervention matters, how treatments like gene therapy aim to increase dystrophin, and how teachers can document specific behaviors, encourage OT/PT or specialist evaluation, plan for safety needs, and compassionately support families and classmates through education and community resources like CureDuchenne.   00:00 Welcome and Purpose 02:34 Shepherd Diagnosis Story 08:17 Signs Teachers Can Spot 18:47 Learning Library Promo 19:50 Treatments and Gene Therapy 22:42 Access to Gene Therapy 25:05 Schools as Early Advocates 28:01 Supporting Families at School 35:13 Teacher Action Steps and Wrap Up Download milestone lists by age from birth to age 5 HERE! These can be super helpful in documenting what you see! https://cureduchenne.org/ has tons of resources for parents who might have a recent diagnosis. https://neuromdcenter.com/ is Dr. Castro's clinic in Dallas. She says patients from all over the world! Connect with Dr. Castro on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dianacastromd/ or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DianaCastroMD
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  Ep. 93: Protecting Childhood in a Culture of Hurry: Human Connection, Play, and Wonder with Mary Ann Bradbury 24.08.2026 46min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes Mary Ann Bradbury, former executive director of the Texas Baptist Church Weekday Education Association and longtime Christian education leader, to discuss cultural shifts affecting young children and families. They describe a "war" for children's hearts and minds driven by technology, social media, marketing, and increasing busyness, contributing to stress, anxiety, and loss of joy in children. Mary Ann emphasizes that attention shapes discipleship and urges Christian educators to "armor up" by prioritizing human connection, play-based learning, time in nature, reading aloud, and slower, child-led experiences that allow wonder and critical thinking. They also address pressures on parents, concerns about AI-infused toys and ed tech, and call educators and families to act as gatekeepers who protect God's design for childhood.   00:00 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood 00:50 Meet Mary Ann Bradbury 02:48 War for Kids Attention 20:50 Slowing Down Through Connection 25:06 Let Kids Lead Play 28:01 Tech Attention Trap 32:55 Nature and Parent Support You can find more from Mary Ann Bradberry in our on-line course library. Illuminating What Kids Need From You Infant/Toddler Development: Lighting the Path for Life The Child's Pathway To God Through Nature   Mary Ann mentioned a few books in this episode: The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister - by Linda Raven Lodding Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne, M. Ed. Eyes Are Never Quiet by by Lori Desautels, Michael McKnight
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  Ep. 92 Sensory Integration & Balanced Brain Development: Practical OT Tips for Early Childhood with Kendra Worley 10.08.2026 44min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with pediatric occupational therapist and skidamarinkkids.com founder Kendra Worley about rising developmental concerns in young children, including sensory regulation challenges, speech delays, anxiety, ADHD, and autism-related symptoms. Kendra explains functional disconnect syndrome and God's design for brain development, describing the right brain as the foundational "brake pedal" and the left brain as the "gas pedal," and how modern life can over-stimulate left-brain activity through stress, screens, early academics, overstimulating environments, and reduced movement. She shares practical classroom strategies to support balanced development, including big-body play, stop-and-start games, breathing, encouraging an upward gaze, using the left side/left hand, visual tracking, and gratitude practices, and points listeners to her Tantrum Tamer app and resources at skidamarinkkids.com.   00:00 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood 01:37 Why Kids Are Struggling More 04:23 Gods Design for Brain Balance 13:48 Modern Triggers and Practical Fixes 22:04 Stressed Parents and Connection 22:56 Screens Replace Outdoor Regulation 25:38 Classroom Tools for Self Regulation 36:39 Gratitude Big Picture Wrap Up Here's a great article on that goes more in-depth about what you might see as far as behavior goes in children with delayed right-brain development or left-brain development! So fascinating! Find other amazing resources at https://skidamarinkkids.com/ Download the free Tantrum Tamer app to help you with tools for the classroom (or as a resource for parents). And follow Kendra(a pediatric occupational therapist) and her colleague, Ali (a speech/language pathologist) on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/skidamarinkkids/
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  Ep. 91 Transforming Toddlerhood: Tools for Power Struggles, Aggression, Biting, and Tantrums with Devon Kuntzman 31.07.2026 40min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes Devon Kuntzman, founder of Transforming Toddlerhood, certified coach with a psychology degree, former global nanny, author, summit host, and creator with nearly one million Instagram followers. Devon reframes toddlerhood as a critical, beautiful developmental stage and explains differences between babies, young toddlers, and older toddlers, emphasizing that behavior is communication and often reflects missing skills. She shares a three-part approach—decode behavior, nurture development, and build skills—then addresses common challenges: power struggles (exit the struggle while holding limits and offering choices), physical aggression (connect, set limits, teach skills), biting (get curious, track patterns, support both children, and scaffold with safe alternatives), and tantrums (ensure safety, stay calm, uphold limits, and use "less is more" during meltdowns).   00:00 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood 00:50 Meet Devon Kuntzman 01:47 Why Toddlers Get a Bad Rap 05:06 Toddler Stages and Communication 08:52 Power Struggles and Boundaries 16:18 Hitting Biting and Skill Building 30:56 Tantrums Plus Final Takeaways If you enjoyed the conversation today and need a downloadable PDF mini-guide....HERE you go! A detailed guide to the 4 challenging toddler behaviors we talked about today. https://www.transformingtoddlerhood.com/ https://www.transformingtoddlerhood.com/book/ https://www.instagram.com/transformingtoddlerhood/
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  Ep. 90 God's Design in Diversity with Tara Hackney 13.07.2026 46min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with author and jesusloves.org founder Tara Hackney about rewriting the classic song "Jesus Loves the Little Children" after adopting a traumatized two-year-old from India and realizing the original lyrics felt outdated and incomplete. Tara shares how her experiences in global ministry and adoption awakened a deeper passion to help children understand they are purposefully made, personally known, and perfectly loved by Jesus, and how diversity reflects God's grand design. They discuss practical ways educators can honor God's image in every child through respectful interactions, creativity, empathy-building experiences, and cultural exposure, while connecting everyday actions to God's love. Monica also highlights upcoming ECCN conferences in Georgetown and McKinney, Texas. 00:00 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood 00:50 Meet Tara Hackney 02:07 Why Rewrite the Song 03:12 Adoption Sparked the Change 04:58 Gods Grand Design in Diversity 09:01 Purposefully Made Personally Known 10:54 Practical Classroom Mindset Shifts 15:01 Creativity Justice and Reasoning 16:42 Let Kids Create and Learn 19:24 Do Overs and Childlike Mercy 22:30 Quick Story Break Setup 22:43 Conference Season Preview 23:49 Keynotes and Registration 25:06 Teaching Kids Gods Love 27:46 Culture and Classroom Differences 30:43 Immersion and Empathy Activities 35:15 Worship Creativity and Discernment 40:05 Reimagine Teachers as Missionaries 42:27 Purposefully Made Reflection 44:46 Final Challenge and Farewell Connect with Tara at her website www.jesusloves.org where she also has a really cute shop with merch for you! She has a monthly newsletter where she shares lots of fun ideas as well. Here's the link if you want to sign up.  Find the song on Spotify or Youtube: Audio only - https://open.spotify.com/album/1fxDj0EWd0bJ8fPNTQj2SL Audio and video (lyric video) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGR9HoxoZIA&list=RDhGR9HoxoZIA&start_radio=1 Connect with Tara on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jesusloves.ministry/ Find the book Jesus Loves The Little Children on Amazon HERE. If you'd like to place a bulk order of these little books, reach out to Tara on her website for bulk pricing.
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  Ep. 89: Connecting God's Design to Science and Rest with Sarah Philpott 29.06.2026 24min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with Sarah Philpott—farmer's wife, mom, part-time teacher, and author—about two lift-the-flap board books for young children: Wake Up Little Seed (plant life cycles) and Moo Moo Nap Nap (midday rhythms of rest on the farm). Sarah shares how farm life inspired her to help children see God as "the who behind the science," and she offers practical classroom ideas like starting with the end in mind by opening fruit, showing seeds, planting in soil, and tracking growth over time. Their conversation also explores helping children connect food to farms, building positive nap-time routines through repetition and predictability, and making read-alouds engaging through expressive voice, prediction questions, and acting out stories. The episode also highlights ECCN's upcoming two-day Texas conferences and notes Sarah's devotional for women experiencing infant and pregnancy loss.   00:00 Reimagine Childhood Intro 00:46 Meet Sarah Philpott 01:54 Wake Up Little Seed Story 04:29 Classroom Planting Ideas 06:44 Food Comes From Farms 12:30 Moo Moo Nap Nap Rhythms 20:01 Read Aloud Tips and Wrap Connect with Sarah at https://allamericanmom.net/ On her instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sarahlphilpott/ Her children's books that we talked about today are ·       Wake Up, Little Seed ·       Moo, Moo, Nap, Nap You can find all of her books on Amazon - HERE   SPECIAL NOTE: If you or a momma in your circle of influence has suffered with infant or pregnancy loss, check out her book Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss
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  Ep. 88: Faith, Family, Fun, and Fizz: Connecting Science and Faith with Brock Eastman 15.06.2026 1t

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes Brock Eastman (aka Dr. Phineas Einstein Fizzlebop), an award-winning author, Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. contributor, and dad of four, to discuss why connecting science and faith matters for young children. Brock shares how Dr. Fizzlebop began as a Clubhouse Jr. science column and grew into videos, a 52-week family devotional (Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop), and Super Simple Science board books covering basics like colors, counting, alphabets, weather, and space. They talk about planting early "memory seeds" that help children integrate faith with everyday learning, the importance of parent-child reading and shared experiences amid modern distractions, and the power of saying "I don't know—let's look it up." Brock demonstrates simple experiments—baking soda and vinegar balloon inflation, "cluck from a cup" amplification, and a straw rocket launch—each paired with a faith connection, and he also mentions his middle grade series Parable Port where Jesus' parables come to life.   00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:29 Brock Science Origins 04:57 Dr Fizzlebop Resources 31:05 Why Moments Matter 36:51 Curiosity Builds Trust 39:37 Fizz Inflator Experiment 48:34 Cluck From a Cup 53:57 Rocket Launch and Sendoff Connect with Brock Eastman (aka Dr. Fizzlebop) on his website - https://www.brockeastman.com/dr-fizzlebop.html or on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@fizzlebop or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fizzleboplabs/ Find all of his picture and board-books here - https://www.brockeastman.com/picture--board-books.html Fun experiment for Father's Day! - https://www.brockeastman.com/fizzlebop-lab-updates/fathers-day-fizztastic-experiment-water-balloon-strength-test Our Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ECCN-Admin/podcasts
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  Ep. 87 From Burden to Resilience: Trusting God, Breathing, and Taking the Next Best Step with Debbie Simmons 01.06.2026 44min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with Debbie Simmons, founder and CEO of Anchor Point, about why so many early educators feel overwhelmed and how to build resilience without defaulting to control, hustle, or silence. Debbie explains that pressure reveals where our trust systems "leak," and encourages educators to view burnout and anxiety as data points for needed shifts in rhythms, relationships, and honest conversations. She challenges listeners to be brave, speak up, and first be honest with God about fear and lack of trust, noting that internal stress can impact health. Debbie offers practical tools for daily life: start the day centered with God, surrender your schedule, breathe to regain clarity, and focus on the "next best step."   00:00 Reimagine Childhood Intro 00:50 Why It Feels Heavy 08:33 Silence And Hard Talks 18:25 When You Cannot Give 100 23:46 Summer Conference Preview 26:23 Honest Trust Conversations 30:11 Daily Practices to Trust 41:28 Legacy and Closing Prayer Find more great info about Debbie Simmons and all that she brings to the table on her website at https://thedebbiesimmons.com/ Or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thedebbiesimmons/
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  Ep. 86 Emotional Health Tools for Educators with Dr. Melissa Ewing 18.05.2026 50min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes back conference favorite Dr. Melissa Ewing, a PhD-trained clinical psychologist and professor at Dallas Baptist University with ministry experience and a passion for integrating scripture with brain science. They discuss why emotions can feel overwhelming, including generational messages about stuffing feelings, the amygdala's danger response, and the role of the prefrontal cortex in reasoning and impulse control. Dr. Ewing defines emotional regulation as recognizing, naming, expressing, and managing emotions, and explains how it supports mental health and relationships. She offers practical tools organized into four areas: renew your mind by replacing automatic negative thoughts with truth and scripture, refocus your heart through worship and gratitude, recharge your body with sleep, hydration, movement, and wise choices, and rest your spirit through Sabbath rhythms, boundaries, and reducing technology. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:22 Why Emotions Feel Bigger 09:24 What Emotional Regulation Means 11:28 Renew Mind and Refocus Heart 23:08 Summer Promo 26:42 Music and Boundaries 28:48 Grace at Work 31:23 Recharge Your Body 37:22 Rest and Wrap Up We've added several tools here to help you: Coping Skills Checklist Encouraging Verses for Worry and Stress Using Your Senses to Manage Stress
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  Ep. 85: Building Connections Through Movement and Story with Joy Wendling 04.05.2026 35min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes Joy Wendling—founder of Created to Play, author, podcast host, and ministry resource coordinator—to model how intentional movement and planned "interruptions" can transform Bible storytelling for preschoolers. Joy demonstrates telling "Jesus Calms the Storm" by inviting children to row, rock with waves, show emotions, and breathe into peace, helping them process fear and experience the story in their bodies. They discuss choosing age-appropriate, shorter storybook Bible retellings, the value of oral storytelling, and how movement frees children's brains to focus rather than struggle to sit still. Monica and Joy explore how this approach nurtures faith, helps children imagine Jesus in everyday life, and offers practical ways to handle child-led interruptions with "connection over perfection," plus classroom extension ideas like sink-and-float play and ocean sounds.   00:00 5.4.26- Joy Wendling 00:01 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood 00:50 Meet Joy Wendling 02:30 Interactive Bible Story Demo 13:34 Why Movement Matters 17:01 Conference Season Highlights 18:01 Storytelling That Builds Faith 26:05 Handling Interruptions Gracefully 31:09 Key Takeaways And Sendoff Find all of Joy's resource at https://createdtoplay.com/ Her podcast is Playfully Faithful Parenting - https://createdtoplay.com/podcast/ Follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/createdtoplay Or find some of the toolkits she's created at https://faithandchildren.org/
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  Ep. 84 Teaching Children to Listen: Behavior Reflections with Melissa Leach 23.04.2026 36min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes literacy change leader Melissa Leach, owner and president of Leach Literacy Training, to discuss why young children "won't listen" and how educators can teach listening and behavior skills developmentally and with grace. Melissa emphasizes that it's not a child's job to be engaged; it's the teacher's job to engage them, consider children's backgrounds, and teach expectations rather than assume they already know. She shares practical tools including nonjudgmental "behavior reflections" (stating what a "mirror" sees using "you/your") and the "4 Rs": Reflection, Reaction, Redirect, and "Remember I said." They also address barriers like time and adult discomfort, encourage partnering with families, and recommend restoring classroom joy through teacher-led singing and playful transitions while holding onto the "pre" in preschool.   00:00 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood 02:07 Why Kids Don't Listen Yet 05:04 Teach Behavior Not Punish 11:22 Behavior Reflections Tool 17:15 Summer Conference Promo 17:38 Conference Season Highlights 19:39 The Four Rs Framework 21:41 Overwhelm to Joyful Classrooms 32:08 Reimagining Preschool and Final Takeaways Find Melissa at her website - https://www.leachliteracytraining.com/ Here is a link to the website with free printables that Melissa mentioned - https://kizclub.com/#gsc.tab=0
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  Ep. 83 Understanding Early Childhood Education in a New Era with Ann McKitrick 06.04.2026 41min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with Ann McKittrick, founder of Nurtured Noggins and Texas Childcare Training, about challenges young families have faced since COVID and practical ways early educators can help. Ann describes lingering impacts including fear, isolation around birth and newborn care, disrupted social-emotional development, increased reliance on screens and online "experts," and reduced everyday experiences for children. They discuss how parental loneliness and overwhelm affect children and highlight the need for belonging and predictable routines in classrooms to build confidence and security. Ann shares strategies for strengthening family community through intentional parent connections, analog wellness prompts, and facilitating relationships among parents. She also reimagines greater cultural respect, support, and pay for early childhood educators given the importance of early brain development.   00:00 Reimagine Childhood Intro 00:49 Meet Ann McKittrick 02:56 COVID Aftershocks for Families 10:37 Loneliness Screens and Child Development 20:29 Conference Season Highlights 22:38 Predictability Builds Belonging 26:09 Helping Parents Reconnect 35:15 Reimagining Educator Respect Ann McKitrick has LOADS of resources for early childhood educators, parents and moms, specifically. Check out her website at https://www.annmckitrick.com/ You can also connect with her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nurturednoggins/ And if you're interested in connection and becoming your best self in this season — check out her Momentum program at https://www.annmckitrick.com/momentum/.
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  Ep. 82 Uncovering Purpose in Early Education with Jessie Lambert 23.03.2026 34min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with Jesse Lambert, a childcare coaching specialist from West Virginia, about the importance of knowing your "why" in early childhood education—especially during seasons of spring fatigue, difficult days, and burnout. Jesse shares how a moment driving past a church for sale sparked her path into early childhood, leading her to earn an associate's degree in early childhood education and a bachelor's in child development and family studies. Together, Monica and Jesse explore how purpose fuels motivation beyond a paycheck, how your "why" can shift with different seasons of life, and how prayer and staying in tune with yourself help you recognize when you're drifting or simply going through the motions. They discuss navigating hard interactions with parents, coworkers, and children, choosing to "rise above" by turning to God, and practical ways to reset classroom routines—like changing tone of voice, singing directions, or adding playful elements—to reignite joy for both teachers and children. The conversation also highlights the role of school leaders in creating supportive environments, the value of a school-wide "why" alongside each staff member's personal purpose, and Jesse's experience of burnout during COVID that ultimately led her to make a job change. Monica closes by encouraging listeners to pause, ask God to renew their passion, and remember that thriving educators help children flourish.   00:00 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood: A Calling to Shape Hearts 01:32 Meet Jesse Lambert: From a Church-for-Sale Moment to Early Childhood 04:20 Find Your "Why": Purpose, Seasons, and Staying in Tune with God 13:11 Hard Days & Healthy Culture: Resilience, Faith, and Leading Staff Well 19:12 Create a School-Wide "Why" (and Make It More Than a Mission Statement) 22:10 Are You Drifting? Signs You've Lost Motivation + How to Check In 23:28 Burnout, Needed Shifts, and Simple Classroom Resets That Reignite Joy 30:04 Break the Generational Cycle + Final Encouragement to Rediscover Your Why Connect with Jessie on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jessie.lambert.2025 Need some tools for identifying your Why? Try this activity - Finding Your Roots
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  Ep. 81 Building Lifelong Faith: Integrating Faith Formation in Early Years with Martha Harvey 09.03.2026 45min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood by Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer converses with Martha Harvey, co-founder of With Families ministry. They discuss the importance of early faith formation starting even before birth and its role in developing trust, love, and safety in children. Martha shares practical ways for integrating faith into preschool classrooms and engaging parents in the discipleship process. Topics covered include the significance of teachers modeling faith, incorporating prayer and scripture into daily activities, and creating intentional learning experiences that connect to Biblical stories. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of family worship and community support in nurturing a child's spiritual growth. Martha introduces the With Kits as tools for extending faith education into the home, providing resources that require no prep work for parents. The episode concludes with reflections on the pivotal role weekday programs play in shaping the foundational faith experiences of young children.
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  Ep. 80 Behavioral Insights and Classroom Strategies with Dr. Robin Pearson 23.02.2026 39min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages with Dr. Robin Pearson to discuss managing high-needs behaviors in young children. Dr. Pearson, a certified special education teacher and experienced leader in various educational roles, shares practical strategies for addressing disruptive behaviors such as spitting and chair throwing. The conversation delves into the importance of self-regulation for both teachers and children, the significance of understanding the eight sensory systems, and promoting inclusive learning environments. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own tolerance levels and implement creative solutions to support children's needs. The episode also highlights the importance of parent education and how educators can effectively communicate and collaborate with parents.   00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:50 Meet Dr. Robin Pearson 01:43 Understanding High Needs Behaviors 07:32 Sensory Systems and Practical Tips 21:04 Managing Spitting and Disruptive Behaviors 23:17 Handling Defiance and Power Struggles 26:07 Addressing Aggressive Behaviors 28:13 Engaging Parents and Reimagining Childhood Platypuslearning.com
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  Ep. 79: Preventing Burnout: Practical Strategies for Early Childhood Educators with Faith Rivera 09.02.2026 31min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, host Monica Healer discusses combating burnout with Faith Rivera, founder and principal consultant of Allos. Consulting. Faith outlines the causes of burnout, differentiates it from stress and overwhelm, and offers practical strategies for early childhood educators to manage stress and avoid burnout. The conversation delves into the emotional, physical, and mental health impacts of burnout, the importance of self-care, and setting boundaries. Additionally, Faith highlights the necessity of community relationships and provides her top five habits for preventing burnout. The episode concludes with a call to action for educators to prioritize their well-being to better serve the children in their care.   00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood 00:55 Understanding Burnout with Faith Rivera 02:16 Recognizing the Signs of Burnout 11:08 Impact of Teacher Burnout on Children 15:22 The Impact of Stress on Health 16:46 Top Five Personal Habits to Manage Stress 19:51 The Importance of Being Present 23:28 Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships Here are some resources to help as you take steps to protect your own well-being: Habit Tracker downloadable to help you stay on track with goals Finding Rest in the Rush course on our website. Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith on 7 types of rest
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  Ep. 78 Embracing Language Diversity in Early Childhood with Libby Wright 26.01.2026 37min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages in a conversation with education professional Libby Wright about supporting multilingual children in early childhood classrooms. Libby, who has extensive experience fostering community among teachers, parents, and students from diverse backgrounds, discusses practical strategies for creating inclusive, language-rich environments. The episode highlights the cognitive and social benefits of language diversity in classrooms, emphasizes the importance of maintaining home languages, and provides tips for building strong relationships with families. The conversation also touches on leveraging visual aids, encouraging play-based learning, and using tools like labeling and translation apps to enhance communication. Tune in for a wealth of research-backed insights and actionable tips aimed at helping educators navigate the unique challenges and opportunities presented by multilingual settings.   00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood 00:52 Meet Libby Wright: Embracing Multilingual Classrooms 02:51 Benefits of Language Diversity in Early Childhood 06:06 Creating a Language-Rich Environment 20:01 Modeling Language for Preschoolers 21:49 Creating Inclusive Snack Time 23:09 Embracing Cultural Differences 28:09 Partnering with Parents for Language Development
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  Ep. 77 The Magic of Play-Based Learning with Kris Ramos 12.01.2026 38min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages in a heartfelt discussion with Kris Ramos, a former public school educator turned church-based preschool teacher, about the transformative power of play-based learning. Kris shares her journey from a structured educational setting to embracing a more flexible, child-centered approach focused on hands-on, joyful learning experiences. They delve into the foundational benefits of play for cognitive, emotional, and social development, the challenges teachers face in advocating for play-based education, and the role of educators in creating meaningful and developmentally appropriate learning environments. Tune in to discover practical strategies, inspiring stories, and the profound impact of nurturing curiosity and joy in early childhood education. 00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood 00:49 Meet Kris Ramos: Journey to Play-Based Learning 04:25 The Importance and Impact of Play-Based Learning 14:44 Misconceptions and Defending Play-Based Learning 17:19 Regional Conference Promo 20:16 Understanding the Importance of Play in Child Development 21:29 Communicating the Value of Play to Parents 25:24 Practical Steps for Implementing Play-Based Learning 29:58 The Joy and Impact of Early Childhood Education ·       Find Kris on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_inspired_llama/ ·       We have a discounted link for Amanda Morgan's "Why We Play" letters to help you communicate the value of play-based learning to parents, teachers, and other community members. You must have an active ECCN membership to access the discount - https://earlychildhoodchristiannetwork.com/resources/#exclusive ·       You can find more of Amanda's resources at https://notjustcute.com/
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  Ep. 76 Faith-Based Strategies for Early Childhood Education with Monica Healer 29.12.2025 22min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, Monica Healer, the host, offers a heartfelt discussion aimed at early childhood educators, focusing on how personal growth in wisdom, physical well-being, and faith can impact their teaching and caregiving roles. Drawing from Luke 2:52, Monica emphasizes the continuous journey of learning, the importance of physical care, and the necessity of deepening one's relationship with God. She shares practical strategies for daily reflection, self-care, and spiritual development, encouraging educators to seek God's guidance, nourish their bodies, and strengthen their faith. Ending with a reminder of the eternal impact educators have on children and their communities, Monica provides actionable steps to grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man in the coming year. 00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood 01:01 A Different Kind of Episode 01:41 Growing in Wisdom 04:39 Taking Care of Your Physical Body 10:26 Nurturing Your Relationship with God 16:50 Growing in Favor with Man 20:39 Final Encouragement and Farewell
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  Ep. 75: Guiding Hearts and Minds: Biblical Teaching in Preschool with Renee Blaine 15.12.2025 39min

  In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, host Monica Healer welcomes Renee Blaine, associate preschool minister at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. With over three decades of early childhood experience, Renee shares her passion for building biblical foundations in young children in age-appropriate ways. They discuss how to integrate biblical literacy into the classroom, drawing parallels to teaching emerging literacy. Key strategies include building oral language, introducing repetitive truths, and creating a love for God's Word. The episode highlights the importance of partnering with parents and provides practical tips for incorporating faith-based messages into everyday learning. 00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood 00:48 Meet Renee Blaine: A Journey in Early Childhood Education 02:22 The Importance of Biblical Literacy in Early Childhood 07:18 Practical Strategies for Teaching Biblical Literacy 18:47 Regional Conference Promotion 21:03 The Importance of Music in Early Childhood 21:56 Laying a Solid Foundation of Faith 25:41 Teaching God's Word Effectively 29:53 Equipping Parents and Educators Download the Gospel cube Renee talked about in the episode - https://elevatechurchconference.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/8.5x11_GospelCubeImages-1-1.pdf Renee's cube is adapted from this resource (which has TONS of other resources for teaching the Bible)! https://sundayschoolzone.com/bible-story/gods-unfolding-story/ Renee wrote a blog article with great tips for sharing the gospel in an age-appropriate manner with young children, including instructions for using the cube above: https://elevatechurchconference.com/preschool-ministry-sharing-the-gospel/