The Speckled Bees: A Celebration of Childhood

28/09/2022

Just a couple of busy bees celebrating 3000 downloads and a whole lot of friendship💗

22/09/2022

Happy Fall , from your friends at the Speckled Bees! What’s on your fall bucket list ?

☑️pumpkin picking
☑️apple picking
☑️squash soups
☑️hocus pocus movie nights
☑️hayrides
☑️fall thrifting
☑️foliage hunting
☑️country drives
☑️apple cider donuts
☑️mountain hikes
☑️campfires

20/09/2022

This is honestly an unfathomable achievement for us considering we are pretty much two no-named ladies and have not been putting out new episodes this summer! We are very humbled and thankful to you listeners ♥️

23/08/2022

We re enjoying a little logo face lift 🤍🐝

Counting down the days until season 2!

17/06/2022

Build long term skills with repetition !

In Episode 44 of , 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 to expect, and having things happen in an ordered way, helps children to know what to expect and feel at ease. When the environment is predictable, a child feels safe and secure, which establishes the optimal environment for learning.

We go through a few studies and we talk about why repetition is an important part of learning and skill mastery! In children, these neural connections are only beginning to be formed. Repetition is a necessary building block that allows them to strengthen the connections in the brain that help them learn. "Deer paths to highways".

12/06/2022

Eggs in every color to add a little rainbow to your Sunday 🌈

in episode 35-36 of , we discuss pets and your children! One of my dream pets, is a Coop of chickens🐓 imagine the possibilities and benefits for your family.

what’s your dream pet, and is there a benefit to your family? Do you already have a pet that is the perfect fit in your family?

11/06/2022

I’ve really been enjoying using this sunscreen by . Ever since educating myself some recording episode 43 of the speckled bees “suns out!”, i’ve been checking a list when buying any and all sunscreens

What should you look for when shopping for sunscreens

1. Make sure it has high spf!
Spf 35 to 50 is the most efficient

2. Broadspectrum
The sun emits SEVERAL types of UV light, so your sunscreen needs to protect against all
broad spectrum,’ which indicates the sunscreen protects against ultraviolet A
(UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), and the SPF rating, which indicates how well it protects against UVB

3. Is it chemical or physical
A chemical sunscreen limits sun damage using several different chemicals
They work by absorbing UV rays into the tissue, and when ultraviolet rays pass into the skin, they change the rays into a longer wavelength which is less harmful so that it’s not so damaging
Physical or mineral sunblocks sit on the skin and reflect light away
If you have more sensitive skin, a mineral sunscreen may be a better choice because it is less likely to cause skin reactions compared to chemical sunscreens
Physical sunscreens tend to leave the skin with a white sheen and are often pricier than chemical versions

4. A comfy formula
Let your skin breathe!

5. Water resistance

6. Antioxidants
The sun depletes your skin’s antioxidants, so if you can replace those healthy molecules while you protect against the sun’s rays, even better
Antioxidants also stabilize the sunscreens formula

7. Does it have moisturizing lotions and creams in it

8. Is it working for all skin types

9. Can you get it in stick format for ears and lips

09/06/2022

Hats; long sleeves; sunscreens , and sunglasses ! ☀️

Summer is upon us, which means the time for sun safety is now! Join us on episode 43 of the speckled bees, as we discuss the caveats of Sun safety, and the proper ways to protect yourself and your children

do you know the right sunscreen for your skin type, do you know the difference between chemical and physical sunscreens? This episode is going to give you all these insights and more

09/06/2022

Help us , by being a part of our historical 50th episode release! Send us a voice memo of your favorite childhood memory, and we’ll include it in our titular anniversary episode.

whether it’s sentimental, funny, or melancholy, we want to hear it all , and share in your experiences

thanks for buzzing with us over the last year🤍🌈

07/06/2022

A great way to recycle some of your produce into a friendly activity this summer? Reusing vegetable bases you would typically discard, as natural stamps!

In episode 38 “ The Art of nature”, we consider the mini ways in which we could use the natural world around us to inspire or create art with.

have you tried natural vegetable based dance before? What have you found is a great natural stamp?

26/05/2022

In episode 40 of the speckled bees, we discussed one of the most popular artistic past times of the summer- Dye techniques !

while tie-dye continues to reign as the most popular and well-known dye technique , let us introduce you to another fun classroom or home activity- Batik painting!

Batik art is a textile technique that uses wax and dye to create stunning patterns on a piece of fabric .Originally from the island of Java in Indonesia, the technique of batik painting goes back to at least the 12th century

While the history of Batik dyeing is more complex, the simple just of the art form is applying wax pre-dye process to create a negative space resistant to the dye.

students applied warm wax using brushes and sticks onto stretched linen.

in their next class, the same students used child friendly dye option s (listen to our episode for more details ) To fill the linen space at Will with colors of the choosing . Infants spread the colors beneath a bubble wrapped surface .

When the final piece was washed through, the wax chipped away revealing the still white linen underneath , in contrast to all the dyed areas

not only is this activity a great way to discuss other cultural art forms with your children, but it is interactive on dual levels

would you consider using Batik techniques with your child ?

05/05/2022

In episode 40, “the art of nature” we dive into the many ways that children can find inspiration in the natural world around them, or how you can use nature itself to aid your art-based techniques

in this image, children used naturally created watercolors to dye a tapestry of pre-taped linen, creating a 7ft artistic interpretation of the Virginian Blue Ridge Mountains.

join us in our latest episode, to learn how to make your own naturally based paints, and how to get your children inspired to create pieces based on the world around them

28/04/2022

Whether it’s friendship or a passion for early education that drives us, we are so grateful to be making this journey together and with you our listeners! Had a great time meeting up last week at the Nanda Learning center , meeting new individuals passionate about education, and old friends who have supported us every step. 🩰🎨✏️🖍

07/04/2022

“Episode 35: think PAWsitive” is streaming now on all major podcast services , and we think this episode is PURRRfect for 🐾

Join us as we consider the ins-and-outs of pet ownership and animal card while raising your little human!

What animal friend do you have in your life?

07/04/2022

Have you listen to “episode 34: more than one kind of smart” ? 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 athletic field and so on. Most of us, in fact, struggle with some tasks and sail through others.

Reflect upon this quote on moral intelligence, pulled from the study on “moral intelligence in schools” by Rodney H Clarken from the school of education of Northern Michigan University

25/03/2022

“Ep 33: building a studio space” is up on all major podcast channels ! This week we re discussing the creation of an early childhood studio/atelier space. “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 way that adds to your teaching and enhances your students learning experience.

Join us as we breakdown the creation of a studio space into three easy parts

• WHY you should build a studio space
• WHAT to include in your childs studio space
• HOW to create a stress free and productive space for you and child/children to grow and learn

Does your classroom or home environment contain a functional art studio space? We want to hear your answers!

24/03/2022

What was your go to book as a kid, and do you share it with your own child now ?

For Spencer, her favorite book was “Harold and the Purple Crayon” - a go to for any budding artist to consider the limitless artistic boundaries of the world around them.

Join our conversation in our most recent two part episode “This Episode is LIT” , where we discuss tactics and benefits of literacy in early education

24/02/2022

BLOCK PARTY!

In today's episode 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. We go over a brief history of the unit block then we get in to the benefits. Of course, we have to do a developmental continuum break-down! We also talk about the adults role and how important it is for both the adult and the child. Block play has been shown to actually increase parent knowledge of early development in the areas of math and science education, while at the same time providing opportunities for young children to increase their math, science, social and literacy skills.

18/02/2022

❤️

This never gets old!

18/02/2022

Have you listened to episode 28, an interview with a child music education specialist ? Continuing education in the musical arts is essential for growth and development in young minds, and is an interest we must actively hone and invest in!

17/02/2022

“E28: Interview with a child music specialist “ is streaming now! Join us as we explore the world of musical education with performer, educator, and mother, Susan Leone.

Miss Leone details her journey in the musical arts in this weeks episode, beginning all the way from her mother seeding a love of opera in her heart, to her passing that passion for music to her own children later in life. This passion evolved into small business ownership, diving into early education music, and running a county wide after school program.

Tune into this week episode for the fascinating conversation on the power of music, in children and adults!

17/02/2022

How do you design your dramatic play spaces? Spencer built this “Inside Out” themed play center in 2016, adding movable and interactive elements to mimic the popular Pixar movie, while encouraging an open exploration of emotions and feelings. Children used colorful plastic balls and Easter eggs to choose emotions, using Motor skills roll them through tubes, and old keyboards to “control” the emotions !

Dramatic play centers help children use provided tools and toys to add to these amazing concepts they already have of the world around them!

Join us in this weeks episode of the speckled bees, as we discuss dramatic play, and how to build dramatic play centers !

07/02/2022

Did you see that The Speckled Bees are back? Our latest episode is all about MATH! It tickled me that I wanted to do this episode, because I grew up HATING math. Anyone else 🙋? But it is now actually one of my favorite curriculum areas to include. My favorite activity is definitely cooking! How do you incorporate math in your homes and/or classrooms?

31/12/2021

What are you most proud of accomplishing this year!?!🎉

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? In our latest episode, we talk about how to set up successful goals and the benefits of goal setting for children.

One of the ideas we talk about is doing the 1000 Hours Outside
Challenge. This year, my (Lucy's) SIL and her adorable family actually did it (you can see their completed tracking chart in the picture)! I am so inspired by them sticking to their goal even though it was such a difficult year globally and personally ♥️. My family is following their example and is going to start tracking out outside time starting tomorrow!

Remember that we are taking a little break putting out new episodes during January, but will continue the first week of February. Happy New Years!

09/12/2021

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 E23: Baby, It's Cold Outside - Benefits of Cold Weather Play. 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 outside in freezing temperatures in Finland. After discussing the benefits, we provide tips and ideas for parents and teachers to navigate cold weather with children.

I used to hate cold weather, but I've come to look forward to it as I've seen how beneficial and magical it is for children! Thanks Jon Ritter for your penguin influence 🐧.

Tag us in your cold weather play pictures and videos!

08/12/2021

Before we move on to our cold weather episode (super excited!) I wanted to reshare these guys. In E22: Season of Giving - Developing Empathy, we talk about the development of empathy and compare it with sharing. For both of these important social skills, the BEST way to teach it is through modeling! I love talking about these topics with ! Give these a share if you find them helpful ♥️.

01/12/2021

Our 2021 KINDNESS ADVENT CALENDER kicks off tomorrow! We can’t wait to countdown to Christmas with our family and friends in the best way we know how - acts of love towards our community, our loved ones, and ourselves! We can’t wait to hear how you are listeners and followers participate and showcase your acts of kindness!

20/11/2021

19/11/2021

Words and Music by Moiselle Renstrom

Rain* is falling all around,
On the house tops,
On the ground.
Rain is falling on my nose.
On my head, and hands, and toes.

Song Saturday a day early cause we will be traveling for Friendsgiving tomorrow 😊. This song is one I use a ton because it works for all seasons and weather and it is quick, easy, and fun! I've even used it a lot to help Leo calm down when during storms.

It is a song that I got from The Children's Song Book from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm hoping I don't get in trouble for it since we don't make any money from Song Saturdays 😅.

18/11/2021

Holidays tend to be food-centric anyways, but they are extra heavy during this time of year. We thought now would be the perfect time to discuss how to approach nutrition with our children in a productive way! For this conversation, we had Mary Becerra, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist! Mary is all around just a really cool person and she has so many great ideas and resources to help us out as teachers and parents!

We cover the division of responsibility, Baby Led Weaning, struggles with feeding young children, and tips to overcome those. Mary also gives specific examples (and shares some resources!) of what children can eat at what stages; of ways to include extra nutrients in foods for children with allergies, aversions, and specialized diets; and of nutritious and inexpensive snack options.

Since Mary is also a bomb mom who balances work and family, we end our discussion by talking about following your passions and achieving goals while being a parent. She gives some advice and some encouragement to young parents.

12/11/2021

This link reminds me of the episode that came out yesterday 😂

https://www.boredpanda.com/ikea-quarantine-campaign-furniture-to-forts-tents/?fbclid=IwAR2E5u3cgebuIg_v9t9Q-dya_11_EHiKER_jFl8rwVI008d-1t93dUvIIl0&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic

Whether you're quarantining with kids who are becoming increasingly bored, IKEA Russia has your back. The retailer has just released a new campaign, bringing back the childhood adventures indoors.

11/11/2021

Did you have a secret hideout when you were a kid?

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 of protection, safety, and structure.

E19: Secret Hideouts and Shelters was super nostalgic for a number of reasons. Not only did we talk about our childhood experiences, we also talked about our first collaborative project as teachers! For our project, we looked at the Doeg/Dogue Tribe and worked to build Yi-hakans. We then collaborated to make a sculpture inspired by western Native American houses called Wickiups. The children picked grass and dug dirt to add to water and then mixed it up to make a clay to build up on the stick structure.

04/11/2021

E18: Expanding Our Artist Vocabulary is out today! 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, wows us again as she discusses some amazing artists who are relatable to children.

She goes through Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, Jean Michel Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama (whose work inspired the project in the pictures), Maria Tallchief, Vashti Harrison, and Isamu Noguchi. What do you think of us making this a minisode series where we cover a new artist each month!?!

Go check out
Where she has the original post about this project! Her newest post also talks about some of our recent topics from the podcast and she shares the most gorgeous pictures from her wedding!

28/10/2021

"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 through Halloween, The Autumn Festival, Día de Los Mu***os (Day of the Dead), Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Years, Iemanja, Christmas, Lunar New Year, Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr, and Saint Lucia Day. Light seems to be a universal way to bring emotion, tradition, and symbolism into holidays.

We then talk about using light and shadow play as a really impactful tool. In fact, it is considered one of the Hundred Languages of Children in the Reggio Emilia inspired curriculum. It is an important way children explore, communicate, and learn about the world.

We also made a list of ways to bring light and shadow play into classrooms and homes and Spencer goes through an amazing project she oversaw as the atelierista where the children put on a whole light show inspired by artists.

How do you use lights in your holiday celebrations? Do you use lanterns, candles, fireworks, twinkle lights? Did we miss any holidays that you think should be on the list?

27/10/2021

All you have to say is yes. 🥰

24/10/2021

Haha! This one made me VERY aware that I am an ECE, NOT a singer 😅. But it's Leo's favorite and a good one, especially for older children. Head on over to TikTok for the original and do a duet with me that is much prettier than my version, haha!

Have You Seen the Ghost of John

Have You Seen the Ghost of John,
Long white bones with the flesh (or rest) all gone?
Oooooooooo
Wouldn't it be chilly with no skin on?

23/10/2021

How many cups of coffee does it take to make an episode of The Speckled Bees: A Celebration of Childhood? Lol, it's actually 0 because we record at night plus Lucy doesn't drink coffee. BUT it does take a lot of sparkling water, tea, and sometimes pasta, haha!

If you enjoy listening to the podcast and would like to help fuel our research and production, we have a Buy Me a Coffee page (link in bio)!

Thank you all for listening! This is such a passion project and we love celebrating childhood with you ❤️🐝

21/10/2021

Even if you DON'T interact with child, I think you will find this week's episode fascinating!

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 by using the example of what she did for a project as the atelierista!

She introduced a different category of masks each week. They talked about masks used for celebrations, ritual and ceremonial masks, and performance masks and made masks for each category.

That got them ready to talk about how masks keep us safe. Spencer finished up their project by talking about the health and safety histories of masks. They ended their study by decorating their own reusable safety masks.

Don't forget to show us pictures of your favorite masks!

14/10/2021

Episode 15 , an interview with a tooth fairy, is out now ! We were thrilled to spend an evening speaking to our dear friend regarding her time in pediatric dentistry and her tips and tricks for young children when taking care of their pearly whites . With Halloween and candy feasting fast approaching , it’s a great time to remind our kids and ourselves about the importance of proper dental care. We can’t wait to hear what you think about this our special tooth fairy appearance this week!

12/10/2021

This week, I (Lucy) am presenting at/attending the North American Association for Environmental Education or NAAEE's 50th Annual Conference! I love this organization, what they represent, and their goals and am so honored to participate ❤️.

Don't worry though, we still have a podcast episode coming out this week. The Tooth Fairy came to The Speckled Bees: A Celebration of Childhood! Spencer interviewed the lovely Sara Chehreh , and we cannot wait to share it with you!