Joyful Learning: How to Make Math, Literacy, and PD Meaningful for Educators

In this episode of Early Childhood Chats, host Andy Roszak sits down with Gerard Visco, Director of Professional Development at a Head Start agency in New Jersey, to explore what high-quality early childhood education really looks like.Together, they dive into: ✏️ Why picture books and read-alouds are one of the most powerful tools in early learning✏️ How to make early math meaningful, playful, and story-driven✏️ Common mistakes educators make during circle time—and how to fix them✏️ The role of professional development, mentorship, and teacher advocacy✏️ A thoughtful breakdown of AI-generated children’s books vs. human-created literature✏️ What today’s early childhood educators need most to succeedThis conversation is packed with practical strategies, real classroom examples, and powerful reflections for preschool teachers, Head Start professionals, school leaders, and anyone passionate about early learning.🎧 Perfect for:Early childhood educatorsPreschool and Head Start teachersInstructional coaches and PD leadersParents interested in literacy and learningAnyone invested in the future of education👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with an educator who needs this conversation today.👉 Connect with Gerard: https://www.edutopia.org/profile/gerard-visco/----------------------------Early Childhood Chats is hosted by Andrew Roszak - JD, MPA, EMT-PExecutive Director at the Institute for Childhood Preparedness. The Institute for Childhood Preparedness is proud to use its decades of experience to offer comprehensive and expert disaster and emergency preparedness trainings live in-person, via webinar, and on-demand online. // Visit: https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/ to find out more // Schedule your training today https://www.childhoodpreparedness.org/trainingFOLLOW UShttps://www.instagram.com/childhoodpreparedness/ https://www.facebook.com/ChildPreparedhttps://twitter.com/ChildPreparedhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-childhood-preparedness© Institute for Childhood Preparedness 2026 all rights reserved

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Avsnitt(46)

Every Child, Every Chance: Special Olympics, Inclusion, and the Early Childhood Connection

Ryan Miller, Senior Director of Program for Young Athletes and Elementary at Special Olympics New York, joins Andy Roszak to talk about what Special Olympics is actually doing in early childhood setti...

22 Juni 1h

The Educational Toy Every Parent Should Know About

In this episode of Early Childhood Chats, host Andy Roszak sits down with Drew Vernon from Tonies to talk about a product that has become a staple in his own household and is making waves in early chi...

4 Juni 34min

Should Child Care Programs Have Cameras? Childcare Experts Discuss

In this episode of Early Childhood Chats, host Andy Roszak talks with Kevin Wright from Watch Me Grow about a topic that generates a lot of opinions and not enough informed conversation: cameras in ch...

22 Maj 42min

Why Preschool Behavior Is Getting Worse (Real Solutions Inside)

In this episode of Early Childhood Chats, we tackle one of the most urgent challenges in early education today: the growing gap in mental health support for young children.Host Andy Rozak sits down wi...

6 Maj 49min

Brain Architects and Bold Investments: New Mexico's Universal Child Care Story

Every state in the country is watching New Mexico right now. In November 2025, New Mexico lifted its income eligibility cap for child care assistance, making quality child care available to any family...

29 Apr 34min

The Lost Skill: Why Handwriting Is Disappearing and What It Costs Our Kids

Most early childhood educators know handwriting matters. Fewer realize how much is lost when it disappears from the classroom. Research from Indiana University and the University of Washington has con...

9 Apr 43min

The Biggest Challenges in Childcare (And How to Fix Them)

Running a childcare center isn’t easy. From staffing shortages to parent communication, burnout is real. In this episode of Early Childhood Chats, we dive into the biggest challenges facing early chil...

26 Mars 58min

Kids Are Ready Now: Teaching Leadership & Entrepreneurship in Early Childhood

Empowering Kids: Why Children Can Become Entrepreneurs Today | Early Childhood ChatsAre kids ready to lead and start businesses? According to educator and entrepreneur Leah Ellis, the answer is yes — ...

7 Mars 39min