Roots and Wings

42 Years of Early Childhood Magic: A Conversation with Judy Gasinowski | Season 1 Finale

Join host Melanie Little and Judy Gasinowski, director of Great Beginnings Learning School, for a deep dive into 42 years of early childhood wisdom. We discuss the benefits of small, independently owned centers, the value of a full-day food program for busy families, and essential advice for parents searching for elusive infant care. Discover why play remains the heart of learning and how a nurturing, homey environment helps children thrive. Meet Our Guest:   Judy Gasinowski is the director of Great Beginnings Learning School with over four decades of experience. Tip: "Learning never ends; every day you learn something new and enrich yourself through the journey with children." Top Takeaways   * Search for infant care very early and explore all options like large centers or nannies. * Play is the most vital way for children to learn social skills and experiment. * A school-provided food program significantly reduces morning stress for busy, working families. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: * Great Beginnings Learning School * 28 Water Street * Danvers, MA 01923   * Tel: (978) 777-3040   * Great Beginnings Learning School's Website: https://www.instagram.com/treehouseschooloffitnesshttps://www.greatbeginningsschool.com [https://www.greatbeginningsschool.com/]   * Great Beginnings Learning School's Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/treehouseschooloffitnesshttps://www.facebook.com/people/Great-Beginnings-Learning-School-Danvers-MA/100063700565724 [https://www.facebook.com/people/Great-Beginnings-Learning-School-Danvers-MA/100063700565724] * Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com [https://www.foxhill-school.com/]

Is Your Child Ready? Kindergarten Teachers Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Butler Share the Truth About Readiness

Join Melanie Little as she sits down with veteran kindergarten teachers Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Roberts to demystify kindergarten readiness. From bathroom independence and following "group plans" to the importance of phonological awareness and number sense, this episode covers the essential social, emotional, and academic skills your child needs for a successful transition. Discover why it’s okay to let your child struggle a little and how everyday play is the best preparation for the big leap into elementary school.   Meet Our Guest: Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Roberts are kindergarten teachers at Great Oak Elementary School. Tip: "Challenge your kid and let them struggle a little bit. It builds up their confidence and helps them realize they can do things on their own."   Top Takeaways * Independence in routines, like bathroom skills and cleaning up, is vital for classroom success. * Phonological awareness—playing with sounds—is one of the strongest early predictors of reading success. * Resiliency is built when children are allowed to struggle through challenges instead of being saved.   Helpful Links & Tools Resources: * Great Oak Elementary School * 76 Pickering Street * Danvers, MA 01923   * Tel: (978) 774–2533   * Great Oak Elementary School's Website: https://www.instagram.com/treehouseschooloffitnesshttps://danverspublicschools.org/great-oak [https://danverspublicschools.org/great-oak] Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com [https://www.foxhill-school.com]

Fitness Beyond the Gym: How Busy Parents Can Reclaim Their Health feat. Mark Cotreau and Spencer Vinton from Treehouse School of Fitness

Discover how to rethink fitness for the whole family with Mark Cotreau and Spencer Vinton from Treehouse School of Fitness. Learn why "a little bit is enough" when balancing busy schedules with movement. This episode explores the four pillars of longevity—sleep, nutrition, stress management, and exercise—while previewing exciting new summer programs for elementary-aged children. Find out how to stay mobile, reduce parent-related aches, and turn fitness into a fun, sustainable habit for everyone. Meet Our Guest:   Mark Cotreau (Nurse/Coach) and Spencer Vinton (MBA/Head Coach) lead Treehouse School of Fitness. Tip: "Your mindset just has to be a little bit is enough; you’re going to build on that, and you're going to build on that a little bit." Top Takeaways * Fitness includes sleep, nutrition, and stress management, not just the hours spent in the gym. * For busy parents, even ten minutes of daily movement creates mental resiliency and sustainable habits. * Summer programs at Treehouse focus on fun, social, and safe movement for elementary-aged future athletes. Helpful Links & Tools Resources:   * Mark Cotreau * Personal trainer with a focus on mobility and longevity in all populations * Mcotreau@gmail.com * 978-869-0541   * Spencer Vinton * http://treehouse.fit [http://treehouse.fit/] * coachspencer@treehouse.fit * 121 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923 * 978-705-9757   * Treehouse's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treehouseschooloffitness [https://www.instagram.com/treehouseschooloffitness]   * Treehouse's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TreehouseSchoolofFitness [https://www.facebook.com/TreehouseSchoolofFitness]     * Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com [https://www.foxhill-school.com/]

Cultivating Citizens: How Play-Based Learning Prepares Kids for Life feat. Sarah Goodale O'Brien

Explore the powerful connection between higher education and early childhood learning. Dr. Sarah Goodale-O’Brien, Director of Educational Studies at Endicott College, joins us to discuss how aspiring teachers learn through internships at Fox Hill. We dive into the "experiential edge," the importance of play-based environments for building future-ready skills, and why preschool "work" is vital for developing autonomy, conflict resolution, and the intellectual growth needed for lifelong success in college and beyond.   Meet Our Guest: Dr. Sarah Goodale-O’Brien, Ed.D., is the Director of Educational Studies at Endicott College. Tip: "Observation and reflection are the most important components to becoming an effective educator. See children from where they are." Top Takeaways * Experiential learning through internships allows aspiring teachers to bridge theory with real-world classroom practice. * Play-based education is vital work that develops essential autonomy, conflict resolution, and intellectual skills. * Early childhood experiences as a citizen in a play community prepare children for adult success. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: * Sarah Goodale-O’Brien, Ed.D * Director, Educational Studies | School of Education * Endicott College | 376 Hale Street | Beverly, MA 01915 * 978-232-2198   * Dr. Joy Erikson's newest book: https://sunypress.edu/Books/L/Living-Well-Together [https://sunypress.edu/Books/L/Living-Well-Together]   * E.B. Goodale's newest release: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/robin-and-the-stick_9781419780837 [https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/robin-and-the-stick_9781419780837]   * E.B. Goodale's website: https://ebgoodale.com [https://ebgoodale.com/] to follow along!     * Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com [https://www.foxhill-school.com/]

Boulder Journey School and the Reggio Emilia Approach feat. Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, M.A., is the Community Outreach Specialist at Boulder Journey School. Tip: "Shift your gaze; look for the meaning behind a child's action rather than just the behavior itself." Top Takeaways * The Reggio approach is "child-partnered," engaging with children in their full humanity and curiosity. * Documentation acts as a visual memory, allowing children to relive, reflect, and build on experiences. * Support curiosity at home by asking what "research question" your child is currently testing. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: * Alex Morgan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-morgan-0ab397308 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-morgan-0ab397308] * The Values and Principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach by Lella Gandini https://learningmaterialswork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ValuesAndPrinciples.pdf [https://learningmaterialswork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ValuesAndPrinciples.pdf] * Supportive Social Learning by Ellen Hall and Jen Rudkin https://www.boulderjourneyschool.com/supportive-social-learning.html [https://www.boulderjourneyschool.com/supportive-social-learning.html] * And if folks would like to take a peek into Boulder Journey School, this virtual tour is pretty comprehensive :) https://www.boulderjourneyschool.com/virtual-tour.html [https://www.boulderjourneyschool.com/virtual-tour.html]   * Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com [https://www.foxhill-school.com/]