This episode explores the transformative blended pre-K program at Prosper Independent School District in Texas, championed by Michelle Scogin, Director of Early Childhood and Learning Services. Discover how this program successfully merges special and general education along with joy, wonder, and compassion. Machelle and her amazing team are committed to building a developmentally appropriate environment where every child can thrive. Through purposefully designed spaces and a commitment to play-based learning, the Brenda Calhoun Early Childhood School stands as a model of innovative and intentional educational practices.

Michelle shares her inspiring journey from her early memories as a Head Start child to becoming a leader in early childhood education. Her story illuminates the universal challenges in early education and the vital role of visionary leadership in overcoming them. You'll gain insights into how strong leadership and community support have been pivotal in shaping this district's early childhood programs, encouraging a collaborative community that includes educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, school staff, board members, and parents.

As Machelle's commonly used hashtag reminds us, #allmeansall.

Show Notes: https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode79

I had an experience a few months ago that began with a fantastic workshop with one of my favorite schools, and *seemed* to end with a broken down, broken into truck.

But the real ending came full circle when I found that what I had been teaching that early childhood team the day before, was *exactly* what I needed to remember in that moment.

File this one under – everything we ever needed to know in life, we learned in early childhood education.

We're talking about why joy matters and how to tap into a little bit more of it.

You can find this episode’s show notes, which are always full of links, tidbits, and resources, at https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode78

Rae Pica has been a fierce advocate for children and childhood for over 40 years. And during that time she’s written a whole bookshelf full of books on the topic. Today, she’s sharing her latest addition to that bookshelf, it came out just last week, Why Play?: How to Make Play an Essential Part of Early Education.

In this newest book, Rae dives into the importance of play in early childhood education, how to partner with parents, why different modes of play are beneficial, and how to support each type of play. She even touches on some of the tricky topics associated with play, like rough and tumble play and gun play. It’s her latest and possibly her greatest, and she’s sharing it with us in today’s episode.

If you want to know how to better advocate for play in early childhood, this episode is for you.

Find shownotes, including a full transcript, at notjustcute.com/podcast/episode77.