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BIG PICTURE Social Emotional Learning Podcast

BIG PICTURE Social Emotional Learning Podcast

By Nini White

This Social Emotional Learning (#SEL) podcast shares actionable wisdom from the global community of inspiring teachers and parents.
Featuring fresh, effective perspectives and practices designed to equally benefit students, teachers, community.
Episodes always include:
• Solution-oriented insights around: emotions, thinking skills, empathy, trust, social justice, and much more
• Research-based
• Experience-validated
• Actionable advice
Especially helpful for, but not limited to, ECE (early childhood education).
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EP. 51 - Personal Responsibility with JORDAN HARRISON

BIG PICTURE Social Emotional Learning PodcastNov 09, 2019

00:00
21:52
Ep. 116 - Defending SEL and Teachers' Professional Development, with Elizabeth Peterson

Ep. 116 - Defending SEL and Teachers' Professional Development, with Elizabeth Peterson

Jan 27, 202452:31
Ep. 115 - Developing Clear-Headed, Unbiased Thinkers

Ep. 115 - Developing Clear-Headed, Unbiased Thinkers

We see so much division, and it's terrifying some of us. People trying to change others opinions is not doing much more than splitting us further apart, because (research has proven, beyond a doubt) people will ground into their own opinions, their own biases, their own perspectives when they experience differences of opinions and ideas.
What to do? Give children, starting at an earlier age, thinking skills, unbiased analysis skills and critical thinking skills. Critical doesn't mean criticizing - it just implies the ability to analyze and consider from various points before coming to well-informed conclusions by objectively (as objectively as possible - we’re all human, after all) considering how those different points of view rest within our own values.
From my own experiences as a teacher for over 20 years, I’ve seen, time again, consistently, that we can do this with today's youth.
We can and we must do this in a way that is empowering to all parties. Students, youth, young children and us adults, as well.
Mutual respect is the key.
Because If we don't trust people's innate humanity, their innate capacity for compassion to see things from other people's point of view, which is empathy, (different from compassion - which is caring about other’s challenges, suffering, etc).
Every child, every adult's ability to view from compassion and then from empathy,then we are starting at a place that is not respectful and does not invite mutual respect.
… And that cannot be the model of how humanity keeps trodding along now, because it’s not going to end well.
Who doesn’t see the cliff we're heading towards? We can do something about it. We can and it requires a mind shift. But not an impossible mind shift, not one that doesn't make sense to all of us really if we take a breath and consider it the value of it.
What is the shift? Sitting with a group of children, it's always best, in my experience to do this work with a group of children. So they can find out how much in alignment their developing values are
And so you will see in the podcast that I host, the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning podcast that every guest is someone who in their own way from their own perspective - from early child educators to art teachers to people who understand ADHD.

This can and does work to everyone's benefit. Short term and long term. So we can veer away from the cliff that’s drawing us closer and closer to our own self-imposed divisive havoc
So. Here I am, back on the podcast. I've been traveling out of the country. Partly I needed some rest and relaxation and partly because It's a big world that we live on, this planet has given rise to so many different cultural values and success in ways that the United States can learn from.
It's been a fascinating journey and I don't want it to stop. I want to share conversations and ideas that need to be shared for everyone's benefit.
How could this be wrong? How could it not be right?
I don't want to be enemies with anyone. I want us to realize that We're all in this together.

The bombs and the wars happening make you realize that we are affected by everything even if it's on the other side of the planet.

We are affected. And we can have an effect with our impact on today's youth. We can have very positive effect by helping them to be thinkers to analyze things, to not just be in reaction mode all the time or in fear-based mindset that is so reactionary, emotional. We've got to move away from that.

Win win. Really can work. Where no one needs to be afraid because one side is doing well, so that means the other side is not.

That is a model that is so old and so based in a very, very unwise way. That model has seemed to serve certain people who thought dividing people is the way to weaken the majority...But we don't have to be divided. If we move in mutual respect. I hope you'll consider that and continue to listen to this, the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning podcast.
Nov 14, 202310:06
Ep. 114 - Artfully Integrating SEL Into All Subjects, with Elizabeth Peterson
Jun 01, 202346:06
Ep. 113 - Serving Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing with Necessary SEL Supports

Ep. 113 - Serving Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing with Necessary SEL Supports

Mar 20, 202301:31:14
Ep. 112 - Autism in Context for True SEL, with Peter Vermeulen, Ph.D.

Ep. 112 - Autism in Context for True SEL, with Peter Vermeulen, Ph.D.

Peter Vermeulen, Ph.D., doesn't feel there's much value in ‘defining’ people on the #autism #spectrum by describing their difficulties around social interaction, communication, patterns of behavior, etc., etc. - because he sees all  those elements as #consequences of having brains that work in #autistic ways. Conversely, he's written that autism can only be defined in terms of perception and cognition…and only in the context of how an autistic brain experiences the world. JUST THAT, RIGHT THERE opens doors for more empathetic and respectful interactions with our autistic children, family members, students and neighbors.  

Peter is not so fond of the term 'neurotypical.' See if you agree with his reasoning... (I did.  Surprised?)

AUTISM in CONTEXT - from neurodiversity to neuroharmony:

https://petervermeulen.be/autism-in-context/

A short video that clearly explains autism in context: https://videos.files.wordpress.com/21y5fGDp/autism-as-context-blindness-introduction_hd.mp4

Resources:

The Autism‐Good‐Feeling‐Questionnaire is an informal assessment tool. It’s aim is to give educators, caretakers and other professionals ideas to increase the well‐being of people with an autism spectrum disorder. Here’s a link to a free, English version: https://petervermeulen.be/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/autism-good-feeling-questionnaire-peter-vermeulen-english.pdf


Some inspiring presentations by Peter shared on YouTube:

Peter Vermeulen at Good Autism Practice Conference:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbrVfIlCfJA

Autism and Happiness:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRXdJ3XFKUE

Autism as Context Blindness:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEP_QJnN1bU

An upcoming webinar with Peter Vermeulen, titled “Autism and the Predictive Mind: A new and refreshing look at autism”

Many ideas about the autistic brain are based on conceptions about the human brain that are outdated. The computer as a metaphor for the brain, with its input, processing and output, has been very useful in the past, but seems to be incorrect in the light of recent discoveries in brain science. A Copernican revolution is going on in neuroscience and it will change our ideas about the brain significantly. The brain is not working like a traditional computer: the brain is guessing more than it is computing. The brain does not work in a stimulus-response way. The brain predicts the world and it does so in a very context sensitive way. This is known as the predictive coding account of human information processing.

Dec 05, 202201:02:13
Ep. 111 - Science & Sense: Kids Need More Decision Making Opportunities

Ep. 111 - Science & Sense: Kids Need More Decision Making Opportunities

Instagram link to the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning Podcast

Here’s a link to a Bill’s book: The Self-Driven Child, showing the Table of Contents to give you a quick overview of the book’s value.

Here’s a link to a quick YouTube video that explains the difference between Fixed Mindset and Growth Mindset… and here’s another way to understand MINDSETS, and some fascinating brain science around learning, according to Carol Dweck’s highly respected research.

The PERMA Model: Your Scientific Theory of Happiness

https://positivepsychology.com › perma-model

The Penn Resilience Program and PERMA workshops are evidence-based training options that strive to build resilience, wellbeing, and optimism.

Peter Gray, Ph.D., research professor at Boston College, is author of Free to Learn (Basic Books) and Psychology (Worth Publishers, a college textbook now in its 8th edition). He has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He did his undergraduate study at Columbia University and earned a Ph.D. in biological sciences at Rockefeller University. His current research and writing focus primarily on children's natural ways of learning and the life-long value of play. He a founding member of the nonprofit Alliance for Self-Directed Education and a founding board member of the nonprofit Let Grow. His own play includes not only his research and writing, but also long distance bicycling, kayaking, back-woods skiing, and vegetable gardening.

An thought-provoking post for parents and teachers focused on our over-emphasis on competition:   Kids Want to Cooperate, But We Make Them Compete: What’s the harm of all the competitions imposed on kids, in and out of school?


Nov 18, 202201:23:53
Ep. 110 - Speech, Language & SEL, with Rona Weintraub
Nov 13, 202201:32:31
Ep. 109 - Differences are Natural

Ep. 109 - Differences are Natural

Too few parents and teachers are having actual back-and-forth conversations with young kids… conversation that last for awhile, that have a progression, that build on exchanged ideas… What a wasted opportunity if ever there was one… in terms of bonding, building trust, and because the brain development that can happen when back-and-forth conversations do happen can make all the difference in children’s overall well being, including, most definitely, the social emotional sides of their life’s well being. If all we’re ever doing is talking to children, rather than drawing upon their potential to express themselves with language, then it’s almost equal to encouraging them to walk ONLY when they’re holding our hands. Conversation with children, for real benefits to be achieved, needs to be modeled on conversation that we share with anyone… of any age, as in: Person number 1, introduces a topic, oftentimes with an open-ended question, then person #1 becomes genuinely, and undivividly (is that a word?) receptive to person #2’s response, who, after expressing themselves will, ideally, will again become receptive to person #1’s next set of thoughts and ideas… and on it can go. A lot of research has been done on this form of interaction with young children, much of it under the very official sounding descriptor of sustained synchronous interaction - in other words: ongoing unfoldment of conversation in which both people are equally engaged, rather than one person being a mere passive recipient of isolated bits of information or instructions from another person… which, I don’t have to tell you, is what the majority of adult to kid interactions look like. Let’s just take a moment to sit on that concept… Let’s think about the physiological effect on the brains of the young ones in our care… of the neuronal pathways being built and fortified, with those kinds of mutually respectful, back-and-forth interactions … Research confirms, without a whisper of a doubt, that young kids who do not start out life with consistent back-and-forth experiences and conversations have intellectual advantages, years later… advantages, even, over kids who’ve been exposed to a lot of formal instruction of information that shows up in high test scores, but whose long-term life skills results are far less impressive. Far less. Have you heard that before? You probably even know the truth of that fact, just based on your own experiences: that preschool teaching methods emphasizing children’s interactive roles, yield better school achievement in the long term (Golbeck, 2001, Marcon, 2002; Schweinhart & Weikart, 1993). Another really important fact that research has revealed is beneficial for kids’ social and emotional development is giving kids multiple and consistent opportunities to work together, think together, to connect with, and communicate with and collaborate with others. Can we continue to grow and grow as prompters, generators, and stimulators of kids’ interactive thinking skills? There are so many positive and constructive ways we can guide young children’s perspectives and values in these back-and-forth conversations… One ultra-important way to do this is to consistently share back-and-forth conversations that point out ‘differences.’ To point out that differences are all around us and they are a normal fact of life, to be appreciated, enjoyed, respected rather than something to react to with categorizations, labels, stratifications, fear, judgment, mistrust, a sense of ‘otherness,’ And, again, research absolutely confirms that it’s up to us to have ‘those conversations’ for conveying that basic concept that differences are NORMAL and all around us… starting from the earliest ages. Yes, the earliest ages… even with our littlest ones who are not yet communicating with words… but we KNOW that they’re highly receptive… so let’s do make the most of that fact. Sesame Workshop surveyed over 6,000 parents and teachers of young children, and foun
Nov 06, 202218:15
Ep. 108 - Personalities, Patterns and Perspectives, with Monica Wesolowska

Ep. 108 - Personalities, Patterns and Perspectives, with Monica Wesolowska

https://monicawesolowska.com/leo-lea

Author, Editor, Speaker, Teacher

Leo + Lea, illustrated by Kenard Pak (Scholastic, August 2022)Elbert in the Air, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey (Dial, February 2023) Holding Silvan: A Brief Life (Hawthorne, named a "Best Book" of 2013)

So… just a quick reminder to check out Monica’s website for more info and a resource or 2 that will help you to extend students’ learning around LEO and LEA’s perspectives.

Also, I’ve included a link to learn more about Jo Boaler, an educator Monica mentioned who’s helped thousands and thousands of young students grow in confidence around mathematics, banishing their math anxiety…

Anxiety, whatever its cause, impacts a child’s sense of self, to one degree or another, which will impact a child’s mindset and interactions… which is one of the many reasons this, the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning podcast has such a wide-armed embrace around various influences and experiences that impact our students’ development.

Jo Boaler is a Professor of Mathematics Education at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, and she has headed up powerfully engaging projects that empower educators, even early childhood educators, with accessible and practical approaches to teaching mathematics. Her website provides tons of free resources: https://www.youcubed.org/ If you’re interested, I highly recommend a conversation Jo Boaler shared with Lex Fridman. Here’s the link.

In a future episode I plan to share more insights about how to develop conversation with young ones, so they have the benefit of gaining skills around expressing their own ideas, about following and exploring topics of interest so that the architecture of their brains can receive the benefit of more fully integrated neural pathways… FASCINATING and important stuff…

Okay ~ until next time. Oh: Instagram!!! It would be great if you’d follow this, the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning podcast, there. Okay, for real: BYE. BYE.

Oooops... sorry... I couldn't include the resource that Monica wanted to share, so now I hope you'll definitely check out her website. 

Oct 30, 202258:02
Ep. 107 - SEL, CRT and Critical Thinking

Ep. 107 - SEL, CRT and Critical Thinking

Connect with me on Instagram - on the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning Podcast page: https://www.instagram.com/nini.white/

SEL is about the human and humane sides of all our actions and interactions… and since “different” people ARE treated differently in the world, on the street, in the classroom, on playgrounds… differences must be acknowledged.

Have you heard that expression ‘oppression with a hug? For me, that implies a form of oppression or supremacy by way of pretending, or denial, or simple non-acknowledgement of others’ experiences… with long-range effects that silently and invisibly seep into the air we breathe …the air we inhale and the air we exhale, all pervasive unless it’s called out for what it is.

Who doesn’t love and seek to expand Win-Win situations? Why would anyone be against Win-Win situations? If there are no losers in Win-Win situations how could anyone have a problem with that?  I’ve never understood that, but there is a whole group, fueled by powerful conservative entities (who are promoting their ideas on social media, through privately funded organizations and think tank foundations, PACs, and politicians) that exploit and agitate local ideas about what should be taught and what should be learned in schools. Targets include school district policy, state law, and …most troubling… specific local educators themselves.

At this point I want to quickly let you know that my source is a research paper produced at UCLA’s Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access, titled: The Conflict Campaign: Exploring Local Experiences of the Campaign to Ban “Critical Race Theory” in Public K–12 Education in the U.S., 2020–2021.  The report can be accessed online, and I’ve included the link in this episode’s show notes: (https://idea.gseis.ucla.edu/publications/the-conflict-campaign/)

“IF we believe in the promises of equality, how are we supposed to live in equality if we can’t talk honestly about inequality.” That’s like inviting me and my family to Thanksgiving with your family, without ever telling me what to bring to contribute to the celebration and without ever telling me where your actual home is. More info, please!!!

If you’ve been listening to this podcast for awhile, you know I’m all about discovering and sharing solutions, so here’s some good news: There are school leaders, and there are school districts around the country that have not caved to the intimidation tactics of the Conflict Campaign. One inspiring example is Aaron Spence, superintendent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Superintendent Spence wrote an op-ed for The Virginian Pilot.

I always love to hear from listeners.  I hope you'll connect with me on Instagram or Facebook.  Thank you!  

Oct 20, 202217:25
Ep. 106 - Life-Changing Info About Food’s Influence on Behavior and Learning Difficulties, with Dawn Navaratnasingam, Board Certified Holistic Health Coach

Ep. 106 - Life-Changing Info About Food’s Influence on Behavior and Learning Difficulties, with Dawn Navaratnasingam, Board Certified Holistic Health Coach

Please join our Big Picture Social Emotional Learning Facebook group. Working and living with young children is never without challenges… most of us were mostly aware of that fact when we jumped into teaching and/or when we became parents. The thing is: there are challenges and then there are CHALLENGES. Some challenges that the young ones in our lives present, even though uncomfortable to deal with, we know we CAN deal with them, because we have instinctive and external resources we know we can rely upon… and then there are the CHALLENGES that defy logic, defy expectations, defy our understanding and our training… stretching us too close to the limits of our capacity to respond in ideal ways. If you know what I’m talking about, either in your own lived experience, or watching helplessly while another adult is trying to manage these kinds of challenges, then this episode about how diet, digestion, the brain and the emotions are all interconnected is going to be very important for you. Dawn Navaratnasingam is a mother of 4 children… and the honesty with which she share’s her family’s story is deeply inspiring and will give real hope to many listeners. Here are Dawn’s links: https://www.dawnnavacoaching.com/ FB group: Natural Solutions for Children With Learning & Behavioral Difficulties: https://www.facebook.com/groups/naturalsolutions4kids/ Free Resource Guide "5 Common Foods That are Inflaming Your Child's Brain and What to Eat Instead": https://www.dawnnavacoaching.com/freeguide COMMON FOOD TRIGGERS OF BEHAVIORAL ISSUES Dairy and Behavioral Issues Food for the Brain reports that dairy is the most common food allergy among children, and for those who have ADHD, hyperactivity and food with dairy products seem to be associated with each other. This means that some children act out more than usual after consuming milk, cheese, yogurt, or other food with lots of dairy. Kids with a dairy sensitivity often become congested, bloated, and tired, but those are just the physical symptoms. They might also become irritable, depressed, anxious, and unable to concentrate. Gluten and Irritability According to ADDitude, gluten is another of the food triggers that can lead to bad behavior in kids. Gluten is mostly found in wheat, which means most types of bread, cereal, and crackers contain this common ingredient. Hyperactivity and food with gluten seem to go hand in hand in children with some sensitivity to this food. Irritability and aggressiveness are other bad behaviors that gluten can trigger. Artificial Food Dyes and Hyperactivity Undesirable child behavior and food dye are also often related. According to Disease Proof, food dyes are found in most processed foods, including cereal, juice, and candy. The dyes that are known for causing symptoms include Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Red 40. Hyperactivity and food dyes have been linked in studies. That's probably why synthetic food dyes are actually banned in some countries, such as the UK, but most of the processed food in the US still includes them. Clearly, some food triggers behavior problems, but the good news is that certain foods can actually improve these issues… and that’s why you might want to schedule a free consultation with Dawn to learn more.
Oct 12, 202242:25
Ep. 105 - Homeschooling and SEL - with Emma Westphal, Dawn Navaratnasingam, and Liz Sheffield

Ep. 105 - Homeschooling and SEL - with Emma Westphal, Dawn Navaratnasingam, and Liz Sheffield

Homeschooling has really come up in the world thanks, in no small part, to the pandemic we all just lived through.

In this episode we get to learn from 3 parents who share heartfelt insights that have led to, literally, expanding and deepening their definitions of parenthood, family life, and even how they perceive the role of education for kids, and for ourselves.

Of course we got into one of the main issues people raise around homeschooling: socialization / social-emotional learning… We explored some realities about different kids’ developing sense of self, experiences and influences that crush a healthy sense of self, and what it looks like when a healthy sense of self has not been crushed.

This was definitely not a Black + White, Either/Or, One-Size-Fits-All kind of conversation… in other words, some kids sense of self develops much better away from the big school environment, while for other kids it’s the exact opposite. One of the many things I so much appreciated about this conversation was the openness and flexibility, dedication and love with which each of today’s parents addressed the wide variety of their homeschooling challenges, including curriculum selection, finding meaningful and supportive community, homeschooling multiple children, homeschooling neuro-diverse kids. We even got into the fascinating topics of de-schooling and un-schooling… and identifying personally relevant resources - some of which are included in this show’s notes.

After this conversation, Emma wrote that she enjoyed our conversation, because it gave her an opportunity to step back and reflect on her family’s life through the homeschooling, de-schooling and unschooling lenses, which helped her to know, even more solidly, what she thinks and what she knows to be best for her family’s wellbeing!

The resources Emma shared (which you can find in this show’s notes) are created by current or veteran homeschool mamas who know the territory because they’ve lived it.  (Emma, who described a little of her work as an acupuncturist, can be found on Instagram at  https://www.instagram.com/earthonmyskin/)

www.90minuteschoolday.com

www.bravewriter.com

www.bewildandfree.com

You will also want to check out Dawn’s site, which I learned about after this conversation, but as soon as I saw it, I extended another invitation to her, asking her to share her knowledge and expertise as a Board Certified Holistic Health Coach since 2013, who has helped her son overcome learning and behavioral challenges by making simple changes to his diet. Dawn’s website is: dawnnavacoaching.com.

Oct 07, 202201:26:16
Ep. 104 - The Great Outdoors and SEL, with Maggie O'Reilly, MOT, OTR/L

Ep. 104 - The Great Outdoors and SEL, with Maggie O'Reilly, MOT, OTR/L

“If children are to keep alive their inborn sense of wonder, they need the companionship of at least one adult who can share in their sense of wonder, by rediscovering with them the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in." ~ Rachel Carson

Maggie O’Reilly is an Occupational Therapist (OT) who uses a strengths-based approach, along with evidenced based interventions and curriculums, to enhance young children’s skills and confidence in the great outdoors, including their social, emotional learning and development. Maggie loves outdoor and Nature education so much, in fact, that she chose not to give into her own natural shyness about public speaking so she could share knowledge about all kinds of ways to make the very most of time in Nature with young children. Thank you, Maggie! I loved this conversation.

We started this conversation with an important and inspiring quote from Rachel Carson, then we moved into discussing the very real, but perhaps not-so-obvious benefits, both short term and long term, provided to very young children when they share experiences in Nature with family and other caring adults. I learned so much from Maggie about easy and natural ways to increase children’s awareness about the liveliness all around them when they’re outdoors.

We also talked about the research-based benefits of time spent in natural environments that positively impact children’s mental, physical and social wellbeing.

Even if you’re located in an urban environment, with little access to what is typically considered a natural environment, this conversation with Maggie will expand your awareness about possibilities for enriching the lives of the young children in your care.

First, about Maggie and her website:

Maggie O'Reilly, MOT, OTR/L

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Owner, Occupational Therapist

Live Oak Kids (LOKi)

www.liveoakkids.com

Facebook/ Instagram

@liveoak_kids

Natural Start Conference and Website

Children and Nature Network

North American Association for Environmental Education

ECHO (Early Childhood Health Outdoors)

https://www.therapyinthegreatoutdoors.com

Sensory Processing     

How to Break Up With Your Phone (book)

Article: The importance of outdoor play for young children's healthy development:

The importance of play for children's healthy development is grounded in a strong body of research.1,2,3 As a natural and compelling activity, play promotes cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being, offering the necessary conditions for children to thrive and learn. Through play, the child can experiment, solve problems, think creatively, cooperate with others, etc., gaining a deeper knowledge about his/herself and the world. From an early age, the possibility to experience several opportunities for unstructured play, in which the child can decide what to do, with whom and how, promotes positive self-esteem, autonomy, and confidence.

Oct 01, 202201:02:53
Ep. 103 - Destination Imagination, with Adam Law

Ep. 103 - Destination Imagination, with Adam Law

We hear a lot in educational circles about preparing today’s youth for the future, most often in terms of increasing academic scores and achievements, but Destination Imagination casts an even wider net, by inspiring and equipping Kindergartners - 12th graders to imagine, innovate and collaboratively problem solve, with peers, while focusing on STEAM challenges.

Some of the Social Emotional values that naturally develop for kids when they participate in Destination Imagination challenges include collaboration, respect, perseverance, and integrity… and in the short time we had for this conversation, we were able to dig deep into how those values are evoked and exercised.

The leadership team at Destination Imagination (DI) is self-described as small but mighty. It was my extreme good fortune to share conversation with Adam Law, who currently serves as Director of Affiliate Relations, and who grew up participating in DI challenges, year after year. His enthusiasm is deep and deeply contagious.


From the DESTINATION IMAGINATION website:

We inspire young people to imagine and innovate today so they become the creative and collaborative leaders of tomorrow.

As parents and educators, our most important goal is to prepare our kids for the future. In Destination Imagination (DI), students work together in teams to solve open-ended STEAM challenges designed to teach the creative process. Why is that important?

The creative process is a step-by-step approach that helps students better understand problems and ask better questions, come up with solutions, learn from failure, and celebrate their achievements.

In going through this process, kids learn vital life and career skills—creative thinking, critical thinking, public speaking, and collaborative problem-solving—that help them feel empowered and set them up for success in their future.

Each Challenge season, we produce one Early Learning Team Challenge designed for preschool through 2nd grade. Early Learning teams will work over several weeks or months on a solution or presentation, which they will present at a DI tournament for feedback, kudos and standing ovations! These teams will not be ranked or scored in any way.

And here's the link to the Big Picture SEL Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/BigPictureSocialEmotionaLifeskillsPodcast

Sep 11, 202201:16:20
Ep. 102 - ADHD's Many Manifestations, with Holly Seerley (LMFT)

Ep. 102 - ADHD's Many Manifestations, with Holly Seerley (LMFT)

First thing: Please accept Holly's invitation to ask questions (and share stories, too).  You can post your questions by connecting with us on the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning Podcast FACEBOOK PAGE.

Here's the marvelous (short YouTube) link of Sir Ken Robinson describing a young girl who barely escaped a terrible life by being misdiagnosed.  Definitely worth watching!

Here is a partial list links for the thought leaders in the field of ADHD research and services mentioned by Holly:

Thomas E. Brown

Stephen Hinshaw, Ph.D.

Melissa McCabe on YouTube ~ How to ADHD: The Channel Trailer

Russell Barkley, also on YouTube - with many videos and much fascinating research for managing and doing well while living with ADHD.

Holly Seerley, MFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) has been in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1979. She specializes in ADHD therapy for all ages, as well as couples therapy. Throughout the upcoming conversation you will experience Holly’s dedication to increasing understanding about ADHD and effective treatment for ADHD, in alignment with her insights around the trajectory of all relationships.

Over the years, Holly has worked in schools as a credentialed school psychometrist, which is the person who provides assessments for special education, as well as counseling for all students, K-12 grades. For decades, Holly has worked with families and couples, and has also taught other therapists.

Holly has presented at numerous schools and conferences and she has served on several boards related to her expertise on ADHD and co-occurring conditions.

Interestingly, Holly has ADHD, Inattentive Subtype while her son Dash, who has served on many panels of students who learn differently, has ADHD, Combined Subtype plus dyslexia, or as she and her son say, “ADHD, Turbo Type.” Holly beams with love and pride when describing her son’s many accomplishments, despite his ADHD challenges, sharing that he teaches PE and math as an assistant at a school for students with dyslexia as well as being a soccer referee.

I learned so much about ADHD in this conversation… what it is, what it isn’t, and most importantly WHY we all need to know and understand as much about the condition as we can, because it’s affecting all of us, in one way or another… and by understanding that fact we’ll all be more motivated to adopt a solutions-oriented mindset towards ADHD when we notice its symptoms in ourselves, in the children we care for…. in any of the people we work and live with….and speaking of a solutions-oriented mindset, Holly shared many constructive, and even life-changing ways to successfully manage ADHD in young children, and the full range of ages.

Sep 02, 202201:28:13
Ep. 101 - Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students, with Afrika Afeni Mills

Ep. 101 - Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students, with Afrika Afeni Mills

Afrika Afeni Mills is an Education Consultant and the author of Open Windows, Open Minds: Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students. Afrika is all about helping teachers, coaches and administrators develop and sustain student-centered learning experiences that are diverse, that are inclusive, and that are equitable. Afrika is brilliant at providing the essential support that enables, empowers really, educators to become dynamic practitioners and leaders who can trust themselves to create fun, relevant, student-centered, anti-bias, anti-racist, culturally responsive learning environments that are an inspiration to all participants. Education Consultant may be Afrika’s official job title, but this work is so much more than a job-job to her.

Afrika’s Website and Social Media Platforms, etc:

AfrikaAfeniMills.com

Twitter: @AfeniMills

Instagram: Open Windows, Open Minds

Facebook: Open Windows, Open Minds  and Afrika Afeni Mills - Equity Guardian

LinkedIn: Afrika Afeni Mills

Personal Blog: Continental Drift

Here are some great resources Afrika:

  • Open Windows, Open Minds: Developing Antiracist, Pro-Human Students by Afrika Afeni Mills
  • America to Me documentary series - educators can sign up for free access through 2022
  • The Red Folder (looking at a student's humanity - trigger warning: one student does use the word "retarded" when speaking to the featured student toward the end)
  • Cause I Ain't Got a Pencil (below, written by Joshua T. Dickerson, an adult, from a child's perspective - also important to note the systemic injustices that led to the family's circumstances [not having an alarm clock, access to/time for laundering, money for electricity, why an adult isn't there in the morning, access to food, etc.], seeing the deficit in the situation, not the family)
  • Learning for Justice's Social Justice Standards webpage and download link (I love that there's guidance across the identity, diversity, action, and justice domains for the K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 grade bands)
  • Social Emotional Learning and Equity article by the National Equity Project

BIG PICTURE Social Emotional Learning Podcast FACEBOOK page

Aug 08, 202256:34
Ep. 100 - PBL & SEL, with Mike Kaechele
Jul 29, 202237:08
Ep. 99 - 2 Definitions of EDUCATE
Jul 23, 202207:51
Ep. 98 - Respect: Short Term & Long Term Benefits

Ep. 98 - Respect: Short Term & Long Term Benefits

Everyone, even (and maybe especially) little ones, feel when they're respected (and when they're not).  This episode is a quick look at the deeper elements of, as well as the long term impacts of early exposure to, respect.

If you would like to receive the PDF of a cool poster inspired by today's topic, please send a quick note to me and ask for it:  niniwhite@icloud.com

Thank you.

Jul 18, 202216:27
Ep. 97 - The Importance of Being Seen for SEL Progress, with Angela Dalton

Ep. 97 - The Importance of Being Seen for SEL Progress, with Angela Dalton

Angela Dalton lives in Oakland, California, has a background in producing online kids’ games, and is a published children’s book author
Angela’s books center Black children as main characters in ways she wishes she had seen when she was growing up… which is another reason I loved sharing conversation with this woman: she had a frustrating, unsatisfying, unfulfilled area of her life, and rather than complaining about that deficit, Angela has been developing constructive countermeasures for today’s youth.
Dalton is a member of the Bay Area BIPOC Book Creators, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the 12×12 Picture Book Challenge. Her most recent picture books, RUBY’S REUNION DAY DINNER (published by HarperCollins) was released in May of 2021. SHOW THE WORLD! (Published by Viking Books for Young Readers) was released in April of 2022. Scheduled to be released in 2023, by HarperCollins publisher is Angela’s next book, TO BOLDLY GO: HOW NICHELLE NICHOLS AND STAR TREK ADVANCED CIVIL RIGHTS.
Resources recommended by Angela:
A crystal clear and mercifully concise article on Critical Race Theory (CRT), titled “Why are some states outlawing critical race theory in schools?”
Another resource article in this show’s notes is titled, “27 Mistakes White Teachers of Black Students Make and How to Fix Them.” It’s not an article to make you feel guilty… just to increase awareness. Awareness that’s helpful to all of us.
The next article is from the School Library Journal which provides an overview of diversity in Children’s Books. As Angela described in our conversation… not even close to providing adequate representation of all the diversity that exists in our nation.
Also, Angela wanted us to Learn more about Monique W. Morris’ book, “Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in School.” A reviewer for the Washington Post wrote that Pushout is truly a book “for everyone who cares about children.”
And very importantly: Chapter 510. Described by an 11-year old Chapter 510 participant as, “A magicked-up safe and creative space for Oakland’s young artists to come together and create.” Even if you don’t live in northern California, this place and the great work they’re doing with under-served and under-represented youth demonstrates what the best of humanity can bring out in others who are ready to blossom and grow.
Jul 03, 202201:00:12
Ep. 96 - Social Justice Conversations in Preschool, with Nadia Jaboneta and Brian Silveira

Ep. 96 - Social Justice Conversations in Preschool, with Nadia Jaboneta and Brian Silveira

Brian Silveira and Nadia Jaboneta are Pedagogical Leaders at Pacific Primary Preschool in San Francisco, California. They each bring about 25 years experience as Early Childhood Educators, and clearly that combination of 50 years teaching experience has only deepened their commitment to providing relevant and alive education for their young students. Their bios, below, are extensive and impressive, and I hope you’ll check them out.

I invited Nadia and Brian into this conversation because they were both featured teachers in a recently released film titled “Reflecting on Anti-Bias Education in Action: The Early Years.” Definitely worth watching.

Nadia Jaboneta lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband and 3 children. She is a Pedagogical Leader at Pacific Primary Preschool in San Francisco, California. She has 24 years experience in Early Childhood Education teaching young children, training teachers, consulting and facilitating workshops. She is passionate about social justice and is proud to have immigrant parents from Lima, Peru. Nadia attended San Francisco State University for both her Bachelor's and Master's degree. She has written numerous articles for the magazine Teaching Young Children, focused on the anti-bias education practices she uses. She also is the author of the book You Can’t Celebrate That: Navigating the Deep Waters of Social JusticeTeaching and co-author of Children’s Lively Minds: Schema Theory Made Visible. Most recently, Nadia was one of the featured teachers in the film “Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years.”

Brian Silveira lives in San Francisco with his husband and is a Pedagogical Leader and has worked at Pacific Primary for 26 years. He is still thriving and growing in his commitment to social justice. Brian worked in community-based and public preschools before landing in his dream job at Pacific Primary. His experiences in diverse school settings has informed his philosophy and life mission to make the world a safe and just place for all children. He is currently the co-facilitator of the LGBT Interest Forum for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC ), and has presented on the topics of equity, bias and allyship both locally and nationally. He has been published in Teaching Young Children magazine and Exchange Magazine, and has been recognized by several national interest forums for his work supporting men in ECE, peace educators and the LGBT community.

https://www.antibiasleadersece.com/the-film-reflecting-on-anti-bias-education-in-action/

Other resources:

Lorretta J. Ross, Calling In/Calling Out https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/style/loretta-ross-smith-college-cancel-culture.html

A book by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/667991/our-skin-a-first-conversation-about-race-by-megan-madison-and-jessica-ralli-illustrated-by-isabel-roxas/

Rudine Sims Bishop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AAu58SNSyc

Makai Kellogg - Social Justice Books for children

Denisha Jones - Black Lives Matter at School: An Uprising for Educational Justice

Laleña Garcia - Black Lives Matter in Education

Jun 23, 202246:19
Ep. 95 - Songs for Engaging & Encouraging Kids' SEL, with Dave Fromer's music

Ep. 95 - Songs for Engaging & Encouraging Kids' SEL, with Dave Fromer's music

In this episode of the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning Podcast you’ll be introduced to Dave Fromer, and his multi-awarding winning album that teachers and parents love, thankfully… because young kids love listening to Dave’s song’s over and over and over again.

Do you use songs to help improve and manage transitions during the day? Songs that young kids enjoy can serve as wonderfully helpful tools to help them transition from one task to the next… How?

Well, once they’ve learned a song and become used to its length, kids are usually happy to get on-board with coordinating their transition timing to align with the end of one task or activity to the start of a new one… which brings so many advantages for everyone, not the least of which is a more orderly and more cooperative learning environment.

More good news, about which you’re probably aware, but now research is out there to validate: exposure to songs students enjoy together can improve and increase the positivity in a classroom atmosphere (Eerola & Eerola, 2013; Foran, 2009).

Another valid reason for incorporating more music into the daily routines of your class is that active engagement with music, like singing along, has been shown to impact the way brains process information, by enhancing perception and comprehension of language and subsequently improving students’ ability to communicate with others (Hallam, 2010; Bokiev, Bokiev, Aralas, Ismail, & Othman, 2018), which definitely relates to, and supports, SEL.

In addition, several studies have suggested that when kids are exposed to calming music, their feelings of anxiety and stress are often measurably reduced. (Ziv & Dolev, 2013; Goldbeck & Ellerkamp, 2012; Saarikallio & Erkkila, 2007). I don’t have to tell you, I’m sure, that introducing any element that reduces feelings of anxiety and stress (that sometimes show up as aggressive behavior in the classroom), can help kids regulate and manage their own emotions in more positive ways, with the result of increasing their capacity to learn and interact more constructively throughout each day. (Foran, 2009).

And if you can fit all of the following into the description - without this line of red text, of course, that would be GREAT:

Shake a Hand, which is the name of the CD, is the recipient of the following awards:

• Winner, 2005 Dr. Toy's Smart Play/Smart Toy Product of Excellence

• Winner, 2005 Parents' Choice Silver Award

• Winner, Honor Award in the 2005 National Parenting Publications Awards
(NAPPA)

• Finalist, 2005 Children's Music Web Awards in two categories: Best
Recording for Younger Children ages 5-8 & Best New Artist for Pre-Schoolers SHAKE A HAND is the recipient of the following awards:

• Winner, 2005 Dr. Toy's Smart Play/Smart Toy Product of Excellence

• Winner, 2005 Parents' Choice Silver Award

• Winner, Honor Award in the 2005 National Parenting Publications Awards
(NAPPA)

  • Finalist, 2005 Children's Music Web Awards in two categories: Best
    Recording for Younger Children ages 5-8 & Best New Artist for Pre-Schoolers

Fromer, who recorded a major label album with a folk trio in the ‘60’s, is an accomplished musician and guitar teacher from a musical family that includes his singer and keyboard player son, Reed, who performs on the record and wrote the liner notes.

You won’t find many albums for kids that can boast this many name musicians, among them mandolinist David Grisman, guitarist Tal Morris, bassist Mel Graves, drummer Paul Revelli, multi-instrumentalist Joe Kraven, percussionist Marquinho Brazil, reed virtuoso Jim Rothermel and the sensational young guitarist Johnny Hiland.

Jun 15, 202215:37
Ep. 94 - More About the Directions of Season 2

Ep. 94 - More About the Directions of Season 2

How we see the kids in our care, (whether they’re in our classroom, our Afterschool facility or our home), how we see them… determines how much they can grow and develop as a result of our influence.  

Kahlil Gibran quote:  Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.  They come through you but not from you,  And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.  You may give them your love but not your thoughts.  For they have their own thoughts.  You may house their bodies but not their souls,  For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.  You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.  For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday...

May 25, 202213:20
Ep. 93 - New Season: Looking Forward to a Bigger Big Picture for the BPSEL Podcast

Ep. 93 - New Season: Looking Forward to a Bigger Big Picture for the BPSEL Podcast

This is a quick update on why episodes have been so sporadic for the last couple of years and, more importantly, why this is a whole new season for solutions-oriented episodes around all things social emotional learning (SEL).

This season we'll be incorporating, amongst many other relevant SEL topics, the important work of equity and inclusion that is top of mind for educators, caregivers and parents.  

As always, your feedback, questions, concerns, and suggestions matter for everything we're bringing to you.  Please take half a minute to tell us why you listen to this podcast.  THANK YOU.  Feel free to be in contact:  niniwhite@icloud.com

May 15, 202203:09
Ep. 92 - SEL's Benefits for Educators, with Kelley Munger, Ph.D.
Feb 19, 202256:08
Ep. 91 - SEL for Academic, Career and Life Success, with David Adams

Ep. 91 - SEL for Academic, Career and Life Success, with David Adams

In today’s episode, I share conversation with David Adams, CEO of Urban Assembly, and definitely a BIG PICTURE kind of educator.

In this conversation, David explains the how’s and why’s of Urban Assembly’s approach to building schools’ cultures, which are 100% centered on developing students’ social emotional competencies for success in school, and for success in their future careers, and for success in their personal lives’ moving forward.

In other words, everything is connected, and Urban Assembly schools work with, and through, that fact of life….  which might, at first, look like more work for teachers, but give it time… and listen up… by the end of this one hour conversation, you’ll understand why it actually means less work for teachers of all grade levels… K-12.

In 2021, David received the Champion of Equity Award from the American Consortium for Equity in Education. David sits on the board of CASEL which, as I’m sure you know, stands for the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning.  David is an author of The Educator’s Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence, and a co-author of the textbook, Challenges to Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs in Organizations. He is a Civil Affairs Officer in the Army Reserve and holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology from Fordham University.

URBAN ASSEMBLY:  https://urbanassembly.org

SEL DAY:  https://selday.org

YOUTUBE of this conversation:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCnrRKmpVzY


Jan 10, 202256:45
Ep. 90 - The Moving Target of "Normal," with Prof. Sugata Mitra

Ep. 90 - The Moving Target of "Normal," with Prof. Sugata Mitra

We hear a lot about ‘returning to normal’ these days, especially in response to Covid. To me, the term ‘normal' has become a marginally meaningless cliché, so I was intensely intrigued when I came across a blog post by Sugata Mitra in which he comments on a legitimate concept of ‘normal’ for these times… especially in direct relationship to the education of our children and students.

If you’ve been listening to this, the BIG PICTURE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING podcast for awhile, you appreciate that the name for this podcast is no casual accident… because this podcast is all about providing a ‘big picture/wide angle lens on social emotional learning, and my approach to nurturing kids’ social and emotional development is very much in line with Sugata’s highly regarded work in proving that it’s better to NOT teach learners what they can learn by themselves… based on asking them the right kinds of questions… and asking those questions with an attitude and teacher/student relationship that fires up kids’ natural curiosity, intelligence, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving skills.

I first became aware of Prof. Sugata Mitra when, many years ago, I watched a TED talk he gave which resulted in him receiving a TED Prize of 1 million dollars for his paradigm-shifting approach to education which works with the natural ability of learners to come together (either in person or virtually) and learn via communication and collaboration. Sugata retired as Professor of Educational Technology at the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences at Newcastle University in 2019. It was an incredible honor to share conversation with him.

When paradigms shift, there are layers of adjustment required of us to relate in new ways to our world, to the ways in which we’ve always done things, to our relationships with others and with ourselves. The thing about paradigm shifts, that we need to understand, is that no matter how much we resist them, no matter how long we resist them, they’re not really optional… Throughout history waves of paradigm shifts have proven themselves to be manifestations of cumulative currents and rising tides powered by Life itself.

Change is hard for some people, but resistance to what is inevitable, from what I’ve observed, makes for an even rougher ride.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, and so would Prof. Mitra, so please shoot us an email, or make a comment on the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning Podcast Facebook page.  

Thank you for being here, and thank you for all that you do for our kids and for the world they’re growing into.

Sep 23, 202101:03:38
Ep. 89 - Lessons from Covid for SEL Success, with Dr. Rachelle Rogers-Ard
Aug 26, 202101:11:10
Ep. 88 - CRYING - Interesting explanations from science

Ep. 88 - CRYING - Interesting explanations from science

scientists have been studying crying, and they’ve divided the tears that come from crying into three distinct categories: reflex tears, continuous tears, and emotional tears. The first of those two categories - reflex tears - perform the important function of removing irritants, such as smoke and dust from our eyes. The 2nd of those 2 categories, continuous tears, serve to lubricate our eyes, which protects them from infection and from that awful dry eye feeling. The content of those 2 categories of tears is basically water, mixed in with some salt, of course.
What’s extremely interesting, though, is the 3rd category of tears: Emotional tears are a whole other ‘animal,’… and they are far more important for long term mental health than I had ever before understood .…It has been objectively observed, by SCIENCE, that emotional tears flush stress hormones and other toxins out of our physical system.
Science has identified *oxytocin and *endorphins as actual ingredients in emotional tears. The makeup of emotional tears is water and salt, yes, with the added ingredients of oxytocin and naturally-occurring opioids, otherwise known as endorphins.
If you have children of your own and you breastfed them, then you may have been told about Oxytocin… Perhaps you even experienced its effects… that gentling surge of peace and well being, no matter how stressed you may have felt just minutes before your baby started to nurse. I remember that feeling to this day… I was always impressed how my body sent out hormones to regulate the mood and feelings I’d be emanating while my sons and I were connecting like that. Nature is so profoundly intelligent, eh?!
Do me a favor, too, please… give a rating and review for this podcast on Apple podcasts, and like the Facebook page for the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning Podcast. Thanks. It means a lot to know that you appreciate what I’ve been sharing with you here. ’til next time… stay safe and be well.
www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-crying
www.medicinenet.com/are_there_any_benefits_to_crying/article.htm
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emotional-freedom/201007/the-health-benefits-tears
Harvard Health Blog: “Is Crying Good For You?”
Aug 17, 202107:55
Ep. 87 - Neuro-Nurturing with Deborah McNelis
Apr 16, 202155:02
Ep. 86 - Critical Thinking Skills & SEL

Ep. 86 - Critical Thinking Skills & SEL

If you’d like to receive an electronic copy of the resource I’ve been sharing with you on this episode, just drop a line to me. My email address is ask@kidsownwisdom.com. That’s where you can share your thoughts, make requests for future topics on this podcast… anything. I love to connect with listeners. Thanks for being here… and I hope to hear from you soon.

Apr 07, 202119:04
Ep. 85 - Fatherhood Wisely Considered, with Jordan Shapiro, PhD

Ep. 85 - Fatherhood Wisely Considered, with Jordan Shapiro, PhD

Today’s guest is Jordan Shapiro, PhD, who is kind of a ‘big deal,’ since he’s globally respected as an American thought leader. (I’ve included a link to his website in this show’s notes so you can learn about his wide-ranging accomplishments.) Jordan’s internationally respected perspective combines research in psychology, philosophy, and economics in ways that make so much sense, when he explains them.

In this episode, Jordan and I discuss his most recent book, Father Figure: How to be a Feminist Dad.  And…if that book title doesn’t ring your bells, I’m with you, BUT, please, stick with me now… because the book is an honest, vulnerable, highly readable, heart and mind-expanding look at dad-psychology—challenging our old, familiar assumptions about traditional parenting roles…. For everyone’s benefit… more than you might imagine. Jordan, a father and step father himself, shares attitudes, insights and mindsets for successfully growing in the REAL joys of fathering while guiding today’s men toward an enriched perspective on manliness for today’s world… and a healthier future for all.

Jordan’s book isn’t yet available, but it will go on sale May 11th. There’s a link in the show’s notes to be notified by his publisher when you can get your copy… hardcover, ebook, or downloadable audiobook.

Jordan's website, with link to pre-order his book:  https://www.jordanshapiro.org

More praise, besides my own, for Jordan's book:

“This pandemic has revealed a crisis in American caregiving. I hope Shapiro's fearless book kickstarts a woke dad revolution, because Goddess knows we need one.”—Anya Kamenetz, NPR correspondent and author of The Art of Screen Time

"Father Figure is exactly the book that our family needed, and we imagine yours does too. Shapiro questions what the traditional ‘dad’ offers a modern household. He reminds us that feminism liberates everyone, not just women. And he offers supportive and profound suggestions for fathers. You can be a vital member of your family’s journey without being a patriarchal tyrant."—Ben Lee and Ione Skye, musician, actress, partners, parents

“Holy smokes! This book is a revelation and a revolution. This is required reading for every person who is or will be a caregiver in their lifetime -- which is all of us. Father Figure is a brilliant mix of memoir, manifesto, and action. Shapiro offers us hope for a future where fatherhood is radically reimagined, and this is the road map to get us there.”—Eve Rodsky, author of Fair Play

Connect with me via email:  ask@kidsownwisdom.com

Connect on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BigPictureSocialEmotionaLifeskillsPodcast

Mar 04, 202153:29
Ep. 84 - Insights for Teaching (and Living) Anti-Racist Values, with Larissa Wright-Elson
Feb 19, 202157:12
Ep. 83 - Disfiguring Accidents Require Conscious SEL Skills from Everyone, with Margaret Kugler, MS
Nov 11, 202028:54
Ep. 82 - A Very Big Picture Perspective on SEL

Ep. 82 - A Very Big Picture Perspective on SEL

Details are good, essential really, but when we get lost in them, tied down to them and we lose the big picture... everyone loses. Everyone.

Sep 30, 202042:22
Ep. 81 - CONSENT - a very important SEL topic, with Sarah Casper
Sep 19, 202045:16
Ep. 80 - Stretching Possibilities & SEL, with Monick Halm

Ep. 80 - Stretching Possibilities & SEL, with Monick Halm

There was so much  I appreciated about this conversation. In particular, the fact that my guest, Monick Halm, independently grew her on social emotional skills by noticing what worked for her peers and then she experimented with bringing those observations into her own interactions. I also love what Monick shared with us about the power and importance of being with our kids and our students exactly as who THEY are, not how we think they should be.... how that genuine acceptance liberates them to develop according to their own rhythms and propensities.   Love that!!!!  Powerful lessons for us teachers and parents, and if we take those lessons inside ourselves rather than trying to lecture the kids in our care, the real value of those lessons will deepen into benefits for all.

If you’re curious to learn more about the other things Monick was sharing with us, get her free downloadable book. In it she unpacks ALL of the real estate concepts and opportunities you’ve heard of, and a whole lot more about real estate that you’ve probably never heard of but will very likely find quite interesting. The link to the FREE book is: https://s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/sites/23254/downloads/Wie1G1JbQBSSBYFVOe68_REIG-Guide-_1-to-_1M_7-1.pdf

Monick’s 3-day online workshop, starting Friday, September 18, 2020, might not be interesting to you, but if you are interested even though that 3 day’s worth of workshop is more than you can imagine when you think about all your other responsibilities, the free upgrade she’s provided to the audience of the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning podcast, does make it possible to have access to all the recordings of the workshop so you can listen when you DO have time.  

It might seem weird or out-of-place that I invited Monick Halm onto this podcast, but as we all know, money has a major impact on the social and emotional sides of our lives, either by the amount of stress that it causes or that it relieves, and I just thought why not?  Teachers, as we said in our conversation, are criminally underpaid... and I really like that Monick has a strong reputation as a trusted guide for helping women to establish some passive income.    I haven't taken her program, and probably like you, I kinda feel like I don't have the bandwidth for it ... but I'm not saying 'never,' either.

The link for the landing page to the event that starts on Friday, September 18, 2020 is in the show’s notes…: https://www.realestateinvestorgoddesses.com/wtre-virtual-even Just type in the code TEACHERS to get the special upgrade.

Sep 08, 202043:43
Ep. 79 - Self-trust and SEL

Ep. 79 - Self-trust and SEL

Please accept this offer of help.  Send a quick email to me with answers to the 3 questions, below:   ask@kidsownwisdom.com

  1. Social emotional challenge your kids/students are encountering.
  2. Kids' age.
  3.  If you want to, include a brief description of how you've tried to help them resolve that specific challenge.

................................................

What does self-trust have to do with social emotional learning? And I will energetically answer: everything!

First let’s look at our own mindsets and attitudes about kids’ problem solving instincts and actual ability to persevere through the various obstacles that are inevitable. Do we, deep down, think the kids in our care have got it in them to tackle their own social challenges? Their own emotional challenges?  All those people-to-people challenges that are inevitable?

After assessing our basic trust in kids’s capacity to tackle their own challenges … we need to ask ourselves another fundamental question: Do we want kids to be dependent on us, or can we open-mindedly consider taking steps towards enabling kids to explore problem solving with peers, even, or I should say, especially, the problems that exist between and amongst peers.

I promise: I fully understand that in the short term, fixing kids’ problems seems so much easier on your frazzled nerves and overworked days… BUT if kids are going to grow up to be elf-trusting, self-respecting and responsible and engaged contributors to a better world… practice has to start early and it’s got to be consistent.

If you’ve been listening to this podcast for awhile then you’ve heard me promote questions as the key to engaging kids, but of course, not just any questions… and not just one or two questions.

Questions are actually how we can teach, while at the same time giving valuable ownership to solutions to the kids in our care. We just need to understand that questions need to follow a logical sequence, in addition to being open-ended, unpredictable, and respectful of kids’ thought processes … acknowledging their innate wisdom, unique as it may … which will take discussions on the trail of solutions we very well might never think of.

  • Girls who’ve grown up exercising their problem-solving skills, and who’ve discovered they can trust themselves to look at situations from more than one perspective and come to the right conclusions are the girls who won’t be hoodwinked by boys or men who have more power or position or status or charisma. Those girls will be much more likely to choose the boys and men she gets involved with based on her own, healthy and balanced criteria…. rooted in self-respect and self-worth.
  • Youth who’ve consistently experienced that they’re legitimately capable of constructing fair resolutions for seemingly unfair situations will be much less accepting of leadership (in whatever form it might present itself - bosses, teachers, parents, politicians) who use the ‘power’ card to steamroll decisions and policies that are not inclusive enough … that aren’t big picture enough.
Aug 15, 202009:11
Ep. 78 - Real Talk with Kids, with Cassie Tondreau
Aug 01, 202040:47
Ep. 77: Students Care About SEL, with Dominique Brooks

Ep. 77: Students Care About SEL, with Dominique Brooks

We have so much to learn from our students, and we have so much to gain by opening up to their insights and their view on the world in this time of massive changes across the globe.   SEL does not have to be delivered through some organized curriculum.  In fact, all that's really needed is real connections.  Connections in class don't have to be perfect, but they do have to be real for everyone's benefit and progress.  The research validates these insights, and Dominique's experience leaves no doubt: kids want to be seen, want to be respected, want to learn... but learning is seriously handicapped when kids don't feel respected. And, as Dominque explained, the respect has to go both ways for the purpose of school to be successful.  

These are the days for self-examination.  What unconscious biases are we controlled by?  How much does white privilege (our own or others') impact our lives?  How do we really feel about our students' values, perspectives, unique forms of intelligence?   How open are we to learning from our students and our children? How open are we to sharing ourselves with our students?  How well developed are our own listening skills?  How much do we trust that our students are ready and willing to learn and grow with us, once they feel safe and seen?  How well do we remember our own feelings when we were the age of our students?  How do those memories inform us, and how can those memories guide us into more mutually respectful, productive and enjoyable relationships with our students?   How open are we to evolving our definition of our role in students' lives?   How committed are we to a lifetime of real learning?  The kind of learning that challenges and even breaks our boundaries. 

SEL (Social Emotional Learning) isn't for wimps, but neither is it all that complicated.  Listening to our students (even and sometimes most especially the "troublemakers") will help us move forward on this great learning journey... for everyone's well being.

Jul 25, 202029:07
Ep. 76 - How to Live (Happily) with Tech & Kids, with Jordan Shapiro, Ph.D.

Ep. 76 - How to Live (Happily) with Tech & Kids, with Jordan Shapiro, Ph.D.

This conversation is dedicated to all parents (and teachers, too) who are seriously concerned about the powerful draw that technology, anything tech, has on today’s kids.

Jordan Shapiro is, among many other qualifications, a senior fellow with the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Street Workshop, where he does research on how technology impacts childhood. His research and accomplishments are wide-ranging, as is the respect he’s earned nationally and internationally. You can check out this show’s notes to gain more specifics about Jordan’s long list of qualifications as a trust-worthy guide for our thinking around this mega-challenging topic… which most definitely impacts kids’ social and emotional learning and the well-being of family relationships.

But, academic qualifications aside, Jordan practices what his research reveals in real day-to-day life, with his two sons, which is why I’m especially grateful to him for carving time out of his schedule for this conversation.

In Jordan’s important book, titled The New Childhood, you can read about much more of the groundbreaking research in economics, psychology, philosophy, and education, which shows how technology is actually a necessary element of a brighter future for today’s children… one in which they’ll be able to create better models of global citizenship, connection, and community.

And again, Jordan doesn’t just provide research, he also shares practical advice, with actionable approaches for using technology to engage with kids, in order to nurture their well-rounded development… and growth into a world we can barely imagine.

Here’s a really helpful article by Jordan: https://ideas.ted.com/screen-time-can-also-be-family-time-heres-how-to-do-it/

Portions of Jordan’s CV:

WRITING, PUBLICATIONS, CONFERENCES ● The New Childhood: Raising Kids to Thrive in a Connected World ○ December 31, 2018. Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.; Hachette. ● “Joan Ganz Cooney Center Guide to Digital Play for Global Citizens” ○ Published March 2018 ○ In partnership with Sesame Workshop, The Asia Society, Grable Foundation ● Online Learning Consortium Annual Conference ○ Innovations in Digital Education ○ Keynote Address (Nashville, April 2018) ● UNESCO – Mahatma Ghandi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainability ○ Keynote Address (Viskhapatnam, December 2017) ● Global Education and Skills Forum ○ EdTalk, (Dubai, March 2018) ● “An Ancient Education for Modern Democracy and Global Citizenship” ○ The Brookings Institution. ○ Authored with George Papandreou (former Prime Minister, Greece) ● Moscow Education Forum ○ Keynote Address, September 2017 2 ● World Economic Forum: “Realizing Human Potential in The Fourth Industrial Era: An Agenda For Leaders To Shape The Future of Education, Gender, Work” (2017) ○ Steering Committee and Expert Advisor ● Critical Thinking with Video Games ○ Lectures for Thomas Edison State University flagship course to begin Fall 2016 ○ Course design, video appearances, assignment and activity creation. ● TEDxPSUBerks “Education Needs More Friction And Less Fractions” ○ TEDTalk. Delivered November 2014. ● MindShift’s Guide To Digital Games And Learning. ○ Blog series and downloadable PDF guide, sponsored by Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop

Jun 26, 202046:44
Ep. 75 - Language Skills & SEL, with Sharnell Blevins

Ep. 75 - Language Skills & SEL, with Sharnell Blevins

Sharnell Blevins’ walks her talk when it comes to THE most sensible philosophy about children’s successful school experience: Teachers, kids AND parents must work together to ensure that all kids grow towards their own unique potential. To that end, Sharnell has worked with nonprofit educational organizations for over 25 years. She’s currently Parent Engagement Coordinator at SpeakUpParents.org... a highly effective organization for student advocacy through parent engagement and empowerment. Sharnell attended public school in Los Angeles all the way through, from Kindergarten to 12th grade, and all 6 of her children have attended LA area public, charter and private schools.  

This conversation with Sharnell brings together several foundational factors for students’ successful Social Emotional Learning and Lifeskills development… hinging around Equality in education for Black Students.

I hope you will read her article describing current educational injustice in California, as mandated by LAW!!!!

I recently came across a powerful quote that is quite relevant for this conversation:  “Freedom isn’t just about a lack of bondage; it’s about having choices and access!”

Issues like Prop. 209 may seem disconnected from Social Emotional Learning, but once you (and I) have our blinders removed with accurate information, once we understand the cause-and-effect patterns, how can we not embrace constructive avenues for change?    I’ve always been fascinated by Social Emotional Learning, because my long teaching experience has revealed that it can be a profoundly effective foundation for WIn-Win living… for everyone, of course, because that’s what Win-Win implies. Right?! If you are winning and I am winning, where’s the downside?

Sharnell wanted you to check out these links:

https://www.facebook.com/SpeakUpUnitedParents/

https://opportunity4all.org/

It’s Time to Dismantle Educational Injustice Against Black Students

Jun 20, 202041:32
Ep. 74 - A Black Mother's Concerns & Responsibilities, with Sierra Dominguez

Ep. 74 - A Black Mother's Concerns & Responsibilities, with Sierra Dominguez

The most challenging conversations are often the most necessary… for life to move forward …. for everyone’s benefit.

Awakened awareness about the irrefutable fact that BLACK LIVES MATTER, and that Black lives in America continue to be crushingly disadvantaged in ways that are invisible to those of us who live in “White America” is the impetus for this conversation with Sierra Dominguez, a wise, loving, creative and courageous Black woman, married to a Mexican man, and the mother of their 2 children.

Normally I wouldn’t go into those details about Sierra’s Blackness, and her husband’s Brown-ness, but these are the days to name what is, without tippy-toeing …. by replacing color blindness with ‘color bravery’… one of the many things Sierra taught me in this conversation.

The Diversity Box:  https://thediversitybox.net/

Color blind or color brave? | Mellody Hobson  TED talk:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKtALHe3Y9Q

Kimberly Jones ~ How Can We Win:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llci8MVh8J4&t=17s   This video is just under 7 minutes, and it’s the one Sierra and I were talking about: the conditions and restrictions that affect Black lives in America today. Kimberly expresses herself quite differently from the way that Sierra expresses herself, but hey … #DifferentIsGood, right?!  (Warning: strong language.)

Raising Race Conscious Children (An online resource for talking about race with young children):  http://www.raceconscious.org

New Kid, by Jerry Craft  https://www.esowonbookstore.com/book/9780062691194:   “New Kid tackles diversity and inclusion with humor and charm. Jordan Banks wants to go to art school, but his mother sends him to Riverdale, a predominantly white private school, to increase his opportunities. Jordan teams up with Liam and Drew and along the way starts to enjoy himself. Craft uses pop culture parody references to start each chapter and includes drawings by Jordan throughout the book. The graphic novel format is perfect for a kid who loves art and also serves to take the story deeper as the pictures add another layer. Highly recommended for new kids and old ones!” — Kathy Burnette, The Brain Lair, South Bend, IN

Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson  https://www.esowonbookstore.com/book/9780147515827:  A President Obama "O" Book Club pick "Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.”

Jun 13, 202044:25
Ep. 73: An Honest Black & White Conversation in Honor of George Floyd, with Jordan Harrison

Ep. 73: An Honest Black & White Conversation in Honor of George Floyd, with Jordan Harrison

White people and black people need to be liberated from the lies that have created such deplorable disadvantages for, and untruths about, black people in America.  Those disadvantages and untruths are destroying the best of what all of us are capable of bringing to the life of this country, and without which there is no hope for recovery from the travesty of George Floyd's murder. (And all the other black men and women whose lives were ended by acts of racism) .   Now is the time for  whites to learn how government obscures, how public education  indoctrinates, and how media manipulates facts about life for blacks in America.  It may, at first, feel like hard work, but only at first.  Once truths are revealed, it is so much easier to see our way forward to an America that will work for all as, stated in our Constitution, it is designed to do. 

As educators and parents, we must awaken from the unconscious biases that make us complicit in passing on to children the *unconscious attitudes that enable racism.   (* we all have them, and it's our responsibility to become aware of them and eliminate them.)

If ever there was a topic relevant to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Lifeskills Development, this is it.

RESOURCES:

If you're ready to see what happens when 'good' white people react to being treated with prejudice and bias, watch Jane Elliott's "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes" Anti-Racism Exercise | The Oprah Winfrey Show | OWN    450,638 views  (#oprahwinfreyshow #OWNTV #Oprahwinfrey)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebPoSMULI5U

Link to SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice): https://www.showingupforracialjustice.org

Link to info about "13th" - a documentary on Netflix recommended by Jordan:  https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1291740/13th-Netflix-What-is-13th-amendment-documentary-Prison-population-black-lives-matter

"White Fragility" link at Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/white+fragility?_requestid=11873402

New Yorker article about "White Fragility":   https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/a-sociologist-examines-the-white-fragility-that-prevents-white-americans-from-confronting-racism

Jun 08, 202047:18
Ep. 72: Nurturing Social Justice Awareness, with Nick Terrones

Ep. 72: Nurturing Social Justice Awareness, with Nick Terrones

 “If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

The time is NOW for us, as educators and parents of today’s children, to courageously and creatively step into our responsibility for the development of tomorrow’s citizens … citizens who, ideally, live and express attributes considered to be humane, well thought out, balanced and equitable.

This episode, with the inspired and inspiring Nick Terrones, a Seattle-based preschool teacher, will provide reaffirming insights about the critical importance of your classroom and parenting practices, around a full spectrum of social justice challenges, all of which are firmly connected to children’s social emotional learning and lifeskills development.

Both Nick and I want to encourage you to share this important episode with others who you think might be ready to take on the worthwhile challenges of bringing social justice issues into their conversations with young children, even very young children, because it’s actually easier and more natural than you might imagine.

RESOURCES FOR YOU:

An excellent article on the EDUTOPIA site ~ Teaching Young Children About Bias, Diversity, and Social Justice (Use young children's understanding of differences to teach social justice through age-appropriate literature, news stories, anti-bias lessons, familiar examples, and problem solving.)

REACH & TEACH ~ An independent bookstore and shop for unique products that transform you and the world. Everything at Reach and Teach is focused on Gender Equality, Sustainable Living, and Peacemaking. We offer books, toys, puzzles, games, green lifestyle products, teacher resources, and fair trade gifts for all ages.

LIKE our Facebook Page at the BIG PICTURE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING PODCAST

May 28, 202030:47
Ep. 71 - Growth Mindset for Better Lives, with Mary Cay Ricci

Ep. 71 - Growth Mindset for Better Lives, with Mary Cay Ricci

Mary Cay Ricci is a life-long educator, having been an elementary and middle school teacher, instructional specialist and central office administrator. She was also an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University Graduate School of Education for 8 years. Mary Cay has been applying Carol Dweck's growth mindset research to classrooms, schools and districts since 2009. 

Listening to this episode, you'll understand why Mary Cay is a popular keynote speaker and consultant who loves to help administrators, teachers and parents appreciate the innumerable advantages of becoming growth mindset thinkers.

Be sure to head over to her website (https://marycayricci.com/) to get access to her FREE Ready-To-Use resources she was telling us about.

Oh, and ... people aren't the only ones with GROWTH MINDSET ... check out the coolest,  most persevering kitten

Here are children learning about how to engage GROWTH MINDSET with other children... this time around an art project.

 

May 26, 202027:24
Ep. 70 - Developing Developmental Relationships, with Kent Pekel

Ep. 70 - Developing Developmental Relationships, with Kent Pekel

In this episode of the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning Podcast we’re going to learn about the life-altering impact we can enjoy by developing Developmental Relationships. This conversation was with Kent Pekel, the President and CEO of Search Institute, an internationally recognized, not-for-profit organization that, for over 70 years, has been successfully accomplishing something that, unfortunately, is quite uncommon: bringing together research and practice, which Kent refers to as APPLIED RESEARCH.  Research that is proven to support young people to BE their best selves and to continuing growing as their best selves. Of course, that’s what we’re all committed to achieving with the kids and students in our lives, which is why I was certain you’d appreciate learning about a resource that can support you in your efforts.

You can download a PDF copy of the Developmental Relationships Framework (In either English or Spanish), and you can learn more about how to support the relationship-building efforts of your school, your after school, and even your own home life at the website:  www.search-institute.org You’ll find a wealth of tools and resources there… many of them FREE.

As always, I love and appreciate your comments, and I greatly appreciate it when you take the time to rate this podcast and give a quick review.  

A short video by Kent that provides some valuable insights, and some simple yet effective approaches to enriching relationships with youth:   Overcome Barriers to Build And Strengthen Relationships With Youth

May 15, 202052:01
Ep. 69 - Learning Lifeskills ~ Making Memories

Ep. 69 - Learning Lifeskills ~ Making Memories

I’ve just come across an article that I’m pretty sure some of you, who are not feeling so “at home” in the role of homeschool teacher, might really appreciate. The article appeared in National Geographic, and its title is, “Forget homeschooling during the pandemic. Focus on LIFESKILLS instead.”

The over-arching purpose of the article is to absolve parents of guilt for not being great at replicating school in their home  when none have been trained and none have the necessary resources.

I’ll just share with you that social emotional learning and lifeskills are, in my experience, inseparable, which is why I’m going to quickly share gems from the article, as well as some insights that the article triggered for me

Learning is the most natural thing in the world for kids… when their natural interest is kindled.  Academics don’t always accomplish that goal of naturally kindling interest, as you may have recently noticed … so, the article suggests, instead of trying to force academics, think about what you are set up to do with your kids… to continue their constructive learning experiences during this time of quarantine.

What do you know a lot about, or what would you and your kid like to learn together? Maybe something that your child’s teachers couldn’t teach, but something that has life enriching value, even if it doesn’t pass the purely academic criteria.  Whatever … consider using this incredible time to teach lifeskills.

Ellen Galinsky, author of the highly respected book: Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs, is referenced throughout the article, and she suggests that when kids are resistant to engaging with what interests you, then it’s time to switch over to your child’s interests, because those, too, can provide plenty of opportunities for constructive learning of essential lifeskills.

… and I’m not just referring to do-er or maker type lifeskills, though, of course, those are valuable and definitely enjoyed by kids …

I’m wanting to remind you about the deeper levels of lifeskills that you are in THE best position to impart … …

I’m talking about the deeper lifeskills of •critical thinking, •collaborative problem-solving, •perspective taking, •communication skills, of •growth mindset … THESE are the lifeskills that provide major advantages in life … THESE are life satisfaction skills … THESE are relationship nurturing skills…. These Lifeskills align with, and perfectly support social emotional learning …

Looking for new ways to educate and entertain your kids? Visit NatGeo@Home for all kinds of resources—including quizzes, science experiments, lesson plans, and fun activities to do as a family.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/at-home-education-resources/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/2020/05/foster-relationships-between-kids-and-grandparents/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/2020/05/how-to-keep-kids-positive-through-pandemic-coronavirus/

Great play ideas (that are 'sneakily' educational) from the San Francisco Public Library:  https://sfpl.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/big-play-ideas.pdf


May 08, 202012:28
Ep. 68 - Real Conversations with Kids, with Nick Terrones

Ep. 68 - Real Conversations with Kids, with Nick Terrones

Our young students and our young children look to us to interpret the world for them … especially during out-of-the-ordinary times like the ones in which we are all living with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Young children will not ask for our thoughts or about our feelings, BUT they will be picking up on what we are communicating, even without words … which is why I was so glad to welcome back Nick Terrones to share some of his valuable insights about the importance of communication that honors children’s innately sensitive perceptions about all that’s going on in the world around them.

Nick makes it abundantly clear in this conversation why it is crucial that we prioritize clear, honest, factual, uncomplicated, explanations that are genuinely respectful of kids’ intelligence, and their perpetually alert awareness… as well as their need for us to be fully present with them during those kinds of conversations … that sometimes feel like they require some deep emotional courage to do right for their best advantage.

Nick gives us a good example, too, and we share some laughs, as well …

If you have any questions around this challenge of communication with little ones, please share them on the Facebook page for this podcast. I’ll communicate them to Nick and invite him back to share more of his warm hearted, highly educated approach to early childhood education.

In the meantime, just for fun I’ve included a link, in this show’s notes, to a wonderfully performed song for TIMES LIKE THESE, recorded by a fantastic group of today’s talented artists… properly distanced, of course.

I hope you’ll listen to the lyrics … this song, and this performance, have a very good chance of putting a smile on your face: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GElP4YdrBE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2jQ58XJfAVPYrDX4G4ASsxTqJvCmxe3HOfa6uBqQ1wQpHwPYecZ0ujoQY

May 03, 202025:57
Ep. 67 - Rough-housing with Little Ones, with Nick Terrones

Ep. 67 - Rough-housing with Little Ones, with Nick Terrones

There are thousands and thousands of incredible, kind, caring, loving, nurturing, inspired and inspiring early childhood educators … and you, dear listener, may very well be one of them.  In this episode, I’ll be introducing you to one of the brightest stars on your noble team:  Nick Terrones.  Since 2006, Nick has been working with toddlers, and with those lucky kids’ families.

I could go on and on, expressing my immeasurable respect for Nick’s wisdom, his clarity of purpose, and his heart-filled humanity, but your time is better spent listening to him than to me.

Always more to be learning and understanding about the little ones in our care, eh? Did you gain new layers of appreciation for Nick’s approach to nurturing the wholistic development of young children?  I loved his clear explanation about the neurophysiological differences between boys and girls … and how those differences make all the difference in the world.

In closing, I want to express my respect and appreciation for Nick’s involvement with the World Forum Foundation and his focused attention in the Men in ECE Working Group with that organization. Check out those links … it’s a quality organization.

Once again I’ll remind you about the Facebook page for this podcast. It’s called the Big Picture Social Emotional Learning Podcast, and it’s super easy to LIKE … and once you do LIKE it, you’ll receive extra info and insights about episodes and all things … far and wide, deep and perhaps unexpected … related to today’s kids’ social emotional learning and lifeskills development. Also, you know… your ratings and reviews help to get these conversations heard by more and more folks who will gain value from them.

May 01, 202042:42