That Early Childhood Nerd

03/21/2026

❤️🤓❤️

03/20/2026

I’m heading back to Canada in May!

03/20/2026

When we think of being “gentle” we might think of it as being slow-moving, of having a soft voice, of being non-threatening. But how I view gentleness in the context of risky play looks like being emotionally and energetically attuned. Whether we are hanging upside down on a tree, or playing monsters in the yard, being consistent, being present, being attuned are all ways we can be gentle with one another even through the chaos of it all."

Mike Browne, in his article for the winter issue of Exchange, focused on protecting play, wrote about his experience as a Black man working with young children and takes the reader through his deeply thoughtful process of reflecting on his experiences.

"When we think of being “gentle” we might think of it as being slow-moving, of having a soft voice, of being non-threatening. But how I view gentleness in th...

03/19/2026

What if the missing piece in play-based learning wasn’t believing in play—but knowing how to make it work with greater intention and clarity? 🎲

Join Amanda Morgan, MS—Early Learning Consultant, author, speaker, and founder of Not Just Cute, LLC—for a practical follow-up webinar on applying the Recognize–Emphasize–Maximize Framework to support deep, meaningful learning through play.

You already know play matters. But how do you align it with developmental goals, curriculum expectations, and authentic assessment—without taking over the play itself? In this thoughtful session, Amanda will help you bridge the gap between theory and practice, showing how intentional, guided play can remain joyful, child-led, and developmentally rich while also supporting rigorous learning outcomes.

You’ll discover how to:
🧠 Apply the Recognize–Emphasize–Maximize Framework to intentionally plan and support powerful play experiences
🎯 Align playful learning with developmental outcomes and curriculum goals without diminishing children’s agency or joy
🛠️ Identify opportunities to adapt or “amend” curriculum and objectives to better reflect how children actually learn through play
📝 Implement authentic assessment practices that capture meaningful growth within play-based contexts
💬 Strengthen your ability to articulate and defend the educational value of play to colleagues, families, and decision-makers

🗓️ May 28, 2026 | 2:00–3:30 PM ET
🎟️ Register free: https://ecewebinars.com/4srAOnj

03/18/2026

Have you registered for next week's book talk? You don't want to miss Denisha Jones in conversation with Heather Bernt-Santy about her new book Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood. Click on the link below or the Linktree in our bio to register!

https://conta.cc/4l1KSjK

03/18/2026

"When we think of being “gentle” we might think of it as being slow-moving, of having a soft voice, of being non-threatening. But how I view gentleness in the context of risky play looks like being emotionally and energetically attuned. Whether we are hanging upside down on a tree, or playing monsters in the yard, being consistent, being present, being attuned are all ways we can be gentle with one another even through the chaos of it all."

Mike Browne, in his article for the winter issue of Exchange, focused on protecting play, wrote about his experience as a Black man working with young children and takes the reader through his deeply thoughtful process of reflecting on his experiences.

//www.podbean.com/ei/pb-6s2v2-1a6b03c

"When we think of being “gentle” we might think of it as being slow-moving, of having a soft voice, of being non-threatening. But how I view gentleness in the context of risky play looks like being emotionally and energetically attuned. Whether we are hanging upside down on a tree, or playing mo...

03/18/2026

Oh! I’m rereading this after a couple of years and forgot how POWERFUL it is!

https://www.bowdoin.edu/childrens-center/pdf/cautionary-tale-weldemariam.pdf

03/15/2026

Bethany and Melinda talk MUD on this week’s episode of their family child care focused podcast!

Bethany and Melinda talk about mud and ask you to come fight with us, or not, it’s up to you

03/13/2026

Carol is one of TECN's favorite guests, and you won't want to miss this opportunity to hear her connect imagination and care, both in the context of children's imaginative play and the ways adults use their imaginations in caring for children.

In her article for Exchange Press's special issue on protecting play, Carol Garboden Murray writes, "Those of us who care for young children practice a carin...

03/12/2026

It's , and we are sharing our DEY report, Lively Minds: Distinctions Between Academic Versus Intellectual Goals For Young Children by Lilian G. Katz. Published in 2015, this report argues against the pursuit of academic learning in the early years and instead advocates for a focus on young children's intellectual development that builds the foundation for academic learning.

To read this report, click on the link below or the Linktree in our bio!

https://conta.cc/3MWo7Bo

03/12/2026

What if group time felt less like a struggle—and more like a space for regulation, connection, and belonging? 🌿

Join Amy Chiu, MSEd, Early Childhood Education Instructor and Consultant at The Work of Play, for a thoughtful webinar on rethinking group time through a more relational, developmentally responsive lens.

Group time is often one of the most challenging parts of the day for both children and adults. When expectations are rooted in compliance instead of connection, these moments can quickly become dysregulating and disconnecting. In this session, Amy will help educators reflect on why group time can be so hard—and how adult presence, pacing, and expectations shape children’s sense of safety, agency, and participation. You’ll leave with practical strategies to move away from power struggles and toward shared regulation, flexibility, and meaningful participation.

You’ll discover how to:
🌱 Reflect on why group times can be challenging for both children and adults by considering developmental needs, nervous system regulation, and the relational dynamics present during whole-group experiences
🪴 Explore how adult presence, pacing, and expectations influence children’s sense of safety, agency, and participation during group time
🤝 Identify relational, developmentally responsive strategies that support shared regulation and meaningful participation while honoring individual differences among children

🗓️ Jun 25, 2026 | 2:00–3:30 PM ET
🎟️ Register free: https://ecewebinars.com/4rjkP99