Episode 23: Rethinking Early Learning: Brain Science, Play, and the Digital Age with Dr. Jacqueline Harding

Title: Episode 28: What One City is Doing to Support Families in Kindergarten Readiness, Conversation with Trying Together, Val Williams

What if kindergarten didn't begin on the first day of school, but months before? In this episode of Plant the Seed of Learning, pediatric occupational therapist Dr. Aimee Ketchum and professor of education Dr. Crystal Loose welcome Valerie Williams, kindergarten transition leader at Trying Together, whose career has spanned the arts, education, nonprofit leadership, and public policy. Val shares how her unique journey shaped her passion for helping children and families navigate the transition to kindergarten. Together, they explore what kindergarten readiness really means, why every child is ready to learn, and how successful transitions require more than prepared children. They require prepared families, schools, and communities. The conversation highlights Pittsburgh's nationally recognized Hi5 Kindergarten Transition model, the annual Kindergarten, Here I Come! event, and practical ways libraries, pediatricians, childcare programs, businesses, and educators can work together to give every child the best possible start. Whether you're a parent wondering how to prepare your child, an educator supporting incoming students, or a community leader looking to strengthen early childhood partnerships, this episode offers practical ideas and an inspiring reminder that kindergarten readiness is everyone's responsibility. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why kindergarten transition begins long before the first day of school. * What kindergarten readiness really means and why it's about more than academics. * Why every child is ready to learn, even if they develop at different rates. * How communities can work together to support children and families. * What makes the Hi5 Kindergarten Transition model a national example. * Simple, meaningful ways parents can prepare their child for kindergarten this summer. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/valwilliamspgh [http://www.linkedin.com/in/valwilliamspgh] Songs for Young Whippersnappers on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@songsforyoungwhippersnappe5084?si=ZfaZAx1PWig4vDuE [https://youtube.com/@songsforyoungwhippersnappe5084?si=ZfaZAx1PWig4vDuE] If you'd like to connect to the HI5 Kindergarten Transition Network you can join their free Professional Learning Community which meets 6x/year virtually on zoom by registering HERE. [https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/erAyn0_HR9W3zmNTmABIvQ#/registration] To reach Hi5, email: Hi5@tryingtogether.org [Hi5@tryingtogether.org] Val's Book! : Dilber the Cranky Banana [https://www.amazon.com/Dilber-Cranky-Banana-Valerie-Williams-ebook/dp/B07M8NZ871] Links to Informatoin Discussed on this Episode:

Episode 27: From the NICU to Kindergarten: Why Premature Birth Matters Long After Discharge

What happens after a baby leaves the NICU? For many children born prematurely, the journey is only beginning. In this episode of Plant the Seed of Learning, pediatric occupational therapist Dr. Aimee Ketchum and professor of education Dr. Crystal Loose welcome Dr. Genevieve Guyol—a neonatologist, researcher, and former special education teacher whose career bridges medicine and education in a truly unique way. Together, they discuss why children born preterm are at greater risk for challenges with kindergarten readiness, why so many educators and healthcare professionals receive little training on the long-term effects of prematurity, and what can be done to better support these children and their families. The conversation explores the transition from the NICU to the classroom, the importance of early intervention, and how stronger communication between healthcare and education could improve outcomes for thousands of children. Whether you're a parent, educator, therapist, physician, or policymaker, this episode offers practical insights into how we can work together to give children born prematurely the strongest possible start. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why premature birth can affect learning and development long after infancy * What research tells us about kindergarten readiness in children born preterm * Why communication between healthcare providers and educators is so important * When "wait and see" is appropriate—and when early intervention matters * What parents can do to advocate for their child * Policy changes that could improve outcomes for children born prematurely Related research discussed in this episode: * Guyol G, et al. Kindergarten Readiness Among Children Born Preterm (publication and related work) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Genevieve+Guyol * Learn more about early intervention services in your state: https://ectacenter.org/contact/ptccoord.asp [https://ectacenter.org/contact/ptccoord.asp] This episode is a reminder that supporting children born prematurely isn't just a medical responsibility or an educational responsibility—it's both. When healthcare and education work together, we can help more children thrive from the NICU to the classroom.

Episode 26: What Kindergarten Is Really For: A Conversation with bestselling author, Susan Engel

In this thought-provoking episode of Plant the Seed of Learning, pediatric occupational therapist Dr. Aimee Ketchum and professor of education Dr. Crystal Loose welcome renowned developmental psychologist and author Dr. Susan Engel to discuss her newest book, American Kindergarten. Drawing from visits to 29 kindergarten classrooms across 14 states, Dr. Engel shares what she discovered about the purpose of kindergarten, what young children truly need to thrive, and why the conversation about kindergarten readiness may be missing the bigger picture. Together, we explore the role of play, curiosity, relationships, identity, and thinking in early learning, and discuss what today's classrooms are getting right—and where we still have room to grow. Whether you're a parent, educator, therapist, or policymaker, this episode will challenge assumptions about early education and leave you with practical insights for supporting young children during one of the most important years of their lives. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why Susan Engel wrote American Kindergarten * What she observed in classrooms across the United States * The role of play and curiosity in effective kindergarten classrooms * What children really need before they enter school * Common misconceptions about kindergarten readiness * What an ideal kindergarten classroom would look, sound, and feel like * The one piece of advice Dr. Engel hopes every parent and educator will take away Learn more: * American Kindergarten by Susan Engel: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300271987/american-kindergarten/ * Susan Engel's faculty page: https://www.williams.edu/psychology/susan-engel/ If this episode inspired you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about giving children the strongest possible start.

Episode 25: Risky Play: Why Children Need Challenge, Adventure and Risk to Thrive

As summer begins and children spend more time outdoors, many parents and educators find themselves asking: How much risk is too much? In this episode of Plant the Seed of Learning, pediatric occupational therapist Aimee Ketchum and professor of education Crystal Loose explore the fascinating research behind risky play—the thrilling, child-led activities that involve challenge, uncertainty, and manageable risk. Drawing from the study The Prevalence of Risky Play in Young Children's Indoor and Outdoor Free Play by Sandseter, Kleppe, and Sando (2021), we discuss what risky play looks like in real life, how often children naturally engage in it, and why it is essential for healthy development. You'll learn: * What researchers mean by "risky play" * The eight categories of risky play * The difference between risks and hazards * How risky play supports motor skills, executive functioning, confidence, resilience, and problem-solving * The connection between risky play and anxiety prevention * Why school readiness is about more than academics * Practical strategies for parents, educators, and caregivers to support risky play safely We also share specific phrases adults can use instead of saying "Be careful!" to encourage children's critical thinking, self-awareness, and independence. Whether you're a parent, teacher, therapist, or policymaker, this episode will help you understand why allowing children to test their limits may be one of the most important gifts we can give them. Research Article Sandseter, E. B. H., Kleppe, R., & Sando, O. J. (2021). The prevalence of risky play in young children's indoor and outdoor free play. Early Childhood Education Journal, 49(2), 303–312. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-020-01074-0 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-020-01074-0] Book Referenced Dearybury, H., & Jones, D. (2020). Playful by Design: Your Stress-Free Guide to Raising Confident, Resilient, and Creative Kids. https://www.playfulbydesignbook.com [https://www.playfulbydesignbook.com/]

Episode 24: Raising Musical Minds: Why Music Starts Before Kindergarten

Music isn’t just an extracurricular—it’s a powerful developmental tool that begins in infancy. In this episode, we challenge the idea that children should wait until elementary school for music instruction. With expert insights from Christyn Rutter, we explore how early music experiences support everything from brain development and motor skills to literacy and social connection, giving children a strong foundation before they ever step into a classroom.