Early Childhood Chapters
by Gryphon House Books
This is the podcast for educators, childcare professionals, and parents who work with children ages 0-5. Hosted by Gryphon House Books, each episode features interviews with leading authors and experts who break down the latest research into practical, actionable strategies for the classroom and home.
Episodes
-
You Don't Have to Do It All: Leadership for Early Childhood Directors
Early childhood directors are responsible for staffing, licensing, family concerns, budgets, classroom challenges, and whatever unexpected problem appears next. But being in charge does not mean doing everything yourself. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman talks with...
-
Start With Purpose: A Reflective Reset for the New School year
In early childhood education, it can be easy to get so caught up in the demands of each day that we lose sight of why the work matters in the first place. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman talks with Rachel Robertson, EdD, Chief Academic Officer for Bright Horizons…
more -
Before Behavior Comes Connection: The Trust First Approach
What if the key to changing children's behavior isn't control at all? In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman sits down with Dr. Deborah Bergeron and Rhonda Conn-Parent, coauthors of Trust First, to explore a powerful shift in how educators approach behavior. Instead of...
-
When Fathers Feel Welcome, Children Thrive
What if the key to stronger family partnerships isn't getting fathers to show up more, but creating environments where they feel genuinely welcomed, valued, and included? In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman sits down with Dr. Jawan Burwell, author of Engaging Fathers:...
-
Rediscovering Kindergarten with Laura Bornfreund
What happened to kindergarten? In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman sits down with education policy expert, former teacher, and author Laura Bornfreund to explore how kindergarten has changed over the past several decades and why many classrooms have drifted away from…
more -
Building Readers Through Play, Language, and Connection: The Science of Reading
The "science of reading" has become one of the biggest conversations in education—but what does it actually mean in early childhood classrooms? In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman is joined by Dr. LaTisha Hayes, editor of Ready to Read: Using the Science of Reading in...
-
What Multilingual Classrooms Really Need (and how to get there) with Karen Nemeth
In today's early childhood classrooms, children are learning two, three, sometimes even four languages at once. The question isn't whether multilingual learners will be in your classroom—it's how you'll support them. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, Karen Nemeth—author of Many...
-
Let Nature Lead: Rethinking Creativity in Early Childhood
Before children ever pick up a paintbrush, nature has already given them a palette. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we talk with Janine Kloiber, author of Nature's Palette, about how natural materials can spark creativity, deepen sensory experiences, and help children build…
more -
Understanding Transitions in Early Childhood With Rae Pica
Transitions are one of the most challenging parts of the day in early childhood settings—but what if we've been thinking about them all wrong? In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman sits down with early childhood expert Rae Pica, author of Teachable Transitions, to explore...
-
Coming Back Gently: Helping Children (and Adults) Re-Settle After Breaks
January is often framed as a "fresh start," but for early childhood educators, it's something very different—it's the middle of the year. After winter break, classrooms are filled with children (and adults) who may feel tired, dysregulated, emotionally tender, or disconnected from routines that...
-
Every Drop Counts: Exploring Water with Young Learners
What can water teach young children about science, curiosity, and caring for the planet? Author and educator Ann Gadzikowski, MEd, joins host Emily Garman to discuss her new book, Every Drop Counts: Exploring Water Science with Young Children in a Changing Climate (Gryphon House, 2025). Drawing…
more -
Every Child Can Fly: Including Children of All Abilities
In this inspiring conversation, author and educator Jani Kozlowski shares her personal and professional journey toward creating more inclusive early learning environments. Drawing from her own experience as a person with a disability—and as the parent of a child with a disability—Jani helps...
-
Classroom Strategies to Support Focus and Self-Regulation
In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman sits down with Dr. Julie Tourigny, pediatric occupational therapist and author of Calm and in Control, Organized and Engaged, and her upcoming release, Alert and Attentive. Together, they explore why attention is not a fixed trait but…
more -
Conversations That Count: Making Parent-Teacher Conferences Work
Parent-teacher conferences can feel rushed, overwhelming, or even intimidating—for both educators and families. But when done well, these conversations can build trust, strengthen relationships, and set children up for success. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we talk with Tricia...
-
Thinking Outside the Prize Box: Dr. Adam Holland on Challenging Classroom Behaviors
In this engaging and often funny conversation, Dr. Adam Holland—educator, trainer, and author of the upcoming Gryphon House book Thinking Outside the Prize Box: Navigating Challenging Behaviors in Today's Classroom—shares real-world strategies for managing challenging behavior without relying on...
-
Family First: Building Relationships That Support Children's Success
In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we talk with Dr. Thomasa Bond about why family first isn't just a philosophy but a practical approach to building strong, safe, and successful early childhood programs. Dr. Bond brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, including...
-
Understanding and Addressing Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom
In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we speak with Dr. Ginger Welch, clinical psychologist, author, and early childhood expert, about how educators can better understand and respond to challenging behaviors in the classroom. Dr. Welch draws on her decades of experience in homes, schools,...
-
Healing Begins with You: Trauma-Sensitive Strategies for Infant-Toddler Educators
In this powerful episode, Dr. Barbara Sorrels, renowned early childhood expert and author of Reaching and Teaching Children Exposed to Trauma and Trauma-Sensitive Care for Infants, Toddlers, and Two-Year-Olds, joins us to explore what it truly means to care for young children impacted by trauma....
-
Dig In: Grow Deep Roots with Nature-Based Learning
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Lea Ann Christenson and Jenny James, coauthors of Dig In: Outdoor STEM Learning for Young Children. Together, they make the case that outdoor education isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. Lea Ann and Jenny share how nature-based learning supports whole-child...
-
Beyond the Classroom: The Power of Outdoor Education
Episode Summary: In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we welcome Dr. Rachel Larimore, an expert in nature-based early childhood education. Dr. Larimore shares her insights on why outdoor learning is essential for young children, how educators and caregivers can integrate nature into daily...
-
Pushing Past Conflict With Colleagues: Navigating Tough Conversations in Early Childhood Settings
In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we welcome Dr. Angela Searcy for a deep dive into navigating difficult conversations in early childhood education. Following her recent EdWeb webinar, Pushing Past Conflicts With Adults: Navigating Uncomfortable Conversations in Early Childhood, Dr....
-
Do It Scared: How Educators Can Foster True Equity
In this thought-provoking episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we sit down with Dr. Tameka Ardrey and Dr. Ebonyse Mead, co-authors of Building Equitable Early Learning Programs: A Social Justice Approach, along with Gryphon House President Dr. Rebecca Berlin. Together, they delve into the...
-
Reclaiming Childhood: Why Play Matters in Early Education
In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we sit down with early childhood expert, author, and speaker Kathy Lee Eggers to explore the importance of play-based learning and why reclaiming childhood is more urgent than ever. Kathy shares insights from her decades of experience working with…
more -
Rediscovering Joy: Self-Care Strategies for Early Childhood Professionals
Self-care is more than just bubble baths and relaxation—it's about reconnecting with the joy that first brought you to your work. In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we're joined by Dr. Teresa Byington, author of Find the Joyful Leader Within, to explore how educators and leaders can...
-
Child Care as Infrastructure: The Key to a Thriving Economy
In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman sits down with Dr. Sarah Vanover, an early childhood education expert and the author of America's Child Care Crisis and Bridging Gaps. Dr. Vanover delves into the systemic challenges facing the child care industry in the United…
more -
Tiny Hands, Big Skills: Fine Motor Foundations for Early Childhood
In this episode of Early Childhood Chapters, we sit down with Keriann Wilmot, an occupational therapist, author, and toy expert affectionately known as "The Toy Queen." Keriann shares her insights on the importance of fine motor development in young children and offers practical advice for…
more -
Body Safety for Young Children: Empowering Teachers and Caregivers
In this powerful episode of Early Childhood Chapters, host Emily Garman sits down with Kimberly King, a certified sexual abuse prevention educator, teacher, and author of Body Safety for Young Children: Empowering Caring Adults. Kimberly shares actionable strategies for teaching body safety in an...
-
Messy Hands, Growing Minds: MaryAnn Faubion Kohl on Process Art in Early Childhood Education
In this episode, Emily interviews MaryAnn Faubion Kohl, a trailblazer in early childhood art education and an advocate for process art. With over 20 books published and decades of experience, MaryAnn shares her passion for empowering children to explore and create without fear of judgment or...
-
Voices of NAEYC: Highlights from the 2024 Annual Conference
Welcome to a special episode of Early Childhood Chapters, brought to you by Gryphon House Books. This week, we take you to the 98th Annual NAEYC Conference, the largest gathering of early childhood education professionals in the United States. Hosted in Anaheim, this year's conference brought...
-
Creating Safe Spaces for Young Children: Emergency Preparedness in Early Childhood Settings
In this episode, we talk with Andrew Roszak, an international expert in disaster preparedness and emergency management, specializing in early childhood settings. Andrew shares insights from his journey, starting as a firefighter and paramedic to becoming an attorney and advocate for safety in...
-
Curated Moments: Bringing Reggio Emilia to Life for Infants & Toddlers
Join us as we visit Riverfield Country Day School in Tulsa, OK, to talk with the authors of Curated Moments. Discover how the Reggio Emilia philosophy shapes their approach to early childhood education, creating playful, curiosity-driven environments for infants, toddlers, and twos. In this...
-
So You Want to Write a Book: Becoming a Gryphon House Author
In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Roselli, Senior Editor at Gryphon House Books, to talk about what kind of books she's looking for, what's involved in writing for Gryphon House, and how the book selection and editorial processes work. Stephanie will answer some frequently asked…
more -
Loose Parts Alive: Inspiring Child-Led Nature Exploration
In this episode, we sit down with Laura Wilhelm, Ph.D. and Carla Gull, Ph.D., the authors of Loose Parts Alive, to dive into the limitless potential of living loose parts. From the flutter of a butterfly's wings to the sway of trees in the breeze, discover how integrating nature into your…
more -
Early Childhood Chapters - Podcast Trailer
Listen to the trailer to get an idea of what Early Childhood Chapters is all about! We are the podcast for educators, childcare professionals, and parents who work with children ages 0-5. Hosted by Gryphon House Books, each episode features interviews with leading authors and experts who break…
more
About this show
This is the podcast for educators, childcare professionals, and parents who work with children ages 0-5. Hosted by Gryphon House Books, each episode features interviews with leading authors and experts who break down the latest research into practical, actionable strategies for the classroom and home.
Hosted by
Gryphon House Books