On this episode, I'm joined by educator, workshop facilitator, and founder of The Intentional Educator, Cathy Belgrave, for a thoughtful conversation about expanding the way we think about stories. While many of us associate storytelling with books or oral narratives, Cathy invites us to consider a much broader perspective. Together, we explore how children communicate through play, art, conversation, movement, and everyday interactions and what happens when educators slow down enough to truly notice.

Highlights:

1. Stories Are Everywhere: Cathy shares why stories aren't limited to books or "once upon a time." From dramatic play and conversations to artwork and loose parts, children are constantly communicating their ideas, identities, questions, and understandings of the world.
2. Shifting Our Lens as Educators: We discuss the importance of slowing down, observing with curiosity, and looking beyond surface-level behaviors. Rather than asking, "What are they making?" we explore questions like, "What are they trying to understand?" and "What story is unfolding here?"
3. Art as Communication and Meaning-Making: Cathy explains how children's artwork tells stories long before it resembles recognizable images. Together we unpack process art, mark-making, sensory exploration, and how relationships with materials evolve over time as children develop.
4. Trusting Children and Ourselves: Throughout our conversation, we return to the importance of trusting children's natural drive to learn while also giving ourselves grace as educators. Cathy shares practical ways to create the time, space, and flow that allow children's stories to emerge authentically.

If you've ever wondered how to better understand what children are communicating through their play, artwork, conversations, or everyday experiences, this episode offers a fresh perspective that will shift the way you observe and support young learners.

Connect with Laura:
Instagram: @little.stories.that.stick
Website: Little Stories That Stick

Connect with Cathy:
Instagram: @theintentionaleducator_yvr
Websites: theintentionaleducator.ca