In her January 2026 Congressional testimony, Emily Cherkin put it simply: "Parents are not naive — we know our children will use technology for work and life in adulthood. We just want to ensure they have a childhood first."

That testimony — covering the impact of screens, AI, and EdTech on kids — echoed so much of what I hear from parents and teachers alike: real questions about technology's place in the classroom and its effect on development. So I invited Emily to dig deeper.

Known as the Screentime Consultant, Emily has spent over a decade at the intersection of technology and child development. She's an author, speaker, and consultant, an associate professor of public policy at the University of Washington, and has testified before both the U.S. Senate and U.K. Parliament. She's also the lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit against EdTech companies over children's privacy — making her one of the most courageous, outspoken voices holding the industry accountable. Her book, Screentime Solution, lays out her practical, no-nonsense approach.

In this episode, Emily shares the questions every parent and educator should ask before introducing a new technology, why "tech-intentional" beats both anti-tech and tech-everywhere, and one of my favorite truisms: "The best preparation for a digital future is an analog childhood."

If you're trying to push back against the creeping screen-centered focus in early childhood spaces, this conversation is for you.

📝 Full show notes, links, and resources: notjustcute.com/podcast/episode87

A scoping review published in the Early Childhood Education Journal analyzed over 50 studies on play-based learning for ages 4-6, and the findings are too significant to ignore. This research synthesis shows play-based learning enhances cognitive skills, executive function, literacy, mathematics, and social-emotional development—yet we're not acting on it.

Parents remain skeptical of play as a teaching method, though their concerns fade when they see quality programs firsthand. Teachers endorse play but struggle to connect it with curricular requirements. And there's persistent confusion about whether there's one "right" way to implement play-based learning.

The research clarifies this: effective practice blends free play, guided play, and games. Different types of play support different developmental outcomes, so restricting children to a single approach is like limiting them to one food group. Teachers need the flexibility and professional development to use this full spectrum responsively.

We have the evidence. A 29-page appendix with 50+ study citations proves it. The question is whether we'll use it now—or look back in 20 years wondering why we didn't act when the research was right in front of us.

For educators, administrators, grad students, and anyone building evidence-based early childhood programs.

Find show notes at https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode86

Joy is one of those concepts that everyone understands until you try to define it. And yet, the research is remarkably clear about what it does. In this episode, we explore what joy actually is, why it matters so profoundly for young children, and what it looks like in the early childhood classroom. From the neuroscience of how joy changes the brain's chemistry and learning capacity, to the relational dimension of shared delight between children and the adults who care for them, this episode grounds joy firmly in both science and practice.

If you work with young children or advocate for play-based learning, this episode will give you the research and the language to protect joy in your program — and a compelling reminder of why that work matters. Part two of a two-episode series with Episode 84 on agency.

Because Play = Agency + Joy

Show Notes: https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode85

Agency — the ability to make choices, act on them, and feel that those actions matter — is key to play and learning. In this episode, we dig into what agency really means for young children, tracing it through the work of foundational developmental theorists and grounding it in current research on how play, agency, and learning work together as a powerful, reinforcing system. Along the way, we name what's getting in the way — a cultural pattern I call pervasive passivity — and explore what it looks like when children lose access to the agency they need to thrive.

If you work with young children or advocate for play-based learning, this episode will give you both the research and the practical language to protect what matters most — including a surprising look at what current AI advances reveal about what we actually want for our young children.

Find shownotes at https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode84

Professor and early childhood advocate Heather Bernt-Santy is widely known from her podcast as That Early Childhood Nerd. In this episode, Heather talks about her new book, Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood.

Heather shares her journey through the early childhood profession and how writing her first book was a full-circle moment. She breaks down what schema play really is and why it matters so much for child development, as well as how schema play connects to major developmental and educational philosophies. If you love geeking out about how children think, learn, and grow through play, this conversation is full of moments you'll love.

Show Notes:

https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode83

Powerful Play Foundations:

https://notjustcute.com/powerfulplay

In this episode, we revisit one of the most-read pieces published on Not Just Cute: "There's Good in the World. And It's Worth Fighting For." Written nearly a decade ago (and based on quotes from movies released TWO decades ago, which were based on books written NINE decades ago.....) yet increasingly relevant today, this reflection explores the role of educators, parents, and everyday helpers in creating light during dark times.

You'll hear why the message hits even harder for me now, what it means to "fight for good" through the work we do with children, and why the small, ordinary acts of love in early childhood education might just be the most powerful force for a brighter future.

Show notes:

https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode82

Is play the missing piece in today's educational puzzle? That's the question we wrestled with during a three-part book study I hosted this summer with early educators from across North America. Together, we unpacked key themes from my new book, Not Just Cute: How Powerful Play Drives Development in Early Childhood—and now I've pulled the highlights into this one-hour recap just for you.

In this episode, you'll hear why I wrote the book, the research that shows how play fuels learning and brain development, and the very real risks when we push play aside. You'll also catch some of the "aha" moments and practical takeaways that came straight from our discussions.

Whether you're a teacher, leader, or parent, this episode is a reminder of just how powerful play can be—and why it's worth protecting in every classroom and every childhood.

Find Show Notes: https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode81

Unlock the secrets to transforming early childhood education by focusing on the actions — not just the topics — that captivate young minds. Join me as I sit down with Heather Jackson, author of "Actions of Play," to explore how play schemas can revolutionize the way we approach learning. Discover how understanding the verbs that inspire children can lead to rich, inquiry-based projects that resonate with their natural curiosities. From the mesmerizing roll of a fire truck's wheel to the gentle crawl of a ladybug, we dissect the underpinnings of play that drive meaningful and complex learning experiences.

As the conversation unfolds, we explore the power of curiosity and introspection in education. Heather shares her insights on how "slow pedagogy" and observation can capture the essence of play, leading to transformative, magical educational experiences. We also explore the enchanting story of "Rainbow City"—a unique project inspired by a child's drawing that became a medium for creativity and emotional expression. This episode invites educators to embrace wonder and magical thinking, ultimately enriching both teaching and learning for educators and students alike.

Find Show Notes at: https://notjustcute.com/podcast/episode80