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Play Skillfully

Kathy Eggers
60 episodes   Last Updated: Jun 26, 25

Welcome to Play Skillfully, a podcast from the author of the award-winning curriculum A Year of Playing Skillfully and parent favorite, The Homegrown Preschooler. Join Kathy Eggers as she shares the latest research on the role of play and provides practical ideas to assist you in cultivating wonder and connection with your children.Kathy is the author of A Year of Playing Skillfully, A Summer of Playing Skillfully, The Homegrown Preschooler and 101 Easy, Wacky, Crazy Activities for Young Children.

Episodes

In this conversation, Kathy Eggers and Keri Vasek discuss the curriculum 'A Year of Playing Skillfully,' exploring its impact on homeschooling and child development. They emphasize the importance of play in learning, share personal experiences, and provide insights into how the curriculum can be adapted to fit various parenting styles. The discussion also touches on social-emotional learning and the challenges of homeschooling, ultimately highlighting the joy and magic of watching children learn through play.You can check out a sample of the 2nd edition of A Year of Playing Skillfully or purchase your own copy on my website.You can find Keri on Instagram and her book, Kisses From Space on my Amazon Store. For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully. You can also sign up for Kathy's monthly newsletter on her website or by commenting NEWS on any IG post. Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at hello@kathyeggers.com or shoot us a message on Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.
In this engaging conversation, Kathy Eggers interviews Tanner Olson, a poet and author, about his journey to writing a children's book, All the Things I Say to God centered on prayer. They discuss the importance of teaching children that they can talk to God anytime, anywhere, and how prayer can be a source of comfort during times of grief. Tanner shares his personal experiences with infertility and adoption, emphasizing the significance of vulnerability and silence in prayer. The discussion also touches on the impact of childhood memories and the inspiration behind Tanner's poetry and writing.You can order All the Things I Say to God  from my Amazon Store. You can follow Tanner on Instagram and don't forget to check out his work and tour dates on his  website!For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully. You can also sign up for Kathy's monthly newsletter on her website or by commenting NEWS on any IG post. Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at hello@kathyeggers.com or shoot us a message on Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.
In this podcast episode, Kathy Eggers discusses the importance of teaching children about forgiveness, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence. She emphasizes that forgiveness is not about excusing behavior but about understanding the impact of actions on others. Kathy provides practical strategies for parents to help their children navigate feelings of anger and hurt, and the significance of modeling forgiveness in their own behavior. The conversation highlights the long-term benefits of instilling these values in children to foster compassionate and emotionally intelligent adults.For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully. You can also sign up for Kathy's monthly newsletter on her website or by commenting NEWS on any IG post. Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at hello@kathyeggers.com or shoot us a message on Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.
In this episode, Kathy Eggers discusses the importance of teaching helpfulness to children as a key character trait. She emphasizes the role of parents in modeling helpful behavior, engaging children in helpful activities, and providing developmentally appropriate tasks. The conversation highlights the significance of building confidence in children through participation in household chores and the positive impact of helpfulness on family dynamics. Kathy also shares practical tips for making helpfulness a fun and natural part of family life, concluding with a reminder of the lasting effects of these early lessons on children's character development.Check out our summer sale going on now @kathyeggers.com, you can get our summer curriculum guide (A Summer of Playing Skillfully) on sale for $15 off plus get our MUD Kitchen plans for FREE. Use the code, slowsummer. For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully. You can also sign up for Kathy's monthly newsletter on her website or by commenting NEWS on any IG post. Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at hello@kathyeggers.com or shoot us a message on Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.
In this engaging conversation, Kathy Eggers and Keri Vasek discuss the profound impact of reading aloud to children. They explore the emotional and educational benefits, including building connections, enhancing language development, and fostering a love for stories. Practical tips for incorporating reading into daily routines are shared, along with insights on how to engage children during read-aloud sessions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of picture books and the transformative power of stories in shaping children's understanding of the world.You can find Keri's Book, Kisses From Space at your local bookstore or online.For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully. You can also sign up for Kathy's monthly newsletter on her website or by commenting NEWS on any IG post. Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at hello@kathyeggers.com or shoot us a message on Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.
In this podcast episode, Kathy Eggers discusses the importance of faithfulness as a character trait in parenting. She reflects on the challenges of parenting and offers support to parents navigating their journeys. Kathy emphasizes the significance of modeling faithfulness for children, providing practical strategies to teach this value, and the need for flexibility in parenting. The episode concludes with an invitation to join a newsletter for more parenting resources and a preview of the next episode.For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully. You can also sign up for Kathy's monthly newsletter on her website or by commenting NEWS on any IG post. Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at hello@kathyeggers.com or shoot us a message on Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.
In this engaging conversation, Kathy and Keri explore the complexities of homeschooling, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and personal growth for parents. They reflect on their own journeys, discussing the need for understanding one's teaching style, emotional triggers, and the impact of social media on perceptions of homeschooling. The dialogue encourages parents to prioritize their well-being and recognize their role in creating a nurturing learning environment for their children. In this conversation, Keri V and Kathy Eggers explore the challenges and insights of homeschooling, particularly in relation to personal differences, ADHD, and the importance of self-awareness. They discuss the impact of external influences on parenting and education, the need for flexibility in homeschooling approaches, and strategies for navigating information overload, especially during conferences. The conversation emphasizes the importance of trusting one's instincts as a parent and recognizing that it's okay to not have all the answers.For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully. You can also sign up for Kathy's monthly newsletter on her website or by commenting NEWS on any IG post. Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at hello@kathyeggers.com or shoot us a message on Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.
In this conversation, Kathy Eggers discusses the importance of teaching patience to children, especially during the spring season. She emphasizes that patience is a challenging trait for parents to instill, as it requires modeling behavior and understanding child development. Kathy shares practical activities and strategies for parents to help their children learn patience, such as involving them in cooking, gardening, and puzzles. She also highlights the significance of consistency, routine, and coping skills in fostering patience in children, encouraging a lighthearted approach to waiting.For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully. You can also sign up for Kathy's monthly newsletter on her website or by commenting NEWS on any IG post. Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at hello@kathyeggers.com or shoot us a message on Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.
In this conversation, Kathy Eggers and Keri Vasek explore the often negative perceptions surrounding math education. They discuss how math can be viewed as a puzzle and emphasize the importance of teaching math through play and real-life applications. The conversation highlights the significance of a positive attitude towards math, the role of readiness in learning, and the need for parents to model a healthy relationship with math. They also touch on the importance of incorporating math into daily life and the balance between teaching and self-care for parents. Finally, they address the concept of being 'behind' in math and how comparison can affect children's learning experiences.You can find Keri on Instagram @keri_vasek. For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully. You can also sign up for Kathy's monthly newsletter on her website or by commenting NEWS on any IG post. Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at hello@kathyeggers.com or shoot us a message on Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.
In this engaging conversation, Kathy Eggers, Keri Vasek, and Laurie Von Holdt discuss the nuances of teaching reading, emphasizing the importance of waiting until a child is ready to learn. They explore individual learning styles, the significance of storytelling, and the impact of parental pressure on children's self-esteem. Lauri shares her extensive background in education, particularly in helping struggling readers, while Keri reflects on her own experiences homeschooling her children. The discussion highlights the need for a personalized approach to education, celebrating small victories, and fostering a love for reading. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the importance of understanding children's readiness for learning, particularly in reading. They emphasize the role of play in education, the need for parents to be curious about their child's learning process, and the significance of relationships in fostering a positive learning environment. The conversation also touches on the pressures of school systems and the importance of recognizing individual learning challenges without panic.For more information, check out Kathy's book, The Homegrown Preschooler and curriculum, A Year of Playing Skillfully. You can also sign up for Kathy's monthly newsletter on her website or by commenting NEWS on any IG post. Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know at hello@kathyeggers.com or shoot us a message on Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at the Kathy Eggers store by using the code, PSPODCAST.