S1 E8 Joyful Beginnings, Devoted to Supporting Parents and Families Pre-birth to Age 3

Today is the 8th and final episode of season 1 of my collaboration with Joyful Beginnings. Joyful Beginnings is a welcoming, inclusive online community for families with young children pre-birth to three. As partners in parenting, Joyful Beginnings is devoted to providing  loving guidance and expert advice to all parents, freely and without judgment. Joyful Beginnings in rooted in the work begun at Sophia’s Hearth,  a center for teachers and families in southern Nh and inspired by the work of Dr. Emmi Pikler and Rudolf Steiner. Through many years of working with children and families, we have developed a unique way of working that honors the innate dignity and development of the child, while also striving to meet the children and the families where they are.    My guests today are Karen Lamoureux and Laura Betty.    Karen  joined Sophia’s Hearth as Executive Director in July, 2019. Karen brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership of services to children and families. She graduated from Boston College and completed her master’s degree at New England College.  She has served as Vice President of Children’s services at Lutheran Social Services of NH and later as the Chief Executive Officer of Pace School in Pittsburgh PA. Karen says,“It is the joy of my professional life to work at Sophia’s Hearth surrounded by very young children.” Karen is the proud mother of 2 grown daughters.    Laura has been at Sophia’s Hearth since 2017. Before coming to Sophia’s Hearth, Laura worked at a co-teacher in the Kindergarten classroom at the Garlnad School in Brattleboro, VT and was also a class teacher at the Waldorf School of Princeton in Princeton, NJ. In her time at Sophia’s Hearth, Laura has worked in all the classrooms and with all the age groups. Laura also served as the Parent Outreach Coordinator and now has the role of Program Director for Joyful Beginnings. Laura has an undergraduate degree in Classical Civilizations and English. Laura received her Waldorf teaching certificate from Antioch University. Laura holds an Early Childhood Level I teaching certificate from River Valley Community College. She is also currently in the teacher training at Sophia’s Hearth where she will receive a WECAN recognized Birth-Three certificate. Laura is a mother of two, with one on the way!    To find out more about  all things Joyful Beginnings, click here  https://www.instagram.com/joyful_beginnings/   The website is in the works as you read this, so stay in close touch as we create this bountiful online resource, just for you!!   I have so much gratitude for everyone who has been listening to the Joyfull Parenting Podcast and joining the community of supporters at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525 !   If you haven’t already,  please subscribe to the podcast. It’s also super duper helpful to me if you rate it, review it and share it with others!    If you are looking  to work with me one-on-one as your parenting/caregiving coach you can do so  by clicking on this link with  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525. You can also find me on Facebook and IG @joyfullparenting