Host: Erin Harrigan - Early Childhood and Elementary Education Specialist.
Guest Speaker: Jennie Egan - M.S.Ed. and DIRFloortime® Practitioner.

The Willow Kids podcast introduces the tutoring pilot program and explores the impact of screen engagement on children's learning, emotional experiences, and behavior. It delves into the value of face-to-face interaction, signs of screen time replacing connection, and the challenges and compassion for parents. The discussion also highlights healthy and developmentally supportive screen use in everyday family life. The conversation explores the impact of screens on parenting, the importance of shared time, creating supportive screen boundaries, intentional screen time, protecting moments of real connection, responding early to behavioral changes, metacognition and self-reflection, real connection and shared experiences, and concludes with encouragement for nurturing curiosity and lifelong learning.

Takeaways

• Screen engagement impacts emotional understanding
• Face-to-face interaction is essential for children's growth and development Intentional use of screen time is crucial for modeling behavior and promoting learning.
• Creating supportive screen boundaries and protecting moments of real connection are essential for healthy screen use.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Willow Kids Podcast
• 06:32 The Influence of Screens on Emotional and Developmental Experiences
• 14:55 The Value of Face-to-Face Interaction and Emotional Understanding
• 24:36 Healthy and Developmentally Supportive Screen Use
• 30:50 Impact of Screens on Parenting
• 39:09 Creating Supportive Screen Boundaries
• 45:00 Guidelines and Intentional Screen Time
• 51:03 Responding Early to Behavioral Changes
• 58:10 Metacognition and Self-Reflection

Host: Kayla Porter, Music Inquiry & Behavior Specialist
Guest Speaker: Danyel Kilgore, Educational Consultant
The conversation explores the value of guided play and free play in early childhood education, emphasizing the importance of building a strong social-emotional foundation for successful learning. It also delves into the role of educators in facilitating guided play, the impact of social-emotional skills on learning, and the challenges and opportunities for educators in incorporating these approaches into the classroom. The conversation delves into the significance of guided play in early childhood education, highlighting its impact on children's development and the challenges of learning without structure and guidance. It also explores the integration of structured and playful learning in the classroom, the concept of guided play, and the importance of a multi-tiered, multi-sensory approach to teaching and learning. The conversation delves into the importance of intentional teaching and the impact of educator intentionality on student learning. It also explores the influence of home learning, the balance between structured teaching and freedom, and the role of parents in early childhood education. Additionally, it discusses guiding children's attention and confidence building, as well as the concept of guided play and the parental role in education.

Takeaways

• Guided play and free play are both valuable approaches to learning
• Building a strong social-emotional foundation is essential for successful learning Guided play vs. free play
• The role of structure and guidance in learning Importance of intentional teaching
• The role of parents in early childhood education

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to WillowKids Podcast
• 11:53 The Role of Educators in Guided Play
• 21:13 Guided Play vs. Free Play
• 29:22 The Impact of Social-Emotional Skills on Learning
• 36:19 Challenges and Opportunities for Educators
• 43:41 The Frustration of Learning Without Guidance
• 52:30 Structured and Playful Learning
• 01:00:29 Understanding Guided Play
• 01:07:29 Multi-Tiered Learning Approach

Host: Mily Sharko, Educational Therapist & Early Childhood Educator
Guest Speaker: Katelynn Brown, Developmental Specialist
The conversation explores the impact of tutoring on early childhood education, highlighting the challenges children face in traditional classroom settings and the benefits of personalized support. It delves into the importance of early intervention, the impact of tutoring on reading skills, and the challenges faced by students in regular classrooms. The conversation explores the impact of tutoring and intervention on children's learning and development, emphasizing the importance of early support and the role of educators in providing personalized, engaging, and effective interventions. It also delves into the significance of nurturing a positive attitude towards learning and the social and emotional aspects of a child's growth.

Takeaways

• Early intervention and personalized tutoring can significantly benefit children in their early years of education.
• Traditional classroom settings often struggle to provide individualized attention and support to students, leading to gaps in learning and skill development. Early intervention and personalized tutoring can significantly impact a child's academic outcomes and confidence.
• Educators play a crucial role in providing tailored, engaging, and supportive interventions for children's learning and development.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Willow Kids Podcast
• 05:37 Impact of Tutoring on Pre-K-12 Learning
• 13:18 Reading Challenges in Kindergarten vs. Second and Third Grade
• 28:31 The Importance of Play-Based Intervention
• 34:09 The Role of Educators in Personalized Interventions
• 53:29 The Social and Emotional Aspects of Child Growth