That Early Childhood Nerd

12/22/2025

I’m excited to share this episode of the BUTTERCUP podcast, hosted by Marisa Macy from the University of Wyoming. I love talking play with just about anyone, but this conversation with Dr. Macy and Wyoming Department of Education’s Amy Reyes-Hauff was especially fun.

Heather Bernt-Santy, author of “Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood” has been living her commitment to children, their fami...

12/20/2025

Host Heather Bernt-Santy knew as soon as she read the Defending the Early Years blog post, “How Did Early Childhood Programs Become So Focused on School Readiness Skills” by Dr Dale Farran–she HAD to invite Dr Farran to discuss it. And here she is!

(IMPORTANT REMINDER! After this episode, That Early Childhood Nerd will be published by Heather and the Early Childhood Nerdwork instead of Explorations Earl...

12/20/2025

Author and educator Sally Haughey is here to discuss the incredible unfolding and blossoming that happens during play. Her new book Nurturing Brilliance provides a science-based approach to understanding and sharing about the inherent brilliance of children’s growth and development.

Author and educator Sally Haughey is here to discuss the incredible unfolding and blossoming that happens during play. Her new book Nurturing Brilliance prov...

12/20/2025

Carly Bedard, a play facilitator for adult early educators, joins host Heather Bernt-Santy to discuss the ways that self active play can transform early childhood practitioners’ practice with young children. Listen in as Heather shares the ways participating in one of Carly’s workshops at a recent teacher retreat reminded her of the importance of being an adult who plays in order to provide spaces and programming where children can play.

Carly Bedard, a play facilitator for adult early educators, joins host Heather Bernt-Santy to discuss the ways that self active play can transform early chil...

12/20/2025

I love blurbing for new books as much as I love reading them and interviewing the authors on the podcast 🤓

12/18/2025

Ross does a check in with the ongoing conversation about creating the conditions to support physical play--indoors and ALWAYS. How do we get comfortable with this, plan for it, make the time, and make the space?  We know that physical play is needed for healthy development so let's include it i...

12/11/2025

Tearing up a little because I just saw my book on a real life library shelf…

12/11/2025

Big news ! Heather is taking on the producer role for That Early Childhood Nerd, and adding three new podcasts!

12/10/2025

You're invited to join us for our next webinar in our Seeing Ourselves Seeing Each Other Reflective Practitioner Course! On Tuesday, December 17 at 7 pm EST we are discussing how to Affirm Asian Identity in the Early Years with Minsoo Kim-Bossard, Professor of Early Childhood Education at The College of New Jersey.

For $8 a month RPS subscribers get access to our live webinars (and recordings) reflective workbooks, and resources!

To become an RPS subscriber click on the link below or the Linktree in our bio!
https://conta.cc/4gs8Mmc

12/10/2025

The creation of something...

12/06/2025

I get tired of conversations about quality that default to “center based care” or”what’s on your shelves” or “looks sufficiently school-like.”

Real quality requires financial investment and courage.

12/05/2025

Doing my favorite thing today! Talking play, childhood, liberation, humanity with some of my smartest friends.