Podcast
Reimagine Childhood
Hosted by Early Childhood Christian Network · EN
Welcome to Reimagine Childhood brought to you by Early Childhood Christian Network—where we equip you with the tools you need so you can confidently care for and teach young children.
We know early childhood is prime time for all development and, yet, we often overlook our critical role in providing optimal learning experiences. In every episode, you'll find seasoned experts sharing their passion and expertise in a way that is easily applied to everyday experiences in the classroom and anywhere else you're involved with young children. We want to protect and celebrate early childhood in all its wonder and imagination, rather than rushing through it to get "prepared" for the next stage.
So….how will you reimagine your approach to early childhood? We'd love to invite you on this journey with us!
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep. 91 Transforming Toddlerhood: Tools for Power Struggles, Aggression, Biting, and Tantrums with Devon Kuntzman
6d ago00:40:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes Devon Kuntzman, founder of Transforming Toddlerhood, certified coach with a psychology degree, former global nanny, author, summit host, and creator with nearly one million Instagram followers. Devon reframes toddlerhood as a critical, beautiful developmental stage and explains differences between babies, young toddlers, and older toddlers, emphasizing that behavior is communication and often reflects missing skills. She shares a three-part approach—decode behavior, nurture development, and build skills—then addresses common challenges: power struggles (exit the struggle while holding limits and offering choices), physical aggression (connect, set limits, teach skills), biting (get curious, track patterns, support both children, and scaffold with safe alternatives), and tantrums (ensure safety, stay calm, uphold limits, and use "less is more" during meltdowns). 00:00 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood 00:50 Meet Devon Kuntzman 01:47 Why Toddlers Get a Bad Rap 05:06 Toddler Stages and Communication 08:52 Power Struggles and Boundaries 16:18 Hitting Biting and Skill Building 30:56 Tantrums Plus Final Takeaways If you enjoyed the conversation today and need a downloadable PDF mini-guide....HERE you go! A detailed guide to the 4 challenging toddler behaviors we talked about today. https://www.transformingtoddlerhood.com/ https://www.transformingtoddlerhood.com/book/ https://www.instagram.com/transformingtoddlerhood/
Transcribe →Ep. 90 God's Design in Diversity with Tara Hackney
3w ago00:46:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with author and jesusloves.org founder Tara Hackney about rewriting the classic song "Jesus Loves the Little Children" after adopting a traumatized two-year-old from India and realizing the original lyrics felt outdated and incomplete. Tara shares how her experiences in global ministry and adoption awakened a deeper passion to help children understand they are purposefully made, personally known, and perfectly loved by Jesus, and how diversity reflects God's grand design. They discuss practical ways educators can honor God's image in every child through respectful interactions, creativity, empathy-building experiences, and cultural exposure, while connecting everyday actions to God's love. Monica also highlights upcoming ECCN conferences in Georgetown and McKinney, Texas. 00:00 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood 00:50 Meet Tara Hackney 02:07 Why Rewrite the Song 03:12 Adoption Sparked the Change 04:58 Gods Grand Design in Diversity 09:01 Purposefully Made Personally Known 10:54 Practical Classroom Mindset Shifts 15:01 Creativity Justice and Reasoning 16:42 Let Kids Create and Learn 19:24 Do Overs and Childlike Mercy 22:30 Quick Story Break Setup 22:43 Conference Season Preview 23:49 Keynotes and Registration 25:06 Teaching Kids Gods Love 27:46 Culture and Classroom Differences 30:43 Immersion and Empathy Activities 35:15 Worship Creativity and Discernment 40:05 Reimagine Teachers as Missionaries 42:27 Purposefully Made Reflection 44:46 Final Challenge and Farewell Connect with Tara at her website www.jesusloves.org where she also has a really cute shop with merch for you! She has a monthly newsletter where she shares lots of fun ideas as well. Here's the link if you want to sign up. Find the song on Spotify or Youtube: Audio only - https://open.spotify.com/album/1fxDj0EWd0bJ8fPNTQj2SL Audio and video (lyric video) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGR9HoxoZIA&list=RDhGR9HoxoZIA&start_radio=1 Connect with Tara on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jesusloves.ministry/ Find the book Jesus Loves The Little Children on Amazon HERE. If you'd like to place a bulk order of these little books, reach out to Tara on her website for bulk pricing.
Transcribe →Ep. 89: Connecting God's Design to Science and Rest with Sarah Philpott
Jun 2900:24:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with Sarah Philpott—farmer's wife, mom, part-time teacher, and author—about two lift-the-flap board books for young children: Wake Up Little Seed (plant life cycles) and Moo Moo Nap Nap (midday rhythms of rest on the farm). Sarah shares how farm life inspired her to help children see God as "the who behind the science," and she offers practical classroom ideas like starting with the end in mind by opening fruit, showing seeds, planting in soil, and tracking growth over time. Their conversation also explores helping children connect food to farms, building positive nap-time routines through repetition and predictability, and making read-alouds engaging through expressive voice, prediction questions, and acting out stories. The episode also highlights ECCN's upcoming two-day Texas conferences and notes Sarah's devotional for women experiencing infant and pregnancy loss. 00:00 Reimagine Childhood Intro 00:46 Meet Sarah Philpott 01:54 Wake Up Little Seed Story 04:29 Classroom Planting Ideas 06:44 Food Comes From Farms 12:30 Moo Moo Nap Nap Rhythms 20:01 Read Aloud Tips and Wrap Connect with Sarah at https://allamericanmom.net/ On her instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sarahlphilpott/ Her children's books that we talked about today are · Wake Up, Little Seed · Moo, Moo, Nap, Nap You can find all of her books on Amazon - HERE SPECIAL NOTE: If you or a momma in your circle of influence has suffered with infant or pregnancy loss, check out her book Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss
Transcribe →Ep. 88: Faith, Family, Fun, and Fizz: Connecting Science and Faith with Brock Eastman
Jun 1501:00:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes Brock Eastman (aka Dr. Phineas Einstein Fizzlebop), an award-winning author, Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. contributor, and dad of four, to discuss why connecting science and faith matters for young children. Brock shares how Dr. Fizzlebop began as a Clubhouse Jr. science column and grew into videos, a 52-week family devotional (Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop), and Super Simple Science board books covering basics like colors, counting, alphabets, weather, and space. They talk about planting early "memory seeds" that help children integrate faith with everyday learning, the importance of parent-child reading and shared experiences amid modern distractions, and the power of saying "I don't know—let's look it up." Brock demonstrates simple experiments—baking soda and vinegar balloon inflation, "cluck from a cup" amplification, and a straw rocket launch—each paired with a faith connection, and he also mentions his middle grade series Parable Port where Jesus' parables come to life. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:29 Brock Science Origins 04:57 Dr Fizzlebop Resources 31:05 Why Moments Matter 36:51 Curiosity Builds Trust 39:37 Fizz Inflator Experiment 48:34 Cluck From a Cup 53:57 Rocket Launch and Sendoff Connect with Brock Eastman (aka Dr. Fizzlebop) on his website - https://www.brockeastman.com/dr-fizzlebop.html or on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@fizzlebop or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fizzleboplabs/ Find all of his picture and board-books here - https://www.brockeastman.com/picture--board-books.html Fun experiment for Father's Day! - https://www.brockeastman.com/fizzlebop-lab-updates/fathers-day-fizztastic-experiment-water-balloon-strength-test Our Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ECCN-Admin/podcasts
Transcribe →Ep. 87 From Burden to Resilience: Trusting God, Breathing, and Taking the Next Best Step with Debbie Simmons
Jun 100:44:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with Debbie Simmons, founder and CEO of Anchor Point, about why so many early educators feel overwhelmed and how to build resilience without defaulting to control, hustle, or silence. Debbie explains that pressure reveals where our trust systems "leak," and encourages educators to view burnout and anxiety as data points for needed shifts in rhythms, relationships, and honest conversations. She challenges listeners to be brave, speak up, and first be honest with God about fear and lack of trust, noting that internal stress can impact health. Debbie offers practical tools for daily life: start the day centered with God, surrender your schedule, breathe to regain clarity, and focus on the "next best step." 00:00 Reimagine Childhood Intro 00:50 Why It Feels Heavy 08:33 Silence And Hard Talks 18:25 When You Cannot Give 100 23:46 Summer Conference Preview 26:23 Honest Trust Conversations 30:11 Daily Practices to Trust 41:28 Legacy and Closing Prayer Find more great info about Debbie Simmons and all that she brings to the table on her website at https://thedebbiesimmons.com/ Or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thedebbiesimmons/
Transcribe →Ep. 86 Emotional Health Tools for Educators with Dr. Melissa Ewing
May 1800:50:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes back conference favorite Dr. Melissa Ewing, a PhD-trained clinical psychologist and professor at Dallas Baptist University with ministry experience and a passion for integrating scripture with brain science. They discuss why emotions can feel overwhelming, including generational messages about stuffing feelings, the amygdala's danger response, and the role of the prefrontal cortex in reasoning and impulse control. Dr. Ewing defines emotional regulation as recognizing, naming, expressing, and managing emotions, and explains how it supports mental health and relationships. She offers practical tools organized into four areas: renew your mind by replacing automatic negative thoughts with truth and scripture, refocus your heart through worship and gratitude, recharge your body with sleep, hydration, movement, and wise choices, and rest your spirit through Sabbath rhythms, boundaries, and reducing technology. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:22 Why Emotions Feel Bigger 09:24 What Emotional Regulation Means 11:28 Renew Mind and Refocus Heart 23:08 Summer Promo 26:42 Music and Boundaries 28:48 Grace at Work 31:23 Recharge Your Body 37:22 Rest and Wrap Up We've added several tools here to help you: Coping Skills Checklist Encouraging Verses for Worry and Stress Using Your Senses to Manage Stress
Transcribe →Ep. 85: Building Connections Through Movement and Story with Joy Wendling
May 400:35:19Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes Joy Wendling—founder of Created to Play, author, podcast host, and ministry resource coordinator—to model how intentional movement and planned "interruptions" can transform Bible storytelling for preschoolers. Joy demonstrates telling "Jesus Calms the Storm" by inviting children to row, rock with waves, show emotions, and breathe into peace, helping them process fear and experience the story in their bodies. They discuss choosing age-appropriate, shorter storybook Bible retellings, the value of oral storytelling, and how movement frees children's brains to focus rather than struggle to sit still. Monica and Joy explore how this approach nurtures faith, helps children imagine Jesus in everyday life, and offers practical ways to handle child-led interruptions with "connection over perfection," plus classroom extension ideas like sink-and-float play and ocean sounds. 00:00 5.4.26- Joy Wendling 00:01 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood 00:50 Meet Joy Wendling 02:30 Interactive Bible Story Demo 13:34 Why Movement Matters 17:01 Conference Season Highlights 18:01 Storytelling That Builds Faith 26:05 Handling Interruptions Gracefully 31:09 Key Takeaways And Sendoff Find all of Joy's resource at https://createdtoplay.com/ Her podcast is Playfully Faithful Parenting - https://createdtoplay.com/podcast/ Follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/createdtoplay Or find some of the toolkits she's created at https://faithandchildren.org/
Transcribe →Ep. 84 Teaching Children to Listen: Behavior Reflections with Melissa Leach
Apr 2300:36:37Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer welcomes literacy change leader Melissa Leach, owner and president of Leach Literacy Training, to discuss why young children "won't listen" and how educators can teach listening and behavior skills developmentally and with grace. Melissa emphasizes that it's not a child's job to be engaged; it's the teacher's job to engage them, consider children's backgrounds, and teach expectations rather than assume they already know. She shares practical tools including nonjudgmental "behavior reflections" (stating what a "mirror" sees using "you/your") and the "4 Rs": Reflection, Reaction, Redirect, and "Remember I said." They also address barriers like time and adult discomfort, encourage partnering with families, and recommend restoring classroom joy through teacher-led singing and playful transitions while holding onto the "pre" in preschool. 00:00 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood 02:07 Why Kids Don't Listen Yet 05:04 Teach Behavior Not Punish 11:22 Behavior Reflections Tool 17:15 Summer Conference Promo 17:38 Conference Season Highlights 19:39 The Four Rs Framework 21:41 Overwhelm to Joyful Classrooms 32:08 Reimagining Preschool and Final Takeaways Find Melissa at her website - https://www.leachliteracytraining.com/ Here is a link to the website with free printables that Melissa mentioned - https://kizclub.com/#gsc.tab=0
Transcribe →Ep. 83 Understanding Early Childhood Education in a New Era with Ann McKitrick
Apr 600:41:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with Ann McKittrick, founder of Nurtured Noggins and Texas Childcare Training, about challenges young families have faced since COVID and practical ways early educators can help. Ann describes lingering impacts including fear, isolation around birth and newborn care, disrupted social-emotional development, increased reliance on screens and online "experts," and reduced everyday experiences for children. They discuss how parental loneliness and overwhelm affect children and highlight the need for belonging and predictable routines in classrooms to build confidence and security. Ann shares strategies for strengthening family community through intentional parent connections, analog wellness prompts, and facilitating relationships among parents. She also reimagines greater cultural respect, support, and pay for early childhood educators given the importance of early brain development. 00:00 Reimagine Childhood Intro 00:49 Meet Ann McKittrick 02:56 COVID Aftershocks for Families 10:37 Loneliness Screens and Child Development 20:29 Conference Season Highlights 22:38 Predictability Builds Belonging 26:09 Helping Parents Reconnect 35:15 Reimagining Educator Respect Ann McKitrick has LOADS of resources for early childhood educators, parents and moms, specifically. Check out her website at https://www.annmckitrick.com/ You can also connect with her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nurturednoggins/ And if you're interested in connection and becoming your best self in this season — check out her Momentum program at https://www.annmckitrick.com/momentum/.
Transcribe →Ep. 82 Uncovering Purpose in Early Education with Jessie Lambert
Mar 2300:34:05Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer talks with Jesse Lambert, a childcare coaching specialist from West Virginia, about the importance of knowing your "why" in early childhood education—especially during seasons of spring fatigue, difficult days, and burnout. Jesse shares how a moment driving past a church for sale sparked her path into early childhood, leading her to earn an associate's degree in early childhood education and a bachelor's in child development and family studies. Together, Monica and Jesse explore how purpose fuels motivation beyond a paycheck, how your "why" can shift with different seasons of life, and how prayer and staying in tune with yourself help you recognize when you're drifting or simply going through the motions. They discuss navigating hard interactions with parents, coworkers, and children, choosing to "rise above" by turning to God, and practical ways to reset classroom routines—like changing tone of voice, singing directions, or adding playful elements—to reignite joy for both teachers and children. The conversation also highlights the role of school leaders in creating supportive environments, the value of a school-wide "why" alongside each staff member's personal purpose, and Jesse's experience of burnout during COVID that ultimately led her to make a job change. Monica closes by encouraging listeners to pause, ask God to renew their passion, and remember that thriving educators help children flourish. 00:00 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood: A Calling to Shape Hearts 01:32 Meet Jesse Lambert: From a Church-for-Sale Moment to Early Childhood 04:20 Find Your "Why": Purpose, Seasons, and Staying in Tune with God 13:11 Hard Days & Healthy Culture: Resilience, Faith, and Leading Staff Well 19:12 Create a School-Wide "Why" (and Make It More Than a Mission Statement) 22:10 Are You Drifting? Signs You've Lost Motivation + How to Check In 23:28 Burnout, Needed Shifts, and Simple Classroom Resets That Reignite Joy 30:04 Break the Generational Cycle + Final Encouragement to Rediscover Your Why Connect with Jessie on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jessie.lambert.2025 Need some tools for identifying your Why? Try this activity - Finding Your Roots
Transcribe →