Episode 52: Beyond the 30 Million Words (with Dr. Rachel Romeo)

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

#Amanda Morgan #Parenting #Lifestyle #Childdevelopment #Family #Podcasting Education

1:14:43

Artificial intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace—what does that mean for the future of technology, venture capital, business, and even our understanding of ourselves? Award-winning journalist and writer Anil Ananthaswamy joins us for our latest episode to discuss his latest book Why Machines Learn: The Elegant Math Behind Modern AI . Anil helps us explore the journey and many breakthroughs that have propelled machine learning from simple perceptrons to the sophisticated algorithms shaping today’s AI revolution, powering GPT and other models. The discussion aims to demystify some of the underlying math that powers modern machine learning to help everyone grasp this technology impacting our lives, even if your last math class was in high school. Anil walks us through the power of scaling laws, the shift from training to inference optimization, and the debate among AI’s pioneers about the road to AGI—should we be concerned, or are we still missing key pieces of the puzzle? The conversation also delves into AI’s philosophical implications—could understanding how machines learn help us better understand ourselves? And what challenges remain before AI systems can truly operate with agency? If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and updates on upcoming TechSurge Live Summits. Links: Read Why Machines Learn, Anil’s latest book on the math behind AI https://www.amazon.com/Why-Machines-Learn-Elegant-Behind/dp/0593185749 Learn more about Anil Ananthaswamy’s work and writing https://anilananthaswamy.com/ Watch Anil Ananthaswamy’s TED Talk on AI and intelligence https://www.ted.com/speakers/anil_ananthaswamy Discover the MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellowship that shaped Anil’s AI research https://ksj.mit.edu/ Understand the Perceptron, the foundation of neural networks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perceptron Read about the Perceptron Convergence Theorem and its significance https://www.nature.com/articles/323533a0…

hace 3 años 42:10

MP3•Episodio en casa

I'm talking with Dr. Rachel Romeo about her follow up research to Hart & Risley's famous 30 million word gap. She's sharing how language shapes development and why interactions matter beyond word counts.

Show notes and links at

https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode52

79 episodios

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

Episode 52: Beyond the 30 Million Words (with Dr. Rachel Romeo)

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

110 subscribers

published hace 3 años

MP3•Episodio en casa

Show notes and links at

https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode52

79 episodios

#Amanda Morgan #Parenting #Lifestyle #Childdevelopment #Family #Podcasting Education

Todos los episodios

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

1
Episode 79: Building a Blended PreK Model (with Machelle Scogin) 52:21

hace 6 weeks52:21

52:21

This episode explores the transformative blended pre-K program at Prosper Independent School District in Texas, championed by Michelle Scogin, Director of Early Childhood and Learning Services. Discover how this program successfully merges special and general education along with joy, wonder, and compassion. Machelle and her amazing team are committed to building a developmentally appropriate environment where every child can thrive. Through purposefully designed spaces and a commitment to play-based learning, the Brenda Calhoun Early Childhood School stands as a model of innovative and intentional educational practices. Michelle shares her inspiring journey from her early memories as a Head Start child to becoming a leader in early childhood education. Her story illuminates the universal challenges in early education and the vital role of visionary leadership in overcoming them. You'll gain insights into how strong leadership and community support have been pivotal in shaping this district's early childhood programs, encouraging a collaborative community that includes educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, school staff, board members, and parents. As Machelle's commonly used hashtag reminds us, #allmeansall. Show Notes: https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode79…

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 78: We Could All Use the Science of JOY 21:03

hace 15 weeks21:03

21:03

I had an experience a few months ago that began with a fantastic workshop with one of my favorite schools, and *seemed* to end with a broken down, broken into truck. But the real ending came full circle when I found that what I had been teaching that early childhood team the day before, was *exactly* what I needed to remember in that moment. File this one under – everything we ever needed to know in life, we learned in early childhood education. We're talking about why joy matters and how to tap into a little bit more of it. You can find this episode’s show notes, which are always full of links, tidbits, and resources, at https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode78…

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 77: Why Play? (With Rae Pica) 41:59

hace 18 weeks41:59

41:59

Rae Pica has been a fierce advocate for children and childhood for over 40 years. And during that time she’s written a whole bookshelf full of books on the topic. Today, she’s sharing her latest addition to that bookshelf, it came out just last week, Why Play?: How to Make Play an Essential Part of Early Education . In this newest book, Rae dives into the importance of play in early childhood education, how to partner with parents, why different modes of play are beneficial, and how to support each type of play. She even touches on some of the tricky topics associated with play, like rough and tumble play and gun play. It’s her latest and possibly her greatest, and she’s sharing it with us in today’s episode. If you want to know how to better advocate for play in early childhood, this episode is for you. Find shownotes, including a full transcript, at notjustcute.com/podcast/episode77 .…

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 76: A Play-Based Evolution (with Amber Unger) 36:26

hace 29 weeks36:26

36:26

When Amber Unger (also known as the Cream City Teacher) began her career in education, she thought she'd be working with teenagers. As her path led her to a 4K public school classroom in the middle of a shift toward play-based learning, she discovered a new passion! Today, she helps other teachers on their own journeys to better understand and implement intentional play-based practices. Get the show notes at : https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode76…

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 75: Empowering Parents as Teachers - Mobile Early Education Outreach Team (With Play Smart Literacy) 47:52

hace 38 weeks47:52

47:52

In episode 74, I introduced you to Michele Dineen-White, the creator of Play Smart Literacy in Chicago. Play Smart Literacy is a truly mobile outreach program, meaning that rather than hoping parents can overcome the burden of traveling to a specific location to receive services, Play Smart Literacy goes out into the community, particularly in vulnerable areas, to contact families and meet them right where they are – both literally and figuratively. They teach workshops at laundromats, gas stations, and standing in line at the market. The passion for this program - and what it does for children and families - is contagious! In fact, many members of the team were once on the other side of the program – they were parents learning for the first time that talking and playing with their babies could make a meaningful difference in their development. They saw the benefits of the program with their own eyes and in their own homes and decided they wanted to share that message with other parents. In this episode, I talk with members of the Play Smart Literacy team, about why they're so passionate about their work, what that work looks like, and how they've seen it change lives.…

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 74: Innovative Early Education Outreach that Actually Reaches the Children - Play Smart Literacy (With Michelle Dineen-White & Talmage Steele) 58:03

hace 38 weeks58:03

58:03

Michele Dinneen-White was working in an early education outreach program when she realized something. The program wasn’t actually reaching out to the families who needed it most. Those families were still required to find the time and the means to get their child to the center in order to receive services. And for many, that barrier was just too much to overcome. So Michele decided to create something new. The program is called Play Smart Literacy and it serves families in the Chicago area. It’s a fully mobile outreach program, one that actually reaches OUT and INTO the most vulnerable communities. And what is their mission? To build language and relationships through play. Michele and her parent play leaders go to where the families are – parks, shelters, mobile markets, Head Start and early care programs, laundromats, gas stations – and they build real relationships with the families they meet, while at the same time building the families’ understanding of the connections between play, talk, and child development …AND building their confidence as parents as well. Their message is clear: EVERY parent has the ability to have a strong positive influence on their child’s future.…

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 73: Challenging Behaviors in the Preschool Classroom (with Prerna Richards) 48:36

hace 45 weeks48:36

48:36

Challenging behaviors seem to be on the rise in preschool classrooms. Prerna Richards, of Together We Grow, specializes in supporting educators with a behavior coaching program. In this episode, she shares what she believes is behind this increase, and what can be done to better help our youngest learners. Find Show Notes : https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode73…

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 72: Fairy Tales and Resilience (with Stephanie Goloway, EdD) 57:48

hace 47 weeks57:48

57:48

Once upon a time..... ...Happily ever after. These are common fairy tale phrases. But they're more than just staid story stems. These common phrases -- and the stories in between -- hold not only a recipe for imagination and fantasy but also for resilience. Stephanie Goloway (EdD) is a powerful advocate for the importance of imagination, play, and storytelling. As a now-emeritus professor, she’s taught young children as well as college students and has focused her research on how fairy tales align with and support child development. She’s written a book called, Happily Ever Resilient , where she shares how the ordinary magic of resilience is woven into the extraordinary magic of fairy tales, supporting all children as they face the challenges of life. Show Notes: https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode72…

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 71: Bringing Families to the Library with Play (with Tammie Benham) 53:18

hace 50 weeks53:18

53:18

Most people associate the library with silence. But what if we associated it with play? In this episode, I’m talking with Tammie Benham, Youth Services Consultant for the Southeast Kansas Library System. Tammie believes that where libraries, children, and families intersect, magic is possible. And she’s set out to make that magic through a family engagement program focused on using play to teach, encourage, and support families in the communities she serves. Find Show Notes: https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode71…

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 70: Why We Need Play for All 14:30

hace 1 year14:30

14:30

We started this series with the overall argument for why play is essential for human development. The next three episodes dug deep into three main themes: Why we need play for mental health and wellness, for brain development and real learning, and for soft skill development. Then, we shifted to several shorter episodes, touching on specific types of play and how they contribute to development. In this final episode, I’m talking about why ALL children need play, even when others may think it’s time to help children “catch up” instead. Show Notes: https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode70…

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 69: Why We Play with Art 11:37

hace 1 year11:37

11:37

What does fingerpainting have to do with the Space Race? In this episode, we're talking about art and creative play and their role in learning, thinking, and innovating. Show Notes: https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode69

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 68: Why We Play Pretend 17:56

hace 1 year17:56

17:56

This episode’s focus is the dress-up area and dramatic play. We’ll talk about the powerful developmental support that comes from preschoolers dressing up and playing pretend. Show Notes: https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode68

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 67: Why We Play at the Sensory Table 15:20

hace 1 year15:20

15:20

This episode’s focus is sensory play. We’ll take a look at why these bins full of rice, water, goop, and other media aren’t just a big mess waiting to happen, they’re a really important key to supporting healthy child development. Find Show Notes: https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode67

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 66: Why We Play with Blocks 15:17

hace 1 year15:17

15:17

This episode’s focus is the block area. We look at what’s going on in those busy building centers of the early childhood classroom, and why it’s important to keep those big spaces open for construction, even when there’s pressure to move the blocks out to make room for “real school”. Don’t underestimate the simple nature of a collection of rectangles, squares, and triangles made out of hardwood maple. When children play with construction toys (which include the ever-present unit blocks, of course, but also other open-ended building toys like Legos, magnet tiles, bristle blocks, architectural blocks etc.) they get hands-on experience that simply can’t be replaced by virtual imitations. Find show notes at https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode66…

Not Just Cute, the Podcast: Intentional Whole Child Development for Parents and Teachers of Young Children

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Episode 65: Why We Play for Soft Skills 21:17

hace 1 year21:17