That Early Childhood Nerd
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Podcast Overview
<p>If you love thinking deeply about childhood, early childhood education, caring for children, and supporting children’s right to play, this is the podcast for you! Each week, host and self-proclaimed early childhood nerd Heather Bernt-Santy invites practitioners, writers, and thinkers who share her commitment to doing the very best we can for children, their caregivers and teachers, and their families to discuss big ideas, real life practices, and cool research. Let’s get nerdy!</p>
Language
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Publishing Since
8/1/2016
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Recent Episodes
July 31, 2026
NERD_0422 Lisa Asks Heather: Reflecting on 10 Years of TECN
Ten years of That Early Childhood Nerd? We could hardly believe it either! To wrap up our week of bonus anniversary content, we handed the microphone to one of Heather's favorite people, Lisa Murphy...and, as you might expect, things got a little (delightfully) off track. Lisa asks the questions, Heather tries to answer them, and together they look back on a decade of conversations about play, teaching, advocacy, and whatever rabbit trails seem too interesting to ignore. They talk about the beginnings of the show, the episodes that stick with Heather, the ideas she's changed her mind about, and what keeps her showing up behind the microphone after all these years. There are stories, laughs, a little reminiscing, and plenty of nerding out along the way. Whether you've been here since day 1 or you're just joining "That Early Childhood Nerd Nation" (thanks, Lisa!), thanks for listening, and thanks for making ten years of this podcast possible. Order Heather’s book, Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood, here: https://www.tcpress.com/products/using-schema-play-theory-to-advocate-for-free-play-in-early-childhood_9780807783177 Join our new Patreon community! For just $5 a month you can support all the Early Childhood Nerdwork podcasts AND join our Discord server to chat with the hosts and others who are working for children, their families, and their teachers: https://www.patreon.com/cw/EarlyChildhoodNerdworkbyThatEarlyChildhoodNerd Thanks for listening!
July 30, 2026
TECN Bonus Episode 4: Community Care and Mutual Aid
In this episode, we explore how Little Women's themes of community care and mutual aid connect to our work with young children, their families, and each other. The novel tells stories of a family giving to others, whether informally through sharing their Christmas breakfast or more formally through Marmee's organized work on behalf of Union soldiers, and then receiving care themselves from friends and neighbors when Mr. March becomes ill. Mike Huber and Lizz Nolasco join host Heather Bernt-Santy to discuss how interdependence, shared responsibility, and showing up for each other might be the answer to so many of the problems we live with today and create a world where children, families, and educators are supported by communities that care. Order Heather’s book, Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood, here: https://www.tcpress.com/products/using-schema-play-theory-to-advocate-for-free-play-in-early-childhood_9780807783177 Join our new Patreon community! For just $5 a month you can support all the Early Childhood Nerdwork podcasts AND join our Discord server to chat with the hosts and others who are working for children, their families, and their teachers: https://www.patreon.com/cw/EarlyChildhoodNerdworkbyThatEarlyChildhoodNerd Thanks for listening!
July 29, 2026
TECN Bonus Episode 3: Finding Your Voice
One of the themse of Little Women is the journey of finding your voice. Jo insisted on telling her own stories, and found a way to support her family with her writing. Amy claims her artistic talents, even when her ambitions are thwarted. In the process, they find out what it means to be heard and live authentically. In this episode, Lizz Nolasco and Stacy Benge join host Heather Bernt-Santy discuss what it means to find your voice in a profession that is often overlooked. How do we speak up for children, families, and ourselves? Whether it's writing books, hosting podcasts, speaking to groups, or talking to coworkers and families about our practice, we connect the stories in Little Women to our ongoing work of advocacy and courage in early care and education. Order Heather’s book, Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood, here: https://www.tcpress.com/products/using-schema-play-theory-to-advocate-for-free-play-in-early-childhood_9780807783177 Join our new Patreon community! For just $5 a month you can support all the Early Childhood Nerdwork podcasts AND join our Discord server to chat with the hosts and others who are working for children, their families, and their teachers: https://www.patreon.com/cw/EarlyChildhoodNerdworkbyThatEarlyChildhoodNerd Thanks for listening!
420 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is That Early Childhood Nerd?
<p>If you love thinking deeply about childhood, early childhood education, caring for children, and supporting children’s right to play, this is the podcast for you! Each week, host and self-proclaimed early childhood nerd Heather Bernt-Santy invites practitioners, writers, and thinkers who share her commitment to doing the very best we can for children, their caregivers and teachers, and their families to discuss big ideas, real life practices, and cool research. Let’s get nerdy!</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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