Big day in That Early Childhood Nerd world! Not only did the episode I did with Rusty Keeler for his podcast come out today, my blog post on schema play for Community Playthings is out today! www.communityplaythings.com/resources/ar...

What fun to be a guest on Rusty's podcast! rustykeeler.com/podcast/ep-1...

For a recent special issue of the early childhood magazine Exchange on protecting play, host Heather Bernt-Santy wrote an article addressing the often asked question, “If I just let children play, how am I still a teacher?” youtu.be/QbvBIzPlaFM?...

Every now and again, I have a little panic–what if by teaching current ideas, theories about good practice, and new research about working with young children, I'm just setting students up to be frustrated or to get in trouble? youtu.be/Gl3-rj087f0?...

Want to know more? I wrote a whole book about it!

A little bit of page 76 from my new book “Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood” #play #childcare #preschool #childdevelopment #earlychildhood #teaching #earlychildhoodeducation #parenting

I’m home from the IPA-USA conference amd my books are here!!!

I don’t have any photos from my “Play Skeptics Have Schemas, Too!” presentation but love this one of my presentation with Deb Lawrence and LaDonna Atkins on “Innovative Strategies for Teaching about Children’s Play in Higher Education” at this year’s IPA-USA Child’s Right to Play conference.

It’s getting closer to official publication day! I went to the Teachers College Press website a while ago and requested a digital desk copy and it was emailed to me today!! It’s a real book!!

Author, educator and community organizer Dr. Megan Madison joins me to talk about her First Conversations children’s book series, children’s developing sense of justice and fairness, book bans, and more. youtu.be/HzfYcwnxVck?...

Who will be at the NAEYC conference in Orlando? Find me at my session Thursday morning at 8 then at the Teachers College Press booth at 10:30 for my book signing!

277 of 381 episodes of That Early Childhood Nerd uploaded to the new hosting platform! Remember, at the end of 2025 you will have to find the new feed for the podcast! You can find it now on iTunes and Spotify, and access the first 80+ episodes that have been out of circulation for a long time.

I am SCREAMING! Do you KNOW how many Teachers College Press catalogs I have looked through in my life? I’m in one now!

You look like you could use some That Early Childhood Nerd merch! www.bonfire.com/tecn-coffee-...

Sound up!

👉 Register for free here: bit.ly/ProtectingPlay Interested in purchasing a copy of the Winter issue of Exchange? Order here: hub.exchangepress.com/shop/280-win...

Three blurbs from three very smart people!

When Teachers College Press asked me who they should approach to write blurbs for my book, I was tending very inner-circle, then one of those inner-circle nerds sent me a list of people he thought I should send it to, people who I would NEVER have considered if a dude hadn’t dared me to 😂.

Nikki Darling Kuria joins host Heather Bernt-Santy to share her growth as a trauma informed early childhood professional in an unpredictable world. youtu.be/bvchivTLg_8?...

One of my favorite things to do is to join Deb for an episode of IPA-USA’s Porch Play Chat show! youtu.be/fSuI68Ml_KE?...

Early literacy on the slide? How do you see these children building skills for future reading and writing? I can’t wait to read your comments!

I took this one sheet to a bunch of bookstores this week to talk to them about stocking it or planning an author event and I didn’t want to be rude so I also bought books at each store and it’s been a pretty good time.

In celebration of Disability Pride Month, @juliametraux.bsky.social interviewed three disabled Americans about what brings them joy and hope in a challenging time.

Early childhood education speaker and instructor Amy Chiu suggests that we shift from thinking about routines and rigid schedules to developing rhythms in our days with young children.

When I brought paper bags of various sizes into my class of two year olds as loose parts, I was supporting Alejandro’s development across multiple domains, his academic development, and his brain growth. Read Alejandro’s story, and my deep dive into how he’s learning and growing, in my new book.

I'm going to read excerpts from my new book for folks who support the That Early Childhood Nerd podcast by becoming Buy Me a Coffee members soon! The link to donate or become a member is in the comments. Want to preorder the book? That link is also in the comments!

My book is now available for preorder and I’m hosting a free virtual launch party! Join me as I talk more about the book, how I hope it’s used, my answers to your questions, and a chance to win prizes. The link to preorder the book is in the comments.

Every now and then, I get to zoom down to Australia and talk with folks who are doing cool things for young children. This time, I joined Amie Fabry on her podcast Leading the Early Years for the Future. I had a blast. Hope you enjoy it! youtu.be/_-nC_RiRlYE?...

I’m so excited to tell you that my upcoming book on schema play theory and advocacy is available for pre-order!! www.tcpress.com/using-schema...

I thought I was was joining a recording session to discuss an article shared by Lizz Nolasco–but surprise! The Nerds ambushed me–tricking me into talking instead about my upcoming book! www.thatearlychildhoodnerd.com/podcast/epis...

It is an honor to serve as a national advisor for an organization like Defending the Early Years. Their work is so important. If you are not already registered for their FREE Summer Institute, it’s not too late! dey.org/summer-insti...

Mike Huber is back to dig into ideas about how pretend play supports focus, impulse control, and self regulation. And what about super hero play? When children imitate superheroes from tv or movies, can that be considered imaginative? It’s a fun conversation! youtu.be/IsuiFbrPn-g?...