In this thoughtful and inspiring episode of Plant the Seed of Learning, Aimee Ketchum and Crystal Loose sit down with award-winning writer and educator Ryan Rydzewski, co-author of When You Wonder, You’re Learning. Together, they explore the enduring wisdom of Mister Rogers and what it truly means to nurture curiosity, creativity, and compassion in today’s fast-paced, screen-filled world.

From the science behind Fred Rogers’ calm, intentional approach to children’s programming to the powerful idea that wonder is the foundation of learning, this conversation dives into how parents, educators, and therapists can balance standards with space for curiosity—and why that balance matters more than ever.

You’ll hear reflections on:

• Why Mister Rogers’ “blueprint for life” still applies today
• How to protect deep thinking and imagination in young children
• What schools might look like if curiosity—not compliance—led the way
• How to raise not just smart kids, but kind, thoughtful neighbors
• What Mr. Rogers can teach us about human connection in the age of AI

This episode is both a nostalgic tribute and a forward-looking guide—reminding us that helping children wonder is one of the most powerful ways we help them learn, connect, and thrive.

Learn more & connect:

• Website: https://whenyouwonder.org
• Newsletter: https://whenyouwonder.substack.com/
• Podcast (Remaking Tomorrow): https://remakelearning.org/remaking-tomorrow-podcast/
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ryanryd

In this special episode on the week of Earth Day, we welcome Leslie Davenport, internationally recognized climate psychologist and author of What to Do When Climate Change Scares You, to explore how climate change uniquely affects children and how adults can support them with care, honesty, and confidence.

Leslie shares how she became a climate psychology educator and why children are especially vulnerable to climate related fears. We discuss the kinds of worries children are expressing today and how those fears often show up through behavior, play, and emotional responses. She offers guidance on when and how to begin conversations about climate change across different ages, from early childhood through adolescence.

This conversation focuses on helping adults respond without minimizing children’s concerns, while also avoiding overwhelm. Leslie explains how families and educators can foster resilience, agency, and hope, and when developmentally appropriate advocacy can be a healthy way for children to feel empowered rather than helpless. We also discuss her advice column, Ask a Climate Therapist, and how reflective, compassionate dialogue can help children navigate big feelings about the world around them.

This episode is for parents, educators, therapists, and anyone supporting children in a time of global uncertainty.

Where you can find Leslie and the amazing work she does:

Website: www.lesliedavenport.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliedavenport/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ldavenportauthor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeslieDavenportAuthor/Leslie's advice column with Grist: https://grist.org/looking-forward/ask-a-climate-therapist/

In this episode of Plant the Seed of Learning, Aimee Ketchum and Crystal Loose tackle one of the most important, and often misunderstood topics in early parenthood: maternal mental health.

From the rise of “real motherhood” on social media to the lingering pressure of the “bounce back” culture, Aimee and Crystal explore what’s valid versus what’s simply viral. They’re joined by Jennifer Walker, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and certified specialist in Perinatal Mental Health, who brings over 20 years of experience supporting mothers and families.

Together, they break down the differences between baby blues, postpartum depression, and anxiety, discuss warning signs families should never ignore, and shed light on the barriers that keep many parents from seeking help. The conversation also expands beyond moms—highlighting how dads and partners can be affected—and offers practical, compassionate ways loved ones can provide meaningful support.

This episode is an honest, empowering look at the realities of postpartum life and a reminder that struggling doesn’t mean failing. It means you’re human.

In this episode of Plant the Seed of Learning, Aimee Ketchum and Crystal Loose take a deep dive into the growing conversation around kindergarten redshirting. While many parents worry about whether their child is truly ready for school, especially with summer birthdays, the research tells a more nuanced story.

Aimee and Crystal explore what redshirting is, why families consider it, and whether it is actually becoming more common. They break down recent research showing that while redshirted children may experience short-term academic gains, those advantages often disappear by third grade. The episode also highlights important financial, social, and long-term considerations, including childcare costs and potential impacts later in adolescence.

This conversation helps parents move beyond fear and trends to make informed, individualized decisions. The key takeaway is that for most children, starting kindergarten on time is the right choice, but there are specific situations where waiting may be beneficial.

In this episode of Plant the Seed of Learning, we continue our Kindergarten Readiness Series with elementary school counselor and former kindergarten teacher David Trout. With nearly two decades of experience in early childhood and elementary education, David brings clarity and reassurance to parents navigating kindergarten registration this spring.

We explore what truly matters when preparing your child for kindergarten, with a strong focus on social skills, confidence, and emotional readiness. You will learn what early literacy and math actually look like in today’s classrooms, how writing skills develop, and what a typical kindergarten day includes.

We also discuss the return of purposeful play, the benefits of full-day kindergarten, and what parents can expect during the registration process.

If you are enrolling your child in kindergarten right now and feeling unsure about how to prepare them, this episode will give you practical guidance, realistic expectations, and peace of mind.

Because kindergarten readiness is not about perfection. It is about connection, confidence, and a strong foundation for learning.

Kindergarten registration season often brings excitement—and anxiety—for many parents. But what does it really mean for a child to be ready for kindergarten?

In this episode, Crystal Loose, former kindergarten teacher and early learning specialist, and Dr. Aimee Ketchum, pediatric occupational therapist take a deeper look at what research says about kindergarten readiness and school readiness.

Drawing on a recent study from Early Childhood Research Quarterly, they explain why readiness is not just about knowing letters or numbers. Instead, children enter kindergarten with different combinations of early literacy, math, and social-emotional skills, and these readiness profiles can influence how children adjust and succeed in the classroom.

Aimee and Crystal discuss key findings showing that social-emotional skills—such as following routines, managing emotions, paying attention, and cooperating with peers—are some of the strongest predictors of kindergarten success. They also highlight the critical role that positive teacher–child interactions play in helping children grow academically and socially during the kindergarten year.

The conversation also explores practical ways families can prepare children for kindergarten using play-based learning, shared reading, conversation, and everyday routines.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why kindergarten readiness is multidimensional, not just academic

• Why social-emotional skills often matter more than early academics

• How high-quality classroom interactions help children thrive

• Why pre-teaching reading and writing is not the key to kindergarten success

• Simple strategies families can use to support language, literacy, and self-regulation

Aimee also shares how her Kindergarten Readiness Boxes help families build these foundational skills through play, while Crystal discusses the seven learning sessions and parent resources she provides to support early literacy and school readiness.

If you're a parent preparing for kindergarten, an early childhood educator, or a professional supporting young children, this episode will help you understand what truly matters when children take their first step into school.

What does it really take to help children thrive from birth through the early years?

In this episode, hosts Dr. Aimee Ketchum, pediatric occupational therapist, and Dr. Crystal Loose, early childhood educator, walk listeners through the key ideas in their book The Early Childhood Promise: Sparking Change for Parents, Early Childhood Professionals, and Policy Makers.

Chapter by chapter, Aimee and Crystal discuss the most important issues shaping early childhood development, kindergarten readiness, play-based learning, and family support. They also highlight practical tips from the book designed specifically for parents, early childhood professionals, policymakers, and community leaders who want to improve outcomes for young children.

Throughout the episode, they share real-world strategies and actionable ideas that anyone can use to support healthy development, strengthen early learning environments, and advocate for policies that put children first.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, therapist, childcare provider, healthcare professional, or policymaker, this episode provides a clear overview of the ideas and solutions presented in The Early Childhood Promise.

Learn how small changes in homes, classrooms, communities, and policy decisions can make a big difference in the lives of young children.

Buy the book on Amazon:
https://a.co/d/0bA9n86n

Learn more about the book and resources:
https://www.earlychildhoodpromise.com/

In Part 2 of our Movement Series, we continue the conversation about why movement is a powerful driver of child development. Many parents hear the advice: “Just talk more to your child and they’ll learn to talk.” While modeling language and repetition are important, communication development is much more complex. Speech and language are deeply connected to a child’s movement, sensory processing, regulation, and attention.

In this episode, we speak with Helen Guntrip, Founder of Talk & Move, Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, and preschool yoga teacher with over 22 years of experience supporting families and educators. Helen shares how her Talk & Move program combines whole-body movement with vocabulary, speech sounds, and phonological awareness to support the whole child.

Helen explains how movement helps children become more regulated, engaged, and confident, creating the brain-body connection that allows communication to develop more naturally. We explore why speech and movement are not separate developmental areas, early signs a child may need support, how movement can reduce challenging behaviors, and simple ways parents and educators can integrate movement into everyday routines to support language.

If you’ve ever wondered why some children communicate more easily when they are moving, playing, or regulating their bodies, this episode will help you understand the science behind it and give you practical ideas you can start using right away.

Website www.talkandmove.co.uk

Instagram www.instagram.com/talk.and.move

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/talkandmove/

Check out Helen's website for Talk & Move: