Introducing Small Talk: Big Ideas About Little Learners
One hundred years in, NAEYC is still finding new ways to amplify the voices of the early childhood education community — and our latest venture might be our most exciting yet. We’re launching a brand-new podcast — Small Talk: Big Ideas About Little Learners.
Why a Podcast? Why Now?
The issues facing young children, their families, and the educators who serve them have never been more pressing — or more complex. From federal budget cuts affecting early learning programs, to the science of play-based learning, to the ongoing work of creating truly welcoming spaces and services to meet the needs of every child, the conversation around early childhood education deserves a bigger stage.
As NAEYC CEO Michelle Kang put it: "There are so many timely issues we want to explore, and NAEYC's members around the country have so much expertise and lived experience to share. So, we want to shine a spotlight on that and help people understand the urgency of educating young children, supporting their families, and standing up for this incredible workforce of early childhood education professionals who bring their passion and their joy to work every day."
A podcast lets us do exactly that, reaching listeners inside and outside the field who care deeply about children's futures. Whether you're a preschool teacher, a policymaker, a parent, or simply someone who believes early childhood education matters, Small Talk is for you.
What You'll Hear This Season
Our pilot season digs into the questions and challenges at the heart of early learning today, including:
- Why play is essential to how children's brains develop
- How early learning providers are building welcoming, inclusive spaces and addressing the needs of all children
- How states are responding to federal budget cuts that impact young children, families, and the early education workforce
Each episode is hosted by Michelle or other NAEYC leaders who are bringing together expert thinkers and advocates in early learning who have been doing this vital work for decades and are shaping the field for the future.
The Voices You'll Hear in Our Trailer
If you've already listened to our podcast trailer, you may have noticed something special: real educators, speaking in their own words, about why this work matters to them.
We hit the ground at the 2025 NAEYC Annual Conference, stopping early childhood educators in the hallways, between sessions, and at every opportunity we could find, asking them to share what's on their minds. The result is a snapshot of the field in this moment: candid, passionate, and completely authentic.
To every educator who stopped to share your thoughts with us — thank you. Your words set exactly the right tone for the podcast trailer and everything that follows.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Guests
Before we launched a single episode, we knew the heart of Small Talk had to be real voices from the field. And we've been blown away by the generosity of everyone who has said yes to joining us.
To our Season 1 guests, thank you for trusting us with your perspectives, your stories, and your continued investment in the future of this profession. As Michelle reflected after recording the first episode: "Hearing from the leaders who came before me reminded me that while the work of advocating for early educators and children is urgent, we have a long history of challenges and successes that we can draw on as NAEYC enters its second century."
And to the guests still to come — the educators, researchers, advocates, and changemakers who will join us in future episodes and future seasons — we're already grateful. This podcast only works because people in this field are willing to show up, speak honestly, and share what they know.
You can also learn more on NAEYC.org/SmallTalk find us on all major podcast platforms. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share with a colleague, a parent, or anyone who believes in the power of early learning.
This is just the beginning. We can't wait to talk.