Joyful Learning: How to Make Math, Literacy, and PD Meaningful for Educators

In this episode of Early Childhood Chats, host Andy Roszak sits down with Gerard Visco, Director of Professional Development at a Head Start agency in New Jersey, to explore what high-quality early childhood education really looks like.Together, they dive into: ✏️ Why picture books and read-alouds are one of the most powerful tools in early learning✏️ How to make early math meaningful, playful, and story-driven✏️ Common mistakes educators make during circle time—and how to fix them✏️ The role of professional development, mentorship, and teacher advocacy✏️ A thoughtful breakdown of AI-generated children’s books vs. human-created literature✏️ What today’s early childhood educators need most to succeedThis conversation is packed with practical strategies, real classroom examples, and powerful reflections for preschool teachers, Head Start professionals, school leaders, and anyone passionate about early learning.🎧 Perfect for:Early childhood educatorsPreschool and Head Start teachersInstructional coaches and PD leadersParents interested in literacy and learningAnyone invested in the future of education👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with an educator who needs this conversation today.👉 Connect with Gerard: https://www.edutopia.org/profile/gerard-visco/----------------------------Early Childhood Chats is hosted by Andrew Roszak - JD, MPA, EMT-PExecutive Director at the Institute for Childhood Preparedness. The Institute for Childhood Preparedness is proud to use its decades of experience to offer comprehensive and expert disaster and emergency preparedness trainings live in-person, via webinar, and on-demand online. // Visit: https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/ to find out more // Schedule your training today https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/trainingFOLLOW UShttps://www.instagram.com/childhoodpreparedness/ https://www.facebook.com/ChildPreparedhttps://twitter.com/ChildPreparedhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-childhood-preparedness© Institute for Childhood Preparedness 2026 all rights reserved