Roots and Wings

Discover how to transform high-stress Disney or Universal vacations into joyful family memories. Guest Suzanne Sexton shares insider secrets for navigating parks with preschoolers, including finding quiet zones and avoiding scary ride segments. Learn why using a professional travel planner is 100% free and how they save you time and money by monitoring prices and handling logistics. This episode helps you focus on the magic instead of the overwhelm.
 
Meet Our Guest:
Suzanne Sexton is a DIAMOND Earmarked Mickey Travels planner who has visited Disney 100+ times. Tip: “Don’t try to do everything—set realistic goals and put on your ‘patience pants.’”
Top Takeaways
Using a travel planner is completely free as Disney and Universal pay commissions directly.
Focus on realistic goals and follow your heart regarding what your child can handle.
Professional planners automatically monitor for lower prices and manage all stressful booking logistics.
THIS EPISODE REVISITS THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR EPISODE The Magic of Disney feat. Suzanne Sexton - Go listen to the full episode if you want to learn more.
 
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Suzanne Sexton at Mickey Travels Website: https://mickeytravels.com/team/suzanne-sexton-massachusetts-disney-travel-agent
Suzanne Sexton's Mickey Travels Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MickeyTravelsSuzanneSexton
Suzanne Sexton's Contact Email: ssexton@mickeytravels.com
Suzanne Sexton's Contact Phone Number: 781-249-2627
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Join Fox Hill alum Grace Sanders, a clinical dietitian, as she explains how to transform stressful family mealtimes into positive experiences. Learn about the “Division of Responsibility,” where parents provide the food and kids choose how much to eat. Discover why the “Clean Plate Club” is a thing of the past, how to use neutral language for all foods, and how to involve children in meal prep to build healthy lifelong habits.
 
Meet Our Guest:
Grace Sanders, MS, RDN, LDN, is a Clinical Dietitian at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Nourish. Tip: "Give yourself grace; little mindset shifts and trusting your child’s intuition will pay off over time".
Top Takeaways
Division of Responsibility: Parents decide the menu/timing; children decide how much they actually eat.
Avoid labeling foods as "good" or "bad" to help children develop a neutral relationship.
Involve children in meal prep and sensory play to increase their interest in new foods.
THIS EPISODE REVISITS THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR EPISODE The Nourished Mindset: Grace Sanders on Raising Intuitive Eaters - Go listen to the full episode if you want to learn more.
 
 
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
 
Nourish Website: https://www.usenourish.com/providers/grace-sanders
Grace Sanders’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracesanders
Grace Sanders’ Instagram: @restorenutritionrd https://www.instagram.com/restorenutritionrd
 
Grace Sanders’ TikTok: @restorenutritionrd https://www.tiktok.com/@restorenutritionrd
 
Grace Sanders’ Work Email: gracesandersRD@gmail.com
 
The Satter Division Of Responsibility In Feeding: https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/division-of-responsibility
 
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com
 

Melanie Little welcomes back Fox Hill alum Saina Ramsdell and her mother, Alicia Ramsdell, CEO of Mindful Career Paths.
They explore Alicia’s journey in career coaching and her TED talk on professional fulfillment.
They also share the inspiring story behind their collaborative children's books, The One and Only Incredible ME! and Cluck Pup Cashew.
Learn how to encourage your child's creativity and the importance of fostering a lifelong love for reading and self-discovery.
 
Meet Our Guest:
Alicia Ramsdell is the CEO of “Mindful Career Paths” and an author.
Saina Ramsdell is a Fox Hill alum and junior co-author.
Tip: "Help them find that fulfillment and make sure the little kid they once were would be proud."
Top Takeaways
Encourage children to explore their interests without the pressure to choose a career immediately.
Mindful career development involves being vulnerable about what you want and managing inevitable stress.
Collaborating with your child on creative projects like book-writing builds confidence and lasting bonds.
THIS EPISODE REVISITS THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR EPISODE Co-Authoring Confidence: How One Fox Hill Alum Became a Published Author feat. Saina and Alicia Ramsdell - Go listen to the full episode if you want to learn more.
 
 
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Alicia Ramsdell's Book: The One and Only Incredible ME! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYT2WKF8
Saina and Alicia Ramsdell's Book: Cluck Pup Cashew https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDGXHGTC
Mindful Career Path's Website: https://mindfulcareerpath.com
Mindful Career Path's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mindful.Career.Path
Mindful Career Path's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindful-career-path
Alicia Ramsdell's Website: https://aliciaramsdell.com
Alicia Ramsdell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciaramsdell
 
 
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Join host Melanie Little and Judy Gasinowski, director of Great Beginnings Learning School, for a deep dive into 42 years of early childhood wisdom. We discuss the benefits of small, independently owned centers, the value of a full-day food program for busy families, and essential advice for parents searching for elusive infant care. Discover why play remains the heart of learning and how a nurturing, homey environment helps children thrive.
Meet Our Guest:
 
Judy Gasinowski is the director of Great Beginnings Learning School with over four decades of experience.
Tip: "Learning never ends; every day you learn something new and enrich yourself through the journey with children."
Top Takeaways
 
Search for infant care very early and explore all options like large centers or nannies.
Play is the most vital way for children to learn social skills and experiment.
A school-provided food program significantly reduces morning stress for busy, working families.
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Great Beginnings Learning School
28 Water Street
Danvers, MA 01923
 
Tel: (978) 777-3040
 
Great Beginnings Learning School's Website: https://www.greatbeginningsschool.com
 
Great Beginnings Learning School's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Great-Beginnings-Learning-School-Danvers-MA/100063700565724
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Join Melanie Little as she sits down with veteran kindergarten teachers Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Roberts to demystify kindergarten readiness. From bathroom independence and following "group plans" to the importance of phonological awareness and number sense, this episode covers the essential social, emotional, and academic skills your child needs for a successful transition. Discover why it’s okay to let your child struggle a little and how everyday play is the best preparation for the big leap into elementary school.
 
Meet Our Guest:
Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Roberts are kindergarten teachers at Great Oak Elementary School.
Tip: "Challenge your kid and let them struggle a little bit. It builds up their confidence and helps them realize they can do things on their own."
 
Top Takeaways
Independence in routines, like bathroom skills and cleaning up, is vital for classroom success.
Phonological awareness—playing with sounds—is one of the strongest early predictors of reading success.
Resiliency is built when children are allowed to struggle through challenges instead of being saved.
 
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Great Oak Elementary School
76 Pickering Street
Danvers, MA 01923
 
Tel: (978) 774–2533
 
Great Oak Elementary School's Website: https://danverspublicschools.org/great-oak
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Discover how to rethink fitness for the whole family with Mark Cotreau and Spencer Vinton from Treehouse School of Fitness. Learn why "a little bit is enough" when balancing busy schedules with movement. This episode explores the four pillars of longevity—sleep, nutrition, stress management, and exercise—while previewing exciting new summer programs for elementary-aged children. Find out how to stay mobile, reduce parent-related aches, and turn fitness into a fun, sustainable habit for everyone.
Meet Our Guest:
 
Mark Cotreau (Nurse/Coach) and Spencer Vinton (MBA/Head Coach) lead Treehouse School of Fitness.
Tip: "Your mindset just has to be a little bit is enough; you’re going to build on that, and you're going to build on that a little bit."
Top Takeaways
Fitness includes sleep, nutrition, and stress management, not just the hours spent in the gym.
For busy parents, even ten minutes of daily movement creates mental resiliency and sustainable habits.
Summer programs at Treehouse focus on fun, social, and safe movement for elementary-aged future athletes.
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
 
Mark Cotreau
Personal trainer with a focus on mobility and longevity in all populations
Mcotreau@gmail.com
978-869-0541
 
Spencer Vinton
http://treehouse.fit
coachspencer@treehouse.fit
121 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923
978-705-9757
 
Treehouse's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treehouseschooloffitness
 
Treehouse's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TreehouseSchoolofFitness
 
 
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Explore the powerful connection between higher education and early childhood learning. Dr. Sarah Goodale-O’Brien, Director of Educational Studies at Endicott College, joins us to discuss how aspiring teachers learn through internships at Fox Hill. We dive into the "experiential edge," the importance of play-based environments for building future-ready skills, and why preschool "work" is vital for developing autonomy, conflict resolution, and the intellectual growth needed for lifelong success in college and beyond.
 
Meet Our Guest:
Dr. Sarah Goodale-O’Brien, Ed.D., is the Director of Educational Studies at Endicott College.
Tip: "Observation and reflection are the most important components to becoming an effective educator. See children from where they are."
Top Takeaways
Experiential learning through internships allows aspiring teachers to bridge theory with real-world classroom practice.
Play-based education is vital work that develops essential autonomy, conflict resolution, and intellectual skills.
Early childhood experiences as a citizen in a play community prepare children for adult success.
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Sarah Goodale-O’Brien, Ed.D
Director, Educational Studies | School of Education
Endicott College | 376 Hale Street | Beverly, MA 01915
978-232-2198
 
Dr. Joy Erikson's newest book: https://sunypress.edu/Books/L/Living-Well-Together
 
E.B. Goodale's newest release: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/robin-and-the-stick_9781419780837
 
E.B. Goodale's website: https://ebgoodale.com to follow along!
 
 
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com
 

Alex Morgan, M.A., is the Community Outreach Specialist at Boulder Journey School.
Tip: "Shift your gaze; look for the meaning behind a child's action rather than just the behavior itself."
Top Takeaways
The Reggio approach is "child-partnered," engaging with children in their full humanity and curiosity.
Documentation acts as a visual memory, allowing children to relive, reflect, and build on experiences.
Support curiosity at home by asking what "research question" your child is currently testing.
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Alex Morgan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-morgan-0ab397308
The Values and Principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach by Lella Gandini https://learningmaterialswork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ValuesAndPrinciples.pdf
Supportive Social Learning by Ellen Hall and Jen Rudkin https://www.boulderjourneyschool.com/supportive-social-learning.html
And if folks would like to take a peek into Boulder Journey School, this virtual tour is pretty comprehensive :) https://www.boulderjourneyschool.com/virtual-tour.html
 
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com
 

Does the thought of elementary math fill you with anxiety? You're not alone. Host Melanie Little talks with Title I math tutor Patti Sanders about overcoming "math person" myths.
 
Learn how to foster "number sense" through play, why the "Power of Yet" is essential for a growth mindset, and how everyday activities like board games and building blocks can turn math anxiety into confidence for your preschooler.
Meet Our Guest:
Patti Sanders is a Title I math tutor at Highland School and a Fox Hill alumni parent.
Tip: "Mistakes will make you learn! It is safe to make mistakes and build math confidence."
Top Takeaways
 
Build number sense through counting and reasoning during everyday play activities.
Use the "Power of Yet" to reframe struggles as growth opportunities for children.
Make math fun and accessible with board games like “UNO” or "Go Fish - Make 10."
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
 
Patti Sanders's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattiteachesmath
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com

Melanie Little welcomes back Fox Hill alum Saina Ramsdell and her mother, Alicia Ramsdell, CEO of Mindful Career Paths.
They explore Alicia’s journey in career coaching and her TED talk on professional fulfillment.
They also share the inspiring story behind their collaborative children's books, The One and Only Incredible ME! and Cluck Pup Cashew.
Learn how to encourage your child's creativity and the importance of fostering a lifelong love for reading and self-discovery.
 
Meet Our Guest:
Alicia Ramsdell is the CEO of “Mindful Career Paths” and an author.
Saina Ramsdell is a Fox Hill alum and junior co-author.
Tip: "Help them find that fulfillment and make sure the little kid they once were would be proud."
Top Takeaways
Encourage children to explore their interests without the pressure to choose a career immediately.
Mindful career development involves being vulnerable about what you want and managing inevitable stress.
Collaborating with your child on creative projects like book-writing builds confidence and lasting bonds.
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Alicia Ramsdell's Book: The One and Only Incredible ME! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYT2WKF8
Saina and Alicia Ramsdell's Book: Cluck Pup Cashew https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDGXHGTC
Mindful Career Path's Website: https://mindfulcareerpath.com
Mindful Career Path's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mindful.Career.Path
Mindful Career Path's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindful-career-path
Alicia Ramsdell's Website: https://aliciaramsdell.com
Alicia Ramsdell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciaramsdell
 
 
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com