Best Lucy Ritter and Spencer Hiday Podcasts (2024)

1
SUMMER ANNOUNCEMENT 1:32

2+ y ago1:32

1:32

Hey all! We are having a busy summer, but we don't want to stop putting out episodes for you! So, we are switching to a bi-weekly podcast and will have episodes coming out every other week. Make sure you are subscribed so you can see when new episodes come up. We love you! Support the showBy Lucy Ritter and Spencer Hiday

1
E45: If at first you don’t succeed….. Routine and Perseverance with your child 55:37

2+ y ago55:37

55:37

Have you heard of the "100 Days Project"? . Developed as an arts exercise at Yale University, this exercise in creativity and perseverance individuals to incorporate a project into their routine. If we push ourselves to move beyond monotony in boredom, and to establish routine with the hire end, we are working towards bettering ourselves Join us as…

1
E44: Repetition, Repetition, and a Little Compulsion 56:38

2+ y ago56:38

56:38

This week, we are talking about Repetition! Repetition comes in many forms. This may include reading the same story one hundred times, learning extensions and games that repeat the same skill, peer tutoring, or passively observing a lesson or activity completed by another child. Repetition may also come from routine or the environment. Knowing what…

1
E43: Sun's Out - Sun safety with your children 1:03:57

2+ y ago1:03:57

1:03:57

Today, we’re going to discuss a topic that is urgent this time of the year- Sun protection! Every child needs sun protection. The lighter someone's natural skin color, the less melanin it has to absorb UV rays and protect itself. The darker a person's natural skin color, the more melanin it has. But both dark- and light-skinned kids need protection…

1
E42: Interview with a Botanist - Planting and Gardening with Children 37:11

2+ y ago37:11

37:11

This week, we are so excited to bring you an Interview with a Botanist! Lucy interviewed Rachel Tenney (BS in Plant Science) of Plant School Podcast and Tenney Plants. Rachel is super down-to-earth, fun, and extremely passionate about plants! She makes plant care simple even for those of us with the blackest of thumbs! She is also a mother and is t…

1
E41:Talking about Death, Grief, and Hard Topics 54:57

2+ y ago54:57

54:57

This week, we are going to shift gears . We are talking about grief and how to discuss it with our children. As we have discussed many times before, children are capable of much more than they are often given credit for. They are sometimes more understanding than we are as adults. When we give them the respect to include them in hard topics in a ca…

1
E40: To DYE for, fabric dyeing with your child 59:38

2+ y ago59:38

59:38

As we get closer into summer months, I begin to feel this strong urge to Tie-Dye t-shirts in the hot summer sun! Its a natural past time, summer and dyeing, and today we are talking about dye techniques, and ways to engage your child in dye based activities that are best suited for warm weather Did you know that over 90% of clothing today is dyed s…

1
Updated Intro Episode! 20:23

2+ y ago20:23

20:23

Welcome to the Speckled Bees: A Celebration of Childhood! Early childhood educators - Spencer and Lucy - discuss children, how they develop, and how teachers and guardians can support them in the hard work it takes to learn and grow! Sometimes, supporting children can get lonely and frustrating, so we are also here to help you find the fun in it! I…

1
E39: Children Caring for Creepy Crawlies 59:18

2+ y ago59:18

59:18

Last week we talked about the beautiful side by talking about art in nature. But nature is not always beautiful. This week, Lucy introduces a less glamorous subject, although equally intriguing, by talking about Creepy Crawlies! Hear us out! Don’t turn us off yet! This is a really amazing subject, we promise! We start with a list about why you shou…

1
E38: The Art of Nature 1:12:10

2+ y ago1:12:10

1:12:10

The weather is warming up outside, and more children, their classes, and caregivers are inclined to spend a greater time in nature! While considering ways to engage children in the great outdoors, we'd like to introduce the some ideas of merging art and nature - one of the greatest pairings throughout the course of humanity. Introducing your child …

1
E37: Barefoot is Best 1:19:49

2+ y ago1:19:49

1:19:49

We are so excited to share this episode! Lucy presents this topic at conferences, but we are publishing this for you all to listen to FOR FREE! Although, Lucy is not sharing her slides, ha! We talk about the benefits of children being barefoot, especially outside. Barefoot walking helps with building body awareness, preventing injuries, promoting p…

1
E36: Its PAWfect, pets and your children PT. 2 1:02:16

2+ y ago1:02:16

1:02:16

Is your family considering adding an animal member to its ranks? Do you love animals, but don't have any pets in your own home? This episode is an introduction to parents and families in all walks of life, who are considering the best ways to acclimate their children to animals in their lives. Join us as we discuss the steps towards a happy integra…

1
E35: Think PAWsitive, pets and your children PT.1 57:26

2+ y ago57:26

57:26

Are you considering introducing a pet to your family ? Are you expecting a bundle-of-joy, and contemplating how to introduce the newest family member to your cat or dog? Does your child know how to approach an unfamiliar pet outside of the home? If any of these questions apply to or intrigue you, we encourage you to delve into this weeks episode, d…

1
E34: More Than One Kind of Smart 43:14

2+ y ago43:14

43:14

In this episode, we discuss Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Sometimes we talk as though intelligence is a singular concept that has a scale and we all sit at different spots on that scale. Yet we see all around us adults and children who are very smart in math but not at all good with words, musically gifted but klutzy on the ath…

1
E33: Building Your Childs Studio Space 45:50

2+ y ago45:50

45:50

In todays episode, we are discussing the creation of an art space- a studio space- for your little creators. “A Child has 100 languages” and an appropriate studio space in your home and classroom can help your children to explore each of these languages. Your classroom Atelier is the ultimate third teacher in the classroom, and should exist in a wa…

1
E32: PART II This Episode is LIT! -eriture, reading, and writing 37:29

2+ y ago37:29

37:29

Welcome back for Part II of our literacy deep dive! These half is the fun half where we take what we talked about last week and give real examples of how to encourage a love of literacy in our homes and classrooms. We also discuss whether it is call a cootie catcher or a fortune teller. What do you say? What is something you want to try? Take a pic…

1
E31: PART 1 This Episode is LIT! -eriture, reading, and writing 51:39

2+ y ago51:39

51:39

Don't forget to leave us a review! Today, we are talking about maybe the most common and comfortable curriculum area: literacy centers. While this seems very straightforward, we wanted to break it down more so we can better focus our energies and not go into the ‘push-down curriculum' zone. We had SO much to cover that we had to split this episode …

1
E30: Full STEAM ahead 50:38

2+ y ago50:38

50:38

Is it the hot air from a rushing locomotive, or the vapor rising from a hot cup of coffee? No, todays we're talking about S.T.E.A.M- Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. How does adding art to STEM learning and education bolster a childs learning? By adding an artistic approach to standard science and math based subjects, you are integr…

1
E29: "Block Party!" Why Block Play is Important 59:55

2+ y ago59:55

59:55

Today, we are continuing our exploration of early childhood curriculum areas with block play! Research has consistently shown that block play supports the development of mathematical thinking, social skills, abstract thinking, creativity, and most recently literacy (Hanline, Milton, Phelps 2009). We go over a brief history of the unit block then we…

1
E28: Interview with A Childhood Music Specialist Ft. Susan Leone 44:05

2+ y ago44:05

44:05

Since 1997, there has been a steady cut in public school Music education programs across the USA. Music in education has been proven time and time again to INCREASE a childs learning abilities across multiple disciplines, and in todays episode, we dive into the facets, interests, and benefits of music in early and later educations, with long time M…

1
E27: Dramatic Play 1:15:44

2+ y ago1:15:44

1:15:44

Continuing our month on classroom subjects, we are discussing a point of early education that I feel often gets overlooked as a independent center, separate from other subjects- Dramatic play We will explore the various subject matters dramatic play is consistently incorporated into, the definition of 'dramatic play', and our personal experiences i…

1
E26: Mathtastic 1:04:44

3y ago1:04:44

1:04:44

We are so excited to be back!!! We've missed our weekly discussions on childhood! We come in hot talking about curriculum areas and decided to cover a tricky one: MATH. The bulk of this episode follows NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) position statement on Early Childhood Mathematics: Promoting Good Beginnings which …

1
E25: New Year's Resolutions with Children 1:07:36

3y ago1:07:36

1:07:36

Goals, resolutions, and ‘fresh starts’ are words we use to welcome the symbolic new year on a bright note. How can we translate these ideas for children to start their own new year with a fresh face? We talk about the goals we have, how to set up successful goals (we review SMART goals, of course), and the benefits of goal setting for children. Don…

1
E24: Interview with a Speech and Language Pathologist Ft. Kim Hiday 1:48:25

3y ago1:48:25

1:48:25

The greatest gift you can afford your child this holiday season is the gift of therapeutic services. Join us this December in discussing speech and language services with Kim Hiday, owner and therapist at Mclean Speech and Language of Mclean, Virginia. Mrs. Hiday addresses common questions such as best times to seek speech and language services, ho…

1
E23: Baby, It's Cold Outside - Benefits of Cold Weather Play 1:02:09

3y ago1:02:09

1:02:09

Baby, it's cold outside! Why do we prioritize outdoor play even when temperatures drop? There are so many reasons, and we try to cover a few in this episode. It boosts your immune system and helps children retain brown fat, offers amazing sensorimotor experiences, and gives opportunities to study STEM. We even talk about how babies take naps outsid…

1
E22: The Season of Giving - Developing Empathy 1:04:10

3y ago1:04:10

1:04:10

****TW: We talk a small bit about abuse and consent in this episode**** It's the first week of December and the second day of Advent- YAY! This holiday season, I wanted to address the spirit of this season- the season of giving! As our young children develop into empathetic and kind humans, we want to aid this process along by providing them the to…

1
E21: Gratitude (A Short Thanksgiving Greeting) 13:35

3y ago13:35

13:35

Since this is coming out on Thanksgiving Day for those in the USA, we wanted to talk about the importance of gratitude and for what this year we are personally grateful! We then announce that Speckled Bee merchandise is right around the corner, woohoo! Lastly, we announce that we will be taking a short break during the month of January. Happy Holid…

1
E20: Interview with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Ft. Mary Becerra 58:08

3y ago58:08

58:08

Holidays tend to be food-centric anyways, but they are extra heavy during this time of year. You hear a lot of conversations about food, nutrition, and weight. We thought now would be the perfect time to discuss how to approach nutrition with our children in a productive way! For this conversation, I invited Mary Becerra, a Registered Dietitian Nut…

1
E19: Secret Hideouts and Shelters 58:49

3y ago58:49

58:49

Did you have a secret hideout when you were a kid? November is the time of that we seek out warmth, comfort, and security. It's the perfect time to build secret hide-outs with children! Creating secret forts, dens, hideouts, and playhouses isn’t just any random kind of play. Studying shelters gives the children an opportunity to explore the ideas o…

1
E18: Expanding Our Artist Vocabulary 54:02

3y ago54:02

54:02

*Trigger warning! Marked as explicit because we talk about sexual assault (minutes 7:30 to 10:30) in discussing Chuck Close. November is National Native American Heritage Month! One way we can honor and celebrate Indigenous and other minority cultures is by better acquainted with artisans from these communities. Our resident atelierista, Spencer, d…

1
E17: Lights, Shadows, HOLIDAYS 1:01:56

3y ago1:01:56

1:01:56

"The light is everywhere, but to “see it”, paradoxically, it must be turned on in the mind” - Loris Malaguzzi We were inspired by the Jack-o'-lantern for this week's episode. The extreme sensory experience of the lighted up pumpkin really sets the tone for the Halloween season. That launched us into a discussion on light focused holidays! We go thr…

1
E16: Masks Up! 56:30

3y ago56:30

56:30

What kind of masks can you think of? Masks have developed a whole different meaning over the last couple of years. Regardless how you feel about them, masks have become a normal part of our lives and children are fascinated by them. Spencer talks about how to bring joy and culture back into the subject. We discuss themes and the problems you run in…

1
E15: Interview with a Tooth Fairy Ft. Sara Chehreh 32:42

3y ago32:42

32:42

The Tooth Fairy is on the Speckled Bees! Spencer interviewed the absolutely lovely Sara Chehreh - a dental student with quite a bit of experience working in pediatrics - all about how to care for our children's smiles! She clarifies the difference between a general dentist and a pediatric dentist. She covers the first visit to the dentist (Recommen…

1
E14: Magic, Monsters, and Make-believe 1:03:15

3y ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Does your child believe there are monsters under the bed? Is encouraging the idea of Santa lying and manipulating your children? Lucy gets her nerd on this week as we discuss the development of magical thinking! We talk about different developmental theorists and theories. We zone in on Piaget's idea of the Preoperational stage of development from …

1
E13: Halloween Safety ("Stranger Danger") 47:22

3y ago47:22

47:22

**TRIGGER WARNING** We marked this episode as explicit because we talk about abuse and use proper names for body parts. This week, we start our holiday topics! We tackled a difficult subject as Spencer shares some important ideas to help keep children safe. Holidays are a break from routine and add some chaos into the mix, so accidents are more lik…

1
E12: Interview with a Special Education and Autism Teacher Ft. Erin Williams-Stroh 1:03:23

3y ago1:03:23

1:03:23

To continue our discussion about Getting Help for Young Children, we brought in Erin Williams-Stroh to talk about how it looks as the child grows. Erin is a super passionate Self Contained Autism Teacher for 2-5th grade students in PWCS. She has a Bachelors in Multidisciplinary Studies (Elementary Ed.) and a Masters in Special Education from Marymo…

1
E11: Basic Behavior Toolkit 56:48

3y ago56:48

56:48

As parents and teachers, we are often told what we CAN'T do for discipline, but aren't told so much what we CAN do. That is why we put together this basic list of techniques to handle challenging behavior. We can use these in order to gently support children in developing self-regulation and self-control. Some of the 'tools' we discuss are redirect…

1
E10: The Power of the Black Line 58:58

3y ago58:58

58:58

Spencer introduces us to important early drawing skills! We start by talking about the importance of planning and outlining first with a black marker or brush pen (linked below) and then go in to a break down the stages of drawing lines and symbols. We even go on a little tangent on gothic and gory art in teenage years and whether or not to be conc…

1
E9: Interview with an Early Interventionist FT. Lauren Barrick 49:26

3y ago49:26

49:26

Re-listening to this episode gave me chills because I am SO EXCITED to share such practical and important information with you! Lauren Barrick is one of the sweetest people I know and she is so knowledgeable and passionate! She is a mom as well as an early interventionist and is experienced on all sides of the equation. What do you do if a child is…

1
E8: Real Tools and Woodworking 1:01:56

3y ago1:01:56

1:01:56

Lucy leads our discussion this week in talking about different types and benefits of using real tools, the Zone of Proximal Development, the whole child, STEM, and even a little soapbox moment about circle time, haha! We had so much to say about this topic, so it ended up being a little longer than our normal episodes. Let us know your thoughts, an…

1
E7: Strong Little Fingers 49:53

3y ago49:53

49:53

Spencer leads us in this conversation all about fingers! We discuss finger dexterity, strength, and independence. This is important for a variety of reasons, but most adults are very preoccupied with how this contributes to writing. Spencer breaks down the four different pencil grips and talks about ways we can encourage proper holds in a gentle wa…

1
E6: Water Safety ft. Krissy Bartlett 44:28

3y ago44:28

44:28

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children under the age of five, so water safety is vital in early childhood! To inform us about this important subject, Lucy interviewed Krissy Bartlett. Not only is Krissy a wonderful and calming person, she is also more than qualified to discuss this topic. She is the Regional Manager and Train…

1
E5: Big Body Play/ Vestibular Stimulation 45:38

3+ y ago45:38

45:38

Lucy leads our discussion this week about big body play, rough and tumble play, and vestibular stimulation. We talk about the many benefits and give tips to manage and encourage this type of play. What are your reservations about Big Body Play? Reach out to us on facebook and instagram to join the discussion! facebook: @thespeckledbeespodcast insta…

1
E4: Early Sensory Engagement 47:35

3+ y ago47:35

47:35

Spencer leads our conversation about the importance of sensory engagement in early years (particularly its impact on memory) and ways to institute it with infants and young toddlers. We differentiate sensory overload and sensory stimulation through talking about Dr. Duncan's "Time Square Effect". We also bring up ways we see this in our current cul…

1
E3: Yoga and Meditation Ft. Simone Carvalho 42:24

3+ y ago42:24

42:24

We had our first interview with the strong and kind Simone Carvalho! She addresses why yoga is beneficial for children, how to implement it at different ages, and gives specific ideas for adults planning on using this with the children in their care. Simone has a course to help adults teach yoga to children launching soon, so follow us (@thespeckle…

1
E2: Risky Play 53:45

3+ y ago53:45

53:45

In this episode, we discuss the importance of risky play. Although it is intimidating and sometimes stressful, it is vital to a child’s development. We outline the benefits, share tips for caregivers, and share real life experiences. Run Baby Run · Caspar Babypants https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFnYq2pMDbs Courtney Egan - CF Mom Supporter Instagr…

1
E1: Messy Play 49:56

3+ y ago49:56

49:56

This week, Spencer and Lucy discuss the importance of Messy Play for children! Along with the benefits, they also provide a list of practical tips on how to minimize clean up and make messy play more manageable. Follow us on Instagram @thespeckledbees to join in our discussion! Music: "Wholesome" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creat…

1
Intro to The Speckled Bees 20:24

3+ y ago20:24

20:24

We had some problem with the sound. Please grant us some grace as we learn the ropes! Welcome to the Speckled Bees: A Celebration of Childhood! Early childhood educators - Spencer and Lucy - discuss children, how they develop, and how teachers and guardians can support them in the hard work it takes to learn and grow! Sometimes, supporting children…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Lucy Ritter And Spencer Hiday Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide