Indoor Days + Big Feelings: Play, Empathy, and Teachable Moments with Francine Prince

When cold weather keeps kids inside, big feelings can spike—for children and the adults supporting them. In this uplifting conversation, early childhood expert Francine Prince shares practical, realistic strategies for indoor days, and reminds us that the best early learning happens when we stay intentional, flexible, and deeply connected.

In this episode, we'll discuss:

• How to plan indoor days so you’re not “teaching on the fly”
• What child-led really means (and what it doesn’t)
• Why teachable moments matter more than rigid timing
• Simple ways to communicate learning to families—without writing an essay
• The power of leading with the positive to build trust and partnership
• What early childhood can teach adults about conflict, adaptability, and routines
• Why burnout is rising—and what support teachers actually need

Timestamps

• 01:41 Indoor-day advice: movement breaks, intentional planning, and being “ready for anything”
• 03:27 Defining child-led for families (and how teachers still facilitate learning)
• 05:08 Teachable moments: what great teachers notice—and why it matters
• 07:10 Creating a climate where teachers feel safe to follow children’s learning
• 08:41 Making learning visible to families 
• 12:18 “Everything we need as adults, we should’ve learned in preschool” (3 big takeaways)
• 15:23 Teaching empathy + conflict resolution through environment and facilitation
• 17:03 What empathy means—and how to meet families where they are
• 20:04 Coaching adults: empathy, communication styles, and partnering with parents
• 24:05 Francine’s story: Head Start roots, coaching, leadership, disability advocacy, and statewide work
• 29:28 Biggest challenges today: burnout, behavior, low pay, and support gaps
• 33:16 What effective professional learning should look like (practical, real, implemented)
• 37:24 Hope: why early childhood still matters—and why people in the field bring hope

Links & Resources

• Dr. Diane’s free 365-day Picture Book Read-Aloud Calendar
• Connect with Dr. Diane and book her to speak or lead professional development workshops at your next event
• Connect with Francine Prince on LinkedIn.