The Everything ECE Podcast

This week on The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla sits down with Laurent Li, an educator working both on the frontline with children and in post-secondary education, preparing future ECEs entering the field.
Together, they have an honest and reflective conversation about the growing gap between graduating and actually being classroom-ready, authentic inclusion culture, mentorship, onboarding, advocacy, and the basics we cannot afford to lose sight of in early childhood education.
From headcounts and visual schedules to connection, belonging, and what true inclusion really looks like beyond performative practices, this episode explores the heart of what it means to support children, families, and educators well.
This conversation is thoughtful, validating, and one every educator and leader should hear.
LAURENT LI
Laurent Li is a professor in the Faculty of Early Childhood Education at Seneca Polytechnic and an advocate for inclusive cultures and the creation of environments that support children with disabilities in demonstrating their capabilities. He is also a proud girl dad to two young daughters, ages 3 and 5, and, as a result, a devoted caffeine lover.
LINKS
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ljmli/ 

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If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

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In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward shares one of the most impactful reflective strategies she adopted in her career as an early childhood educator: using the 5 Ws and the H to better understand behaviour, play, emotions, environments, and classroom dynamics.
Instead of immediately reacting to challenging moments, Carla explores how slowing down and asking reflective questions can help educators become more responsive, intentional, and supportive in their practice.
This episode dives into:
reflective practice in ECE

understanding behaviour through curiosity

the role of environment and timing

schemas and observation

supporting dysregulation

studying what is working in the classroom, not just what is not

Whether you are navigating challenging behaviours, trying to better understand classroom dynamics, or looking to deepen your reflective practice, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what is really happening beneath the surface.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA
The ECE Latte Lounge
Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠
Website: carlatheece.com
Instagram: @carlatheece

Working with Wood in ECE with Pete Moorhouse
Woodworking in early childhood can feel like a big leap – for educators and for programs.
In this episode, I sit down with early years creative consultant, researcher, and author Pete Moorhouse to explore what woodworking can actually look like in practice – and why it matters.
With over 25 years of experience, Pete shares how hands-on experiences with real tools support children’s creativity, problem solving, focus, and confidence in ways that go far beyond what we often see in traditional classroom materials.
We dive into:
Why woodworking is making a global comeback in early years

How to safely introduce tools to young children

The difference between risk and danger

The role of the educator in open-ended, hands-on learning

Why children need more opportunities to work with their hands

This conversation is both practical and thought-provoking – especially if you’ve ever felt unsure about introducing something new into your classroom.

PETE MOORHOUSE
Pete Moorhouse is an early years creative consultant, researcher, author and artist educator based in the UK.  He is an associate trainer for Early Education delivering training nationally and overseas and is also a Froebel Tutor for the Froebel Trust. His work in school is centred around nurturing children's creativity inspired by Froebelian principles and the approach in Reggio Emilia. Pete is a leading authority on woodwork in Early Years education and has written several books and journal articles, including ‘Learning Through Woodwork’ (Routledge) as well as books on outdoor learning. He is currently working his latest book – ‘Creativity in Practice: Nurturing creative and critical thinking in early childhood education’. He was awarded an honorary research fellowship from the University of Bristol and is currently researching creative progression in early education. Pete was also awarded a Churchill Fellowship to undertake international research into best woodworking practices in education. Pete won the national award (2019) from the Creative Learning Guild for his work promoting creativity in education and is Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

LINKS
Pete’s Website: https://irresistible-learning.co.uk/
Woodworking Course: https://irresistible-learning.co.uk/woodwork-cpd-online-course/ 
Woodworking Book: 
https://amzn.to/4d1vx0t (CANADA) 
https://store.northhouse.org/products/learning-through-woodwork-20acc (UK)
https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Through-Woodwork-Introducing-Creative/dp/1138071102 (US)
Books with positive roles of girls & women with tools: https://irresistible-learning.co.uk/resource/girl-power-tools-booklist/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IrresistibleLearningEYs 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-moorhouse-72b36214/ 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA
The ECE Latte Lounge
Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ 
Website: carlatheece.com
Instagram: @carlatheece

Scissors.
Such a simple tool… until it’s not.
In this episode, we’re digging into the hesitation so many educators feel when it comes to offering scissors during free play. Is it about safety? Trust? Or something deeper?
Because when scissors aren’t part of the environment, we might be holding children back in ways we don’t always see - from fine motor development to creativity and confidence.
This episode isn’t about forcing one way of doing things. It’s about asking better questions, shifting our language, and rethinking how we support children in building real skills.
If you’ve ever said “be careful” (we all have), this one’s for you.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.
CONNECT WITH CARLA
The ECE Latte Lounge
Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠
Website: carlatheece.com
Instagram: @carlatheece

What if the change we keep waiting for… is actually us?
In this powerful and honest conversation, I’m joined again by the incredible Kisa Marx to talk about her new book We Are Who We’re Waiting For and the deeper truths behind it.
Together, we explore what’s really holding education back, why neutrality might be our biggest barrier, and how systems can be working exactly as designed… even when they’re not serving children.
We also get into:
The hidden impact of perfectionism in education

Why “getting it right” might be doing more harm than good

How the system shapes “worker bees” instead of thinkers

The power of small steps and shifting your mindset

What it really means to advocate for children (even when it feels uncomfortable)

This episode is a mix of real talk, reflection, and a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t come from waiting… it comes from us.
If you’ve ever felt like something in education is off but couldn’t quite name it, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

KISA MARX
Kisa Marx is an author, anti-racist curriculum developer, and founder of The Play Lab Foundation, a nonprofit offering play- and nature-based childcare to families who face barriers to access in Oak Park, Illinois. With over 20 years in the field, Kisa is anchored in the belief that childhood is sacred, nature is restorative, and play is revolutionary. Her newest book just came out, called We Are Who We're Waiting For. When not advocating for equitable early learning or supporting her “crew” of young learners, she spends time with her partner of 26 years, tending to their garden of adult children, pets, and plants. Kisa has also included a pre-workshop reflection for you to do prior to starting her session today that you can find just below the video. SO go ahead and fill that out and then come back to join Kisa in her session. 
 

LINKS
Grab Kisa’s book here: RedLeaf (US)  or Login
Website: https://theplaylabnfpoakpark.org/
Substack: https://kisamarx.substack.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_still_learning/  and https://www.instagram.com/theplaylabfoundation/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmarxoftheplaylab/ 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA
The ECE Latte Lounge
Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ 
Website: carlatheece.com
Instagram: @carlatheece