iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Join me, Carol Garboden Murray, Lizz Nolasco, Mike Huber and Bethany Corrie for our NAEYC conference panel on December 6! “Zoom Hangs, Podcasts, and Sleepovers: Developing Collaborative Relationships When You've Been in Early Childhood Education Forever”

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

It’s time to count down my TOP 5 READS of 2025! My #1 book this year, shamelessly, is my book Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood. Being a published author has been a dream of mine for most of my life, and I’m so proud that it happened this year.

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

It’s time to count down my TOP 5 READS of 2025! # 2 is Raising a Nation: 10 Reasons Every American Has a Stake in Child Care for All by Elliot Haspel.

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

It’s time to count down my TOP 5 READS of 2025! #3 is The Power in Pretend: Supporting Children’s Power, Identity, and Agency by MIke Huber

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

It’s time for me to count down my 5 FAVORITE READS of 2025! #5 is Sally Haughey’s “Nurturing Brilliance: Using Play Activated Learning to Awaken Children’s Potential”

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Big news ! Heather is taking on the producer role for That Early Childhood Nerd, and adding three new podcasts!

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

If you’re going to be at the NAEYC conference in Orlando, I’d love to see you at my book signing! That’s right, I’m doing a BOOK SIGNING! 🎉🎉🎉 See you there!

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

A little bit of page 76 from my new book “Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood” #play #childcare #preschool #childdevelopment #earlychildhood #teaching #earlychildhoodeducation #parenting

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

I’m home from the IPA-USA conference amd my books are here!!!

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

I don’t have any photos from my “Play Skeptics Have Schemas, Too!” presentation but love this one of my presentation with Deb Lawrence and LaDonna Atkins on “Innovative Strategies for Teaching about Children’s Play in Higher Education” at this year’s IPA-USA Child’s Right to Play conference.

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

It’s getting closer to official publication day! I went to the Teachers College Press website a while ago and requested a digital desk copy and it was emailed to me today!! It’s a real book!!

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Who will be at the NAEYC conference in Orlando? Find me at my session Thursday morning at 8 then at the Teachers College Press booth at 10:30 for my book signing!

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

277 of 381 episodes of That Early Childhood Nerd uploaded to the new hosting platform! Remember, at the end of 2025 you will have to find the new feed for the podcast! You can find it now on iTunes and Spotify, and access the first 80+ episodes that have been out of circulation for a long time.

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

I am SCREAMING! Do you KNOW how many Teachers College Press catalogs I have looked through in my life? I’m in one now!

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

When Teachers College Press asked me who they should approach to write blurbs for my book, I was tending very inner-circle, then one of those inner-circle nerds sent me a list of people he thought I should send it to, people who I would NEVER have considered if a dude hadn’t dared me to 😂.

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Early literacy on the slide? How do you see these children building skills for future reading and writing? I can’t wait to read your comments!

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

I took this one sheet to a bunch of bookstores this week to talk to them about stocking it or planning an author event and I didn’t want to be rude so I also bought books at each store and it’s been a pretty good time.

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Early childhood education speaker and instructor Amy Chiu suggests that we shift from thinking about routines and rigid schedules to developing rhythms in our days with young children.

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

When I brought paper bags of various sizes into my class of two year olds as loose parts, I was supporting Alejandro’s development across multiple domains, his academic development, and his brain growth. Read Alejandro’s story, and my deep dive into how he’s learning and growing, in my new book.

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

I'm going to read excerpts from my new book for folks who support the That Early Childhood Nerd podcast by becoming Buy Me a Coffee members soon! The link to donate or become a member is in the comments. Want to preorder the book? That link is also in the comments!

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

My book is now available for preorder and I’m hosting a free virtual launch party! Join me as I talk more about the book, how I hope it’s used, my answers to your questions, and a chance to win prizes. The link to preorder the book is in the comments.

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

I’m so excited to tell you that my upcoming book on schema play theory and advocacy is available for pre-order!! www.tcpress.com/using-schema...

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

We’ve got company staying with us so the podcast recording area is now a guest room—I had an amazing conversation with Amy Chiu today, that required some recording studio improv 😂 But stay tuned in July for this episode about routines, rhythms, and slowing down in our early childhood spaces.

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

1200 people joined me for my Lillian Katz webinar today. Phew!

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

As the great philosopher Dave Grohl once said, “🎶DONE! DONE! ON TO THE NEXT ONE!🎶” 😂🤓😂🤓

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

I’m almost done with the first book on my summer reading list! A great combination of combination of solid research and accessible writing—I’ve been thinking about the ways I’ll use it in my classes. Stay tuned for podcast episodes with both Dale Farran and Amanda Morgan in June!

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Welcome to Early Childhood MAYtriarchy 2025! In this episode: Dr Millie Almy, Caroline Pratt, and Magda Gerber. Support the work of That Early Childhood Nerd with a one time donation or monthly membership here: buymeacoffee.com/heatherf

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

It’s time for Early Childhood MAYtriarchy 2025! In this episode, Mike Huber talks about Eve Trook, Stacy Benge talks about Dr Marianne Gibbs, and Richard Cohen talks about Bev Bos.

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Guess it’s time to tackle this one—an article a day—🤓

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Putting together my annotation kit for Mike Huber’s latest book 🤓🤓🤓

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

On April 21 at 6 pm eastern, join me for “The Child’s Right to Play: What’s Higher Ed’s Responsibility?” On April 26 at 1 pm eastern, we’ll explore how FREE PLAY supports the 5 Pillars of the Science of Reading. All registrants will have 60 day access to recordings. Hope to see you there!

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Three presentations in two days at two conferences! Phew!

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

When I teach our capstone class, I want to encourage the idea of continuing curiosity and learning. So they each choose one of these books, read a chapter each week, then come to class and share with everyone about what they read. It’s super fun.

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

I mean technically that’s just another speaker’s name below mine but if the shoe fits….

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

✅ writing buddy ✅ bottomless cup of coffee ✅ pissed off 90s women playlist ✅ deadline in 7 days All right. Let’s cite some sources… #NerdBook

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

I’m so excited to be part of this summit, talking about the difference between being curious about “teaching active children” and wanting strategies to keep active children still so you can “teach.” Join me! Click the link! www.kristenrbpeterson.com/a/2148039229...

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Heather Bernt-Santy/That Early Childhood Nerd @ece-nerd.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Don’t forget to register for this FREE virtual play summit. I mean, look at all these brilliant people! Look for me on day 3! www.kristenrbpeterson.com/a/2148039229...

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