The Everything ECE Podcast

#134: Using Puppets as a Teaching Tool with Ashley Jefferson

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ashley Jefferson joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss why bringing puppetry arts into the classroom can change the teaching game....

#133: Trauma and Trauma Informed Practices in Early Childhood Education with Cara Caudle

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a recent podcast episode, Cara Caudle engages in a discussion with host Carla Ward, delving into the nuances of trauma and trauma-informed practice...

#132: Positive Connections with Sarah Scrivens

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It was almost 4 years ago when our worlds were flipped upside down. We went from living our lives unmasked and in close proximity to others to, almost...

#131: Active Advocacy with Angelica Celinska

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Angelica Celinska from The Voice of Early Childhood joins Carla Ward to talk about advocacy for Early Childhood. It doesn't have to be big, grand and ...

#130: Early Literacy with Beck Goodman

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beck Goodman joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to talk about how to build early literacy skills in a play-based, child-led environment. T...

#129: Breaking the Babysitter Stigma with Candi Vajana

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Candi Vajana joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss her career as a nanny and how she combatted the stigma as a babysitter, a strug...

#128: Beyond the Pay with Lisa Lalonde

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Lalonde joins podcast host, Carla Ward, to engage in a comprehensive exploration of Early Childhood Education (ECE), offering a full 360-degree v...

#127: The Power of Resilience with Kisa Marx

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we sit down with Kisa Marx, an extraordinary educator and childcare owner whose journey in 2023 took an unexpected turn when she bega...

#126: Understanding Emotional Regulation

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Carla Ward, host of The Everything ECE Podcast, explores the vital role early childhood educators play in understanding and nurturing children's emoti...

#125: Using Enneagrams to Improve Team Dynamics with Alyssa Sanford

22 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Carla Ward is joined by Instructional Designer and Enneagram coach, Alyssa Sanford to talk about the different Enneagram types and the personalities t...

#124: The Whole Child Alphabet with Stacy Benge

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Author and Early Childhood speaker, Stacy Benge, joins Carla Ward on the podcast this week to talk about her new book, The Whole Child Alphabet, and h...

#123: How Research Amplifies Early Childhood Education with Educare

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Carla Ward interviews 3 members of the Educare team to discuss the importance of research in Early Childhood Education and a Research...

#122: The Benefits of ECE Coaching with Adva Hanan

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Adva Hanan joins Carla Ward to discuss the need for ECE Coaching. Adva dives into how an ECE coach can ...

#121: Getting Comfortable with Lice with Ilene Steinberg

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, we attempt to bust myths and raise awareness about head lice infestations — a common yet stigmatized ...

#120: Driving Change in Early Education Policies

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Nonie Lesaux, co-founder of the Saul Zaentz Early Education Initiative, joins the podcast. Nonie shares...

#119: Innovative Thinking to Tackle the Child Care Crisis with Allyx Schiavone

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Carla Ward and guest, Allyx Schiavone, as they dive feet-first into the crisis in education and the urgent need for change. Without action, the s...

#118: Exploring Kindergarten Practices Worldwide with Klavdija Svet

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Carla Ward is joined by special guest Klavdija Svet. Together, they discuss the fascinating world of kindergarten education, discussi...

#117: Harnessing the Power of Documentation with Ron Grady

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla delves into the importance of documentation in early childhood education with guest, Ron Grady. T...

#116: Artistic Innovation with Elena Loson from Nube Lab

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Carla interviews Elena Loson from Nube Lab in Chile. Nube Lab is a trailblazing organization that seamlessly blends the arts with edu...

#115: Navigating Professional Friendships with Diane Kashin

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Carla welcomes Diane Kashin, a prominent figure in the world of early childhood education in Ontario, Canada, and a retired ECE profe...

#114: Investing in Children's Financial Future with Emily Naddaf from Wealthsimple Foundation

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join host Carla Ward as she discusses an important topic that usually takes a back seat in Early Childhood Education - securing our children's financi...

#113: How to Turn Your Expertise and Knowledge Into a Profitable Digital Course with Amy Porterfield

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Online marketing expert author and top-ranked podcast host, Amy Porterfield, joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss digital courses...

#112: Discussing the Child Care Crisis with Renee August

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward is joined by Renee August from the Montana Association of Education of Young Children...

#111: International Fairy Tea Party with Suzanne Axelsson

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Believing in magic and fairies is not just for children. There is something beautiful about believing, and this week on The Everything ECE Podcast, Su...

#110: Teaching Math Holistically with Gillian Berard

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the key elements to helping children learn and love math is providing holistic experiences. Gillian Berard joins The Everything ECE Podcast thi...

#109: Bridging the Communication Gap Between Child Care and Home with Kris Szajner from Seesaw Learning

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Having a tool that not only saves you time but also enhances communication with parents and families while children are in your care cultivates strong...

#108: Involving Parents in Play with Pretend City

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Just when you think you’ve figured out all the possible career paths for an Early Childhood Educator, along comes Pretend City. It is literally a mi...

#107: Saying Hello

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Adele, Lionel Richie, Lady Gaga and The Beatles all have this one thing in common; a song about Hello. Saying hello is an incredibly powerful word tha...

#106: Multisensory Storytelling with Laura Shea

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most cherished and impactful moments within the profession of Early Childhood Education is the art of storytelling. It serves as a powerful...

#105: Nanny 101 with Danny Rosenthal

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's podcast episode, we dive into the world of Early Childhood Education and explore the often overlooked role of nannies in shaping young ...

#104: Stop Defending Play

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode delves into the importance of shifting from a defensive stance to playing offense and becoming advocates for play. It emphasizes that pla...

#103: Supporting Emotional Intelligence with Stephanie Danso

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, host Carla Ward engages in an enlightening discussion with Stephanie Danso, a seasoned social worker on...

#102: Helping ECEs Find Their Voice with Rae Pica

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rae Pica joins The Everything ECE Podcast this week to discuss the critical topic of Early Childhood Educators discovering their voices. Rae, a renown...

#101: Trauma-Informed Care with Ana Valle Rivera

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trauma-informed care is essential in early childhood education to support children who have experienced trauma. In this podcast we speak with Ana Vall...

#100: The Power of Connections

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You are invited to celebrate the 100th episode of The Everything ECE Podcast. Thank you so much for being part of this journey and for your continued ...

#99: Obstacles within the ECE Profession with Ashleigh Davies

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Ashleigh Davies joins Carla Ward and shares her insights on the various obstacles that early childhood ...

#98: Breaking Up With Calendar Time with Samuel Broaden

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Calendar time is always a hot topic in early childhood education. Come along with Carla Ward and guest, Samuel Broaden of Honoring Childhood, as they ...

#97: 7 Fundamental Foundations for Growth with Asher Cloran

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Asher Cloran of Life Rocks joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to talk about connecting children with nature, the benefits and the 7 fundam...

#96: Systems for the First 5 Years with Kimberly Goll

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As an advocate for Early Childhood Education, it can be challenging to see progress at the pace one desires. However, a recent guest on The Everythin...

#95: 3 Ways AI Can Support Early Childhood Educators

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward introduces the topic of "3 Ways AI can Support Early Childhood Educators". Educators o...

#94: Learning and Connections with Maxwell Roach

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s podcast guest is Maxwell Roach, founder of JonAyves Learning Club. He and Carla have a fantastic conversation covering a bunch of topics sur...

#93: Art Therapy with Lynn Cukaj

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is art therapy? Lynn Cukaj has the answer! Join her on The Everything ECE Podcast with Carla Ward where they talk about what art therapy is and w...

#92: An ECE Rant with Kayla Papalia

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every now and then, as a podcaster, you have a guest that you connect with and you have a plan for one topic but land up completely talking about some...

#91: Playfully Teaching the Alphabet with Breanna Churchill

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Play is so incredibly powerful, so many of us already know this. We also know the importance of literacy. Many educators can agree that one can be don...

#90: Running a Home Child Care with Shirley Rempel

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever considered running a home child business? Or maybe you’re already running one? Today’s podcast guest has been running her home child...

#89: Let Them Pick Their Nose with Kristen Peterson

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everybody picks their nose! Not convinced? Give today's podcast episode a listen and see if it can change your mind! It sounds like a gross and contro...

#88: Protecting Your Time and Energy with Adva Hannan

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever worked somewhere where you feel you spend more time at work than at home? Many educators are guilty of this because there is always some...

#87: Social-Emotional Risky Play with Laura Hansen

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So often, when people think about risky play, they think about physical risk. In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Laura Hansen presents the...

#86: Observations in Early Childhood Education

06 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are many ways to observe a child in Early Childhood Education. In today's podcast, listeners will learn five observation methods they can use fr...

#85: An ECE Revolution with Rae Pica

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Things need to change in Early Childhood Education and soon! Are you ready to get loud(er)? Are you ready to be heard? Are you ready to start a revolu...

#84: Marks That Matter

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mark-making is the creation of different lines, dots, patterns, textures and shapes. It is the first step in a child's development toward learning to ...

#83: Beyond Documentation Apps

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Veronica Green joins Carla on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss going beyond documentation apps in child care. They discuss the intent and the int...

#82: Building a Sense of Belonging for Your Team

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you belong at your child care centre? Do you feel a sense of belonging in your place of work? Hopefully, you just answered yes but more often than ...

#81: The Ah-Ha Moments: Letting Children Be Who They Are with Lynette Arthur

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is one with many twists and turns. Carla had the pleasure of speaking with Lynette Arthur. They discussed the many things surrounding the...

#80: Play Invitations with Julie Hansen

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Inviting children to play does not mean inviting them to what you, the educator, thinks will be fun. It’s about meeting the needs of the individual ...

#79: Mindfulness in the Classroom with Rachelle Gibbs

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rachelle Gibbs, an RECE, professional coach and meditation teacher, joins The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss mindfulness and why we need to embrace...

#78: My Top 5 Resource Books

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As educators who teach children, it is important for us to also be researchers and keep ourselves connected with learning. That means reading books an...

#77: Allergy Conscious Programs with Corinna Meckelborg

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Does your childcare program have children with allergies attending? Are you attracting new families with children who have allergies? If not, ask your...

#76: Intrinsic Motivation

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode talks about building intrinsic motivation in children in Early Childhood Education to help them become individuals with the inner drive t...

#75: Welcome Traditions

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How a child feels when they enter a child care program sets the course for their sense of belonging, engagement, expression and well-being. Having a w...

#74 Neurodiversity with Monica Maddison

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Monica Maddison joins The Everything ECE Podcast in this episode to teach us all about supporting neurodiverse children. Monica talks about pedagogica...

#73: Diving into Digital Courses with Amy Porterfield

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s guest is the incredible Amy Porterfield; corporate girl turned entrepreneur. Amy is a digital course creator and in this episode, she will i...

#72: Setting Up Your Play-Based Classroom Part 2

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As you continue to set up your play-based classroom, we take a look at the types of plants to bring in and their benefits. We also talk about lighting...

#71: Setting Up Your Play-Based Classroom

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The environment is one of the most important investments you can make in your program. It takes time and effort but once it's done, you have set yours...

#70: Supporting Daily Transitions

05 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Transitions for little ones can be really challenging for a number of reasons. One thing that doesn't help, is adults barking orders and commands thin...

#69: Learning from Children with Joshua Shanthiyapillai

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Meet Joshua Shanthiyapillai! He is new to the education field and his energy for early childhood education is contagious! Join Carla in episode #69 of...

#68: Block Play

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Block play is one of the most overlooked but most valuable teaching tools in a classroom. I’m talking open-ended, no restrictions block play.  Bloc...

#67: Differentiated Teaching with Tiffini Jacobs

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know how to differentiate learning in your classroom? Do you know how to do it without constantly having to change the activities? Or do it wit...

#66: 5 Signs You Should Start Your Own ECE Podcast

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you're waiting for a sign for why you should start your own podcast, this is it! In fact, here are 5 signs for you, all neatly wrapped into one pod...

#65: Supporting Your Child Care Team with Joanne Chesterfield

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Working in Early Childhood Education is tough, but a good team can make all the difference and often, a good team, means a good, strong leader who sup...

#64: 6 Steps to Conflict Resolution

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join host, Carla Ward, and guest,  Cathy Turalinski as she brings her decades of knowledge to The Everything ECE Podcast and walks us through the 6 S...

#63: The Power of Playdough

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we touch on some of the obvious skills that come from playdough. Carla provides tips on how to ensure you always have fresh playdough...

#62: Celebrating Autistic Ability with Mishka Sibert

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Miska Sibert joins Carla Ward on the podcast to talk about the importance of celebrating autistic ability. She also discusses what it's like being the...

#61: The Magic of Loose Parts

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode takes what we know about loose parts to the next level! Whether you're an experienced ECE or new to the field, you are guaranteed to walk...

#60: Just Listen

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Before we ask a child what they’re doing, what if we paused and listened. Just listened. Maybe instead of interrupting play to serve our curiosity, ...

#59: Getting Dirty with Jane Pilskalnietis

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jane Pilskalnietis shares so much wisdom on WHY we need to get comfortable with getting messy! Did you know dirt helps us age better, releases seroton...

#58: Positive Teaching with Wendy Snyder

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview, we uncover the greatness of strong-willed children, the challenges of being their educator or parent and how we can take a positive...

#57: Breaking the Supply Teacher Stigma- Cohosted by MeLor Staffing

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There is sometimes a stigma that comes with being a supply teacher and sometimes educators are faced with not being set up for success. This episode's...

#56: Transitioning from Teacher to Supervisor with Stephanie-Rachel Gomes

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you are toying with the idea of becoming a centre supervisor then this is the episode for you! Today's podcast guest is Stephanie-Rachel Gomes of P...

#55: Play in FDK with Kathleen Gomes

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We want to believe that play is everywhere in every program with children but that is just not the reality! Today's podcast guest is Kathleen Gomes an...

#54: Science in Early Childhood Education

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Science needs to take more of a front and centre seat in the Early Childhood Classroom. When children play, they are experimenting all the time. “Wh...

#53: Diversity in Children's Books with Dr. JaNay Brown-Wood

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is packed with everything you need to know to create a sense of belonging and inclusivity within your classroom. Carla interviews Dr. JaN...

#52: Inquiry Based Teaching With Monica Bolante

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Following children's interests has a huge impact on the person a child becomes. As an ECE you have to decide what role you want to play in a child's l...

#51: 3 Steps to Confidently Step into the Classroom

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Being a classroom educator is hard. Being a classroom educator without support is even harder! Join Carla as she talks with Adva Hannan about 3 steps ...

#50: Reasons to Love Being an ECE with Jiji Talmas

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Can you think of 101 reasons to love being an Early Childhood Educator? Jiji Talmas did and she wrote a book about it! Join Carla and Jiji on The Ever...

#49: Building Resilience and Trauma-Informed Practices

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla has Angelique Davies and Mary Rella from Mothercraft College talk about building resilience and t...

#48: Transitioning Toddlers with Jessica Halal

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Transitioning toddlers into a child care program for the first time can be a challenge for everyone; the child, the parents/ guardians and even the ed...

#47: 5 Things to Say Instead of "You're OK"

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Think about a time as an adult when you were upset and someone told you to relax or calm down. Did it help? I would bet, probably not.  So why do we ...

#46: Married to an ECE

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Carla invites her husband onto the podcast to talk about what it's like to be married to an Early Childhood Educator. You get a littl...

#45: Connecting Over Food

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Food bonds people together! Whether it's with your students in a child care setting or enjoying a meal as a team, food is key! Eating together creates...

#44: The ABCs of Behaviour

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Behaviour is a form of communication but sometimes it is really hard to determine what is trying to be communicated. This is especially true in the fi...

#43: Let Them Be Bored

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boredom can be a good thing for a child's development! Hear Carla out on The Everything ECE Podcast where she makes a case for boredom and why we need...

#42: Gossiping in the ECE Workplace

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've all done it. You can probably think of at least one time when you engaged in workplace gossip.  Gossip can make you feel a part of the team- if...

#41: From Manuals to Modules with Beth Cannon

24 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode,  Beth Cannon teaches us how to take those tired and outdated training manuals and turn them into current, up to date and releva...

#40: Preparing for the New Year

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The new year is always a great time to set new goals. And before you say there's no point because they are usually broken, hear me out. What if they'r...

#39: Ditch Your To-Do List and Actually Get Things Done

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You don’t need that To-Do List haunting you any longer. In today's episode, Carla Ward is going to switch your mindset and help you see the light th...

#38: Documenting YOUR ECE Journey

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As ECEs we are SO good at documenting the children's learning journeys but what yours? Join Carla on today's episode where she talks about why you sho...

#37: 5 Strategies Admin Need To Support Their Team

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk about 5 ways the administration can support their staff. Some may seem simple and straight forward, yet, they are usually the...

#36: Successful Behaviour Management Strategies with Ron Shuali

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join Carla and Ron Shuali as they talk about everything from children's behaviour to adult behaviour and how our reactions affect children's responses...

#35: Healing Through Play with Amanda Evans

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We know that children need play, but did you know that adults do too? Join Carla Ward as she interviews Amanda Evans all about her play program that i...