Littles Love Learning Podcast

☀️ Join my email community here!Today's interview is with Malia Hollowell from Playdough to Plato.Malia is a Starbucks-loving, red-nail-polish-wearing, Sharpie-obsessed former teacher on a mission to make learning fun and easy!Back in her classroom days, Malia spent way too much time searching for lessons that actually worked. She wanted activities that were simple, engaging, and—most importantly—effective. But finding them? Nearly impossible.So she created Playdough to Plato to take the guesswork out of teaching. From phonics to math, STEM to science, Malia and her team offer science-backed, ready-to-go resources designed to save teachers time and help their students thrive!Listen in on my conversation with Malia as she shares:💜 How she takes the big body of research known as the "Science of Reading" and turns it into actionable steps for teachers💙 Why she advocates for the mental health of teachers as well as the professional training they need to teach reading🩷 How her company is working to equip 500,000 teachers with science-backed tools in order to help 100 million kids learn to read!Prefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here to check it out!You can also listen to my interview with Alex John from the Kindergarten Connection here!_______________________________________________________Connect with Malia:►Playdough to Plato Website (Grab her book here!)►Instagram: @playdough2plato►Facebook►YouTube►Podcast: The Science of Reading Formula►Let's Connect:>>> Join my email community here!>>> Reach out on Instagram @littleslovelearningblogHappy Learning!-Erin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Join my email community here!Today's interview is with Emily Cadiz from Finnegan the Dragon.Emily is a proud mom to three girls, drawing inspiration from her family and personal journey to create impactful educational solutions.A graduate of Columbia University, she holds advanced degrees in early childhood education and music, combining her expertise to innovate approaches to pre-reading skill development.As the founder of Finnegan the Dragon, Emily develops programs that empower children, families, and educators to close gaps in early literacy skills.Listen in on my conversation with Emily as she shares:💜 The important of early language and literacy skills for preschoolers💙 Why she created Finnegan the Dragon and how this program is helping kids across the country🩷 How we can use technology to support language and literacy development in the early years Prefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here to check it out!_______________________________________________________Connect with Emily:►Finnegan the Dragon Website►Instagram: @finneganthedragon►Facebook: Finnegan the Dragon►Let's Connect:>>> Join my email community here!>>> Reach out on Instagram @littleslovelearningblogHappy Learning!-Erin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Join my email community here!Today's interview is with Savannah Campbell from Campbell Creates Readers.Savannah is a K-5 reading specialist who, for 13 years, worked at the elementary school she went to as a child!In 2022, Savannah was named Teacher of the Year for both her elementary school and all elementary schools in her district. She holds two master’s degrees in education from the College of William and Mary and is both Orton-Gillingham and LETRS trained.Savannah has worked through transitioning from a balanced literacy mindset to structured literacy approach, and her greatest hope in life is to allow ALL children to live the life they want by helping them to become literate individuals.Listen in on my conversation with Savannah as she shares:💜 The difference between the way she used to teach reading vs. what she does now (and how the switch made a HUGE difference for her students!) 💙 Why she started sharing teaching tips online (you can find her on Instagram @campbellcreatesreaders) 🩷 How vocabulary fits into the Science of Reading equation (don't overlook this step!)Prefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here to check it out!_______________________________________________________Connect with Savannah:►Campbell Creates Reader Website►Instagram: @campbellcreatesreaders►Facebook Group►YouTube: Campbell Creates Readers►Podcast: Creating Readers with Savannah Campbell►Let's Connect:>>> Join my email community here!>>> Reach out on Instagram @littleslovelearningblogHappy Learning!-Erin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ FREE End of Year Literacy Goals for Pre-K & Kindergarten here!When you're teaching your child to read, it's common for them to know all their letters and sounds...and yet they still can't read.That's because they're working on blending, which is the ability to take the letter sounds they know and fluently blend them together into words.Keep listening for tips on how to help your child with blending as they learn to read (perfect for preschool, pre-k, or kindergarten littles!)Prefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here to check it out!_______________________________________________________►Check out my P.L.A.Y. Reading Program here!_______________________________________________________►Let's Connect:>>> Join my email community here!>>> Reach out on Instagram @littleslovelearningblogHappy Learning!-Erin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Join my email community here!Today's interview is with Lina Miller from Decode by Heart.Lina is a wife, mother of two boys, and an educator. She has 20+ years of experience as an elementary school teacher in Delaware and is currently an academic interventionist. She always thought of herself as a "math person," but ever since she taught first graders, she fell in love with teaching children how to read. Decode by Heart came as a result of teaching students the foundations of reading, but then noticing a lack of general trade books appropriate for her students. Lina decided she could help children be successful readers by publishing a series of books that focuses on what new and struggling readers need: simple, decodable sentences paired with a few story words that build with each story.Lina also wanted to give young readers lovable characters they could follow on various adventures, which is why she created Jax and Ren.As an avid reader herself, Lina's passion is to instill the love of reading in as many children as she can. With family support and consistent practice, children can build a love of reading and learn to Decode by Heart!Listen in on my conversation with Lina as she shares:💜 The differences between decodable books, leveled book, and picture books💙 Why kids need access to decodable books in order to become strong readers🩷 Behind-the-scenes of how she created & published her decodable book series "Jax and Ren"Prefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here to check it out!_______________________________________________________Connect with Lina:►Decode by Heart Website (*Affiliate Link)Use coupon code LittlesLove10 for 10% off your order!►Instagram: @decodebyheart►Facebook: Decode by Heart►YouTube: Decode by Heart►Let's Connect:>>> Join my email community here!>>> Reach out on Instagram @littleslovelearningblogHappy Learning!-Erin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Join my email community here!Today's interview is with Jessica Farmer from Farmer Loves Phonics.Jessica is a literacy advocate in the world of education on social media. With a bachelor's degree from Florida International University, Jessica also holds a reading endorsement in the state of Florida.Her journey into the science of reading began in 2020, spurred by the onset of the pandemic. In response, she took to TikTok to create informative content, aimed at assisting parents in supporting their children's learning at home.Since then, Jessica has maintained a consistent presence on TikTok and Instagram, offering valuable resources and insights for both parents and educators.Jessica's unwavering passion lies in making reading instruction accessible and effective for every learner. With a commitment to reaching and empowering all readers, Jessica continues to be a trusted source of guidance and support in the science of reading community (*She is currently the lead professional trainer for Rainbow Phonics and a facilitator for LETRS EC).Listen in on my conversation with Jessica as she shares:💜 How many repetitions your child might need before they actually remember the alphabet (hint: it's A LOT!)💙 Mistakes to avoid when teaching your child their ABCs🩷 When to be concerned if your child is struggling to remember their letters and soundsPrefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here to check it out!_______________________________________________________Connect with Jessica:►Farmer Loves Phonics Website►Instagram: @farmerlovesphonics►Facebook: @farmerlovesphonics►Teachers Pay Teachers Store►FREE AssessmentLinks Mentioned in this Episode:►Rainbow Phonics FREE Alphabet Slides►Emily Hanford Articles on Reading►The Purple Challenge on YouTube►More Literacy Resources:The Reading LeagueReading Rockets►Let's Connect:>>> Join my email community here!>>> Reach out on Instagram @littleslovelearningblogHappy Learning!-Erin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ FREE End of Year Literacy Goals for Pre-K & Kindergarten here!One of our main goals in preschool and kindergarten is for kids to master letter names and sounds.Our little ones need letter fluency and automaticity in order to become strong readers and spellers.Using an Alphabet Arc is a great way to work on letter names and sounds in a fun, hands-on, playful way!But do you know all the different ways you can use one?Keep listening to learn how to use an ABC arc with your preschool, pre-k, or kindergarten little!Prefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here to check it out!_______________________________________________________LINKS from this Episode:►Check out my P.L.A.Y. Reading Program here!►Alphabet Letters from Junior Learning (*Amazon Affiliate Link. As an Amazon, associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)_______________________________________________________►Let's Connect:>>> Join my email community here!>>> Reach out on Instagram @littleslovelearningblogHappy Learning!-Erin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Join my email community here!Today's interview is with Lisa Parnello from Parnello Education Services.Lisa is a dyslexia expert with over 18 years of experience (working in both public and private schools) who focuses on helping students with learning differences such as dyslexia and dysgraphia.Lisa provides 1-on-1 dyslexia therapy through her in-person practice as well as supporting parents and educators through online courses and the Dyslexia Devoted podcast.Listen in on my conversation with Lisa as she shares:💜 Why students with dyslexia and dysgraphia need MORE than just academic support💙 Red flags to look out for if you're concerned your child has dyslexia (that have nothing to do with reading!)🩷 The mistakes parents make when they see their child struggling with reading in the early gradesPrefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here to check it out!_______________________________________________________Connect with Lisa:►Parnello Education Services►Instagram: @parnelloeducation ►Facebook►Dyslexia Devoted Podcast►FREE Dyslexia Awareness Challenge►Let's Connect:>>> Join my email community here!>>> Reach out on Instagram @littleslovelearningblogHappy Learning!-Erin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ FREE End of Year Literacy Goals for Pre-K & Kindergarten here!When teaching your child to read at home, it's important to give them a chance to practice their phonics skills by having them read decodable books after each new skill they've learned.*You can learn more about my favorite decodable books in THIS video!But instead of just handing them a decodable book to read, you want to follow these 5 steps to make sure they're actually READY to read the entire book on their own!These steps are perfect for preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten littles to follow when learning to read at home.Keep listening to learn about these 5 steps!Prefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here to check it out!*NOTE: The letter x actually represents 2 phonemes in 1 letter: /k/ & /s/. So the word Jax technically has 4 phonemes: /j/ /a/ /k/ /s/. However, when I'm teaching preschoolers, I don't go into this level of complexity for letter x, and instead I want them to simply say /ks/._______________________________________________________LINKS from this Episode:*Jax and Ren Decodable Books: Use coupon code LittlesLove10 for 10% off your order!*This is an affiliate link.*Charge Mommy Decodable Books*This is an affiliate link.*Toddlers Can Read Decodable Books*This is an affiliate link.*Decodable Books vs. Guided Readers*FREE Letters (to practice letter sound fluency)►Want me to help you teach your child to read? Check out my P.L.A.Y. Reading Program here!_______________________________________________________►Let's Connect:>>> Join my email community here!>>> Reach out on Instagram @littleslovelearningblogHappy Learning!-Erin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

☀️ Join my email community here!Today's interview is with Brandy Hawthorne from The Joyous Classroom and Mighty Math Minds.Brandy is a mom of 4, wife of 36 years, and native Texan who has lived and taught across the US in cities like Louisville, Dallas, Cleveland, and the suburbs of Chicago, New Orleans, and St. Louis, just to name a few.She is a 30+ year education veteran with a varied career ranging from early childhood interventionist, childcare director, classroom teacher in public, private, and Christian schools.As the founder of The Joyous Classroom and Mighty Math Minds, Brandy serves both educators and families. When she’s not teaching or presenting a workshop, you’ll most likely find her on her front porch swing of her home in East Texas, coffee in hand, watching her dogs play.Listen in on my conversation with Brandy as she shares:💜 The importance of early math skills in preschool & kindergarten💙 How to incorporate math in easy, fun, and simple ways all throughout your day🩷 How she creates a safe space for her students to explore their math skills and connect it to everyday lifePrefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here to check it out!_______________________________________________________Connect with Brandy:►The Joyous Classroom Facebook Group►Mighty Math Minds Facebook Group►Instagram @thejoyousclassroom►20 FREE Ideas for Math Play Every Day!►Let's Connect:>>> Join my email community here!>>> Reach out on Instagram @littleslovelearningblogHappy Learning!-Erin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.