Brain Development and Kindergarten Readiness with guest Andre Dukes

Brain Development and Kindergarten Readiness with guest Andre Dukes

Hosted by Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. of KMOJ Radio, this conversation features Andre Dukes with the Northside Achievement Zone. Andre explains that kindergarten readiness goes beyond ABCs and 123s to include social-emotionaldevelopment shaped by everyday “serve and return” interactions. He encourages caregivers to talk, read, sing, and play, emphasizing vocabulary growth through descriptive language and the value of one-to-one engagement over screens.He stresses that love and tone build trust, noting “no correction without connection”. You can learn more at northsideachievementzone.org and 612-594-8360.   This episode was recorded live on the radio program The Afternoon Drive, which airs on KMOJ at 89.9 FM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts

Early Literacy and Representation with guest Dr. Artika Tyner

Hosted by Katey DeCelle of  WFNU Frogtown Community Radio,this conversation features Dr. Artika Tyner, Rondo native, civil rights attorney and law professor, and author of 40 books. She shares why she focuses on early literacy after seeing manyclients learn to read in prison and noting reading failure as an indicator of future incarceration. She explains how literacy begins in the womb, how families can build learning into everyday life, and how summer can become a season of learning gains through intentional community-based activities. Tynerdiscusses the importance of diverse books as “mirrors and windows,” and highlights Planting People Growing Justice’s NEA Big Read work and ways to get involved through resources, columns, and the Leaders or Readers program. This episode was recorded live on the radio program So Saint Paul, which airs on WFNU at 94.1 FM in Saint Paul. For moreinformation, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts

El poder de las visitas familiares a domicilio con Alicia García González

En este episodio de Little Moments Count, la presentadora Maya Santamaria de KMNV La Raza Radio da la bienvenida a Alicia García González de CLUES. Ella comparte cómo losprogramas de visitas familiares a domicilio apoyan a padres y cuidadores durante los primeros años de vida de un niño. Explica cómo el apoyo personalizado y culturalmente sensible puede fortalecer la relación entre padres e hijos, promover un desarrollo saludable y conectar a las familias con recursos valiosos. Este episodio se transmitió en marzo de 2026 en La Raza Radio, a través de las frecuencias 95.7 FM y 1400 AM en las CiudadesGemelas. Para más información, visite littlemomentscount.org/podcasts. The Power of Family Home Visiting with Alicia Garcia Gonzalez On this episode of Little Moments Count, host Maya Santamaria of KMNV La Raza Radio welcomes Alicia García González fromCLUES. She shares how family home visiting programs support parents and caregivers during a child’s earliest years. She discusses how personalized, culturally responsive support can strengthen parent-child relationships, promote healthy development, and connect families with valuable resources. This episode was aired in March of 2026, on La Raza Radio at 95.7 FM and 1400 AM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts

Multi-Sensory Books and Early Brain Development with guest Crystal Stein

In this episode, hosted by Mike “Big Miic” Brooks of KRSM Radio, is joined by Crystal Stein, founder and CEO of Beret Publishing, a Minnesota-based children’s media company creating multi-sensory board books that integrate original music, poetry, Grade 2 braille, and storytelling to support early interactions between children and caregivers. Stein shares her transition from a 16+ year finance and consulting career to launching Beret during COVID after becoming a parent and realizing a lack of diverse classical composers represented in children’s materials. She discusses the importance of reading, singing, and being present in the first 1,000 days, accessibility as a baselinefor all children, and “windows and mirrors” representation through Beret’s Echoes of Excellence collection, which highlights historically overlooked composers such as Vicente Lusitano and George Bridgetower. This episode was recorded live on the radio program For The Culture, which airs on KRSM Radio at 98.9 FM in Minneapolis. For more information, visitlittlemomentscount.org/podcasts

Bonding Builds Brains with guest Jamesetta Diggs

Hosted by Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. of KMOJ Radio, this conversation features early childhood educator JamesettaDiggs, who trains educators and works with families and communities on early development. Diggs explains early relational health as a wellbeing rooted in everyday “serve and return” interactions that benefit both children and caregivers, supported by a broader community. She discusses Beyond EarlyInitiatives and a parent-child interaction series inspired by community needs, emphasizing simple daily connection moments, and shares her website beyondearlyinitiatives.com This episode was recorded live on the radio program The Afternoon Drive, which airs on KMOJ at 89.9 FM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts