Centering Kids: Advice from the experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood
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We're here to inform, educate and advocate for all things related to early childhood. From nurturing healthy development to overcoming behavioral challenges and recognizing mental health needs, welcome to Centering Kids: Advice from the experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood. Our podcast publishes on the first of every month!
Available episodes
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Oldest first
Apr 4, 2023
Centering Kids: How to Nurture Your Child's Dreams and Ambitions
As a child, Scott Ehrenpreis was awkward, shy, and had trouble making friends. But when he got on stage, all inhibitions disappeared and he felt empowered, untouchable, and capable of anything. In Season 3, Episode 3 of Centering Kids, host Merab Favorite interviews Joel Ehrenpreis on how he discovered his son's talent and nurtured his dream to one day be an actor, all while educating the public about what it means to live with disabilities, disorders, and mental health challenges. The one-man show they produced together, Clowns Like Me, will premiere at Asolo Theater in Sarasota on May 18, 2023.
Show Notes:
To purchase tickets to Clowns Like Me, click HERE.
To learn more about L.E.A.P., click HERE.
Click here to learn more about The Florida Center for Early Childhood. Support the show
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Mar 1, 2023
Centering Kids: Creating a Culture of Care in the Workplace
When it comes to creating a culture of care in the workplace, it's all about feeling supported from CEO to entry-level positions. This trickle-down effect essentially leads to better client care. In Episode 2, Season 3 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite interviews Dr. Kristie Skoglund about her journey leading one of the largest nonprofits in Sarasota, Fla. through a global pandemic, major hurricane and housing crisis. Support the show
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Feb 1, 2023
Center Kids: How to Navigate Your Child's IEP
When it comes to navigating a child's Individualized Education Plan, or IEP, parents can sometimes feel confused, powerless, or simply overwhelmed which can make their participation in the process less meaningful. In this episode of Centering Kids, host Merab Favorite interviews parent advocate Jen Werden about her new YouTube series, Different Children, Different Approach. Jen teams up with Amy Weinberger of The Lean on Me Project in the series, set to premiere March 1, 2023, to give parents much-needed tools to successfully navigate their child's IEP.
Show notes:
For more information on The Lean On Me Project, click here.
To learn more about Jen Werden and view her full bio, click here.
To subscribe and follow The Florida Center's YouTube page, which will host the new series, Different Children, Different Approach, click here.
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Sep 1, 2022
Centering Kids: Canines, Companions and Clinics
There's a lot happening at the only Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Clinic in Florida. It's not just for helping individuals living with FASD find answers and solutions regarding their disorder, but it's also about finding companionship, even in canine form. In season 2, episode 10 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite interviews Bailey Jackson, a mental health therapist and assistant director of The Florida Center's FASD clinic. She discussed how she and her best friend Poppy help families and individuals living with FASD.
Show notes:
* To learn more about our furry friends visit Canine Companions for Independence or FASD Furfighters.
* To learn more about our FASD-related trainings, visit www.FloridaCenterTraining.org
* To learn more about our FASD Diagnostic Clinic, visit www.TheFloridaCenter.org.Dunlap and Moran Attorneys at Law
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Aug 1, 2022
Centering Kids: The Emotional Impact of a Child's Diagnosis
Receiving the diagnosis that your child has a delay or disability can have an emotional impact on the entire family. In Season 2 Episode 9 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite interviews Gigi Gillis and Kaitlyn Aland, two parents who are raising children with exceptionalities. Tamra Cajo, a licensed mental health counselor and director of The Florida Center's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders clinic also provides insight into the many emotions parents feel after receiving their child's diagnosis. Support the show
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Jul 1, 2022
Centering Kids: The Benefits of Getting a Good Night's Sleep
A good night's rest can affect a child's mood, performance, and behavior, but it's often not considered a factor if a child is acting out or struggling in the classroom. In Season 2, Episode 8 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite and special guest Allison Phinney, a mental health therapist, discuss how parents can help ensure their children get a good night's rest. They discuss proven sleep aids for every age group and more.
Show Notes:
Click here for more information about The Florida Center's School-Based Mental Health Therapy program.
To learn more about trauma-informed care, Click here. Support the show
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Jun 1, 2022
Centering Kids: How to Build Up a Child's Self Esteem
In Season 2, Episode 7 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite interviews school-based mental health therapist Margaret Ross, who serves elementary-age children at Fruitville Elementary School in Sarasota, Fla. The two women discuss ways parents and early childhood professionals can build up a child's self-esteem so they are able to overcome feelings of anxiety that are often tied to starting a new school or entering a new classroom.
Show Notes:
Learn more about Margaret's presentation at our Mind Matters Symposium
Listen to Margaret's previous podcast about Mindfulness.
Support this podcast The Florida Center for Early Childhood.
Have recommendations or ideas for a topic? Please email us at info@thefloridacenter.org! Support the show
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May 15, 2022
Centering Kids: 'Pandemic Culture' May Cause Shift in Specialized Services
In Season 2, Episode 6 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Kristen Theisen interviews Kim Williams, a speech-language pathologist and The Florida Center's Director of Development Services, and Tamra Cajo, who heads the agency's Fetal Alchohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Clinic. The three women discuss how negative environments, or a traumatic disruption in one's circumstances, I.E. the Covid-19 Pandemic, can significantly impact early childhood development and how services will be impacted by the "Pandemic Generation" or those children born during the pandemic. The conversation also includes information about the 2nd Annual Mind Matters Symposium on June 22, as both Williams and Cajo will be presenters at the event.
Show Notes:
Mind Matters Registration: https://tinyurl.com/MindMattersSymposium
More info about the FASD Clinic: https://www.thefloridacenter.org/what-we-do/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders-clinic/
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May 1, 2022
Centering Kids: Modeling Mental Health Awareness
In Season 2, Episode 5 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Kristen Thiesen interviews children's mental health counselor Michele Duss, who works with preschool-age kids. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and Children's Mental Health Week, the two discuss ways parents can model positive approaches to mental health, recognize signs of trauma and be there for their children in their time of need. Support the show
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Apr 15, 2022
Centering Kids: The Risks of Compassion Fatigue
In Season 2, Episode 4 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Kristen Theisen interviews Alba Colmenares Moore, Supervisor of School-Based Mental Health Services in North Sarasota County. The two discuss Alba's upcoming training on Compassion Fatigue, which can limit a caregiver's ability to feel empathy or sympathy for their client. This serious condition can lead to more critical situations but is treatable with mental health counseling.
The training mentioned in this podcast, Overcoming Compassion Fatigue, occurs on Wed., May 4, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm (EST). Interested? Register here.
For more information about The Florida Center's participation in the Giving Challenge, which is hosted by the Sarasota Community Foundation with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation, CLICK HERE. All donations of $25-100 to The Florida center during this 24-hour giving event will be tripled! Support the show
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Apr 1, 2022
Centering Kids: How to be More Autism Aware
In Season 2, Episode 3 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite, filling in for Kristen Theisen, interviews Occupational Therapist Melissa Cox and Mental Health Therapist Lisa Klein. The three early childhood professionals discuss the causes of autism, its signs, and symptoms, and how we as a society can be more inclusive of those living with the disorder.
Show notes:
Autism Speaks explanation of World Autism Month & World Autism Day
The Florida Center Giving Challenge Page
Support the show
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Mar 1, 2022
Centering Kids: Flip It Helps Caregivers Deal with Stressful Situations
In Season 2, Episode 2, host Merab Favorite, (filling in for Kristen Theisen) interviews Dr. Johnna Brynn, a mental health professional, and director of training and professional development of The Florida Center for Early Childhood. They discuss Flip-It, a strategy developed by a preschool teacher who created it to help deal with a little girl in her class that exhibited very challenging behaviors that impeded the learning of her peers. The process is simple, when one wants to change the behavior of a child they should acknowledge the child's feelings (F), set positive limits (L), inquire about what they're going through (I), and prompt (P) them with a solution.
Show Notes:
Flip It: Transforming Challenging Behavior
Jewish Family and Children's Services website
The Florida Center Training Institute
Video: Far from the Tree Disney Short Trailer Support the show
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Feb 15, 2022
Centering Kids: Is it Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?
In Season 2 Episode 1 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Kristen Theisen consults mental health therapist Jeanie DeLa about peripartum depression, also known as postpartum depression. The two discuss signs, symptoms, and treatment for this mood disorder that's more common than you might think.
*Show Notes:*
Jeanie recommended the website Postpartum Support International or PSI for updated information about pregnancy-related mood disorders.
To register for Jeanie's training on Peripartum Depression on Monday, April 4, 2022, click here. Support the show
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Oct 15, 2021
Centering Kids: Celebrating Babies Week
In Season 1, Episode 13, host Kristen Theisen and The Florida Center CEO Dr. Kristie Skoglund, interview Dr. Harleen Hutchinson, president of the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health, or FAIMH, and Dr. Christine Hughes Pontier, who is also involved with the organization.
In this podcast, the guests discuss the importance of infant mental health and how they are promoting Celebrate Babies Week (October 18-22).
Show Notes:
For more resources for Celebrating Babies Week, visit www.FAIMH.org
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Oct 1, 2021
Centering Kids: How Domestic Violence Affects Young Children
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month which has been amplified, especially in Sarasota County Fla., as a result of the high-profile Gabby Petito case. As the story unfolds, our host, Kristen Theisen, uses the opportunity to discuss the warning signs and effects of domestic violence on families, particularly young children. In Season 1, Episode 12, Theisen interviews mental health therapist, Jeanie DeLa, who specializes in helping high-risk families through potentially violent situations. The two talk about warning signs, coping strategies, and the chance for change.
Show Notes:
Child-Parent Psychotherapy resource: https://childparentpsychotherapy.com/resources/roster/
The CPP Roster is maintained and housed by the Child Trauma Research Program, which is the development site for Child-Parent Psychotherapy.
Abuse Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE, text START to 88788, chat at https://www.thehotline.orgSupport the show
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Sep 15, 2021
Centering Kids: The Invisible Disability
In season 1, episode 11, our host Kristen Theisen explores fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or FASD, an often invisible disease that affects 1 in 20 children. Theisen interviews Tamra Cajo, Director of the FASD Diagnostic Clinic at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, and Jen Werden, a mother turned advocate whose adopted child was diagnosed with FASD. The women discuss general causes of the disorder, difficulty when it comes to educating FASD children, and resources where parents can find help.
"It's hard to walk this journey and it's even harder to walk it alone. I did not want one more parent to have to do that," Werner said on becoming an FASD advocate. Support the show
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Sep 1, 2021
Centering Kids: Our Disabilities Don't Define Us
In this episode of Centering Kids, host Kristen Theisen kicks of Fetal Alchohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) awareness month by interviewing author and activist Lucas Boyce.
Boyce, who now serves as the Assistant to the County Administrator of Orange County, one of the largest counties in Florida, discusses growing up in foster care, overcoming countless obstacles including early childhood in foster care, living with FASD, and navigating the world as a black man. In addition, Boyce discusses how he managed to accomplish his childhood dream of flying on Airforce One and working for the National Basketball Association.
Show notes:
You can find a copy of Boyce's book here "Living Proof: From Foster Care to the Whitehouse and MBA"
For more information about wearing red shoes on September 9, 2021, and other ways to bring awareness to FASD, visit www.redshoesrock.com
Click here to learn more information about the FASD Respect Act. Sunset Auto Group
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate l…
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Aug 15, 2021
Centering Kids: Helping Children Navigate New Beginnings
Besides a basic list of school supplies, it’s important for parents to mentally and emotionally prepare children to go back to school or face other new beginnings. In this episode, host Kristen Theisen interviews school-based mental health therapist Tia Nagel on how parents can create a mental health checklist to help ease any anxiety their child might face when navigating new beginnings.
Show Notes:
Read Nagel's blog, How to Mentally and Emotionally Prepare Your Child for Back-to-School Support the show
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Aug 1, 2021
Centering Kids: Parenting as a Team
Team parenting seems like an obvious endeavor for adults, but more often than not, parents and caregivers can disagree on parenting philosophies, especially when their romantic relationship has ended. In this episode of Centering Kids, host Merab Favorite discusses parenting and caregiving as a team with mental health therapists Michele Duss and Stephanie Essex. Support the show
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Jul 15, 2021
Centering Kids: Lean On Me Helps "Heal" the Education System
In this episode, our host Kristen Theisen, of The Florida Center, interviews Amy Weinberger, founder of the Lean On Me Project, a non-profit organization that focuses on 'healing' education my providing students and educators with tools that bridge education and mental health. Amy discusses the need for sleep, nourishment and overall kindness when it comes to students, teachers and parents.
Episode notes:
Click the links to learn more about the organizations National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and First Step of Sarasota, which were both mentioned in this episode.
Click here to purchase a copy of the book The Power of Presence: Be a Voice in Your Child's Ear Even When You're Not With Them by Joy Thomas Moore.
Background music for this podcast comes from SoundDotComDunlap and Moran Attorneys at Law
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Support the show
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Jul 1, 2021
Centering Kids: Helping Children Navigate Life Through Mindfulness
In this episode, host Kristen Theisen interviews school-based mental health therapist Margaret Ross. Ross, who is also a children's yoga instructor, describes how teachers and parents can help children regulate their emotions through simple breathing techniques and daily mindfulness practices. The podcast also features Dr. Johnna Brynn, director of The Florida Center Training Institute, who helps practitioners like Ross share their skills with the public through virtual trainings.
*Show notes: *
Sign up for Ross' training on Wed. August 25 from 5-7 pm - A Wave of Calm in A Sea of Chaos: Helping Children Navigate Life Through Mindfulness
Details for the Inner Explorer program mentioned in the episode are available here.
Background music for this podcast comes from SoundDotCom
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Jun 15, 2021
Centering Kids: Go With Your Gut
As parents, we are sometimes made to feel we are being overprotective or too sensitive when it comes to our concerns for our children. But what happens when our gut instincts are right? In this episode, host Kristen Theisen, interviews the parent of a child who struggled with speech and language but was hesitant to seek additional services. She realized her concerns were valid when she found The Florida Center for Early Childhood.
Background Music for podcast: https://www.soundotcom.comSunset Auto Group
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Support the show
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May 15, 2021
Centering Kids: Speaking Up for Speech Therapy
When you think of speech and language therapy, you might instantly think of a means to correct a lisp or a stutter. However, the therapy is used in the treatment all types of different delays and disabilities including mutism, apraxia and even autism. In this week's episode of Centering Kids, your host Kristen Theisen interviews Speech and Language pathologist Kim Williams and Gigi Gillis, a mom who's son is navigating life on the autism spectrum and utilizing speech therapy as part of his treatment.
Background Music for podcast: https://www.soundotcom.comSupport the show
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May 1, 2021
Centering Kids: The Benefits of School-Based Mental Health Therapy
In this episode of Centering Kids, Mandi Coker, of the Sarasota County School District, and Melissa Bradley, Director of School-Based Mental Health Services at The Florida Center, discuss how the tragic shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018 in Parkland, Fla., led to a mental health therapy program that placed therapists at every public school in Sarasota County. These therapists serve more than 600 at-risk students and their families every year.
Background Music for podcast: https://www.soundotcom.comSupport the show
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Apr 15, 2021
Centering Kids: Are Children As Resilient As We Think?
In this episode, host Kristen Theisen interviews Dr. Kristie Skoglund, one of the few professionals in Florida designated as an Infant Mental Health Expert, about the impacts of trauma on young children.
Background Music for podcast: https://www.soundotcom.comSupport the show
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Mar 30, 2021
Centering Kids: Let's Talk About Child Abuse Prevention
Every first-time parent can relate to that moment of sheer terror, when you're leaving the hospital with a teeny, tiny newborn and you realize the nurse isn't coming home with you. In this episode, host Kristen Theisen interviews Debbie Keyso and Kelly Curran of Healthy Families, an at-home visiting program designed to help new and expecting parents nurture healthy development in their newborns. The program teaches parents how to become the parents they've always wanted to be and in doing so, helps to prevent child abuse before it begins. The episode kicks off National Child Abuse Prevention Month which occurs annually during the month of April.
Background Music for podcast: https://www.soundotcom.com
*Show Notes: *
To report child abuse, call 1-800-96-ABUSE
To purchase a digital version of the book "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Dr. Harvey Karp, visit: https://tinyurl.com/mts2w7dh
To participate in Wear Blue Day on April 1, 2021, upload a photo to social media using the hashtag…
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