Today, I’m joined by Beck Goodman who is an early childhood learning expert specializing in early literacy. Her company’s mission is to end the preschool power struggles around learning by equipping grownups with the tools they need to use play-based approaches that foster connection, not conflict. We discuss joy and child interest as the cornerstone to supporting early literacy development.

Highlights:

1. Silliness as a Tool for Engagement: Beck emphasizes the power of silliness—whether it’s making up ridiculous words with magnetic letters or engaging in playful language games. Children are naturally silly—let's embrace that playfulness.
2. Using Children’s Interests to Drive Learning: Both Beck and Laura discuss the importance of leaning into a child’s interest and disinterest. Whether it’s saying yes to a request for ketchup at mealtime or experimenting with different ways to engage a child during literacy activities, honoring what excites them can build trust and create more opportunities for learning.
3. Letting Children Take the Lead: Learn how to avoid power struggles and encourage more collaborative problem-solving. Laura and Beck discuss how giving children a voice in problem-solving situations can help build autonomy and investment in the learning process.

If you’ve ever wondered how to meet children where they are and embrace their interests and silliness, this episode is for you. Beck’s strategies will help you navigate the delicate balance between structured learning and free play, ultimately creating an environment where children feel empowered to explore language and literacy on their terms.

Connect with Laura:

• Instagram: @little.stories.that.stick
• Website: Little Stories That Stick

Connect with Beck:

• Instagram: @growwithbeck
• Website: growwithbeck.com

Today, I’m joined by Jenn Zollinger from Play Before Pencils to talk about emergent writing and its deep connection to storytelling. As an early childhood educator and advocate for play-based learning, Jenn shares how she transitioned from a teacher-led, academic-focused preschool setting to a more child-led, developmentally responsive approach. We explore the magic that happens when children are given space to explore writing organically—through storytelling, play, and meaningful experiences.

Highlights:

1. What is Emergent Writing? Jenn explains how children naturally progress through stages of emergent writing, from scribbles to phonetic spelling, and why these early marks are crucial to literacy development.
2. The Role of Play in Writing Development: Jenn and I discuss how open-ended materials and opportunities for storytelling supports children in seeing themselves as writers—long before they master letter formation.
3. Oral Storytelling: Jenn shares how incorporating oral storytelling in her classroom led to incredible engagement, creativity, and a stronger connection to written language.

If you’re tired of how limiting traditional literacy instruction is with worksheets and scripted small groups, tune in and find out how to create an environment where writing feels meaningful and accessible to all children. If you’ve ever wondered how to nurture early writing skills without forcing them or want to explore the magic of storytelling in your classroom, this episode is for you!

Connect with Laura:

• Instagram: @little.stories.that.stick
• Website: Little Stories That Stick

Connect with Jenni:

• Instagram: @play_before_pencils
• Website: playbeforepencils.com

Jean-Mari Dagarin, from The Early Childhood POV, joins me today to talk about a growing concern in early education: 'schoolification'—the push to bring formal academic practices into early childhood spaces. With over 30 years of experience as an early childhood advocate, administrator, college professor, and developmentally appropriate practice expert, Jean Marie has seen firsthand how these pressures impact young learners. Today, we’re unpacking what schoolification means, why it’s problematic, and, more importantly, how educators can combat it while staying true to developmentally appropriate practices.

Highlights:

1. Defining Schoolification: Jean Marie breaks down the concept of "schoolification" in early childhood, discussing how academic pressures are being pushed down to younger ages and why this is often developmentally inappropriate.
2. Examples of Inappropriate Early Literacy Practices: Jean Marie shares specific examples of early literacy practices that do not align with developmentally appropriate principles, highlighting the need for a child-centered approach. Laura shares some that she did before she knew better
3. Natural Literacy Development in Play-Based Learning: Jean Marie and Laura provide insights into how early literacy skills can unfold naturally through play, offering practical strategies for fostering language and literacy in a way that supports children's developmental stages.

If you want to think deeper about early literacy, what’s often done wrong, and how teachers can nurture children’s natural literacy development through play, this episode is for you! So, grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let’s jump into this eye-opening conversation with Jean-Mari.

Connect with Laura:

• Instagram: @little.stories.that.stick
• Website: Little Stories That Stick
• Learn more with the Play-Based Literacy Masterclass

Connect with Jean-Mari:

• Instagram: @the.early.childhood.pov
• Website: earlychildhoodpov.com
• Learn more with DAP 101