This episode, we talk with Todd Parr, author and illustrator of more than 60 books for children, including the New York Times bestselling The I Love You Book, The Earth Book, and The Thankful Book. He has inspired, empowered, and entertained millions of children around the world with his bold images, unique sense of humor, and inclusive storytelling.

EdsUP! Episode 52: Todd Parr

In Episode 53, we talk with #1 New York Times bestselling author and mindfulness 
expert, Susan Verde!  As a kid, she kept a piece of chalk in her pocket (for spontaneous hopscotch), finding inspiration everywhere and loved to write all about it! She now writes books for readers of all ages.  Susan also teaches kids yoga and mindfulness.  See more of her work at SusanVerde.com.

EdsUp! Episode 53: Susan Verde

We chat with the wonderful, passionate Vanessa Brantley-Newton in this episode!  Vanessa celebrates self-love and acceptance of all cultures through her work, and hopes to inspire young readers to find their own voices. Growing up in a musical family, Vanessa’s parents taught her how to sing to help overcome her stuttering. Now whenever she illustrates, music fills the air and finds its way into her art. The children she draws can be seen dancing, wiggling, and moving freely across the page in an expression of happiness.  Listen to her, then learn more about her at https://www.vanessabrantleynewton.com/

EdsUP! Episode 54: Vanessa Brantley - Newton

EdsUP! Talks with Matt Karlsen and Susan Harris MacKay, who direct the Center for Playful Inquiry to catalyze greater beauty and democracy in the partnership of children and adults. Susan and Matt began the Center for Playful Inquiry following the pandemic-related collapse of Portland Children’s Museum and Opal School, where they were longtime members of collaborative teams initiating and sustaining innovative experiences for children and educators. As teachers, pedagogical companions, and facilitators who hold a strong image of children and the adults who live and learn alongside them, Matt and Susan host The Studio for Playful Inquiry (www.storyworkshop.studio), an online community dedicated to companionship and growth of professional educators seeking greater joy and meaning in their work. 
Learn more at www.centerforplayfulinquiry.com and join their mailing list at bit.ly/CPIMail.

EdsUP! Episode 55: Susann Harris MacKay And Matt Karlsenn

We interview Dr. Diane Bales and Stephanie Whitten.  Dr. Bales is a Professor in Human Development and Family Science, a Human Development Specialist with UGA Extension, and director of UGA’s Child Life program. Her outreach focuses on stress and mental health, healthy child development and brain development, healthy eating in preschoolers.  Stephanie is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Child Life Clinical Coordinator at the University of Georgia. She has been a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) for ten years with a clinical background in emergency care, neurology/neurosurgery, and oncology.
Resources discussed in the podcast:
    Simply Sayin’ Medical Jargon for Kids https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simply-sayin-medical-jargon/id645810680
    Child Life On Call https://childlifeoncall.com/
    Hearts Connected https://www.heartsconnected.org/about-us
    Children’s of Mississippi Surgery Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pipAEDS7GE
    ACLP: Becoming Certified https://www.childlife.org/certification/becoming-certified
    ACLP Resources for Parents and Caregivers https://www.childlife.org/resources/for-parents-and-caregivers

EdsUP! Episode 56: Diane Bales And Stephanie Whitten

This episode, we speak with Dr. Shirley Raines, President Emeritus of the University of Memphis.  She was the first female president and served for 12 years and was described as “Personable, Powerful and Prepared” at her induction into the Tennessee Women’s Hall of Fame.  Shirley was a faculty member for five years at the Harvard Institute for New Presidents and Chancellors.  Find her books mentioned in our podcast at https://amzn.to/3ryhcDx

EdsUP! Episode 57: Shirley Raines

In our final episode of 2023, we talk with children’s author and educator, Dr. Kimberly P. Johnson, the author of 22 children’s books. Kimberly received her Doctorate in Curriculum, Teaching, and Leadership from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and also holds a Master’s Degree from Clemson University, in Youth Development and Leadership. Kimberly has an Early Childhood Education Degree and a Communications Degree from UNC - Chapel Hill.  Kimberly is an Ambassador for The King Center in Atlanta and a program collaborator for Dr. Bernice A. King, the last living daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She is a Curriculum Design Specialist for the King Center in Atlanta and is a team member with their nonviolence camps and trainings.

EdsUP! Episode 58: Kimberly P Johnson

This episode, we talk with Tom "Teacher Tom" Hobson, an early childhood educator, international speaker, education consultant, teacher of teachers, parent educator, and author. Best known for Teacher Tom's Blog (https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/) and his courses for teachers and parents (https://courses.teachertomsworld.com), Teacher Tom brings his wisdom to EdsUp!  Search for his podcast online to hear more from Teacher Tom!

EdsUP! Episode 59: Teacher Tom

Episode 60 features Ellen Galinsky, the President of Families and Work Institute and the Chief Science Officer for the Bezos Family Foundation. A trailblazer in the work-family and early childhood fields, she is a prolific writer with more than 100 books and reports and 300 articles, which include the best-selling Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs, and the upcoming release The Breakthrough Years.

EdsUp! Episode 60: Ellen Galinsky

EdsUp! talks with Fred Jones, Sr. Director of Public Policy and Advocacy - Fred Jones serves as the senior director of public policy and advocacy for the Southern Education Foundation  (SEF). His core responsibilities include creating and advancing equitable birth through 16 state and federal public policy solutions aligned with the mission and values of SEF.
Learn more about the SEF here: https://southerneducation.org/what-we-do/

EdsUp! Episode 61: Fred Jones

EdsUp! talks with Dr. Patricia Kuhl, co-director of the Institute for Brain and Learning Sciences at the University of Washington. She's internationally recognized for her research on early language and brain development, and studies that show how young children learn.  Download and enjoy this interesting conversation!

EdsUp! Patricia Kuhl: Episode Eighteen

EdsUp! is a podcast all about children and those who care for them. Produced by the Graduate Center for the Study of Early Learning at the University of Mississippi, Dr. Cathy Grace and Dr. Kenya Wolff provide wit, wisdom and enthusiasm as they explore education and public policy issues with practical advice for parents, teachers and decision-makers.

Each podcast will feature in-depth interviews about a wide range of issues ranging from parenting tips to the economic benefits of investments in high-quality education programs for young children. 

Myths that have guided decisions about the education, care and development of young children for years will be exposed. Public policies and the resulting consequences for children and families will be discussed. Listeners will find the stories of famous and not-so-famous people to be inspiring and entertaining as they hear how childhood experiences shaped the adult lives of guests in predictable as well as unexpected ways.

Each episode will include no-nonsense conversation about how to give children the best possible start in life.

Thoughtful—we think so. Informative—we know so. Engaging—absolutely!

EdsUp! Patricia Kuhl: Episode Eighteen

EdsUp!

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