More than Child's Play

Preschool is often a child’s first step into the world of education. How do we support that step being a positive one? And one that associates school with a love of learning? Morgan Academy's Melanie Zajicek, known to us as a Pre-K goddess, joins us to answer questions we find most parents have when exploring Pre-K in general and Pre-K options. With a background in early childhood and psychology, and armed with years of experience not only teaching young children, but really living inside a child's world, Melanie discusses what parents should look for when visiting or researching potential schools. We talk about the many options available in terms of type/style of Pre-K programs and what really matters. We dive into what real learning look likes, why outdoor play is essential, and if worksheets are appropriate for preschoolers. Melanie touches on an situation too common in today’s world - the anxious child - and what is recommended to avoid this and keep children healthy and happy. She shares her thoughts on reading readiness, technology appropriateness, and her favorite resources for the Pre-K population.  Melanie is smart and funny and will help any parent feeling concerned about this step to feel empowered and excited. Enjoy!

One of the universal themes a parent with a school age child can relate to is feelings toward math. Whether the child's feelings toward math are those of anxiety or excitement, frustration is often experienced as families try to tackle nightly math homework around the dinner table. Join us as we welcome Nationally Board Certified, Presidential Award Winner for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, and veteran educator and curriculum consulter, Cindy Evarts. Cindy explains how "new" math is actually OLD and answers questions and provides tips for parents who often seem confused about why the student can't do math the way "I was taught." She also supports fellow educators with suggestions in teaching parents and students alike about the math methods shared in today's classrooms. She compares and contrasts how math is taught in the US and how that is shaped by legislation and political influence and compares and contrasts this to how math is taught around the world. We have an important discussion about age old beliefs and practices surrounding how girls are taught math and discuss gender differences in math education. Cindy shares her experiences with Lego Robotics and how using this and other practical examples of real problems solved with math excite her students. She also answers our questions about the best ways early math concepts are introduced to young children, whether basic math fact memorization is important, if we should care about finger counting, and if she thinks we push higher math concepts too early. Most importantly, she shares tips and resources for parents, students, and educators that will hopefully help to turn math anxiety into math excitement. Don't miss this episode. It will make your life easier! 

Join us as we welcome to the table reading specialist and educator Sarah Poland in our first episode of our Back To School Education Series. Sarah shares with us what we know about the young brain and how it learns to read. She discusses early literacy tips and components for successful reading. As an expert in the field of dyslexia she details what parents and educators should be looking for to identify and decipher between a challenged reader/learner and a child with dyslexia. Lacy shares her personal experience navigating educational supports as a parent of a child with dyslexia. We discuss the Orton Gillingham method and how it’s sensory rich approach can be helpful to any teacher or parent. She answers common questions about letter reversals, guided reading, and more! Our conversation was rich with detail and resources helpful to us all! We hope you’ll enjoy!

This episode is not to be missed! We welcome Behavor Science Specialist Chrissy Keller to our table for information EVERYONE needs to have. Chrisy expertly breaks down what behavior actually is (it's not ALL bad), and how it is affected by our culture, changing play trends, and nutrition. We opened up your questions to Chrissy and she covers all the big ones - biting, tantruming, meltdowns, transition struggles, listening the first time our children are asked to do things, and power struggles...and she shares suggestions to shape these behaviors! We discuss instilling empathy and understanding fairness within families. And we loved hearing her thoughts on balancing inclusion vs. safety in schools in terms of behavior. This information is fascinating and more importantly will be helpful to you TODAY! 

If you have a brain, you have a sensory system. Is it working efficiently to help you function and succeed every day? Is the same happening for your child or one your work with? The term "sensory issues" is a common one these days, but what does this actual mean? In this episode with OT and sensory specialist, Terin Morton Fetty, we dive right into what our sensory systems are and what their job is within our bodies. We explore how we can all identify our own unique sensory needs and use that information to enhance our daily experiences.  We discuss the rising rates of children with sensory processing disorders and challenges and other co-diagnoses, including what parents may be experiencing, red flags, and how and when to seek help. Terin expertly shares how a regulated sensory system serves as the absolute foundation for educational learning with tips every parent and teacher should hear. We have an important discussion about Autism and what we are seeing happen with more and more children in our world and why. And finally, we answer our listeners questions about their own sensory challenges with their children and together learn more about how we can be better teachers, therapists, friends, family members, and neighbors to the growing number of families experiencing challenges centered around sensory processing. Pull up a chair and join on conversation as we make sense out of the complex topic of sensory integration. 

Pull up a seat at our table and join us for this insightful conversation about eating! We proudly welcome feeding expert, Speech Language Pathologist, Kelly Benson-Vogt. Kelly is the owner of Pediatrc Feeding & Speech Solutions and we ask her everything we want to know ourselves as both therapists AND moms. Why do children suddenly become picky and how can parents prevent it from being a permanent behavior? How do we know the difference between picky eaters and problem feeders? Binkies, sippy cups, pouch eating and more. EVERY parent we know has at one point or time had questions about their children and food. So this podcast is for EVERYONE! Parents and therapists alike, join us as we learn SO MUCH from Kelly's experience and advice! 

Join Speech-Language Pathologist Lacy Morise and Physical Therapist Nicole Sergent as they host warm and helpful conversations around their table where the early childhood world and daily parenting life meet. The friends and professionals from their village will inspire, challenge, and support you in your own journey as a parent, early childhood professional, or therapist. In Episode 1, we share our story and journey including how our worlds as therapists and mothers collided to spark an idea of a company and a product that we wished we had access to. We chat about the unexpected and often humorous ride we went on (and are still on) as medical professionals learning to navigate a business and publishing world. There were some very unexpected and unusual mountains to climb! And we discuss why we wanted to add a podcast to the mix and what we hope it brings to our community.