STEAM in early childhood education—what does it really look like? How can we move past the idea that STEAM is just about science experiments and tech gadgets and instead see it as a natural part of how children learn and explore the world?

In this episode of The Inspiring ECE Podcast, I sit down with Paula Walsh, an early childhood educator, lecturer, STEAM researcher, and author of Full STEAM Ahead. Paula is passionate about making STEAM practical, playful, and accessible for all educators—because let’s be real, we don’t need to be scientists or engineers to bring rich learning experiences to young children!

We’re talking about:

• The real difference between STEM and STEAM and why the Arts are a game-changer

• How STEAM fits naturally into play-based and inquiry-driven learning

• Simple, everyday ways to introduce STEAM—no expensive resources required

• Why “unplugged technology” is just as important as screen-based learning

• How educators can build confidence in STEAM (even if it feels intimidating)

• Paula’s book Full STEAM Ahead and how it helps educators bring STEAM into their classrooms with ease

This episode is all about breaking down barriers and empowering educators to embrace STEAM in a way that feels fun, engaging, and meaningful.

Paula's most recent book, entitled "Full STEAM Ahead" is a guide to implementing STEAM in the early years and is also available now from Boru Press here. You can contact Paula or learn more about her work here.

LinkedIn: Paula Walshe

Twitter: @‌walshe_paula

Instagram: @‌paulawalshe77

You can also email her: paula.walshe@setu.ie

Guest bio: Paula Walshe is a published author, Assistant Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at South East Technological University in Carlow, Ireland and a PhD candidate at Dundalk Institute of Technology. Her PhD research focuses on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths) in early childhood education and care (ECEC).

In this empowering episode of The Inspiring ECE Podcast, your host Marcia Nicole welcomes a true trailblazer in the field of Early Childhood Education—Anisha Angella. As an entrepreneur, author, Registered Early Childhood Educator, and dynamic leadership coach, Anisha is on a mission to inspire educators to think beyond the classroom and embrace leadership roles with passion and purpose.

This episode is a heartfelt conversation filled with practical insights, contagious energy, and powerful lessons from Anisha’s own journey from classroom teacher to influential leader and coach. Whether you're just starting out or looking to make impactful changes in your ECE career, this episode is packed with golden nuggets to keep you motivated and focused on your personal and professional growth.

What You’ll Learn/Show Notes:

• The pivotal moments and mentors that shaped Anisha's journey from educator to entrepreneur

• Practical tips for new entrepreneurs looking to branch out beyond the classroom

• How to find the right mentor and build a supportive professional community

• Realistic strategies to manage burnout while keeping your passion alive

• The evolving landscape of leadership in ECE, including addressing mental health, diversity, and educator empowerment

Tune in, take notes, and get ready to be inspired! Anisha’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the ECE community.

• Website: www.anishatheecc.com

• Instagram: Instagram (@theecc.community)

• Facebook: The Early Childhood Coach | Mississauga ON

• Twitter: Anisha.theecc (@AnishaAngella) on X

• Youtube: The Early Childhood Coach Channel

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anishaangella/

• TikTok: Anisha | Early Childhood Coach on TikTok

• The ECE Hub (Facebook Group): The ECC Hub | Facebook

• The ECC Academy (Podia): ECC Academy

• Book A Workshop or Speaking Engagement with The ECC: Get in touch with The Early Childhood Coach

In this heartfelt episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, we delve into the profound reasons why choosing and remaining in the field of Early Childhood Education (ECE) is not just a career choice but a transformative journey. Amidst discussions of burnout and staffing shortages, it's crucial to reconnect with the passion and purpose that drew us to this vocation.

Key Takeaways:

• Navigating Negative Narratives: Learn strategies to shift your perspective from challenges to the impactful moments that define your teaching journey.

• Building a Supportive Community: Discover the importance of surrounding yourself with positive, passionate educators who uplift and inspire.

• Personal Growth Through ECE: Understand how your role as an educator not only shapes young minds but also fosters your own personal and professional development.

Be on the lookout for our Special Offering:

To support your well-being, we're excited to offer a FREE Wellness and Self-Care Course tailored for educators. This resource provides practical tips and strategies to nurture your mental and emotional health, ensuring you can continue to inspire and educate with enthusiasm.

Join Our Community:

By subscribing to our mailing list, you'll receive updates on future podcast episodes, special guest interviews, and exclusive content designed to empower and motivate. It's also a platform for you to share your thoughts, suggest topics, and become an active participant in our growing community.

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Call to Action:

Reflect on the positive moments in your teaching journey and share them with a colleague or within our community. Let's collectively shift the narrative towards the rewarding and joyful aspects of ECE.

• Follow our Instagram: instagram.com/ispyrtoeducate/

• Connect on LinkedIn: LinkedIn

• Email: info@ispyrtoeducate.com

What if reading could bring families closer together? 📖💛

In this episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, we’re diving into the heartwarming and transformative power of mother-daughter book clubs with two incredible guests—co-authors Stefanie and Meghan Voss!

As sisters and passionate educators, they joined forces to create The Mother-Daughter Book Club Guide, a must-have resource for moms and daughters who want to make reading more meaningful, engaging, and fun. But this book isn’t just about choosing books—it’s about strengthening relationships, sparking great conversations, and creating cherished memories.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or book lover, this episode is filled with insight, inspiration, and practical advice on how to make reading a shared experience that goes beyond the page.

📚 How mother-daughter book clubs deepen connections & create lasting memories 💡 Why shared reading builds critical thinking, empathy, and resilience ✨ Easy tips for starting your own book club (even for busy moms!) 🍿 Creative ways to make book clubs fun & interactive with snacks, activities, and themed ideas 👩‍👧 Heartwarming stories from real families who have embraced book club traditions 👯‍♀️ A behind-the-scenes look at Stefanie & Meghan’s journey as sisters co-writing this book

If you’ve ever wanted to turn reading into a bonding experience—or if you just love discovering new ways to inspire kids through books—this episode is for you!

📘 Get The Mother-Daughter Book Club Guide:https://www.stefaniehohl.com/

🌎 Website: https://www.abcseeheardo.com/ 📷 Follow them on Instagram: @‌abcseeheardo @stefaniehohl @‌meghanvossstudio

In this episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, host Marcia Nicole chats with Angela Odusanya, a dedicated early childhood educator and author of the popular Amelia’s Loose Part Art book series. Angela shares her journey into the world of early learning, how she fell in love with loose parts play, and why it’s so important for young children to have open-ended, exploratory experiences. Tune in to discover actionable strategies for bringing loose parts into your classroom or home, learn how Angela’s stories inspire both kids and adults, and hear why fostering creativity and problem-solving is more crucial than ever.

Guest info links

Website: www.angelaodusanya.com

Instagram/FB/TikTok @‌angelaodusanya

Amazon links:

Amelia's Loose Part Art-https://a.co/d/7IXcSXV

Amelia's Loose Part Art: A Day at the Beach-https://a.co/d/iOug0RT

Amelia's Easter Surprise- https://a.co/d/dM2I8jd

In this episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, we tackle a topic that every early childhood educator has faced at some point: how do we stay empowered and passionate in a profession that sometimes feels undervalued?

With headlines about burnout, staffing shortages, and the challenges of the field, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But today, we’re flipping the script and focusing on how to reclaim your power, find fulfillment, and thrive in your role—not just survive it.

We’ll explore: ✅ Challenging the misconceptions about ECE and advocating for the profession ✅ New, practical strategies to prevent burnout (beyond just “self-care”) ✅ The importance of professional learning and growth—because evolving as an educator keeps the passion alive

If you’ve ever felt invisible, exhausted, or questioning your future in early childhood education, this episode is your pep talk and action plan rolled into one. Let’s reignite that spark together!

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• Connect on LinkedIn: LinkedIn

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• Email: info@ispyrtoeducate.com

In this enlightening episode of The Inspiring ECE Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Elizabeth DeWitt, Senior Adoptions & Curriculum Specialist at Learning Without Tears, to explore how multisensory instruction can transform the way children learn and grow. Dr. DeWitt shares practical strategies for integrating touch, movement, music, and more into daily lessons—helping young learners strengthen critical thinking, creativity, and social-emotional skills. We also discuss how to identify student strengths and needs, involve parents in the learning process, and use purposeful play to build a solid foundation for future success.

If you’re looking for engaging, research-backed methods to bring more joy and effectiveness into your classroom, this episode is a must-listen.

• Defining Multisensory Instruction Dr. DeWitt explains the importance of engaging sight, sound, touch, and movement to enhance learning and retention.

• Real-Life Classroom Examples Discover simple, practical ways to embed multisensory moments—such as counting goldfish or mixing formula scoops—into daily routines.

• Identifying Strengths & Needs Learn about the assessments and observations that help educators pinpoint individual learning gaps and address them early.

• Fostering Critical Thinking & Creativity Hear how inviting curiosity and exploration lays the groundwork for deeper understanding and problem-solving.

• Parent-Teacher Collaboration Why modeling behaviors, sharing strategies, and inviting parents into the learning process boosts children’s development.

• Learning Without Tears Resources Explore programs like Get Set for School, Handwriting Without Tears, Keyboarding Without Tears, and Phonics, Reading, and Me.

• Website: www.lwtears.com

• Email: elizabeth.dewitt@lwtears.com

In this episode, host Marcia Nicole dives into one of the most debated issues in early childhood education: using personal devices on the job. She examines both sides—from the convenience of quick communication and handy apps to the pitfalls of distraction and privacy concerns. Marcia also shares tips on setting balanced policies that respect educators’ professional roles while acknowledging their real-life needs. Whether you’re a seasoned ECE professional or just starting out, this conversation helps you navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape in a way that keeps children’s best interests front and center.

• Why It Matters: Personal device use in childcare settings can impact safety, supervision, and the overall classroom environment.

• Pros & Cons: Phones can help with emergency calls, music, or documentation but can also become a distraction if not used responsibly.

• Possible Solutions: Consider policies that allow device use for valid work reasons, designate phone-free zones, or implement work-issued devices to reduce personal phone dependence.

• Balancing Compassion & Professionalism: Respect staff by explaining policy rationales, offering flexibility for real emergencies, and leading by example from the top.

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• Email: info@ispyrtoeducate.com

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a fellow educator or friend. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show—it helps us reach more people passionate about early childhood education!