S03 Ep. 2: Why Finland Gets Early Learning Right (And What We Can Learn From It)

S03 Ep. 5: From Exhausted to Empowered: Teaching Healthy Sleep Habits for Children

In this episode, Susie Beghin interviews Jackie Aviles, who shares her journey into sleep consulting and the importance of sleep for children. They discuss the impact of sleep deprivation on children's behavior, the science behind sleep processing, and how sleep consulting works. Jackie explains the transition away from sleep props, the importance of supporting parents through the process, and the pros and cons of co-sleeping. The conversation emphasizes gentle approaches to sleep training, teaching independence in sleep, and creating a predictable bedtime routine for children. Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Sleep Consulting 03:00 The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Children 06:15 Understanding Sleep and Behavior 07:45 How Sleep Consulting Works 8:53 Transitioning Away from Sleep Props 12:51 Supporting Parents Through the Process 15:30 Co-Sleeping: Pros and Cons 18:00 Gentle Approaches to Sleep Training 21:32 Creating a Predictable Bedtime Routine 24:13 Susie’s Reflections on Today’s Topic Jackie Aviles Parent Concierge | Matrikas Membership Coordinator | UCG Creator Instagram: @restednotperfect | TikTok: @restednotperfect | Facebook: Rested Not Perfect

S03 Ep. 4: Inside the Zones of Regulation: Helping Children Understand Their Emotions

In this episode, Susie Beghin interviews Emily Walz, theDirector of Learning at the Zones of Regulation. They discuss the importance of emotional regulation in early childhood education, the framework of the Zones of Regulation, and how it can be used to support neurodiverse learners. Emilyemphasizes the need for educators to teach emotional literacy and regulation skills, and the importance of creating a compassionate and understanding environment for all learners. The conversation highlights the significance ofrecognizing and normalizing all emotions, and the role of co-regulation in helping children develop these essential skills. Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Zones of Regulation 01:35 What is the Zones of Regulation? 05:40 Exploring the Four Colour Zones 07:43 Normalizing all emotions and creating safe environments 12:15 How to Use Zones for Neurodiverse children 15:28 Seeing Behaviour Differently and Co-regulation 20:34 Susie’s Reflection on Today’s Topic About Our Guest Emily is a licensed Special Education Teacher with over 20 years of experience in the field of education. She spent the first 15 years of her career teaching special education and leading social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives in New York City and the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Emily’s role as Director of Learning Experience & Innovation at The Zones of Regulation allows her to use her rich experience to be hands-on in developing curriculum content and training for Zones leaders, as well as consulting with schools, districts, and organizations in the U.S. and abroad.www.zonesofregulation.com Music by Mykola Odnoroh from Pixabay

S03 Ep. 3: The Power of Collective Giving: Inside 100 Women Who Care

This year, I'm proud to take part in Podcasthon, the world’s largest charity podcast event! I’ll be dedicating this episode of my podcast to support a charity and a cause that truly matters to me. ❤️ In this episode, I interview Christine Hull, founder of 100 Women Mississauga, about the impactful model of collective giving. We explore how small donations from individual women can create significant community change and share inspiring stories of local impact. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Special Episode 06:35 Understanding the 100 Women Who Care Model 12:36 Heartwarming Stories of Impact 17:39 Building Community and Sisterhood Resources:https://christinehullonline.com/ [https://christinehullonline.com/]https://www.100whocarealliance.org/ [https://www.100whocarealliance.org/]https://100womenwhocaremississauga.com/ [https://100womenwhocaremississauga.com/] About our GuestChristine Hull is the President of 100 Women Who Care Mississauga, a powerful local giving circle that bringswomen together to make an immediate impact in the community. Under her leadership, the group has collectively donated over $175,000 to local charities and continues to grow its reach and influence across the city of Mississauga — funding critical programs in mental health, food security, women’s support services, and youth initiatives.

S03 Ep. 2: Why Finland Gets Early Learning Right (And What We Can Learn From It)

In this episode, Susie Beghin interviews Anu Guttorm, the owner of Moomin Language School, to explore the unique aspects of Finland's early childhood education system. They discuss the importance of emotional learning, the role of play in education, and the innovative approach of language immersion. Anu shares insights into how Finnish educators prioritize social skills and emotional development over academic skills in early childhood, and how her school utilizes digital tools to facilitate language learning. The conversation highlights the significance of nurturing curiosity and creativity in young learners, as well as the potential for technology to enhance educational experiences.Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Early Childhood Education in Finland 03:26 Approach to Early Childhood Education in Finland 07:30 Structure of the Day in Finnish Early Childhood Education 10:00 Emotional Learning and Social Skills in Finnish Education 11:22 The Importance of Free Play and Child-Led Learning 14:15 Digital Language Immersion: A Unique Approach to Learning 22:40 Future of Language Learning and Technology in Education 25:10 Susie’s Reflection on Today’s topic About Our Guest Anu Guttorm is the founder and CEO of Moomin Language School, where they blend Finnish education principles with safe, innovative technology. Through stories and play, they help children and educators discover the joy of language — and prepare young learners for meaningful connections in the future.www.moominls.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anuguttorm/

S03 Ep1: Screen Time Isn’t the Enemy: Here’s What Matters Instead

In this episode of the ECE Classroom podcast, host SusieBeghin welcomes Will Maurer from Children's Media Research and Reform to discuss the critical topic of screen time for children under two. Will shares his journey from working in media and entertainment to focusing on the impact of screen use on young children, particularly during the pandemic when he became a parent. He emphasizes the alarming effects of overstimulating content, which can lead to dopamine imbalances and addictive behaviors in children, likening it to the first addiction in their lives. Will highlights the gapbetween existing guidelines that recommend no screen time for children under two and the reality that many children are exposed to screens at a young age. The conversation delves into the characteristics of qualitycontent versus harmful media, with Will advising parents and educators to look for slower-paced, developmentally appropriate programming that encourages co-viewing and interaction. He critiques popular media, including platformslike YouTube, for their rapid pacing and overstimulation, which can hinder a child's ability to learn and develop. Will advocates for a shift in how children's media is produced, emphasizing the need for content that supports language development and meaningful engagement between parents and children.The episode concludes with a call to action for better funding and support for creating high-quality media for young children, echoing the legacy of educational pioneers like Fred Rogers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Screen Time and Early ChildhoodEducation 03:02 Current Research on Screen Use for Children Under Two 06:20 Identifying Quality Content for Young Children 08:30 The Evolution of Children's Media 10:25 The Impact of Fast-Paced Programming 14:15 Co-Viewing: Bridging the Gap Between Screens andLearning 15:55 Evaluating Popular Shows: The Case of Miss Rachel 21:29 Guidance for Educators and Parents on Screen Use 23:30 Susie’s Reflections on Today’s Topic  Music by Mykola Odnoroh [https://pixabay.com/users/lkoliks-48415707/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=432715] from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=432715] About Our Guest - Will Maurer Media and Education | TEDx Speaker on Children’s Media Reform | On a Mission to Positively Impact the Lives of Families Around the Worldwww.cmrrl.org