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How can picture books and play combine to spark creativity, empathy, and joy in our youngest learners? Join the conversation with Rachel Rubin and Annie Dycus, the innovative minds behind L-M-N-O Play, a subscription service that uses open-ended play and amazing picture books to engage young minds (while sparking wonder in their grown ups as well).

“Something we really need in our world is children who think outside the box and know how to solve problems. And we think play and picture books —the marriage of the two — is the perfect solution for helping to raise kind, smart, brilliant, imaginative children.” — Annie Dycus, co-founder, L-M-N-O Play

“Not only are we always looking to find that next great kind of undiscovered potential in a great picture book, but also to share with families how they can do this at home and make these amazing moments through just a really simple act.” — Rachel Rubin, co-founder, L-M-N-O Play

Summary:

Dive into the transformative power of picture books and play in early childhood education with Rachel Rubin and Annie Dycus, co-founders of L-M-N-O Play. Learn how their unique approach to connecting play with picture books fosters creativity, problem-solving, and empathy in children, while providing a fresh perspective for adults.

From beloved childhood classics to new favorites, Rachel and Annie share insights on how interactive storytelling and playful activities create profound connections and broaden horizons. Discover the magic of storytelling as a tool for cultural awareness, and explore the timeless value of play and picture books in a digital age. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply love children's literature, this episode offers invaluable advice and inspiration to cultivate a lifetime love for reading and play in our youngest learners.

Chapters:

• 1:01: Origins of L-M-N-O Play
• 4:03:Importance of Learning Through Play
• 7:08:A Horse Named Steve: Walking Through L-M-N-O Play Process
• 13:39:Open-ended and closed-ended play
• 17:19:Social-emotional learning through books and play
• 19:51:Building core connections to picture books
• 22:13:Value of First Book Friends
• 26:57:Power of Play and Picture Books Across Ages and Stages
• 32:42:Favorite Books Featured in the L-M-N-O Play Subscription
• 34:59:Finding Hope Through Play and Empathy

Links:

L-M-N-O Play Website

Follow @lmnoplaynyc on Instagram and Facebook

Follow Annie Dycus and Rachel Rubin on LinkedIn

Support the show

Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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Imagine an early childhood classroom filled with diverse books, engaging play centers, and joyful experiential learning where every child feels seen and valued. How does play-based learning help celebrate the unique strengths each child brings to the classroom? Join us this week as we talk about the importance of early childhood education in setting the stage for a lifetime of critical thinking and creative problem solving with Dr. Crystal Y. Campbell, executive director of Dorchester County First Steps and president of Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA). Dr. Crystal helps us uncover how creating empathetic and dynamic educational environments can help unlock each child's potential and lead to a brighter future for all.

In these challenging and unsettling times, Dr. Crystal shares her insights on the importance of play in education, advocating for environments that foster community, collaboration, curiosity, empathy, and joy. This episode explores how such environments prepare young learners for future success, emphasizing the need for dynamic classrooms and the art of storytelling. We also discuss the impact of early childhood education on societal values and envision an ideal early childhood environment for all kids.

Timestamps:

• 01:41: Advocating for Young Children -- Dr. Crystal Campbell's Adventures in Learning
• 03:37: The Joy of Learning Through Play
• 08:02: Dorchester County First Steps
• 10:52: SECA (Southern Early Childhood Association)
• 14:27: Building a Strong Foundation with Wonder and Empathy
• 22:30: Unleashing Children's Potential Through Engaging Experiences
• 29:20: Waving a Magic Wand for an Ideal Early Childhood Education Experience: Designing classrooms with diverse resources where we celebrate each child's unique contributions in a joyful, experiential setting.
• 43:22: The Art of Storytelling: Training educators in storytelling to bring multicultural literature to life.
• 46:09: Facing the Realities and Challenges of this Administration: Working as a community to support early childhood education. What diversity, inclusion, and equity really mean -- and why they are more important than ever.
• 52:42: Teaching and Modeling Kindess and Empathy: Shaping values in early education for a more empathetic and just society.
• 55:26: Leaning Into HOPE: Imagining a future where communities work together to overcome divisions.

Links:

Dorchester County First Steps

SECA (Southern Early Childhood Association)

Register for SECA

Support the show

Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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How can a children's book spark a lifelong passion for conservation and inspire young activists to protect our planet's endangered species? Today we learn how "toucan" help endangered species. Dynamic author-illustrator duo Hayley and John Rocco discuss the power of storytelling to empower young conservationists.

We celebrate the book birthday of Hello, I'm a Toucan, the latest offering in their Meet the Wild Things series, and learn some interesting nuggets of information about these vibrantly beaked birds. Discover how the Meet the Wild Things series (Pangolin, Axolotl, Quokka, Sloth, Toucan, and soon to be Loris) brings endangered animals into fun focus, encouraging kids to become champions of the natural world.

Hayley and John co-founded Children's Book Creators for Conservation to be the connective tissue between young readers and the conservationists in the field. As ambassadors for Wild Tomorrow, a nonprofit focused on conservation and rewilding South Africa, Hayley and John travels the world in search of stories they can bring back and share with readers everywhere. I am excited to join them in September.

Before dedicating herself to writing for children full-time, Hayley Rocco worked as a publicist at several major publishers. John Rocco is the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Blackout, the recipient of a Caldecott Honor, and How We Got to the Moon, which received a Sibert Honor and was longlisted for the National Book Award.

Chapters:

1:03 Toucan Do It Too! Inspiring Conservation Through Children's Books

16:51 Children's Book Creators for Conservation and Wild Tomorrow

26:28 Supporting Young Conservationists

Links:

Visit Hayley at hayleyrocco.com and follow her on Instagram @hayleyroccobooks.

Visit John at roccoart.com and follow him on Instagram @roccoart.

Learn more about Children's Book Creators for Conservation and

Support the show

Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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When Threat of the Spider, the second installment in the Web of the Spider series, came across my desk, I knew we had to have the author, Michael P Spradlin on the podcast. I couldn't put the book down. It's so relevant to where we are today. Join us for a discussion about why we need to study history and how important it is build meaningful connections from the past to our present.

Spanning the years 1929 to 1934, the series highlights the courageous resistance of the Edelweiss Pirates against the rising Nazi regime in Germany. Michael discusses the historical inspirations behind his storytelling, drawing parallels between the political upheaval of the past and the troubles our world faces today. As we delve into his creative process, we explore themes of friendship, political tension, and the importance of exploring history through literary adventures.

We also tackle the contemporary issues of book banning and censorship, advocating for informed discourse and the empowerment of young readers. Join us for an engaging exploration of storytelling's power to bridge history and modern life, offering both education and adventure.

Chapters with Timestamps:

00:03: The Power of Historical Fiction: Michael Spradlin discusses the inspiration and themes behind the Threat of the Spider, the second installment in the Web of the Spider series.

09:31: Unpacking the Historical Adventure: Explore the author's research process and the immersive settings that bring the fictional world to life, with insights into future character developments.

14:05: Character Development and Plot Resolution: The creative process behind crafting unique characters and maintaining reader engagement.

19:35: Preserving History Through Literature: The transformative impact of World War II and the role of historical fiction in engaging young readers with the past.

25:02: The Impact of Banned Books And Censorship: The importance of reading widely and fostering a love for literature.

36:43: Themes of Friendship and Adventure

Links:

Michael Spradlin's Official Website

Follow Michael Spradlin on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Join us in celebrating the power of storytelling to illuminate history and inspire modern-day readers. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Support the show

Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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How can small steps spark significant changes for a healthier planet? Brenda Baker, Vice President of Exhibits, Facilities, and Strategic Initiatives at the Madison Children's Museum, walks us through the newly published (AND FREE) Climate Action Playbook designed to inspire and empower the next generation of environmental stewards. Highlighting the Caretakers of Wonder collaboration and addressing the impacts of federal budget cuts, we delve into the museum's commitment to positive change.

Key Points:

• Introduction to Caretakers of Wonder, a collaborative initiative aimed at promoting sustainability and love of nature for children and families.
• The newly published Climate Action Playbook, designed to guide caregivers and museum professionals in fostering nature connection, empathy, resilience, and hope in young people.
• Challenges faced by museums due to federal funding cuts and the importance of private support for innovative family services.
• The role of museums as community equalizers and spaces for joy, empathy, learning through play, and mental well-being.

Chapters:

(0:00:00) - Caretakers of Wonder Climate Action Playbook

• Overview of the Madison Children's Museum's commitment to sustainability and climate action.
• Brenda Baker discusses Caretakers of Wonder and the Climate Action Playbook.

(0:08:34) - Impacts of Empathy and Learning Through Play for Kids AND Adults

• Emphasis on fostering hope and collective action among young children through simple activities.
• Discussion on the impact of federal funding cuts and the role of museums as community equalizers.

(0:19:24) - Youth Hope in Climate Action

• Urgent need for support at the Madison Children's Museum.
• Brenda Baker shares her sources of hope and the inspiring creativity of young people.

Links:

Madison Children's Museum

Climate Action Playbook: [Download for FREE]

Caretakers of Wonder

Donate to Madison Children's Museum

Contact Brenda Baker: bbaker@madisonchildrensmuseum.org

Tune in to be inspired by the museum's dedication to creating a brighter, more sustainable future for our children and our planet!

Support the show

Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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We’re reimagining the future of education in this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast with Dr. Annalies Corbin, the chief goddess of the PAST Foundation. Dr. Annalies helps us discover how to bridge the gap between learning and real-world skills while empowering educators and fostering a community of lifelong learners.

Summary:

Drawing from her rich background in anthropology and archaeology, Dr. Annalies addresses the pressing need for an educational overhaul, highlighting the systemic issues that keep students from acquiring essential skills for higher education and the workforce. Her book, Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Learning to Life, offers a fresh perspective on integrating real-world applications into education, providing listeners with a blueprint to bridge the gap between learning and life.

Empowering educators is key to unlocking student success. This episode explores how teachers can transition from being mere content experts to facilitators of learning, fostering a more rewarding and playful teaching experience. Through co-designing educational experiences with students and emphasizing project-based, hands-on learning, educators can cultivate culturally responsive and meaningful educational environments. We wrap up with a celebration of young learners' creativity, showcasing inspiring projects that highlight the importance of nurturing an environment where students can dream big and face challenges enthusiastically.

Chapters:

(00:02) - Revolutionizing Education for the Future

(10:49) - Transforming Education for the Future

(18:33) - Empowering Educators for Student Success

(25:43) - Inspiring Hope in Young Learners

Resources:

• To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org
• Read: Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Learning to Life
• Listen to the Learning Unboxed podcast
• Listen to Dr. Diane and Dr. Annalies talk about the importance of learning and leading through play on Episode 275 of Learning Unboxed
• Connect with Dr. Annalies Corbin on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Keywords: #AdventuresinLearning, #Shownotes, #LearningAndLeadingThroughPlay, #Education, #Hacking School, #STEM, #STEMforteachers, #Students, #Teachers, #TeachingStrategies, #PlayBasedLearning, #STEAMeducation, #LiteracyThroughPlay, #21stCenturySkills

Support the show

Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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You know Juana Martinez-Neal as the recipient of the 2019 Caldecott Honor for Alma and How She Got Her Name, her debut picture book as author-illustrator. You might also know her as the New York Times bestselling illustrator recipient of the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Medal for Fry Bread: A Native American Story and the 2018 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration for La Princesa and the Pea. I first fell in love with La Princesa and the Pea as a spark for early childhood and elementary STEM/STEAM challenges, then quickly collected some of Juana’s other works, such as Swashby and the Sea and Zonia’s Rainforest as inspirations for more STEM/STEAM goodness in the classroom. In addition to chatting about her two newest books, I am also so excited to share that Juana and I are going to be teammates on a Children’s Book Creators for Conservation Wild Tomorrow expedition to South Africa this fall.

Join us as we delve into the vibrant world of Juana Martinez-Neal, an award-winning author/illustrator whose passion for art and the environment takes us on a journey from the diverse landscapes of Peru to the dust plumes of the Sahara. Juana discusses her newest books, Paka Paka con la Papa, a biography of potato hunter Alberto Salas, and A Gift of Dust, highlighting the environmental impact of Sahara dust plumes. She shares her commitment to aligning creative endeavors with personal values and the inspiration behind her collaborations, including a partnership with friend and fellow illustrator Molly Idle on Julie Fogliano's I Don't Care. Juana's stories of personal growth, travel dreams, and artistic expressions offer listeners a rich tapestry of insights and inspirations.

Chapter Highlights:

01:47: Paka Paka con la Papa

04:38: A Gift of Dust

05:59: The natural world as connecting thread through Juana's artistry

07:58: How Juana approaches her creative process

11:20: The joys and surprises of the research process with examples from Paka Paka con la Papa and Fry Bread: A Native American Story

15:24: Sponsor Ad

17:24: Collaborating on I Don't Care with Molly Idle

21:41: Adventures await in South Africa with Children’s Book Creators for Conservation and Wild Tomorrow

23:55: Upcoming projects

26:10 The enduring appeal of Alma, star of Alma and How She Got Her Name

30:49: Let's talk about HOPE

Links:

Follow Juana Martinez-Neal on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn

Juana Martinez-Neal's website

Explore her latest books: Paka Paka con la Papa and A Gift of Dust

Learn more about Children’s Book Creators for Conservation and the Wild Tomorrow trip to South Africa

Support the show

Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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Feeling overwhelmed by the fast-paced world around you? Discover how to transform burnout into joy and purpose with Dr. Gitima Sharma, as she shares her personal journey and expert insights. Learn practical strategies to cultivate a dynamic sense of purpose and foster connections in a digital era.

Dr Diane leads us through a transformative conversation with Dr. Gitima Sharma, an authority on overcoming burnout. Dive into the pervasive issue of stress driven by societal pressures and learn how self-reflection and community can pave the way to a fulfilling life. Dr. Sharma draws on personal experiences and the wisdom of influential texts to offer actionable steps for integrating purpose into daily life. The episode delves into the unique challenges faced by students and teachers alike, emphasizing the role of technology in both isolation and connection. With a focus on cultivating inner strengths like courage and compassion, listeners are encouraged to recognize their unique talents and potential.

Timestamps:

01:03: Transforming Stress Into Joy and Purpose

Introduction to Dr. Gitima Sharma and her approach to combating burnout through personal purpose and self-worth.

09:40: Journey to Self-Reflection and Purpose

The role of meditation, journaling, and community in discovering one's mission and overcoming societal pressures.

14:28: Cultivating Joy, Purpose, and Connection In an Isolating Climate

Exploring the "Loneliness Epidemic" and fostering nurturing environments for children and young adults.

20:38: Empowering Inner Strength Through Stories

Understanding absolute vs. relative happiness and nurturing children's inner strengths (and our own as adults) through education and play.

31:39: Getting Unstuck

Take away strategies for purpose and connection we can begin to apply today.

Links:

• Connect with Dr. Gitima Sharma on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
• Resources from Dr. Sharma: Free eBook on Purpose Clarification, Course on Purpose Fulfillment
• Dr. Sharma's Website

Connect with Us:

Follow the Adventures in Learning Podcast for more inspiring conversations.

Share your thoughts and feedback @drdianeadventures and let us know how this episode inspired you!

Support the show

Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.