Roots and Wings

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.
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

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.
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/

Explore the transformative power of play with occupational therapist Teri Bowen-Irish. Discover why play is essential for brain development, specifically building the prefrontal cortex and executive functions like planning and initiation. Learn how different types of play—parallel, cooperative, and independent—shape social-emotional skills. We also discuss practical ways to integrate learning into play at home, helping children transition to academic environments with confidence and joy.
 
Meet Our Guest:
Tere Bowen-Irish is an occupational therapist, author, and speaker dedicated to "all abilities for all children". Her tip: “Don't be afraid to let your child lead you; follow their lead and play will expand”.
Top Takeaways
Play builds the prefrontal cortex, developing essential executive functions like organization and task completion.
Independent play is a vital skill that helps children learn to regulate and focus.
Using rhythm, movement, and nursery rhymes makes academic concepts like counting and literacy fun.
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Tere’s products at Therapro: https://www.therapro.com/Tere-Bowen-Irish-OTR-L.html
Tere’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tere-bowen-irish-35b0b310
Join Tere’s Facebook page at “All the Possibilities - When You Wish Upon a Child”: https://www.facebook.com/share/17yR4beYcH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Discover the transformative power of art with Paige Covello. This episode explores why all people are inherently creative and how to foster that spirit in preschoolers through exploration and play. Learn why the artistic process matters more than the final product and gain practical strategies for talking to your child about their creations in a way that builds confidence and pride.
 
Meet Our Guest:
Paige Covello is the owner of Create Space and a former public school art teacher with 30 years of experience. Tip: "All people are inherently creative and they just need the opportunity and the tools to tap into that and express that".
Top Takeaways
Art provides a safe environment for children to practice self-expression and creative decision-making.
Focus on the creative process rather than requiring the art to represent a specific object.
Ask "tell me about this" to encourage children to share their artistic choices.
Helpful Links & Tools
 
Resources:
 
Create Space Website: https://www.createspacedanvers.com
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Host Melanie Little welcomes The Grinch to discuss his chaotic holiday plans, including Thanksgiving dinner (roast beast!) and how he celebrates Christmas with the Whos. Discover his unique views on Santa, presents (live rhinos and gassy hippos), and his anxiety over decorating. Plus, learn about his busy schedule, including appearances at the Fox Hill School event and various Massachusetts tree lightings.
 
Meet Our Guest:
The Grinch, famed resident of Mount Crumpet, sits down for a rare interview to share his (reluctant) holiday plans with the Whos.
 
Top Takeaways
The Grinch now celebrates Thanksgiving, Christmas, and "Flurbous Day" (with flurbing) with the Whos.
He learned he can write Santa a letter, possibly asking for coal, which is very good for exfoliating.
The Grinch will appear at the Fox Hill School event and several tree lightings in Massachusetts.
 
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
The Grinch will be at Danvers Tree Lighting on December 6th from 4-5:30pm
https://danversfalconfest.org/events/christmas_tree_lighting/
 
Comedy at the Bell Inn and Tavern on December 14th at 6:30pm
https://www.bellinnpeabody.com/events
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grinch-comedy-night-tickets-1965632461606
 
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Discover the power of in-home therapy (Speech, OT, PT) with Coral Care. Lindy Myers explains why early intervention is critical—using the brain's neuroplasticity for rapid skill development. Learn how therapy is integrated directly into daily routines, like diaper changes, making progress feasible and quick for young children. Find out about the new partnership between Coral Care and Fox Hill School, aimed at ensuring families feel supported right away.
Meet Our Guest:
Lindy Myers is a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Clinical Director at Coral Care.
 
Top Takeaways
In-home therapy accelerates progress by integrating services directly into daily family routines.
Early intervention uses neuroplasticity to absorb skills quickly and prevent missing crucial milestones.
ST, OT, and PT cover communication, sensory regulation, fine motor skills, and gross motor development.
 
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Coral Care Website (to connect or get started): https://www.joincoralcare.com
Coral Care Email: hello@joincoralcare.com
 
Contact Lindy Meyers:
Lindy Meyers
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Clinical Director at Coral Care
lindy@joincoralcare.com
 
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Discover the vital role of Early Intervention (EI) for children from birth to three. Pam Ferris of Aspire explains the comprehensive services offered, covering development areas like motor skills, communication, and social-emotional growth. Learn the benefits of early intervention for maximizing progress, identifying developmental milestones, and accessing various support options, including cost-free community groups. Find out how easy it is to start services, as parents can self-refer.
 
Meet Our Guest:
Pamela Ferris, DPT, CEIS, CEIM, is the Assistant Director of Aspire Early Intervention-North Shore.
 
Top Takeaways
Early intervention is vital; the earlier you start (birth to age three), the better the progress.
EI addresses holistic development, including motor milestones, feeding/sleeping trouble, and sensory reactions.
Parents can self-refer; EI services have no out-of-pocket costs due to insurance or DPH coverage.
 
Helpful Links & Tools
 
Resources:
Website for CDC Milestones (Milestone Tracker app/site): https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/features/developmental-milestones-matter.html
Aspire Developmental Services Website (for online referral form): https://www.aspiredevelopmental.org
Aspire Developmental Services Main Phone Number: 781-593-2727
 
Contact Pam Ferris:
 
Pamela Ferris DPT, CEIS, CEIM
Assistant Director
Aspire Early Intervention-North Shore
pferris@aspiredevelopmental.org
593.2727
 
 
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

The transition to kindergarten brings big changes, including less parental visibility and a drastic shift from play-based to academic learning. Licensed clinical social worker Liz Faria discusses how parents can manage their own anxiety and help children build resilience. Learn about "anti-fragile" parenting, the crucial role of the "Four D's" (Discomfort, Distress, Disappointment, and mild Danger), and why avoiding accommodations is essential for fostering a competent, sturdy child.
 
Meet Our Guest:
Liz Faria is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) whose focus is working with the parents of anxious children.
Inspirational tip: "Your kids' neuro pathways are being changed through their experiences and not accommodations or avoidance."
 
Top Takeaways
Parents set the emotional tone; relaying a sense of calm confidence helps children navigate new stressors.
Encourage children to encounter the "Four D’s" (discomfort, distress, disappointment, mild danger) to build resilience.
Actively avoid "accommodations" — major parental behavior changes designed to prevent a child’s anxiety.
 
Helpful Links & Tools
Resources:
Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD (Book)
FlusterClux (Podcast)
The Anxious Generation (Book)
Small Animals (Book)
Hunt, Gather, Parent (Book)
Let Grow (Organization)
SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) https://www.spacetreatment.net/
Inside Out 2 (Movie)
 
Contact Liz Faria:
https://www.lizfarialicsw.org/
liz@lizfarialicsw.com
 
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Colleen Shea joins us to discuss how parents can navigate the back-to-school season safely. We cover managing common illnesses, understanding the role of fever in building immunity, essential hygiene practices like hand washing and cough etiquette, and knowing when to call a doctor. Learn key guidelines to keep children healthy as they transition back to group settings.
 
Meet Our Guest: Colleen Shea is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Salem Hospital and Fox Hill’s healthcare consultant. She advises: “Getting enough sleep... will also keep the body healthy and hopefully send off some viruses as well.”
 
Top Takeaways
Illness is normal in a group setting; it helps the body build essential immunity.
Fever is defined as 100.4°F or higher. Treat the child’s comfort, not just the temperature.
Keep children home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
 
Helpful Links & Tools
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/

Host Melanie Little is interviewed by her daughter, Maddie, about the origin story of the Fox Hill School. Discover how Melanie transitioned from business school to founding a comprehensive childcare center, balancing her professional role with being a mother. Learn the goals of the Roots and Wings podcast: providing trusted guidance, expert insights, and resources for families on child development and early learning.
 
Meet Our Guest:
Maddie Little is a senior studying robotics engineering at Purdue University and an alumna of the Fox Hill School. Tip: “It really was the best of both worlds (referring to balancing work and family time)”.
 
Top Takeaways
Melanie started the school shortly after business school, initially lacking early childhood training.
Melanie pursued a master’s degree in early childhood so she could direct her own school.
The Roots and Wings podcast aims to provide expert resources and connect families and educators.
 
Helpful Links & Tools
Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/