Roots and Wings

Alex Morgan, M.A., is the Community Outreach Specialist at Boulder Journey School. Tip: "Shift your gaze; look for the meaning behind a child's action rather than just the behavior itself." Top Takeaways The Reggio approach is "child-partnered," engaging with children in their full humanity and curiosity. Documentation acts as a visual memory, allowing children to relive, reflect, and build on experiences. Support curiosity at home by asking what "research question" your child is currently testing. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Alex Morgan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-morgan-0ab397308 The Values and Principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach by Lella Gandini https://learningmaterialswork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ValuesAndPrinciples.pdf Supportive Social Learning by Ellen Hall and Jen Rudkin https://www.boulderjourneyschool.com/supportive-social-learning.html And if folks would like to take a peek into Boulder Journey School, this virtual tour is pretty comprehensive :) https://www.boulderjourneyschool.com/virtual-tour.html Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Does the thought of elementary math fill you with anxiety? You're not alone. Host Melanie Little talks with Title I math tutor Patti Sanders about overcoming "math person" myths. Learn how to foster "number sense" through play, why the "Power of Yet" is essential for a growth mindset, and how everyday activities like board games and building blocks can turn math anxiety into confidence for your preschooler. Meet Our Guest: Patti Sanders is a Title I math tutor at Highland School and a Fox Hill alumni parent. Tip: "Mistakes will make you learn! It is safe to make mistakes and build math confidence." Top Takeaways Build number sense through counting and reasoning during everyday play activities. Use the "Power of Yet" to reframe struggles as growth opportunities for children. Make math fun and accessible with board games like “UNO” or "Go Fish - Make 10." Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Patti Sanders's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattiteachesmath Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Melanie Little welcomes back Fox Hill alum Saina Ramsdell and her mother, Alicia Ramsdell, CEO of Mindful Career Paths. They explore Alicia’s journey in career coaching and her TED talk on professional fulfillment. They also share the inspiring story behind their collaborative children's books, The One and Only Incredible ME! and Cluck Pup Cashew. Learn how to encourage your child's creativity and the importance of fostering a lifelong love for reading and self-discovery. Meet Our Guest: Alicia Ramsdell is the CEO of “Mindful Career Paths” and an author. Saina Ramsdell is a Fox Hill alum and junior co-author. Tip: "Help them find that fulfillment and make sure the little kid they once were would be proud." Top Takeaways Encourage children to explore their interests without the pressure to choose a career immediately. Mindful career development involves being vulnerable about what you want and managing inevitable stress. Collaborating with your child on creative projects like book-writing builds confidence and lasting bonds. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Alicia Ramsdell's Book: The One and Only Incredible ME! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYT2WKF8 Saina and Alicia Ramsdell's Book: Cluck Pup Cashew https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDGXHGTC Mindful Career Path's Website: https://mindfulcareerpath.com Mindful Career Path's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mindful.Career.Path Mindful Career Path's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindful-career-path Alicia Ramsdell's Website: https://aliciaramsdell.com Alicia Ramsdell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciaramsdell Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Join Fox Hill alum Grace Sanders, a clinical dietitian, as she explains how to transform stressful family mealtimes into positive experiences. Learn about the “Division of Responsibility,” where parents provide the food and kids choose how much to eat. Discover why the “Clean Plate Club” is a thing of the past, how to use neutral language for all foods, and how to involve children in meal prep to build healthy lifelong habits. Meet Our Guest: Grace Sanders, MS, RDN, LDN, is a Clinical Dietitian at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Nourish. Tip: "Give yourself grace; little mindset shifts and trusting your child’s intuition will pay off over time". Top Takeaways Division of Responsibility: Parents decide the menu/timing; children decide how much they actually eat. Avoid labeling foods as "good" or "bad" to help children develop a neutral relationship. Involve children in meal prep and sensory play to increase their interest in new foods. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Nourish Website: https://www.usenourish.com/providers/grace-sanders Grace Sanders’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracesanders Grace Sanders’ Instagram: @restorenutritionrd https://www.instagram.com/restorenutritionrd Grace Sanders’ TikTok: @restorenutritionrd https://www.tiktok.com/@restorenutritionrd Grace Sanders’ Work Email: [email protected] The Satter Division Of Responsibility In Feeding: https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/division-of-responsibility Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Discover how to transform high-stress Disney or Universal vacations into joyful family memories. Guest Suzanne Sexton shares insider secrets for navigating parks with preschoolers, including finding quiet zones and avoiding scary ride segments. Learn why using a professional travel planner is 100% free and how they save you time and money by monitoring prices and handling logistics. This episode helps you focus on the magic instead of the overwhelm. Meet Our Guest: Suzanne Sexton is a DIAMOND Earmarked Mickey Travels planner who has visited Disney 100+ times. Tip: “Don’t try to do everything—set realistic goals and put on your ‘patience pants.’” Top Takeaways Using a travel planner is completely free as Disney and Universal pay commissions directly. Focus on realistic goals and follow your heart regarding what your child can handle. Professional planners automatically monitor for lower prices and manage all stressful booking logistics. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Suzanne Sexton at Mickey Travels Website: https://mickeytravels.com/team/suzanne-sexton-massachusetts-disney-travel-agent Suzanne Sexton's Mickey Travels Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MickeyTravelsSuzanneSexton Suzanne Sexton's Contact Email: [email protected] Suzanne Sexton's Contact Phone Number: 781-249-2627 Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Explore the transformative power of play with occupational therapist Teri Bowen-Irish. Discover why play is essential for brain development, specifically building the prefrontal cortex and executive functions like planning and initiation. Learn how different types of play—parallel, cooperative, and independent—shape social-emotional skills. We also discuss practical ways to integrate learning into play at home, helping children transition to academic environments with confidence and joy. Meet Our Guest: Tere Bowen-Irish is an occupational therapist, author, and speaker dedicated to "all abilities for all children". Her tip: “Don't be afraid to let your child lead you; follow their lead and play will expand”. Top Takeaways Play builds the prefrontal cortex, developing essential executive functions like organization and task completion. Independent play is a vital skill that helps children learn to regulate and focus. Using rhythm, movement, and nursery rhymes makes academic concepts like counting and literacy fun. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Tere’s products at Therapro: https://www.therapro.com/Tere-Bowen-Irish-OTR-L.html Tere’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tere-bowen-irish-35b0b310 Join Tere’s Facebook page at “All the Possibilities - When You Wish Upon a Child”: https://www.facebook.com/share/17yR4beYcH/?mibextid=wwXIfr Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Discover the transformative power of art with Paige Covello. This episode explores why all people are inherently creative and how to foster that spirit in preschoolers through exploration and play. Learn why the artistic process matters more than the final product and gain practical strategies for talking to your child about their creations in a way that builds confidence and pride. Meet Our Guest: Paige Covello is the owner of Create Space and a former public school art teacher with 30 years of experience. Tip: "All people are inherently creative and they just need the opportunity and the tools to tap into that and express that". Top Takeaways Art provides a safe environment for children to practice self-expression and creative decision-making. Focus on the creative process rather than requiring the art to represent a specific object. Ask "tell me about this" to encourage children to share their artistic choices. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Create Space Website: https://www.createspacedanvers.com Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Host Melanie Little welcomes The Grinch to discuss his chaotic holiday plans, including Thanksgiving dinner (roast beast!) and how he celebrates Christmas with the Whos. Discover his unique views on Santa, presents (live rhinos and gassy hippos), and his anxiety over decorating. Plus, learn about his busy schedule, including appearances at the Fox Hill School event and various Massachusetts tree lightings. Meet Our Guest: The Grinch, famed resident of Mount Crumpet, sits down for a rare interview to share his (reluctant) holiday plans with the Whos. Top Takeaways The Grinch now celebrates Thanksgiving, Christmas, and "Flurbous Day" (with flurbing) with the Whos. He learned he can write Santa a letter, possibly asking for coal, which is very good for exfoliating. The Grinch will appear at the Fox Hill School event and several tree lightings in Massachusetts. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: The Grinch will be at Danvers Tree Lighting on December 6th from 4-5:30pm https://danversfalconfest.org/events/christmas_tree_lighting/ Comedy at the Bell Inn and Tavern on December 14th at 6:30pm https://www.bellinnpeabody.com/events https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grinch-comedy-night-tickets-1965632461606 Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Discover the power of in-home therapy (Speech, OT, PT) with Coral Care. Lindy Myers explains why early intervention is critical—using the brain's neuroplasticity for rapid skill development. Learn how therapy is integrated directly into daily routines, like diaper changes, making progress feasible and quick for young children. Find out about the new partnership between Coral Care and Fox Hill School, aimed at ensuring families feel supported right away. Meet Our Guest: Lindy Myers is a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Clinical Director at Coral Care. Top Takeaways In-home therapy accelerates progress by integrating services directly into daily family routines. Early intervention uses neuroplasticity to absorb skills quickly and prevent missing crucial milestones. ST, OT, and PT cover communication, sensory regulation, fine motor skills, and gross motor development. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Coral Care Website (to connect or get started): https://www.joincoralcare.com Coral Care Email: [email protected] Contact Lindy Meyers: Lindy Meyers Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist Clinical Director at Coral Care [email protected] Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Discover the vital role of Early Intervention (EI) for children from birth to three. Pam Ferris of Aspire explains the comprehensive services offered, covering development areas like motor skills, communication, and social-emotional growth. Learn the benefits of early intervention for maximizing progress, identifying developmental milestones, and accessing various support options, including cost-free community groups. Find out how easy it is to start services, as parents can self-refer. Meet Our Guest: Pamela Ferris, DPT, CEIS, CEIM, is the Assistant Director of Aspire Early Intervention-North Shore. Top Takeaways Early intervention is vital; the earlier you start (birth to age three), the better the progress. EI addresses holistic development, including motor milestones, feeding/sleeping trouble, and sensory reactions. Parents can self-refer; EI services have no out-of-pocket costs due to insurance or DPH coverage. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Website for CDC Milestones (Milestone Tracker app/site): https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/features/developmental-milestones-matter.html Aspire Developmental Services Website (for online referral form): https://www.aspiredevelopmental.org Aspire Developmental Services Main Phone Number: 781-593-2727 Contact Pam Ferris: Pamela Ferris DPT, CEIS, CEIM Assistant Director Aspire Early Intervention-North Shore [email protected] 593.2727 Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

The transition to kindergarten brings big changes, including less parental visibility and a drastic shift from play-based to academic learning. Licensed clinical social worker Liz Faria discusses how parents can manage their own anxiety and help children build resilience. Learn about "anti-fragile" parenting, the crucial role of the "Four D's" (Discomfort, Distress, Disappointment, and mild Danger), and why avoiding accommodations is essential for fostering a competent, sturdy child. Meet Our Guest: Liz Faria is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) whose focus is working with the parents of anxious children. Inspirational tip: "Your kids' neuro pathways are being changed through their experiences and not accommodations or avoidance." Top Takeaways Parents set the emotional tone; relaying a sense of calm confidence helps children navigate new stressors. Encourage children to encounter the "Four D’s" (discomfort, distress, disappointment, mild danger) to build resilience. Actively avoid "accommodations" — major parental behavior changes designed to prevent a child’s anxiety. Helpful Links & Tools Resources: Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD (Book) FlusterClux (Podcast) The Anxious Generation (Book) Small Animals (Book) Hunt, Gather, Parent (Book) Let Grow (Organization) SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) https://www.spacetreatment.net/ Inside Out 2 (Movie) Contact Liz Faria: https://www.lizfarialicsw.org/ [email protected] Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Colleen Shea joins us to discuss how parents can navigate the back-to-school season safely. We cover managing common illnesses, understanding the role of fever in building immunity, essential hygiene practices like hand washing and cough etiquette, and knowing when to call a doctor. Learn key guidelines to keep children healthy as they transition back to group settings. Meet Our Guest: Colleen Shea is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Salem Hospital and Fox Hill’s healthcare consultant. She advises: “Getting enough sleep... will also keep the body healthy and hopefully send off some viruses as well.” Top Takeaways Illness is normal in a group setting; it helps the body build essential immunity. Fever is defined as 100.4°F or higher. Treat the child’s comfort, not just the temperature. Keep children home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication. Helpful Links & Tools Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Host Melanie Little is interviewed by her daughter, Maddie, about the origin story of the Fox Hill School. Discover how Melanie transitioned from business school to founding a comprehensive childcare center, balancing her professional role with being a mother. Learn the goals of the Roots and Wings podcast: providing trusted guidance, expert insights, and resources for families on child development and early learning. Meet Our Guest: Maddie Little is a senior studying robotics engineering at Purdue University and an alumna of the Fox Hill School. Tip: “It really was the best of both worlds (referring to balancing work and family time)”. Top Takeaways Melanie started the school shortly after business school, initially lacking early childhood training. Melanie pursued a master’s degree in early childhood so she could direct her own school. The Roots and Wings podcast aims to provide expert resources and connect families and educators. Helpful Links & Tools Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Join host Melanie Little as she introduces Fox Hill School teacher, Ms. Christina Hatch. Learn how Ms. Christina found the school when her daughter, Emma, was a preschool student in Danvers, transitioning from parent to dedicated teacher. Discover the powerful community established at Fox Hill and hear about Ms. Christina's latest project: organizing the school’s vast library of children’s literature. Meet Our Guest: Christina Hatch is a dedicated teacher at the Fox Hill School. After interning in early childhood education, she joined the staff and helps keep the school organized. She loves the Fox Hill community, noting: "It really is a fun community and the parents are friends". Top Takeaways How Ms. Christina transitioned from a Fox Hill parent to a beloved teacher. Fox Hill creates a strong, lasting community for students and parents in Danvers. The extensive school library of children’s literature is being cataloged and numbered. Helpful Links & Tools Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

This episode introduces Michele Sumner, lead teacher and architect of the Fox Hill School's kindergarten readiness program. Discover her 17-year journey from a parent to a pivotal educator, her "magic" in preparing children for success, and how life's unexpected turns and transitions, like her children leaving for college, shape new experiences. Explore the dedication behind creating an enriching learning environment. Meet Our Guest: Michele Sumner is a lead teacher at the Fox Hill School and architect of its kindergarten readiness program, with 17 years of dedication. Her passion ensures children are "ready to go" for success. Top Takeaways: Architect of Fox Hill's renowned kindergarten readiness program. A dedicated lead teacher for 17 years, starting in fall 2008. Joined the school as a parent, pursued master's in early childhood. Helpful Links & Tools: Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Join us as we chat with Lauren Bosse, a Fox Hill School teacher and proud mom of two alumni. Lauren shares her diverse journey from a decade in social work and running a children’s consignment business to becoming an integral part of the school community. Discover how her unique background informs her teaching and parenting, plus a surprising fun fact about her alter ego, Dr. Beaker. Meet Our Guest: Lauren Bosse is a teacher at Fox Hill School and a mother of two alumni. With a background in social work and entrepreneurship, she brings diverse experience to her teaching. Inspirational tip from guest: Her social work experience was "really helpful in teaching now and raising my kids," even if it made her want to "put them in a bubble". Top Takeaways: Takeaway 1: Diverse professional backgrounds enrich teaching and parenting approaches. Takeaway 2: Passion for a school community can lead alumni parents to become staff. Takeaway 3: Embracing creativity, like an alter ego, can make learning engaging and fun. Helpful Links & Tools: Fox Hill School Website: https://foxhill-school.com

Join Melanie Little in a conversation with Erin Lundberg, a dedicated teacher and proud parent of three alumni from Fox Hill School. Discover Erin’s journey to Fox Hill, her unique perspective as both an educator and a parent, and how her diverse background in various preschool philosophies enriches the school's program. This episode offers insights into the vibrant Fox Hill community. Meet Our Guest: Erin Lundberg is a teacher at the Fox Hill School and a mom to three alumni. Living in Danvers, she brings a wealth of experience from previous roles at Montessori schools and as a kindergarten assistant. Inspirational quote: "I love getting to teach the children yoga. It's one of the highlights of my week." Top Takeaways Dual Perspective: Gain unique insights from a teacher who is also a parent of Fox Hill alumni. Diverse Experience: Learn how varied educational backgrounds enhance a school's program. Community & Fit: Discover the value of finding a supportive and long-term professional environment. Helpful Links & Tools Fox Hill School Website: Fox Hill School website

In this episode of Roots and Wings, we introduce Emily Carter, a lead teacher and assistant director at Fox Hill School. Discover her inspiring 17-year journey from intern to assistant director, her unique perspective as both a teacher and parent, and her family's deep, multi-generational connection to the school. Learn how her diverse experiences contribute to making Fox Hill a valuable resource for families. Meet Our Guest: Emily Carter is a lead teacher and assistant director at Fox Hill School, with almost 17 years of experience. She holds a master's in early education and is also a parent, with two children who are Fox Hill alumni. Inspirational tip from Emily: "We can be a resource for our families as teachers, but also as parents". Top Takeaways: From intern to assistant director: Emily's 17-year journey at Fox Hill School. Teachers as parents offer invaluable insights and resources to school families. Multi-generational connection: Emily's family history with Fox Hill School runs deep. Helpful Links & Tools Fox Hill School Website: Fox Hill School website