Podcast
Education Exam Prep
Hosted by Ran Chen, EA, CFP® · EN
Education Exam Prep is a free, daily podcast by OpenExamPrep covering the most in-demand teacher licensure and education certification exams — including Praxis Core, Praxis Subject Assessments (Math, ELA, Social Studies, Science, SLP, ESOL), ParaPro, CDA (Child Development Associate), CBEST, CSET, edTPA, FTCE, GACE, ILTS, MTEL, MTLE, MoGEA, AEPA, CEOE, CPACE, CTEL, FELE, RID/CASLI Interpreter Certifications, EIPA, and CELTA. Each 5-minute episode breaks down one exam topic with concrete classroom-style examples, scoring rubric insights, common exam traps, and memory tricks to help you pass on your first attempt. No fluff, no filler — just the concepts you need to know, explained the way the exam tests them. This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation for everyone — from paraprofessionals and early childhood educators to teacher candidates and education leaders. For free practice questions, AI-powered explanations, flashcards, and full study guides, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ Subscribe and listen daily — your teaching license is closer than you think.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
CDA Exam Prep 23, Self-Help and Adaptive Skills — Independence
Yesterday00:03:02Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Key developmental milestones for self-feeding (12-18mo), toileting (2-3yr), and dressing (3-4yr) for the CDA exam. - How to analyze scenario-based questions about fostering independence and choose the best educator response. - Common exam traps, such as confusing genuine support with taking over a task for a child. - The importance of an adapted and accessible environment in promoting children's self-help skills. - A simple mnemonic, WAIT (Watch, Adapt, Invite, Team up), to recall best practices for supporting child autonomy. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 22, Sensory and Perceptual Development
2d ago00:03:46Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to identify and support all seven senses in early childhood, including the often-overlooked vestibular and proprioceptive systems. - The difference between sensory-seeking and sensory-avoidant behaviors and how to adapt activities for both. - How the CDA exam uses scenario-based questions to test your application of sensory development principles. - Common exam traps, such as the one-size-fits-all approach to sensory activities. - A memorable phrase, 'Observe and Adjust to Earn their Trust,' to guide your responses to children's sensory needs. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 21, Fine Motor Development — Pincer Grasp to Writing
3d ago00:03:36Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The six key stages of grip development, from the reflexive palmar grasp in infants to the mature dynamic tripod grip used for writing. - How to identify the typical age ranges for critical fine motor milestones, including the pincer grasp which emerges around 8-12 months. - The predictable progression of scissor skills, starting with snipping at age two and advancing to cutting complex shapes by age five. - To select developmentally appropriate activities, such as using playdough or tongs, to build the essential hand strength required for writing. - How to avoid the common exam trap of incorrectly expecting a young child to demonstrate a perfect pencil grip before they are developmentally ready.
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 20, Gross Motor Development Milestones Birth to 5
4d ago00:03:37Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - To recognize the cephalocaudal (head-to-toe) progression of motor skills in infants. - To distinguish between age-appropriate mobility skills, such as walking confidently (1-2 years) versus pedaling a tricycle (3-4 years). - To identify the sequence of complex locomotion: running, then jumping, then hopping, and finally skipping. - To understand the core principle of planning for the next emerging skill, not pushing a child beyond their current ability. - To use the mnemonic "Head, Sit, Crawl, Walk, Run, Jump, Skip" to recall the major gross motor milestones in order. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 19, Outdoor Learning Environments — Loose Parts and Nature
5d ago00:03:32Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How the CDA views the outdoors as an essential, intentional extension of the classroom. - Why prioritizing loose parts and natural elements like logs and sticks is critical for fostering cognitive development. - The importance of implementing daily outdoor time in all types of weather with appropriate preparation. - How to apply a risk-benefit analysis to outdoor play, allowing for manageable challenges that build competence. - A simple mnemonic, "Logs, not plastic blogs," to focus on open-ended, natural materials for your learning environment. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 18, Daily Schedule Design — Balance and Predictability
6d ago00:03:39Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to create a balanced schedule by alternating active/quiet, indoor/outdoor, and child-directed/teacher-led activities. - Why a predictable routine is essential for a child's sense of security and how to remain flexible for teachable moments. - The critical importance of providing long, uninterrupted blocks of free play (45-60 minutes) to foster deep engagement and learning. - Strategies for minimizing stressful transitions and using visual schedules to support all children, including non-readers and those with special needs. - How to integrate non-negotiable biological needs like meals, snacks, and rest time into the daily plan. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 17, Materials Selection — Open-Ended, Anti-Bias, Culturally Reflective
1w ago00:04:32Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to distinguish between open-ended materials that foster creativity and close-ended toys for CDA exam scenarios. - To apply the "mirrors and windows" framework to select materials that reflect children's identities and introduce diverse perspectives. - To identify and avoid common stereotypes in cultural materials, opting for authentic items instead. - Why anti-bias materials must encompass diversity in race, family structure, ability, and gender. - The importance of rotating materials to maintain child engagement, a key concept in classroom management questions. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 16, Designing the Physical Space — Interest Centers and Flow
1w ago00:03:43Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to strategically separate quiet and active interest centers to avoid common exam traps. - Why clear traffic paths are a critical factor in both safety and classroom management scenarios. - The importance of child-level material access and displays for fostering autonomy. - How cultural representation in the physical environment is tested on the CDA exam. - The "PATHS" mnemonic to quickly evaluate any classroom layout for key exam criteria. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 15, Safe Sleep Practices for Infants — Back to Sleep
1w ago00:03:10Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The 'ABCs of Safe Sleep' (Alone, Back, Crib) as a critical mnemonic for the CDA exam. - Why a bare crib with a firm, flat surface is the only acceptable sleep environment for infants. - How the CDA exam uses scenario-based questions to test your application of safe sleep policies. - To identify common exam traps, such as justifying unsafe practices for an infant's 'comfort'. - Key details including the use of sleep sacks instead of blankets and the absolute prohibition of bottle propping. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 14, Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Care, and ACEs
1w ago00:03:47Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) impact a child's brain development, learning capacity, and emotional regulation. - The core principles of trauma-informed care, including creating safety, offering choices, and maintaining predictable routines. - To recognize that challenging behaviors like regression or aggression can be communications of stress, not acts of defiance. - To define your professional boundaries: your role is to provide a secure environment and connect families with resources, not to diagnose or provide therapy. - How to use the "CARE" mnemonic (Consistency, Attunement, Routines, Empathy) to select the best responses in exam scenarios. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →