Best Chil Podcasts (2025)

1
The Icing on the Cake: Navigating the Journey to Kindergarten 44:56

Play Pause

7d ago44:56

44:56

How does play-based learning actually translate to "big school" success? Join Directors Alexandra Dutton and Judy Haus for an inside look at the magic of the TK year at OFS. In this special community event recording, we dive into how project-based exploration builds the foundation for handwriting, literacy, and math—while prioritizing the social-em…

1
The Importance of Care - Discussion of Illuminating Care by Carol Garboden Murray 34:50

1M ago34:50

34:50

When an early educator spends half their day on essential care routines—diapering, feeding, and settling for naps—how can we logically separate the concepts of 'education' and 'care'? We can't. Host Alexandra Dutton and Sue Britson welcome author Carol Garboden Murray to discuss her influential book, Illuminating Care. Murray makes a powerful case …

1
Vaccines with Dr. Robert Schechter 22:14

2M ago22:14

22:14

OFS Lafayette Program Director Alexandra Dutton sits down with Dr. Robert Schechter, a pediatrician and former OFS parent with decades of experience supporting families and guiding them through questions about immunizations. As your child enters group care, what does that mean for their health—especially during the winter months? Dr. Schechter and …

1
Teaching Post-Pandemic: What Has Changed? 22:11

3M ago22:11

22:11

The pandemic changed a multitude of things, including parenting and teaching. Alexandra Dutton is joined by Anne Bauer from All People's School in Berkeley to discuss the ways communication, welcoming families, and the act of teaching itself has changed in the last 5 years. As educators who have been in the field for 20+ years, they offer their obs…

1
The Power of "No": Why We Need to Set Boundaries with Young Children, Part 2 16:35

5M ago16:35

16:35

Welcome back to the second part of our essential discussion on setting boundaries with children. In this episode, host Alexandra Dutton and Katrinca Ford, MFT, pick up where they left off, continuing to explore the impact that well-defined limits have on a child's emotional development and their ability to navigate the world.Building on our previou…

1
The Power of No: Why We Need to Set Boundaries with Young Children, Part 1 20:34

6M ago20:34

20:34

Setting boundaries for children isn't just about safety; it's crucial for their emotional growth and future interactions. In this episode, Alexandra Dutton welcomes back Katrinca Ford, MFT, to delve into why establishing appropriate limits for children is so vital.Saying "no" to your child can be tough, but the powerful messages it conveys about sa…

1
OFS goes to the California Academy of Sciences 16:49

7M ago16:49

16:49

OFS takes a field trip to the California Academy of Sciences! Our teachers wrap up two years of science and nature education with a special trip to experience wonder, awe, and curiosity among the exhibits. Listen to hear about the teachers' encounters with butterflies, fish, and other wildlife, what they learned from this trip, and what messages th…

1
Home Buying with Young Children in Mind 21:26

7M ago21:26

21:26

In this episode, we dive into the key considerations young families should keep in mind when looking for a new home. Join Program Director Alexandra Dutton as she talks with OFS Mill Valley parent and realtor Emily Schaffer (Engel & Völkers) about this complicated process. From affordability and floor plans to schools and community connections, we …

1
Empowering Gender Equality 15:43

9M ago15:43

15:43

Want to understand how gender biases take root in early childhood? Did you know children as young as 3 years old exhibit bias, and girls may start believing they're less smart than boys by ages 5-6? In this insightful episode, Judy Haus (Walnut Creek Program Director) speaks with Michele Bailey and Alexandra Dutton, uncovering the unconscious ways …

1
Getting to Know Animals 16:54

10M ago16:54

16:54

Children are often drawn to animals, and having a relationship with an animal teaches responsibility, love, and compassion. Join Alexandra Dutton as she speaks with OFS Bayview program director Jackie Buhl and Laura Hislop from Jessica's Haven, a small dog rescue center. They share why it is important for everyone, but especially children, to conne…

1
Meaningful Mealtimes for Young Eaters 19:14

1y ago19:14

19:14

We often say: children can control only three things, and one of them is eating. (Can you guess the other two?). Join Judy Haus as she talks with author and educator Emilie Dupont about how to make mealtimes less stressful and more enjoyable. When we understand the children's development and how it impacts how they may approach food, we may be able…

1
Children and Sports with Monte Stott 25:09

1y ago25:09

25:09

When are young children ready for competitive sports? Are sports good for children? Alexandra Dutton, Lafayette program director, talks with longtime baseball coach Monte Stott about parent involvement in children's sports, appropriate expectations, and why sports matter. You'll be surprised at what makes a child's experience a good one!…

1
Positive Parenting with Aki Raymer 19:50

1y ago19:50

19:50

Relationships with our children are supposed to be easy -- right? Join Dorothy Stewart, Executive Director and Owner of Old Firehouse Schools and Alexandra Dutton, Program Director, talk with Aki Raymer of Parenting Paths. They discuss how building relationships with our children will actually decrease many power struggles and how understanding our…

1
Discussing Difficult News Events with Young Children 19:31

1y ago19:31

19:31

OFS Lafayette Program Director Alexandra Dutton talks with teacher Rachel Turtledove about something we have to think about much too often: when, if, and how to talk about difficult news events with young children. Whether we are worried about a recent school shooting or a fire that's burning too close to home, we are sending signals to our childre…

1
Social Lives Of Preschoolers 32:02

1+ y ago32:02

32:02

When your child is 2, are they supposed to play well with others? What does it really mean when a 4 year old says to their friend, "You can't come to my birthday party!" Alexandra Dutton talks with Michele Bailey and Maylis Treuil, two veteran OFS teachers, about social skills and friendships from age 1-5. They explain the motivations behind childr…

1
Deepening Relationships with your Child 38:49

1+ y ago38:49

38:49

Join hosts Alexandra Dutton and Rachel Turtledove for a wonderful discussion with Todd Sarner, MFT, about how to deepen your relationship with your child. Todd shares ways to connect with a child after a separation (like being apart all day with work and school) as well as why some children will seemingly reject you or your overtures of support and…

1
A Family's Role in Anti-Bias Education 24:06

1+ y ago24:06

24:06

Dorothy and Alex return to a topic from our first podcast: Anti-Bias Education. They talk with Shaquam Edwards, who is part of the early education faculty at the College of Marin. She discusses the role families can play in exploring culture, diversity, and equity. She shares activities families can do together to learn about each other, as well as…

1
Nature-Based Education: An Introduction to OFS Bayview 10:35

1+ y ago10:35

10:35

Nature has always been a part of the educational experience at OFS, but our newest campus, OFS Bayview, will take that to a new level! Director Alexandra Dutton is joined by Laura Hislop of St. Luke's, where the Bayview campus is located. Together they talk with Dr. Dorothy Stewart and Bayview director Jackie Buhl about their vision to combine atta…

1
The Importance of Music 16:47

1+ y ago16:47

16:47

Music plays an important role in all of our lives, and this is especially true for young children. Alexandra Dutton, Judy Haus, and Liza Pevzner discuss ways that music increases language development, memory skills, and motor skills for children. If you aren't a music lover or someone who is comfortable singing, listen to hear ways you can incorpor…

1
Rules of Thumb for Your Preschooler's Birthday Party 24:43

2y ago24:43

24:43

When your child's birthday rolls around, it's a special time to celebrate! Join Judy Haus, Rachel Turtledove, and Alexandra Dutton as they talk about birthday parties for our youngest children, from the perspective of both educators and parents. Sometimes what you want in a party is not what works best for your child's age, personality, or temperam…

1
My Child Needed Therapy - Parents' Experiences 30:38

2y ago30:38

30:38

This follow up to the previous episode, "What do you mean my child needs therapy?" lends helpful insights into what the process can be to get outside support for a child. Three parents share the different paths they took to support their children -- one who was anxious, one who had language delays, and one who is autistic. They share the challenges…

1
What Do You Mean My Child Needs Therapy? 27:37

2y ago27:37

27:37

Hosts Alexandra Dutton and Judy Haus speak with Psychologist Carrie Rodrigues and MFT Katrinca Ford about something families often feel confusion or fear about: Hearing that their child may need an assessment or therapy. But what does that really mean, and what does an assessment for a child entail? How long will my child need therapy? Should I wor…

1
Beginning of the 90s Kids 1:02

2y ago1:02

1:02

90s kids in the Telugu states (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) refer to individuals who were born and raised during the 1990s in these regions. Growing up without smartphones and easy access to the internet, they experienced a childhood filled with outdoor games, traditional entertainment, and close-knit community interactions. Television shows, movi…

1
What is the Role of Preschool? 24:29

2y ago24:29

24:29

How is preschool different than, say, having a nanny? What happens with preschool turns out to be different than what you expected? Host Alexandra Dutton talks with Garrett O'Brien (OFS Mill Valley) and Susie Kohl (White Pony Preschool) about managing your expectations as a parent whose child is starting preschool and how to have a great experience…

1
Emergent Curriculum in Early Education 32:59

2+ y ago32:59

32:59

OFS Directors Alexandra Dutton and Danielle Roach are joined by Darcy Campbell, Executive Director of Cow Hollow School in San Francisco. Darcy once said, "(Emergent curriculum) is the hardest way to teach, but the best way." Hear about why our schools choose emergent curriculum, how it prepares children for the future, and how it creates children …

1
Developing Empathy in Children 25:51

2+ y ago25:51

25:51

Until recently, it was assumed that young children can't really be empathetic and understand the perspectives of others. OFS directors Alexandra Dutton and Lizz Nolasco discuss the recent research that demonstrates that children can develop empathy as young as a year old. They share some strategies help adults teach empathy to young children. In or…

1
Literacy Development with Dr. Daniel Meier and Pam Remensperger 32:08

3y ago32:08

32:08

Alexandra is joined by Pam Remensperger (OFS TK teacher) and Dr. Daniel Meier, SFSU professor, to talk about literacy development in children. We know that reading to children leads to later reading success, but how? What can educators and parents do to support their child's literacy skills? When should a parent expect their child to learn how to w…

1
Inclusion in Preschool 29:58

3y ago29:58

29:58

OFS Directors Alexandra Dutton and Lizz Nolasco talk with author and educator Mike Huber about inclusion in preschool. It's becoming increasingly common to see children of diverse abilities in mainstreamed settings. What does inclusion look like in preschools? What are the benefits of classrooms designed for children with a diverse range of abiliti…

1
Language Development in Young Chidlren 21:06

3y ago21:06

21:06

Language develops in young children at such a wide range, how is a parent to know when something is a concern? Dorothy and Alex are joined by Seven Bridges Speech Pathologists Shannon Kong and Jordan Weck to discuss language milestones for children 0-5, and when to seek additional support. Learn more about Seven Bridges Therapy: https://www.sevenbr…

1
Dr. Monica Gandhi On RSV, Covid, and Flu in Young Children 19:05

3y ago19:05

19:05

We invited Dr. Monica Gandhi back to share her expertise on the illnesses we are seeing in all of our preschools. Recorded on Nov. 1, 2022, Dr. Gandhi talks about RSV, vaccinations, long Covid in children, and how to protect our children and families in the holiday season. Her extensive knowledge on Covid and public health allows us to look ahead t…

1
How Are The Kids Doing? 14:43

3y ago14:43

14:43

Dorothy talks with Chelsea Bryson (OFS Assistant Director) and Madison Montoya (OFS Preschool Teacher) about how children are doing 2 1/2 years into this pandemic. They share their insights about children's mental health, current research into children's development, and how to help children move forward.Follow Madison on TikTok and Instagram @thet…

1
Strength Based Parenting/Teaching 26:50

3+ y ago26:50

26:50

OFS Program Directors Alex and Lizz are joined by strength-based coach and educator Emma Tempest to discuss how strength-based teaching/parenting can change your perspectives. We all have a negativity bias that highlights things that we don't like or that go wrong, but what if we instead looked for strengths in ourselves, and in our children? Her i…

1
Covid Vaccines for Kids 24:11

3+ y ago24:11

24:11

With Covid vaccines finally being approved for children under the age of 5, we have a lot of questions! Alexandra Dutton (OFS Lafayette) is joined by Lizz Nolasco (OFS San Rafael) to talk to Dr. Yasuko Fukuda. Dr. Fukuda is a pediatrician in San Francisco who is the current chair of the California AAP, and has been on the board of the California Im…

1
Dual Language Learners 20:50

3+ y ago20:50

20:50

Ever wonder how children learn language? What about children learning more than one language? Alexandra Dutton, OFS Lafayette Program Director, is joined by OFS San Rafael Program Director Lizz Nolasco and Elodie Resurrection from Ecole Bilingue to discuss the way dual language learners acquire language. They put to rest some of the myths about lea…

1
Growth Mindset with Michele Bailey 19:53

4y ago19:53

19:53

What do you do when you're frustrated and can't complete a task? How do you model resilience and perseverance to your children? Michele Bailey, MA Ed. joins OFS Program Director Alexandra Dutton, MA Ed. to discuss Growth Mindset. Growth Mindset is an idea coined by Dr. Carol Dweck about helping children see the value in their potential and their ef…

1
COVID and Preschoolers with Dr. Monica Gandhi 19:07

4y ago19:07

19:07

If you have children under the age of 5, January 2022 may have been one of the most stressful months since the beginning of the pandemic. The Omicron variant shuttered classrooms and left families and educators with questions about vaccines, masking, and the safety of being at school. Dorothy and Alex talk with UCSF COVID expert Dr. Monica Gandhi a…

1
How Do You Find Quality Childcare? 15:36

4y ago15:36

15:36

Finding the right preschool for your child is a daunting experience. Dorothy and the directors, Alex, Judy, Lizz and Danielle, share what they think families should look at when they are exploring childcare and preschools. Does curriculum matter more than the educational level of the teachers? Why is it so hard to find good schools? Childcare is al…

1
How Are Preschools Faring Right Now 20:35

4y ago20:35

20:35

We keep hearing about the ways that child care programs and preschools are struggling right now. Listen as Dorothy, owner and executive director of Old Firehouse Schools, talks with educators Judy Haus, Lizz Nolasco, Danielle Roach, and Alexandra Dutton about the state of the Old Firehouse Schools. How are teachers really doing? How are children ha…

1
EP1 What is「Learning Mandarin Chill？」 And Do not say「nǐ hǎo ma?」In Mandarin. 5:37

5y ago5:37

5:37

This is a freaking chill Podcast about learning Mandarin. Ep.1 Please do not say "How are you" in Chinese！. Fxxk.... I am tired of that. Yo, guys, my Podcast is online now, you can find on the KKBOX,Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Please put the keywords “ Learning Mandarin Chill”, then you can find it. Then, give me the thumb up and comment as well a…

1
Season 2 - Ep 12 - Covid and chil with Eric, Ste and Pandy 1:29:08

6y ago1:29:08

1:29:08

Amounst the Covid 19 crisis we curently find ourselves in we decided to release a podcast to pass some time since there is absolutely no football on at the moment. We have a chat about the corona virus, politics, conspriacys with Pandy, the healthcare system. Ste and Pandy went head to head in a music quiz. We took precautions recording this episod…

1
Season 2 - Ep 11 - Back to the start with Eric and Mick 1:20:37

6y ago1:20:37

1:20:37

We speak about the LSL, AUL UCFL and Cups. We talk about Rosemount Mulvey and their council issue. Kingswood castles hub proposal. Oliver Bonds huge win in Waterford. We have interviews from Dundalk player and Old County Manager, Daniel Cleary and Ayrfield manager,Gary Deegan. We give updates from the UCFL, AUL and LSL tables. Hosted on Acast. See …

1
Importance Of Play with Deya Hill 15:54

6y ago15:54

15:54

By Fireside Chats on the Young Mind

1
Season 2 - Ep 10 - Mick, Ste and Eric tackle a football heavy episode 1:34:52

6y ago1:34:52

1:34:52

We cover all the major Dublin leagues in this episode. Mick gives us a breakdown of the LSL and his visit to Ballyfermot and Sheriff. Eric gives records his day out watching Bangor and Mochtas last Sunday. Ste talks about the UCFL and has a fairly heavy rant! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Season 2 - Ep 9 - First Episode of 2020 with Eric, Ste and Gaz 1:10:36

6y ago1:10:36

1:10:36

Eric, Ste and Gaz record the first episode of 2020. Brand new headset mics for this episodes which made it a joy to record! We talk UCFL, LSL, AUL, FAI Junior Cup, Justin Burke Sports, Twitter, Troy Parrot. Follow us on Twitter @Mixerpodast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Trauma Informed Parenting with Julie Kurtz, MFT 26:17

6y ago26:17

26:17

By Fireside Chats on the Young Mind

1
Season 2 - Live @ Rosemount v VEC in the FAI Junior 34:53

6y ago34:53

34:53

Live video of the peno shootout can be found on twitter @mixerpodcast. Thanks to Richard and Simmo for their interviews. Best of luck to both clubs going forward. Happy Christmas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Season 2 - Ep 8 - A cold night in Tallaght with Eric, Mick and Lorcan 1:30:01

6y ago1:30:01

1:30:01

In a icy episode the lads chat about the goings on in the FAI, Limerick, The UCFL, AUL and LSL. We talk about the upcoming mixer social media world cup and pit Mick and Lorcan head to head in a quiz. We cover the Oliver bond and Castlrea game and have live coverage from Mick. Eric follows up with a brief interview with Evan Kane, the Oliver Bond co…

1
Preparing for Emergencies 21:23

6y ago21:23

21:23

With the new reality of fire season and power shutoffs, the discussion of emergency preparedness is important. Dorothy and Alexandra Dutton talk with an OFS family, Annette and Dan McCormick, who had to evacuate their home due to the fire in Lafayette in October. They share their experience, what they learned, and what they will do differently -- a…

1
Season 2 - Ep 7 - Jam packed with Interviews the Christmas Toy Appeal 2:09:07

6y ago2:09:07

2:09:07

This week we have a jam packed episode! We talk about the Christmas Toy appeal ran with the support of Crumlin and Bluebell. We have an interview with Paul O Brien from SHFC discussing the turn around in the club and the way they have approached the season. We have match reports from VEC and Glasnaion and the usual football chat! A special intro an…

1
Mental Health - Ep3 - Sports Psychology with James J Claffey 1:26:47

6y ago1:26:47

1:26:47

James J Claffey is a Sport, Exercise & performance Psychologist working with Cobh Ramblers and Na Fianna and is working on a Uefa A license. James has worked with many players and teams across many different levels. This week James chats to Eric about mental health and sports psychology. What makes a good coach? How can coaches better manage player…