That Early Childhood Nerd

04/18/2026

In their book Screen Aware Early Childhood: A Realistic Approach to Helping Young Children Thrive in a Digitally Complex World, Patricia Cantor, Melinda Holohan, and Jean Rogers offer their Screen Aware for Early Childhood Framework (SAFEC) as an essential guide for “navigating the screenscape and making decisions about screen use.”

They join host Heather Bernt-Santy in this episode to discuss why this is such an important resource, and to share the four guiding principles of SAFEC: development centered, research informed, protection oriented, and relationship based.

Their message is centered on protective factors rather than risk factors and is a refreshingly hopeful contribution to an important conversation in our work with children and families.

Screen Aware Early Childhoods

04/17/2026

The folks who invited me to keynote at their conference next weekend are giving away 100 copies of my book! Today those 100 copies were delivered to my house so I can sign them. Signing my book still feels really weird but at least the person I’m signing it for isn’t standing there watching me. 😂🤓

04/17/2026

We are delighted to share with you that we have rescheduled our Book Talk on Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood with author Heather Bernt-Santy! Join us on Thursday, April 23rd, as we dive into this amazing book! Click on the link below or the Linktree in our bio to register for this free event!

https://conta.cc/4sLyOWf

04/11/2026

It's time for another Nerd Study Hall!

In this episode, host Heather Bernt-Santy is joined by Richard Cohen, Aaron Neimark, and Mike Huber to discuss an article written by retired professor and former community organizer William Ayers, titled "The Hope and Promise of Teaching."

It's a beautiful, challenging, inspiring, and validating article and the conversation reflects all of these elements.

It's time for another Nerd Study Hall! In this episode, host Heather Bernt-Santy is joined by Richard Cohen, Aaron Neimark, and Mike Huber to discuss an arti...

04/08/2026

Susan Engel is Class of 1959 Director of the Program in Teaching and a senior lecturer in psychology at Williams College, and the author of several books...all of which host Heather Bernt-Santy has read and LOVED!

Her latest book, American Kindergarten: Dispatches from the First Year of School, is no exception.

In this episode, Susan joins Heather to talk about the book--"an unexpected portrait of the first year of school for America's youngest learners”-- written after spending time in kindergarten classrooms across the United States.

You'll love hearing her talk about the promises kindergarten can make to children.

Susan Engel is Class of 1959 Director of the Program in Teaching and a senior lecturer in psychology at Williams College, and the author of several books...all of which host Heather Bernt-Santy has read and LOVED! Her latest book, American Kindergarten: Dispatches from the First Year of School, is n...

04/08/2026

The Hotline has a new message! A moment of care. Stop for 3 minutes to listen and daydream. Reading a poem by my favorite poet Gwendolyn Brooks.

Call 1-833-LUV NAPS (1-833-588-6277)

04/04/2026

I love this book.

Alternative Narratives in Early Childhood Education

In this compelling work by Peter Moss, readers are invited to look beyond the familiar and question the “dominant discourses” that so often define our field. With clarity and depth, Moss opens space for alternative narratives—where ethics, politics, and possibility become the starting points for reimagining education alongside children.

Grounded in the Contesting Early Childhood Series, this book offers both thoughtful provocation and real-world examples, including the enduring inspiration of Reggio Emilia as a living, evolving approach.

If we believe education can be more just, more democratic, more alive—then this is a conversation worth stepping into.

Available in the NAREA Shop

https://www.store.reggioalliance.org/products/alternative-narratives

03/31/2026

From Demi Siskind:

“Hi all! I'm recruiting early childhood education practitioners for my research study funded by the Foundation for Child Development exploring if and how state and federal education policies on diversity and inclusion affect early care and education.

Participants will be asked to engage in a 45-60 minute virtual interview and receive a $100 e-gift card upon completion.

If you know of early childhood education practitioners serving children anywhere from birth through age 8 who may be interested, please share this flyer or booking link: https://calendly.com/dsiskind-startearly/young-scholars-program-research-study-interview

Interested practitioners are also welcome to reach out to me at dsiskind@startearly.org.

*I am particularly looking for practitioners serving children in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.

Thank you for your support!”

03/27/2026

"When we think of being “gentle” we might think of it as being slow-moving, of having a soft voice, of being non-threatening. But how I view gentleness in th...

03/26/2026

I’m bummed to be postponing this! I hope though that those of you who registered will be on the lookout for the new date and time, and maybe it will work out that some of you who couldn’t come tonight will be able to join then!

Unfortunately, we have to postpone tonight's Book Talk. Please be on the look out for the rescheduled date to be shared soon!

03/26/2026

Hey folks! You've got until May 15 to submit a proposal to present at this conference in Bloomington (Indiana) in October! I'll be there, I'd love to see you there!

Back to News Feb 24, 2026 Ivy Tech Bloomington seeking presenters for early childhood education conference Funded by a $21.9 million Lilly Endowment grant, Ivy Tech is working with communities across Indiana to prepare the next generation of early childhood educators Ivy Tech Community College Bloom...