Advertise on podcast: The ECE Classroom with Susie Beghin

Susie Beghin shares her insights on project planning inearly childhood education, emphasizing a responsive, child-centered approach inspired by the Reggio Emilia method. She shares her learnings and wins as she began implementing project planning with her daycare centres. Discover how to foster curiosity, connect learning across disciplines, and involve parents effectively. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Project Planning in Early ChildhoodEducation 02:13 Examples of Children's Questions and Investigations 03:25 Using Observation to Support Inquiry 06:15 Responsive Planning and Child Interests 07:16 Parent Engagement in Classroom Projects 07:48 Supporting Different Classrooms and Stages 09:11 Reflecting and Learning as You Go 09:40 Closing Remarks and Future Learning Opportunities Music by Pixabay

Susie Beghin interviews Rusty Keeler, a natural playscape designer and advocate for outdoor play. He shares insights on connecting children with nature through play, the importance of slowing down in a fast-paced world, and his new initiative, the Nature Play Academy. Link to join the Nature Play Academy https://rustykeeler.com/the-nature-play-academy/ Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Rusty Keeler and outdoor play 01:07 Rusty's background and philosophy on naturalplayscapes 02:04 The importance of outdoor play and connection tonature 03:04 Slowing down in a technology-driven world 04:09 Introducing the Nature Play Academy 05:54 Building community and sharing resources 07:11 Rusty's global research and inspiration 08:28 The 'seed to forest' growth model for nature play 09:52 Supporting educators and parents in outdoor play 13:24 Who the Nature Play Academy is for and next steps Music by Pixabay

Just in time for the new school year, Susie Beghin explores how observing children's natural play patterns and schemas can transform curriculum planning in early childhood education. She introduces practical resources to help educators support and extend children's learning through schema-based approaches. Chapters  00:00 Introduction to the importance of observation in earlychildhood education 02:17 What children are already trying to learn 04:44 The power of noticing how children explore 06:05 Introduction to schemas as patterns of behavior 07:05 Planning around schemas to deepen engagement 08:12 Introducing the Learning Through Schemas resources 10:21 Supporting and extending schemas in curriculumplanning 12:42 Using resources to respond to children's play patterns 14:45 Practical steps for observing and supporting schemas 15:24 Closing thoughts and encouragement for educators

Susie Beghin explores the importance of observing children'splay to understand their interests and developmental cues. What we often see as misbehaviour, is actually deep learning. She introduces the concept of schemas—repeated patterns of play behavior—and how recognizing them can transform early childhood education. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the importance of play observation 01:06 Children's behaviors as clues to their thinking 02:30 Looking deeper into children's play 05:37 Introducing schemas: patterns of behavior 06:26 Common schemas in children's play 07:20 The educator's role in interpreting play 08:20 Challenge to observe and recognize schemas 09:03 Next steps and upcoming resources Music from Pixabay

In this episode, Ramona Mathew, BCBA, from Spokes Autism Services shares insights with parents and educators about autism therapy, play-based learning, and building trust with children. Discover practical strategies for supporting children withautism and fostering meaningful connections. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Autism 02:36 Ramona's Journey in Autism Services 05:08 Understanding Play in Children with Autism 07:59 Building Independent Skills in Children with Autism 10:38 Motivation and Reinforcement Strategies 13:09 Effective Use of Rewards and Reinforcement 15:55 Building Relationships with Children with Autism 28:03 Final Advice for Parents and Educators   Resources Spokes Autism Services - www.spokesautismservices.ca Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) -https://pecs.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/spokes.autism Music by pixabay

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

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

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://www.100whocarealliance.org/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.

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/

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 from Pixabay 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

In this episode of the ECE Classroom Podcast, host SusieBeghin reflects on the past year, sharing highlights from 2025 episodes and the five lessons she's carrying forward as an educator and lifelong learner. The episode emphasizes the power of storytelling, emotional well-being, behavior ascommunication, the importance of movement in learning, and the value of partnerships in education. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and 2025 Reflection 01:10 Storytelling as a Relationship 02:27 Emotional Well-being in Education 03:53 Behavior as Communication 05:06 Learning Through Movement 06:10 Building Partnerships Music by Mykola Odnoroh from Pixabay

In this episode of the ECE Classroom podcast, host Susie Beghin is joined by Kate Woodward-Young and Carrie Casey from the Child Care Conversations podcast. They discuss the importance of building partnerships between educators and parents, understanding cultural expectations, and the role of community engagement in early childhood education. The conversation emphasizes the need for curiosity in educators, realistic expectations for child development, and the use of assessment tools to guide discussions with parents. The episode concludes with practical tips for involving the community in children's learning experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Early Childhood Education Insights 04:15 The Importance of Parent Engagement 12:29 Building Relationships with Families 18:06 Educating Parents on Developmental Expectations 24:13 Engaging the Community in Early Education    Music by Mykola Odnoroh from Pixabay About our Guests Kate Woodward Young, M.Ed., and Carrie Casey are educators, authors, and leadership coaches with more than 60 years of combined experience in early childhood education. Since 2019, they’ve hosted ChildCare Conversations with Kate and Carrie, a twice-weekly podcast with over 300 episodes and more than 25,000 downloads. Each episode offers practical strategies, real-world insights, and encouraging stories that help early learning professionals lead with confidence, strengthen teams, and build sustainableprograms. They are also bestselling authors of 11 books on earlychildhood leadership and administration, used internationally in professional development and higher education. Their writing and training focus on helping directors and owners create positive cultures, retain staff, and grow thrivingprograms. 🎧 Listen to ChildCare Conversations with Kate and Carrie atwww.childcareconversations.com

In this episode of the ECE Classroom podcast, host SusieBeghin speaks with Stefanie Hohl from ABC See, Hear, Do about innovative strategies for teaching early literacy through movement. They discuss the importance of incorporating physical activity into reading lessons, creating a literacy-rich environment, and engaging parents in the learning process. Stefanie shares practical tips for educators and parents to make reading funand accessible for all children, emphasizing the need to adapt teaching methods to different learning styles. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Early Literacy and Movement 1:43 Incorporating Movement in Reading 05:24 Engaging Children with Books 06:44 Creating a Literacy-Rich Environment 10:50 Making Reading Fun and Inclusive 12:30 The Role of Parents in Early Literacy 18:00 Understanding Different Learning Styles 20:30 Resources for Early Readers 22:40   Susie’s Insightson Learning to Read Through Movement About our Guest Stefanie Hohl holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Children’s Literature from Penn State and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. After years of teaching preschool co-ops, homeschooling, and guiding her first four children through the process of learning to read, Stefanie realized she needed a new approach for her fifth child. Through extensive research and testing, she developed the ABC See, Hear, Do Method, a fun and effective way to teach early reading skills. www.abcseeheardo.com Link to Learn Letters with Confidence mini-course. https://susie-beghin-academy.thinkific.com/products/courses/teach-letters-with-confidence Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/fortune-cookie/golden-summer-lenny-b⁠⁠⁠⁠ License code: STFPDU3XL7ZR4CHA

In this episode of the ECE Classroom podcast, host SusieBeghin discusses the challenges and strategies for navigating the busy month of September in early childhood education. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, managing transitions, creating calm spaces for children, maintaining open communication with parents, and supporting educators during this hectic time. The episode provides practical tips for fostering strong relationships with both children and parents, ensuring a smooth start to the school year. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the ECE Classroom 01:14 Planning and Preparation is Key for September 05:31 Creating a Calm Space for Overwhelmed Students 14:03 Parent Communication From Day One 16:50 Teacher Overwhelm & Emotional Exhaustion 21:15 Building Strong Relationships with Children   Music from #Uppbeat (free forCreators!): ⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/fortune-cookie/golden-summer-lenny-b⁠⁠⁠ License code: STFPDU3XL7ZR4CHA

In this episode, Susie Beghin and Erica Saccoccio discuss thevital role of play in early childhood education and the importance of leadership in fostering a supportive learning environment. They explore the challenges of educating parents about the value of play, the significance of role modeling for educators, and the need for clear communication and accountability in leadership. The conversation also touches on creating playfullearning environments, the dynamics of intergenerational teams, and the essential qualities of effective educators. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Early Childhood Education andLeadership 02:37 The Importance of Play in Learning 06:20 Educating Parents on Learning Through Play 08:04 Role Modeling and Scaffolding in Education 11:24 Creating a Playful Learning Environment 15:12 The Role of Educators in Learning 17:30 Building a Supportive Team Culture 20:18 Balancing Freedom and Accountability in Leadership 25:32 Intergenerational Dynamics in Education 29:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts About Our Guest Erica is a motivational speaker with 23+ years of experienceas an entrepreneur. Erica is the owner of a multi-location child care centre called “Family Tree” in Rhode Island, USA. Erica is a passionate leader in the early childhood education industry and hosts a podcast called, The Child Care Director’s Chair. www.stellarbusinessconcepts.com https://www.instagram.com/ccdcpodcasthttps://www.youtube.com/@childcaredirectorschair690 Music from #Uppbeat (free forCreators!): ⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/fortune-cookie/golden-summer-lenny-b⁠⁠⁠ License code: STFPDU3XL7ZR4CHA