The Everything ECE Podcast

#249: Letting Children Do the Heavy Lifting with Trevor Newton

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla sits down with early childhood educator, keynote speaker, and coach Trevor Newton for a conversation that will challenge the way you think about play, relationships, and children's social development.Together, they explore why conflict isn't something to prevent, but something to teach through. Trevor shares simple, practical strategies that help educators support children's independence, strengthen communication, and build the social skills that last far beyond the early years.This episode is full of those "pause and write that down" moments, including one strategy Carla says she'll be using immediately.In this episode, you'll discover:Why conflict is one of the greatest learning opportunities in playHow to support children without rescuing themThe role relationships play in children's long-term successOne simple strategy that can transform the conversations you have with children tomorrowMr. Trevor T. Newton, M.A. ECSETrevor T. Newton is a passionate Title I ECSE Preschool Teacher, early childhood keynote speaker, and founder of Teach and Direct LLC, with over 15 years of experience empowering educators and strengthening leadership across educational settings. He has taught in diverse early childhood and elementary classrooms while mentoring educators into confident, effective teachers and leaders. Trevor specializes in practical, research-based strategies that support teacher leadership, Big Body Play and body-based behavior regulation, and renewed joy in the important work of early childhood education. Beyond the classroom and stage, he enjoys children’s literature, sharing laughter, and spending quality time with his wife and young son. LINKSWebsite: www.TrevorTNewton.com   Instagram: @TrevorTNewton.ECELinkedIn: Trevor T. NewtonSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week!CONNECT WITH CARLAEmail Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ Website: carlatheece.comInstagram: @carlatheece

#248: Curiosity Is a Professional Responsibility

What if one of the most important responsibilities we have as educators isn't just teaching children, but continuing to learn ourselves?In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla explores why curiosity is more than a personality trait. It's a professional responsibility.Drawing on more than 20 years in early childhood education, Carla reflects on what separates educators who continue to grow from those who become stuck in "the way we've always done it." She shares five ways educators can nurture their own curiosity, from learning alongside children and seeking perspectives that challenge their thinking to looking beyond early childhood for inspiration and remaining teachable throughout their careers.Because if we want children to become lifelong learners, shouldn't they see us modelling that every day?SUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.CONNECT WITH CARLAThe ECE Entrepreneur ExperienceEmail Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠Website: carlatheece.comInstagram: @carlatheece

247: Understanding Schema Play with Heather Bernt-Santy

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward sits down with Heather Bernt-Santy, better known as That Early Childhood Nerd, to explore the fascinating world of schema play.Heather shares how recognizing schemas helps educators move beyond simply managing behaviour and instead see the learning, curiosity, and development taking place through play. From transporting and trajectory to enclosing and enveloping, these repeated patterns offer valuable insight into how children make sense of their world.Together, Carla and Heather discuss:• What schema play is and why it matters• How schemas help us understand behaviour differently• Why curiosity is one of an educator's greatest superpowers• Practical ways to support children's learning without limiting their exploration• How schemas strengthen conversations with families• Why free play deserves a central place in early childhood education.Whether you're just discovering schema play or have been exploring it for years, this conversation will leave you seeing children's play—and your role as an educator—in a whole new way.Heather is also the author of Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood, a must-read for educators looking to deepen their understanding of play.HEATHER BERNT- SANTYHeather Bernt-Santy, M.A. Ed., also known as That Early Childhood Nerd, has been working with children, their families, and their caregivers for over 30 years and has loved very-nearly-almost every minute. She is a believer in children's right to play and in the science that tells us play IS right. As That Early Childhood Nerd, she offers consulting and webinars, and hosts a podcast. LINKSWebsite: www.thatearlychildhoodnerd.com InstagramFacebookLinkedInPodcastYouTubeBook: (Canada) Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood(US) Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early ChildhoodSUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.CONNECT WITH CARLAEmail Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ Website: carlatheece.comInstagram: @carlatheece

#246: Raising Thinkers: Building Critical Thinking in Early Years

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla explores why critical thinking begins long before children enter elementary school and how everyday moments in our classrooms shape children's confidence as problem-solvers, question-askers, and curious learners.From open-ended play and educator language to productive struggle and reflective practice, this conversation will challenge you to look differently at the small interactions that happen every day. Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can do isn't give children the answer—it's give them the space to discover it themselves.Whether you're an early childhood educator, student, or leader, this episode will leave you reflecting on how we can create environments that nurture curiosity, resilience, and independent thinking from the very beginning.SUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.CONNECT WITH CARLAEmail Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠Website: carlatheece.comInstagram: @carlatheece

#245: Human Skills in an AI-powered World with Chris Danilo

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward sits down with award-winning speaker and trainer Chris Danilo to explore the skills that technology can't replace.As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workplace, many educators are asking the same question: What makes humans irreplaceable?Together, Carla and Chris dive into the human skills that will matter most in the years ahead, why emotional intelligence may become one of the most valuable professional assets we have, and what leaders and educators need to be focusing on right now.This conversation might challenge some assumptions, spark a few questions, and leave you thinking differently about the future of our profession.Because in an AI-powered world, being more human may be the advantage we need most.CHRIS DANILOChris is an award-winning speaker and trainer for the early childhood workforce. He trains ECE leaders and educators on Human Skills like compassionate detachment, self-management, and emotional intelligence that make a real difference in how teams work together.He uses high-energy, roll-up-your-sleeves, experiential workshops to make professional development turn into action.He's worked with organizations in Child Care Aware and Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) groups around the US.LINKSWebsite: chrisdanilo.com/newsletter InstagramLinkedInYouTubeSeed TrainingBooksEmotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work — Dina Denham Smith & Alicia A. Grandey Oxford University Press · Penn State announcement · Author site Co-written by Penn State psychology professor Alicia Grandey (one of the world's leading researchers on emotional labor) and executive coach Dina Denham Smith. Equips leaders with evidence-based tools for emotional skills at work: emotional labor, authenticity, stress and recovery, emotion regulation, self-compassion. Includes the authors' BRAVE technique (Breathe, Recognize, Accept, Verbalize, Engage) and frameworks like compassionate detachment drawn from caring professions. Especially relevant for ECE directors and center owners managing emotional load on their teams.Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ — Daniel Goleman Amazon ·The 1995 book that introduced the concept of emotional intelligence to a mass audience. Goleman argues that EQ matters as much as IQ for success in relationships, work, and well-being, and outlines five core skills — self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills — that can be taught and cultivated.Researchers & AuthorsDr. Alicia Grandey — Penn State Penn State faculty page · Workplace Emotional Labor and Diversity Lab Professor of Psychology at Penn State and one of the original architects of the modern research literature on emotional labor — the work of regulating your emotions on the job. 25+ years of peer-reviewed research, with multiple papers in the top 1% for citation impact. Co-author of Emotionally Charged. Essential reading for anyone trying to understand why caregiving work — including ECE — is so emotionally taxing.Dina Denham Smith — executive coach and leadership consultant DinaDSmith.com · Book site Founder and CEO with 20+ years coaching senior leaders at companies like Adobe, Netflix, and Stanford. Co-author of Emotionally Charged with Alicia Grandey, bridging the academic research on emotional labor into practical leadership tools.SUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.CONNECT WITH CARLAThe ECE Latte LoungeEmail Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ Website: carlatheece.comInstagram: @carlatheece