Roots & Wings, from the Fox Hill School and hosted by Melanie Little, serves parents of young children at Fox Hill and throughout the wider community. With over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, Melanie has built strong collaborations with educators, specialists, and families, and brings those connections to the podcast. Each episode offers trusted guidance, expert insights, and real-life conversations on child development, parenting, and early learning. Our mission is to nurture parents’ confidence, provide practical tools and encouragement, and strengthen the partnership between families and educators. By sharing knowledge, stories, and strategies, we help parents raise children who grow with strong roots of responsibility, independence, and self-confidence—and wings to thrive as lifelong learners in the world around them.
High-Performance Early Childhood Science: How "Doctor Beaker" Sparks Curiosity at Fox Hill
Discover how hands-on science and playful investigation foster lifelong curiosity in preschoolers. Host Melanie Little speaks with Lauren Bosse, Fox Hill School teacher and head of Science Enrichment, about her fun alter ego, Doctor Beaker. Learn how hands-on experiments, asking "why," and even "failed" experiments build critical thinking, resilience, and confidence in young learners—and how parents can easily extend these fun science concepts into daily routines at home.
Meet Our Guest:
Lauren Bosse is a teacher at Fox Hill School, head of Science Enrichment, and mother of two alumni.
Tip: "Never stop asking questions—you never know what you'll learn when you explore the world."
Top Takeaways
Hands-on science exploration builds problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and confidence in young children.
When experiments fail, children learn resilience and that asking new questions is how science works.
Parents can easily connect science concepts like density to daily routines like bathtime play.
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com
22 Oct 2026
Building Trust & Balance: The Pirate Skool Approach to Kid Safety feat. Pete Conway And Nefer Lopez
Discover how The Pirate Skool helps kids of all abilities—including those with special needs, high anxiety, or fear—learn to ride bikes with confidence. Co-founders Pete Conway and Nefer Lopez share how 1-on-1 personalized instruction, building trust, and starting on balance bikes instead of training wheels transform bike riding into an empowering experience for children and families.
Meet Our Guest:
Pete Conway and Nefer Lopez are co-founders of The Pirate Skool in Topsfield, MA.
Tip: "It’s not about the bike, it’s about psychology, building trust, and showing kids what they can achieve."
Top Takeaways
1-on-1 instruction builds trust quickly, helping kids with special needs or anxiety ride confidently.
Balance bikes are better than training wheels because they teach proper leaning and balance skills.
Advanced lessons teach situational awareness and safety so kids can ride confidently in the world
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Book a beginner lesson: https://pirateskool.com/lessons
Why we start without training wheels: https://pirateskool.com/why-bike/training-wheels
Pirate Skool home page: https://pirateskool.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553144991822
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com
22 Sept 2026
From the "Money Wall" to Allowances: Talking to Kids About Finances feat. Charles Floeckher
Learn how to navigate the overwhelming world of family financial planning with certified financial professional Charles Floeckher. Discover why it's normal to feel financially "behind" and how to shift from comparing yourself to others to measuring your own progress. We discuss involving kids in money decisions, managing the stress of the sandwich generation, and why a financial plan is more like a flexible road trip than a rigid destination.
Meet Our Guest:
Charles Floeckher is a certified financial professional with Commonwealth Financial Group, husband, and father.
Tip: "Don't let the perfect become the enemy of good. You don't have to have every answer today. Just start the conversation."
Top Takeaways
Financial planning is about making thoughtful, step-by-step decisions, not being perfectly figured out today.
Measure your financial progress against where you were last year, not against your neighbors.
A family financial plan is a flexible road trip; adjust as your life changes.
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Commonwealth Financial Group Website: https://www.commonwealthfinancialgroup.com
Charles Floeckher on the Commonwealth Financial Group Website: https://www.commonwealthfinancialgroup.com/our-advisors/charles-floeckher
Charles Floeckher Contact Information:
Call only: 410.375.7577
cfloeckher@financialguide.com
280 Congress Street, Suite 1300
Boston, MA 02110
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com
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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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