Right Moves: A LiiNK Center for Healthy Play Podcast
By LiiNK Center
Right Moves: A LiiNK Center for Healthy Play PodcastOct 23, 2023
Intersectionality and Play
Dr. Rhea is back with Dr. Daphne Harris to continue their conversation on father daughter play, diving into the effects of intersectionality, mental health, and the importance of a strong support system.
Daphne Chambers Harris, a dynamic speaker, researcher, and dedicated educator, holds a master's degree in clinical community psychology from Texas Southern University and a Ph.D. in Child Development from Texas Woman’s University. She serves as faculty at the University of North Texas-Denton within the College of Education’s Educational Psychology Department. In this role, she teaches courses in human development and family science and instructs courses on the administration and management of youth and family programs. She is also a non-profit consultant with expertise in organization start-up, program design, and implementation.
Dr. Harris's research is centered on exploring the lived experiences of Black children, families, and communities. Her current speaking topics and academic interests include examining Black men's mental health and masculinity, parenting socialization practices, homeschooling, play, and fatherhood among men of African descent.
Resources Relevant to this episode:
Dr. Harris' email for inquiries: daphnecharris@gmail.com
MENtal MATTERS - Their mission is to promote, protect, and prioritize the mental health and well-being of Black men by raising awareness, reducing stigma, providing support, and advocating for equitable access to mental health resources and services.
Email: info@ourmentalmatters.org
Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn: mentalmatters23
Dear Fathers - A media platform dedicated to telling stories of black fathers from all angles while empowering our community with tangible resources that inspire, heal, and strengthen the black man. Instagram: @dear.fathers
Therapy for Black Men: aiming to reduce the stigma related to therapy by connecting Black men to therapists. Instagram: @therapyforblkmen
Black Men Heal: Their mission is to provide access to mental health treatment, psycho-education, and community resources to men of color. Instagram: @blackmenheal
Raising Strong Daughters: The Impact of Father-Daughter Relationships in Play
Dr. Rhea brings on Dr. Daphne Harris from the University of North Texas, to share how her relationship with her father and the lessons she learned through father daughter play shaped her life and her career.
Daphne Chambers Harris, a dynamic speaker, researcher, and dedicated educator, holds a master's degree in clinical community psychology from Texas Southern University and a Ph.D. in Child Development from Texas Woman’s University. She serves as faculty at the University of North Texas-Denton within the College of Education’s Educational Psychology Department. In this role, she teaches courses in human development and family science and instructs courses on the administration and management of youth and family programs. She is also a non-profit consultant with expertise in organization start-up, program design, and implementation.
Dr. Harris's research is centered on exploring the lived experiences of Black children, families, and communities. Her current speaking topics and academic interests include examining Black men's mental health and masculinity, parenting socialization practices, homeschooling, play, and fatherhood among men of African descent.
Resources related to this episode:
Dr. Harris' email for inquiries: daphnecharris@gmail.com
MENtal MATTERS - Their mission is to promote, protect, and prioritize the mental health and well-being of Black men by raising awareness, reducing stigma, providing support, and advocating for equitable access to mental health resources and services.
Email: info@ourmentalmatters.org
Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn: mentalmatters23
Dear Fathers - A media platform dedicated to telling stories of black fathers from all angles while empowering our community with tangible resources that inspire, heal, and strengthen the black man. Instagram: @dear.fathers
Therapy for Black Men: aiming to reduce the stigma related to therapy by connecting Black men to therapists. Instagram: @therapyforblkmen
Black Men Heal: Their mission is to provide access to mental health treatment, psycho-education, and community resources to men of color. Instagram: @blackmenheal
A Garden of Yes! Fort Worth Botanic Gardens’ NEW Baker Martin Family Garden
Dr. Rhea brings back Cheryl Potemkin, this time to discuss her other role with Fort Worth Botanic Gardens and the development of the new family garden coming soon! Learn all the exciting features of the garden and how it will promote risky play, curiosity, and confidence in children and a great place for adults to find their inner play as a “Garden of YES!”.
Cheryl Potemkin is the Early Childhood Program Manager at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. At FWBG Cheryl is dedicated to implementing early childhood programs and professional development, teaching science thinking concepts through quality children’s literature and hands-on Environmental-STEM activities. Cheryl is also the lead for the OLE! Texas DFW Coalition, part of the statewide initiative dedicated to improving health and wellness through outdoor learning environments, as well as one of the North Texas Regional leads for the Texas Children in Nature Network.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Paving the Way for Outdoor Learning Environments
Dr. Rhea brings on early childhood educator and OLE! Texas leadership member, Cheryl Potemkin, to share her expertise on outdoor learning environments. Listen as they discuss the goals of OLE! Texas, the benefits and qualities of outdoor learning environments, and the abundance of resources in Texas and nationwide for the promotion of outdoor learning.
Cheryl Potemkin is currently exploring a love of nature and early childhood education as the Early Childhood Program Manager at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. At FWBG Cheryl is dedicated to implementing early childhood programs and professional development, teaching science thinking concepts through quality children’s literature and hands-on Environmental-STEM activities. Cheryl is also the lead for the OLE! Texas DFW Coalition, part of the statewide initiative dedicated to improving health and wellness through outdoor learning environments, as well as one of the North Texas Regional leads for the Texas Children in Nature Network.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Outdoor Learning Environments - OLE! Texas - Texas Children in Nature
Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE!) Texas | Texas DSHS
https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/bioblitz/tpwd-child-friendly plant-flyer-final.pdf NLI | Natural Learning Initiative (naturalearning.org)
Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) | FWBG
Blurring the Lines with Nutrition Part 2
Dr. Rhea continues her discussion from a whole-health perspective and introducing more blurred lines between healthy and unhealthy habits. Tune in as Dr. Rhea discusses more about diets, healthy eating, and how to manage individual food issues.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Blurring the Lines with Nutrition
In a world that glorifies fad diets and “easy” weight loss trends, how do we keep from blurring the lines between healthy and unhealthy eating habits? Dr. Rhea dives into nutrition from a whole-health perspective, explaining the risk of blurring lines without realizing it and what considerations are needed to eat better and begin to create a healthier lifestyle moving forward.
Funding Needs for Play Advocacy and Sustainability
The importance and accessibility of play in our lives is often taken for granted and not prioritized in our communities and schools. Play advocates work tirelessly to change this mindset through education, research, and providing more play resources to more people. In this episode, Dr. Rhea sits down with Out to Play founder, Bethany Fort, to discuss one of the biggest challenges play advocates face when making these changes – lack of funding – and why funding is necessary for the sustainment of play. Bethany Fort has an M.A. in Children's Literature and an M.S. in Library Science. She managed family programs at Arlington Public Library for 7 years before co founding Out to Play. Out to Play is a 501(c)(3) outreach organization that brings mobile nature play spaces to play deserts in Fort Worth. She co-founded Out to Play with Green Space Learning in 2021. Read more about the work we are doing at www.outtoplaytx.com!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Play Deserts: How Out to Play is Bringing An Important Resource to Your Neighborhood
Unstructured play is necessary to all humans, especially children, but how easy is it to have unstructured play in our daily lives? We can play anywhere… right? Dr. Rhea brings in Bethany Fort to explain the prevalence of play deserts, particularly in urban areas, and how her non-profit, ”Out to Play”, is working to bring unstructured play to you!
Bethany Fort has an M.A. in Children's Literature and an M.S. in Library Science. She managed family programs at Arlington Public Library for 7 years before co-founding Out to Play. Out to Play is a 501(c)(3) outreach organization that brings mobile nature play spaces to play deserts in Fort Worth. She co-founded Out to Play with Green Space Learning in 2021. Read more about the work we are doing at www.outtoplaytx.com!
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Sport Specialization and Competition at a Young Age Can Lead to Muscle Strength Imbalances
Parents continue to enroll their children in sport at younger ages thinking this will give them a leg up on being a better athlete. Coaches have begun to require children to specialize in one sport at earlier ages in hopes of being more competitive. Are these practices healthy for our children and youth? Dr. Rhea brings back her PhD candidate, Kate Webb, to further discuss why focusing on specialized sports and competition at early ages may not be developmentally appropriate or healthy for children and can lead to limb imbalances, injuries, and decreased confidence.
Kate Webb graduated with a B.S. degree and Master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Tarleton State University, worked as the Education and Retreat Director for Camp Eagle (Christian Adventure Camp in the Texas Hill Country), as a Biology/PE Teacher - Head Track/CC Coach at Wylie High School, and in the fitness industry. As an educator, she completed the Principalship Certification in Educational Leadership at Dallas Baptist University and the Level 2 USATF Coach Certification.
In the fitness industry, she taught group fitness classes, and traveled with MASHUP Conditioning as a coach/presenter at SCW conferences. As a NASM Sport Performance Specialist, she worked with children on developing foundational fitness to improve stability/flexibility/mobility to aid in decreased body imbalances and injury. Additionally, she created a free Summer Track and Field Program for k-12 that has just completed its fifth season.
Understanding the Connection Between Play and Sport in Kids
Why are the physical and mental health of our youth declining? Dr. Rhea brings back her PhD candidate, G. Kate Webb, to discuss the two extremes of children’s activity levels that we see today – sedentary behavior, and specialization in sport. Both of these lifestyles can take away from the amount of unstructured, outdoor play a child receives, which in turn leads to decreased muscle strength, possible injuries at very early ages, and an overall decline in physical and mental health as children develop and mature.
Kate Webb graduated with a B.S. degree and Master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Tarleton State University, worked as the Education and Retreat Director for Camp Eagle (Christian Adventure Camp in the Texas Hill Country), as a Biology/PE Teacher - Head Track/CC Coach at Wylie High School, and in the fitness industry. As an educator, she completed the Principalship Certification in Educational Leadership at Dallas Baptist University and the Level 2 USATF Coach Certification.
In the fitness industry, she taught group fitness classes, and traveled with MASHUP Conditioning as a coach/presenter at SCW conferences. As a NASM Sport Performance Specialist, she worked with children on developing foundational fitness to improve stability/flexibility/mobility to aid in decreased body imbalances and injury. Additionally, she created a free Summer Track and Field Program for k-12 that has just completed its fifth season.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Let the Kids Play: They Will Excel
What do children actually need during the school day? The U.S. has placed priority on content time and academic test scores more and more in the last several decades, putting recess and play on the back burner. Listen as Dr. Rhea discusses the detriment of this, and how play and learning actually go hand-in-hand.
The Long-Term Negative Effects of ADHD Medication: Why Are We Ignoring Nature?
Are we over-diagnosing and over-medicating ADHD in kids? Avigail Gimpel returns with Dr. Rhea to further discuss the ADHD epidemic, long-term effects of ADHD medication, and what it would be like to prescribe nature as an aid for ADHD symptoms.
Avigail earned her BA and graduate degree at Touro college graduate school for Special Education. She married Daniel Gimpel in 1998 while teaching 3rd grade in an inclusion classroom. In this school, she developed a successful intervention program for her students struggling with ADHD symptoms.
She and Daniel emigrated to Israel soon after their marriage. Avigail earned advanced degrees in teaching children with Dyslexia and cognitive education for children with ADHD symptoms. In 2003, she and her husband, with three small children moved to Moscow, Russia. She observed that kids with ADHD have very similar symptoms in New York, Jerusalem, and Moscow.
Upon returning to Israel, she immersed herself in developing treatment options for ADHD for her own six kids and struggling students. She built a teacher’s training program which she teaches at Hertzog College. She lectures in schools and to parent groups across Israel. In private practice, she educates parents to become ADHD coaches to their children. She is the author of HyperHealing, The Empowered Parent’s Complete Guide to Raising a Healthy Child with ADHD Symptoms (a #1 best seller on Amazon), and HyperHealing, Show Me the Science!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Book links: https://www.hyperhealing.org/adhd-parenting-books-hyperhealing
Website: https://www.hyperhealing.org/
Addressing the Over-Diagnosis of ADHD in American Children – Play and Nature as Solutions
ADHD has reached endemic levels in today’s youth, and it’s become increasingly difficult to distinguish ADHD-like symptoms from true ADHD. Dr. Rhea brings in author and educator, Avigail Gimpel, to share her personal journey with ADHD. They discuss what ADHD symptoms may look like in youth and adults, how technology has affected symptom prevalence, and whether exercise could be the key.
Avigail earned her BA and graduate degree at Touro college graduate school for Special Education. She married Daniel Gimpel in 1998 while teaching 3rd grade in an inclusion classroom. In this school, she developed a successful intervention program for her students struggling with ADHD symptoms. She and Daniel emigrated to Israel soon after their marriage. Avigail earned advanced degrees in teaching children with Dyslexia and cognitive education for children with ADHD symptoms.
In 2003, she and her husband, with three small children moved to Moscow, Russia. She observed that kids with ADHD have very similar symptoms in New York, Jerusalem, and Moscow.
Upon returning to Israel, she immersed herself in developing treatment options for ADHD for her own six kids and struggling students. She built a teacher’s training program which she teaches at Hertzog College. She lectures in schools and to parent groups across Israel. In private practice, she educates parents to become ADHD coaches to their children. She is the author of HyperHealing, The Empowered Parent’s Complete Guide to Raising a Healthy Child with ADHD Symptoms (a #1 best seller on Amazon), and HyperHealing, Show Me the Science!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Book links: https://www.hyperhealing.org/adhd-parenting-books-hyperhealing
Website: https://www.hyperhealing.org/
The PLAY People In Your Neighborhood – Oct. 9th Conference in Ft. Worth, TX
Dr. Rhea wants YOU to come to our upcoming event - The PLAY People in Your Neighborhood! This is a 1-day conference, cohosted with US Play Coalition and Forth Worth Botanic Gardens, focused on navigating the play resources in your area. She has outlined the speakers and their play strengths. This is an amazing group of speakers! EVERYONE is welcome to join us for this on October 9th here in Fort Worth, TX. For more information on our presenters, schedule, and to register for this event, visit https://usplaycoalition.org/2023fortworth-playdate
Use promo code 23PLAY15 for $15 off your registration cost!
TBRI in Schools – Seeing Children’s Disruptive Behavior as a Signal for Supporting their Emotional Needs
Jennifer Jolly returns with Dr. Rhea to continue their discussion on TBRI, this time focusing on professional settings. TBRI is adaptable to any setting with a caregiver role, including schools. So how do we help teachers understand and implement the TBRI model in classrooms?
Jennifer Jolly is a pastor's wife and mom of two biological sons, 22 and 20, and one adoptive son, 18. Her "Varsity sports" are grocery shopping and sitting in bleachers, which she has done in all seasons in stadiums and gyms around the Northwest Georgia area. She has a Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling and a Masters in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. In 2017 she sought TBRI out of desperation in their adoptive parenting journey. She became a Making Sense of Your Worth and Parenting for Positive Self Worth facilitator in October of 2022. She worked for six years as a secondary school Guidance Counselor before shifting gears to work on implementing TBRI in the YMCA after-school program housed in Restoration Rome. She is currently in her third year as the TBRI Coordinator for Rome City Schools. She loves her role in scaffolding change and implementing TBRI at the micro and macro level in each school and the school system as a whole.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
From Desperation to Solutions – Becoming a Better Parent with TBRI
Dr. Rhea sits down with former school guidance counselor and current TBRI coordinator, Jennifer Jolly, to share her personal and professional journey with TBRI. TBRI, or Trust-Based Relational Intervention, is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. Jennifer explains how TBRI has helped her gain a wider understanding of herself and her kids, both biological and adopted.
Jennifer Jolly is a pastor's wife and mom of two biological sons, 22 and 20, and one adoptive son, 18. Her "Varsity sports" are grocery shopping and sitting in bleachers, which she has done in all seasons in stadiums and gyms around the Northwest Georgia area. She has a Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling and a Masters in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. In 2017 she sought TBRI out of desperation in their adoptive parenting journey. She became a Making Sense of Your Worth and Parenting for Positive Self Worth facilitator in October of 2022. She worked for six years as a secondary school Guidance Counselor before shifting gears to work on implementing TBRI in the YMCA after-school program housed in Restoration Rome. She is currently in her third year as the TBRI Coordinator for Rome City Schools. She loves her role in scaffolding change and implementing TBRI at the micro and macro level in each school and the school system as a whole.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Being Healthy Takes Work, Changing a Behavior Takes Time
Dr. Rhea challenges you to improve your health through modifying a key behavior you choose in this week’s episode. She discusses the many stages and challenges necessary to make a change, while sharing her personal journey of cutting bad habits and improving her health.
Prevention of Heart Disease Through Different Public Initiatives
Jenny Eyer returns with Dr. Rhea to talk about her current role at the American Heart Association (AHA), and the differences between state and local policy. They discuss her team’s current goals to improve public health initiatives of which recess and nutrition are at the top.
Jenny Eyer graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry from Abilene Christian University and earned her MPH with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health from the University of Texas School of Public Health. A native Texan, Jenny has spent her entire career focused on improving the lives of children and their families across the state, working to make Texas a great place to live, work, pray, and play.
Her work has included passing legislation at the state level that has increased food access for students across the state, partnering with school districts to expand meal programs before and after the school day, and conducting research around physical activity in schools to inform state and local legislation.
As the Vice President of Health Strategies, for AHA’s North Texas area, she focuses her time on implementing community-facing programs, advocating for sustainable policy solutions, and ensuring all North Texans have the ability to live longer, healthier lives. She is a member of the LiiNK Advisory Board and a Fellow of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Child Health Leadership Network. Her favorite job, though, is raising her three children with her husband, Jesse, and drinking lots of coffee.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Advocating for Nutrition Policies in Schools
Dr. Rhea brings on public health advocate, Jenny Eyer, to share her story of what drove her to focus on nutrition and food availability for kids. Jenny’s primary focus encompasses policy changes around free and reduced breakfast & lunch in schools.
Jenny Eyer graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry from Abilene Christian University and earned her MPH with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health from the University of Texas School of Public Health. A native Texan, Jenny has spent her entire career focused on improving the lives of children and their families across the state, working to make Texas a great place to live, work, pray, and play.
Her work has included passing legislation at the state level that has increased food access for students across the state, partnering with school districts to expand meal programs before and after the school day, and conducting research around physical activity in schools to inform state and local legislation.
As the Vice President of Health Strategies, for AHA’s North Texas area, she focuses her time on implementing community-facing programs, advocating for sustainable policy solutions, and ensuring all North Texans have the ability to live longer, healthier lives. She is a member of the LiiNK Advisory Board and a Fellow of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Child Health Leadership Network. Her favorite job, though, is raising her three children with her husband, Jesse, and drinking lots of coffee.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Children Learn How to Learn on the Playground
Dr. Rhea sits down with Summer Belloni again to discuss the importance of advocacy for parents and educators in schools and the barriers they may face. They also discuss "practice what you preach" and why having access to recess, child-directed play, and the outdoors is the place where children learn how to learn.
Summer Belloni, a former teacher with experience in elementary and middle school education, is passionate about getting kids outside as much as possible. She taught in both public and private schools in California and Louisiana before relocating to Texas where she managed a community engagement website for families. Summer’s advocacy for increased access to recess in Midland’s elementary schools led to her involvement with the Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) and a recommendation for policy change. She kept the community informed and shared resources with her social media group, Texans for Recess. Although the recommended policy wasn’t officially adopted, her efforts resulted in 24 out of 26 elementary schools in Midland increasing their recess time. With a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in education specializing in educational leadership, Summer’s research focused on teachers’ beliefs, values, and attitudes towards elementary recess. She has been married for 23 years and is the mother to two boys. She and her husband continue to prioritize and nurture their family’s love for the outdoors and value of childhood instructed play.
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Recess Advocacy - How One Teacher Can Make a Difference
Dr. Rhea sits down with play advocate and former teacher, Summer Belloni M.Ed, to share her view on why play is important for kids. Summer describes her advocacy work and collaboration with the Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) for increased recess in Midland, Texas.
Summer Belloni, a former teacher with experience in elementary and middle school education, is passionate about getting kids outside as much as possible. She taught in both public and private schools in California and Louisiana before relocating to Texas where she managed a community engagement website for families.
Summer’s advocacy for increased access to recess in Midland’s elementary schools led to her involvement with the Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) and a recommendation for policy change. She kept the community informed and shared resources with her social media group, Texans for Recess. Although the recommended policy wasn’t officially adopted, her efforts resulted in 24 out of 26 elementary schools in Midland increasing their recess time.
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Best Ways to Advocate for Your Child in School
Tessa Baden is a nature and play advocate who shares her personal transformation story to inspire reflection, connection and evolution in others. She started her career at Camp C.A.M.P. and preschools. Tessa has spent 15 + years journeying through public and private spaces exploring opportunities to ensure adults trust and honor children’s learning to occur in its most authentic form. She encourages others to name the challenges and fears they face in working with children and find peaceful ways to transform thinking and action. Her personal mission is to advocate peace for all children and those who guide them in all spaces, always. Tessa is the mother to 2 strong, clever, and compelling souls. Her favorite place to be is outside camping, walking, hiking, but especially playing with loose parts in her backyard!
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Saving Play
Parenting Checklist for Raising Healthy Children
Dr. Rhea and early-learning play advocate, Tessa Baden, discuss the power of trusting and listening to your children’s interests and abilities to help nurture unstructured play and independence. Often times, the best way to steer your child toward exceptional overall health and academics is to let the child do the steering.
Tessa Baden is a nature and play advocate who shares her personal transformation story to inspire reflection, connection and evolution in others. She started her career at Camp C.A.M.P. and preschools. Tessa has spent 15 + years journeying through public and private spaces exploring opportunities to ensure adults trust and honor children’s learning to occur in its most authentic form. She encourages others to name the challenges and fears they face in working with children and find peaceful ways to transform thinking and action. Her personal mission is to advocate peace for all children and those who guide them in all spaces, always. Tessa is the mother to 2 strong, clever, and compelling souls. Her favorite place to be is outside camping, walking, hiking, but especially playing with loose parts in her backyard!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
SOUL - Silent Observe Understand Listen
Finding Our Ethical Compass - It’s Vital to Long Healthy Lives
Parents raise children in different ways to cover social and emotional development. Some use a religion to teach such things as empathy, trust, respect, honesty, and so on. Others use an ethics course. In K-12 schools, it may be character skills that include those above as well as lessons on how to socially interact and create emotional regulation. Dr. Rhea compares Finnish and U.S. schools focused on this topic. She is focused on why this particular topic is vital to the health of our children whether it be in schools or in the community.
Breaking the Stigma around Mental Health Therapists
It’s Mental Health Awareness Month! How can we address the mental health crisis plaguing us today? Dr. Rhea brings on therapist and social worker, Talia Filippelli, to discuss the stigma around mental health and how play, empathy, and therapy are all key in creating more resilient children and adults.
Talia is the founder of Starr Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is known for her solution-focused approach, practical strategies, and fearless mission to make seeing a therapist something people brag about! Talia is a contributing mental health expert for numerous media outlets, including CNN and CBS; she's an 8-time winner of NJ Family Magazine's Top Docs Awards and an ambassador for The Genius of Play as well. Talia is also a certified holistic health coach and certified personal trainer. To find out more information about Starr Therapy and Talia's team of therapists, visit www.StarrTherapy.com. Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Talia’s Articles on Genius of Play
Changing the Health Habits of Children in Schools
Dr. Rhea brings back Dr. Catherine Ramstetter and Dr. Robert Murray for part two of their series. Listen as they share their thoughts on Medina’s Big Three - sleep, play and nutrition – in schools. What’s in a donut? Let’s find out!
Dr. Cathy Ramstetter is a School Health Consultant with Successful Healthy Children, assisting schools with wellness initiatives and recess implementation, to protect recess for every child everyday and to foster children’s healthy growth and development. Dr. Ramstetter is the co-author of AAP’s Policy on Recess with Dr. Bob Murray. She serves on the Board of Directors for DePaul Cristo Rey High School in Cincinnati, where she is a member of the Academic Committee. In April, 2020, Dr. Ramstetter was a founding member of the Global Recess Alliance, academic leaders from the US, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia, which guides schools to rethink policies and practices for recess. In October of 2022, the International Play Association-USA conferred the Doctor of Play to Cathy in recognition of her lifetime achievements in advocating for the child’s right to play.
Dr. Robert Murray spent over 20 years in the field of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition in the Ohio State University School of Medicine. For 5 years, he served as the director of the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition, offering medical and surgical treatments for child and adolescent obesity. Dr. Murray also was the pediatric medical director for Abbott Nutrition from 2003-2006. For over a decade Dr. Murray was an executive committee member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on School Health, serving as chair in the final 4 years. He is a Board member of Action for Healthy Kids as well as of the Children’s Hunger Alliance, and previously served on the Board of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. Dr. Murray is a past President of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Lack of Recess is Hurting Our Kids
Dr. Rhea brings on colleagues and collaborators, Dr. Catherine Ramstetter and Dr. Robert Murray, to discuss their work in promoting play and recess, and their perspective on the importance of recess on children’s health.
Dr. Cathy Ramstetter is a School Health Consultant with Successful Healthy Children, assisting schools with wellness initiatives and recess implementation, to protect recess for every child everyday and to foster children’s healthy growth and development. Dr. Ramstetter is the co-author of AAP’s Policy on Recess with Dr. Bob Murray. She serves on the Board of Directors for DePaul Cristo Rey High School in Cincinnati, where she is a member of the Academic Committee. In April, 2020, Dr. Ramstetter was a founding member of the Global Recess Alliance, academic leaders from the US, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia, which guides schools to rethink policies and practices for recess. In October of 2022, the International Play Association-USA conferred the Doctor of Play to Cathy in recognition of her lifetime achievements in advocating for the child’s right to play.
Dr. Robert Murray spent over 20 years in the field of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition in the Ohio State University School of Medicine. For 5 years, he served as the director of the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition, offering medical and surgical treatments for child and adolescent obesity. Dr. Murray also was the pediatric medical director for Abbott Nutrition from 2003-2006. For over a decade Dr. Murray was an executive committee member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on School Health, serving as chair in the final 4 years. He is a Board member of Action for Healthy Kids as well as of the Children’s Hunger Alliance, and previously served on the Board of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. Dr Murray is a past President of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Crucial role of recess (2010) – Ramstetter and Murray; peds20122993 183..188 (silverchair.com)
Pellegrini; The Role of Recess in Primary School. (apa.org)
The Impact of Stress on the Brain with Dr. John Medina
What should we be focused on in our childhood and youth to decrease risk of chronic disease as we age? Dr. Rhea brings back Dr. John Medina for part 2 of their discussion on factors that affect memory and overall health. This time, they focus on stress and the brain-body connection.
Dr. Medina is a developmental molecular biologist focused on the genes involved in human brain development and the genetics of psychiatric disorders. He has spent most of his professional life as a private research consultant, working primarily in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries on research related to mental health. Medina is an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Medina was the founding director of the Talaris Research Institute, a Seattle-based research center originally focused on how infants encode and process information at the cognitive, cellular, and molecular levels. Medina is also the author of the New York Times bestseller “Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work” and the national bestseller “Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five”.
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Jon Kabat-Zinn – Mindfulness 8-week Course
The Top Three Lifestyle Factors Impacting Memory with Dr. John Medina
Dr. Rhea visits with biologist, researcher, and author Dr. John Medina, to discuss the process of memories and what lifestyle factors effect memory the most. This is part one of a two-part series with Medina. Dr. Medina is a developmental molecular biologist focused on the genes involved in human brain development and the genetics of psychiatric disorders. He has spent most of his professional life as a private research consultant, working primarily in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries on research related to mental health. Medina is an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Medina was the founding director of the Talaris Research Institute, a Seattle-based research center originally focused on how infants encode and process information at the cognitive, cellular, and molecular levels. Medina is also the author of the New York Times bestseller “Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work” and the national bestseller “Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five”.
The Play Lady – Advocating for Play in the Community
Pat Rumbaugh, better known as the Play Lady, joins Dr. Rhea to share her experiences as a community play advocator. Hear how she got started, her journey to becoming an author, and many fun stories from her annual Play Days! Pat Rumbaugh, with an M.A. in Sports Psychology, taught physical education and coached children’s sports for 30 years. From this experience, she learned that everyone could benefit from unstructured play. In her new identity as The Play Lady, she has conducted over 150 play events since founding a play committee in 2009. The play committee led to the development of the non-profit Let’s Play America (http://www.letsplayamerica.org) that embodies people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds with play days, streets closed to play, and other play events. See her website for upcoming events, books she has written, and TED talks she has presented.
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Child-Directed Play Creates Balanced Limb Movements and Neuromuscular Control
Dr. Rhea sits down with Kate Webb, another mentee and Ph.D. student doing research with LiiNK, to discuss her dissertation topic. She wants to know the effects of play on limb movement imbalances and neuromuscular control in children. Kate has developed an observational tool called the MPOT (Movement Pattern Observation Tool). She used that tool to identify which type of limb movements children use on the playground. These limb movements are important for a variety of reasons. Tune in to hear more about limb imbalances and the brain-body connection.
Kate Webb graduated with a B.S. degree and Master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Tarleton State University, worked as the Education and Retreat Director for Camp Eagle (Christian Adventure Camp in the Texas Hill Country), as a Biology/PE Teacher - Head Track/CC Coach at Wylie High School, and in the fitness industry. As an educator, she completed the Principalship Certification in Educational Leadership at Dallas Baptist University and the Level 2 USATF Coach Certification.
In the fitness industry, she taught group fitness classes, and traveled with MASHUP Conditioning as a coach/presenter at SCW conferences. As a NASM Sport Performance Specialist, she worked with children on developing foundational fitness to improve stability/flexibility/mobility to aid in decreased body imbalances and injury. Additionally, she created a free Summer Track and Field Program for k-12 that has just completed its fifth season.
The KTK – A New Approach to Motor Competence Abilities in Physical Education Classes
Ph.D. candidate with the LiiNK Project, Daryl Campbell-Pierre, sits down with Dr. Rhea to discuss his three years of research dedicated to motor competence and postural balance in children through an assessment called the KTK. The first study examined the KTK to see if it was feasible to use it with U.S. children to determine motor competence abilities. The KTK is capable of detecting issues in typical and atypical developing children. The 2nd study examined the ability of teachers to use the KTK in their physical education classes. The 3rdstudy examined motor competence differences between children who have at least 60 minutes of recess daily with those who only have 20 or 30 minutes of recess daily.
Daryl Campbell-Pierre is a 3rd-year Ph.D. Candidate at Texas Christian University in Health Science. Daryl has been working with Dr. Rhea and the LiiNK project for the past three years, focusing his research efforts on the impact of recess on children's motor competence and postural balance abilities. Daryl is an Occupational Therapist by train before joining the LiiNK project. He has previous experience working with the pediatric population, helping them reach their development milestone through individualized treatment plans. He is a play advocate and believes that unstructured play is the key to helping children unlock their maximal potential. He has a set dissertation defense date schedule this spring and is expected to graduate with his Ph.D. in May 2023.
Recess Kits – The Solution for Active Indoor Play When the Weather Won’t Let Us Go Outside
Dr. Rhea and Dr. Bauml are back for the third and final installment of their discussion on early childhood education and unstructured play. They’ve talked about not letting the weather stop you from getting outside as long as it’s safe, but what about when it isn’t? If we must stay indoors, there are still plenty of ways to create unstructured play environments for our kids and students that foster social/emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. Dr. Michelle Bauml is the Clotilda Winter Professor of Education and an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences at TCU with an emphasis in social studies education. As a former elementary teacher, Dr. Bauml’s research and teaching reflect her beliefs that children need ample opportunities for creative expression, play, and meaningful instruction in today’s schools. She conducts qualitative research aimed at helping teachers navigate professional complexities to make thoughtful, effective curricular and instructional decisions in order to promote student learning. Prior to joining the faculty at TCU, Dr. Bauml taught at a Title 1 elementary school in the Houston area and coached beginning teachers in Houston ISD. She has extensive experience working with prospective and early career teachers, and she enjoys teaching undergraduate courses for the Early Childhood Education (EC-6) program and graduate courses in Curriculum and Instruction. In 2021, Dr. Bauml received a university Deans Teaching Award for excellence in teaching. She was also granted the Honorary Leon Jaworski Award for Teaching Excellence in Law Focused Education by the State Bar of Texas and Texas Young Lawyers Association in 2016.
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Rain or Shine, Hot or Cold – Get Outdoors, Try Something New!
Has the desire to go outside in the rain – or at all – dwindled in recent generations? Dr. Rhea is back with Dr. Bauml to discuss how weather can affect play, and why it shouldn’t always stop you from heading outdoors. Listen as they reminisce on childhood memories of soggy shoes, puddle jumping, and making the most of the weather.
Dr. Michelle Bauml is the Clotilda Winter Professor of Education and an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences at TCU with an emphasis in social studies education. As a former elementary teacher, Dr. Bauml’s research and teaching reflect her beliefs that children need ample opportunities for creative expression, play, and meaningful instruction in today’s schools. She conducts qualitative research aimed at helping teachers navigate professional complexities to make thoughtful, effective curricular and instructional decisions in order to promote student learning.
Prior to joining the faculty at TCU, Dr. Bauml taught at a Title 1 elementary school in the Houston area and coached beginning teachers in Houston ISD. She has extensive experience working with prospective and early career teachers, and she enjoys teaching undergraduate courses for the Early Childhood Education (EC-6) program and graduate courses in Curriculum and Instruction. In 2021, Dr. Bauml received a university Deans Teaching Award for excellence in teaching. She was also granted the Honorary Leon Jaworski Award for Teaching Excellence in Law Focused Education by the State Bar of Texas and Texas Young Lawyers Association in 2016.
Early Childhood Development – The Importance of Unstructured, Outdoor Play
Dr. Rhea sits down with friend and colleague, Dr. Michelle Bauml, to discuss unstructured or child directed play vs. structured or adult directed play in the school setting through the lens of early childhood development and education.
Dr. Michelle Bauml is the Clotilda Winter Professor of Education and an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences at TCU with an emphasis in social studies education. As a former elementary teacher, Dr. Bauml’s research and teaching reflect her beliefs that children need ample opportunities for creative expression, play, and meaningful instruction in today’s schools. She conducts qualitative research aimed at helping teachers navigate professional complexities to make thoughtful, effective curricular and instructional decisions in order to promote student learning.
Prior to joining the faculty at TCU, Dr. Bauml taught at a Title 1 elementary school in the Houston area and coached beginning teachers in Houston ISD. She has extensive experience working with prospective and early career teachers, and she enjoys teaching undergraduate courses for the Early Childhood Education (EC-6) program and graduate courses in Curriculum and Instruction. In 2021, Dr. Bauml received a university Deans Teaching Award for excellence in teaching. She was also granted the Honorary Leon Jaworski Award for Teaching Excellence in Law Focused Education by the State Bar of Texas and Texas Young Lawyers Association in 2016.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Different School Approaches – Let Kids Be Kids!
Dr. Rhea, Jill Wood and Amanda McMickle, are back to continue their discussion with guest moderator, Sarah Mercado, from KPICD, on unstructured play in schools. This time, they compare various play-focused school settings, the models behind them, and how to garner parental and school staff support.
Jill Wood founded Adventure Play at The Parish School in 2008 and has operated it since. Every year she grows towards a better understanding of play by: listening to children; reflecting on her own adult privilege; and being humbled by what is possible when you give children time to create their own space and culture. She founded Bayou City Play in 2013, a collective of artists, therapists, and librarians who advocate for play in the Houston metro area. She is also a school librarian.
Amanda McMickle is the Vice President of Education at the Cibolo Center for Conservation in Boerne, Texas. She has been a leader of nature-based schools ranging from public to private, early childhood to Kinder-6th grade. Amanda is the founder of NEST - Nature-based Education Support in Texas which is a regional group that meets monthly to discuss nature-based philosophy, best practices, and advocacy. Amanda currently sits on the leadership board of Natural Start Alliance and the governing boards of Families in Nature and International Play Association-USA Chapter. Amanda is working on her Ph.D. in a program at the University of the Incarnate Word entitled Adult Education, Social Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Overcoming the Pandemic Through Play – Let Kids Be Kids!
Dr. Rhea, with friends and colleagues, Jill Wood and Amanda McMickle, discuss the intensification of negative behaviors in schools upon returning from COVID and how their different school settings have handled it through play. Our guest moderator for this episode is Sarah Mercado from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU.
Jill Wood founded Adventure Play at The Parish School in 2008 and has operated it since. Every year she grows towards a better understanding of play by: listening to children; reflecting on her own adult privilege; and being humbled by what is possible when you give children time to create their own space and culture. She founded Bayou City Play in 2013, a collective of artists, therapists, and librarians who advocate for play in the Houston metro area. She is also a school librarian.
Amanda McMickle is the Vice President of Education at the Cibolo Center for Conservation in Boerne, Texas. She has been a leader of nature-based schools ranging from public to private, early childhood to Kinder-6th grade. Amanda is the founder of NEST - Nature-based Education Support in Texas which is a regional group that meets monthly to discuss nature-based philosophy, best practices, and advocacy. Amanda currently sits on the leadership board of Natural Start Alliance and the governing boards of Families in Nature and International Play Association-USA Chapter. Amanda is working on her Ph.D. in a program at the University of the Incarnate Word entitled Adult Education, Social Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Take A Hike - Benefits of the Outdoors
The Catalyst for Your Health - Unstructured Play
Play is a crucial part of everyone’s growth, learning, and sustainability. We have all but erased unstructured play in a child’s life, while structured activities and sports have consumed the American culture. We have also lost touch with the acceptance of play for all ages, especially the aging. Dr. Rhea explains the difference between unstructured and structured play, why both are needed, and why unstructured play is the catalyst for your health.
Non-negotiables in Education – Finland Got it Right!
Does the number of minutes spent on “content” in schools really matter? Schools in the U.S. place priority on reading, science, math, and social studies while minimizing other areas such as art, music, physical education, and especially recess. Host, Dr. Debbie Rhea, discusses the effects of this approach on education through her experiences, and how a trip to Finland changed the game.
Right Moves Trailer
Introducing Right Moves, a LiiNK Center for Healthy Play Podcast! Host Dr. Debbie Rhea of Texas Christian University discusses health, education, play, and so much more. Coming January 9th.