The DEY Podcast with Kisha Reid

In this episode, Kisha chats with Megan about her work as a nature-based curriculum specialist.

In this episode Carly Bedard shares her work as a play facilitator for adult early educators and how self-active play can transform your practice.

In this episode, Denisha Jones talks about the new DEY framework, Fostering Healthy Identity in Young Children. Supporting positive identity development in the early years begins with important self-work and unpacking your fears. 

In this episode, Kisha Reid talks with Denisha Jones about her new nature-based discovery child care program, her visions for inspiring more teachers to choose the power of play, and her plans to slow down.

In this episode, Jesse Coffino and Krystina Tapia shed light on the evolution of true play in Anji County. True play is not just about providing children with open-ended materials but also about creating a culture of love, risk, joy, engagement, and reflection.

In this episode, Rukia shares her evolution to a nature-centered early childhood program that fosters young children's kinship with the earth and harmony with the land. 

In this episode, Alya Stoffer Koloszyc shares how she builds community through her farm school program in New York. 

Melinda Marshall shares the wonders of her unique family program. 

Kisha Reid Talks with Jocelyn Robertson about her journey from Co-op kid to Co-op Director. Her Journey shines a light on the unique style of family engaged early childhood education. 

In this episode, Kisha and Kisa talk about the wonderful journey to play. Through her story, Kisa shares how she has shifted her mindset and program as well as the minds and hearts of her parents and her community about what young children need to be doing with their time. 

In this episode, Kisha talks with Sylvan Taylor about her unique role as the Enrichment Teacher in a public school. Sylvan shares her unique perspective on how to leave space, time, permission, and materials for true play in public school with school-age children.

In this episode Kisha speaks with Rae Pica, asking WHAT IF?  "What if Everybody Understood Child Development" and "What if We Taught The Way Children Learn."  Rae Introduces her new book "Spark A Revolution In Early Childhood Education: Speaking up for Ourselves and the Children"

In this episode, Kisha and Jacky reminisce about how they met many many years ago when Kisha was a young student and Jacky was her teacher.  They go on to discuss Rituals and Traditions in Preschool classrooms and Jacky tells stories of how to create a sense of community within programs and classrooms. 

DEY's Executive Director, Denisha Jones, joins Kisha Reid to discuss hew new role and plans for the future. 

This month, Kisha Reid interviews Deb Curtis, the co-author of many resourceful early childhood books, including "The Visionary Director", "Art of Awareness", and "Children's Lively Minds". Her forty years of experience working with young children informs her work with adult early educators and directors. Together we discuss The Art of really seeing children and the practice of helping them see each other. #reallyseeingchildren, #observation, #DebCurtis, #docuementation, #teacherrole #socialsupport #seeingeachother, #intentional, #SEL

Jane Elgin joins Kisha Reid as they discuss play in public schools. Jane tells stories and gives practical advice about infusing play into your practice, even in a public elementary school. 

In this episode, Kisha is joined by Carol Garboden-Murray, a long-time early educator and the author of Illuminating Care: The Pedagogy and Practice of Care in Early Childhood. They share a lively discussion about the importance of keeping the CARE in child CARE.

Kisha Reid is in conversation with Nicolette Sowder about the wonderful story behind her journey to creating "Wilder Child" and "Wild Schooling". They discuss how her observations of her child's needs for movement and connection along with her need to reconnect with the land inspired her to create these nature-based communities she so passionately calls Village-led. 

Alissa Mwenelupembe has worked in early childhood education for the past twenty years. She began her career as a classroom educator working with toddlers and over time transitioned into center leadership roles. Alissa holds a master's degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently working on her doctorate.  Her dissertation focuses on the experiences of Black women navigating the career ladder in the early childhood profession.

Alissa Mwenelupembe has worked in early childhood education for the past twenty years. She began her career as a classroom educator working with toddlers and over time transitioned into center leadership roles. Alissa holds a master's degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently working on her doctorate.  Her dissertation focuses on the experiences of Black women navigating the career ladder in the early childhood profession.

Leigh Ann Yuen is the Co-founder, director, and lead teacher at Garden Gate Child Development Center on Martha's Vineyard, providing children with opportunities to be seen and heard through creative exploration and expression for more than 25 years. She has been teaching and advocating for children during this time.  She and Kisha are going talk about her experiences in workshops and retreats for educators wishing to deepen their practice.

Kisha Reid is joined by Becky Gamache, an education coordinator for Duluth Public Schools. Becky has been an early childhood educator for the past 25-years and is a fierce advocate for play-based learning and play equity. She and her team have recently been focused on implementing play-based practices and increased outdoor experiences for Head Start and the universal preschool programs in her school district. She is an advocate for developmentally appropriate experiences for young children and believes that children learn best through hands on experiences and are motivated through their own interests and ideas. She and Kisha are going to discuss Becky's participation in an initiative to make natural playscapes accessible to economically disadvantaged children.

 Renee is known for her work as an early childhood educator. She has over 50 years of experience, having taught both in Italy and the United States.  She and Kisha talk about her work around "Choice Time" and supporting  NYC public school teachers as they design play conducive classrooms for school-aged children. 

His mission is to help adults truly See, Guide and Trust children. He is pushing the needle a little closer toward world peace. He goes by, “Mr.Chazz” and he even has a song to prove it.  He has been a teacher of teachers and parents for a decade. He has worked with many schools, thousands of teachers and thousands of children as an Educational Specialist.  He earned his Master's in Executive Leadership at American University. His specialty is self-regulation, and he has found inspiring ways to teach his techniques to teachers and parents. Join us to learn more.

In this episode Kisha Reid is in conversation with Dr. Peter Gray as he breaks down the definition of the word Play. Through  the  five characteristics Peter Gray clarifies the meaning and scope of true play and it's importance for young children's healthy development.

Kisha is in conversation with Atiya Wells, a nurse and a mother of two, who developed a community resource with the mission of reconnecting Black, Indigenous, and People of color to land and nature.  Atiya shares her story and offers concrete tips and advice for others who are interested in creating a sense of community around nature. 

Defending the Early Years' first podcast episode.  Kisha Reid, our host, chats with Suzanne Axelsson.  Suzanne is a pedagogical consultant working on the EY Program at the Department of Child and Youth Studies, Stockholm University. She and Kisha will discuss the ways she uses listening and philosophy with children as tools to improve democratic learning and play spaces in early childhood education.