Podcasts

How to Navigate Uncertainty with Children

In this video podcast, Laura is a guest on Kathy Brodie's Early Years TV discussing the brain reasons for challenging behavior when uncertainty arises, and what to do instead! Check out this short but engaging talk if you are struggling with a child and do not know...

See the Adult Behind the Behavior

Why  learn to "See the Adult Behind the Behavior"? Because it isn't just children who have challenging behaviors. Adults have challenging behavior, too! When we shame, blame, and punish children, for instance. Challenging to the child, for sure, but also for the...

Mindfulness in the Classroom

It's not as hard as you might think! In this podcast, Laura talks to Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak about what mindfulness in early childhood education means, offers some easy ways to embed the practice into your classroom or home, and some of the brain benefits for...

Teach with the Brain in Mind

In Teach with the Brain in Mind, Laura discusses the developmental appropriateness of some common early childhood teaching practices from a brain perspective. Laura invties listeners to "update their software" regarding some of their beliefs to align with 21st Century...

See the Child Behind the Behavior

Want to work smarter, not harder when challenges arise with children? It starts with learning to see the child behind the behavior. In this podcast, Laura explores the connection among brain development, basic needs, the brain's drives, and it's operating systems....

Attuned Engagement

In this podcast, Laura discusses how attuned engagement and contingent communication serve as foundational strategies for healthy development in children.  Sadly, you might be surprised to find that you don't practice these fundamental skills with children. Why?...

Praise, Rewards, and Punishment

When you think about these three teaching tools: praise, rewards, and punishment, do you find that you use them regularly? Many teachers and parents do! In this episode of the Pre K Teach and Play podcast, hosted by Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, I am joined by Dr....

Articles

How the Negativity Bias Shapes Behavior

How the Negativity Bias Shapes Behavior

Does it feel like you mostly notice the things children are doing wrong? Do you tend to focus on challenges in your life in general more than what is going...

The Power of Attention

The Power of Attention

Want to feel less stressed? Use the power of attention to create choice and change! Human beings are wired to scan for what is missing or what is wrong. A...

Promoting mindfulness in the classroom

Promoting mindfulness in the classroom

In recent years, mindfulness seems to have garnered quite a bit of interest in the West. People regularly talk about being mindful, but what does that mean?...

Positive, Descriptive, Acknowledgment

Positive, Descriptive, Acknowledgment

Want to prevent challenging behavior and promote social, emotional, and relational skills? Try replacing praise with positive, descriptive, acknowledgment....

Executive Functioning in Young Children

Executive Functioning in Young Children

""""In this article, Laura demonstrates how Executive Functioning (EF) in young children impacts learning and development. Specifically, how a lack of skill...

Emotional Intelligence in Children

Emotional Intelligence in Children

Most parents and teachers ask for help managing children's challenging behavior. This makes sense. Out of control behavior disrupts both the classroom and...

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