The Power of Language: How Our Words Shape Kids' Inner Worlds with Lily Howard Scott
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
04/07/25
•37m
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Discover the profound impact of language on children's development with educator and author Lily Howard Scott. In this insightful conversation, Lily reveals how the words we use with children become their inner voice, shaping their thinking patterns and sense of self. Learn practical strategies to help children develop self-trust, move beyond binary thinking, and embrace a "birder mindset" that empowers them to appreciate life’s small wonders.
Lily shares powerful concepts from her book, The Words That Shape Us: The Science-Based Power of Teacher Language, including outer shell vs. inner swirls, creating safe classroom environments, and why the most powerful learning happens between ages 0-10.
This episode offers transformative language tools for educators and caregivers to nurture children's authentic selves beyond achievement metrics.
Episode Mentions:
- Lily on Instagram: @lily_howardscott
- Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett - How Emotions are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain
- David Foster Wallace
- B.D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.
- The Tyranny of Metrics by Jerry Z. Muller
- Marilynne Robinson
- The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
- Ralph Fletcher
- Georgia Heard
- Tyler Rablin - Hacking Student Motivation
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to Lily Howard Scott
1:40 The Power of Words in Shaping Children's Brains
3:00 Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett's Research on Emotions
5:32 Helping Children Discern Authentic Thoughts from External Pressures
8:05 Creating Safe Spaces in the Classroom
11:20 Teaching Beyond Metrics and Compliance
13:52 Harper's Story: Achievement Pressure's Hidden Toll
16:05 The Birder Mindset: Appreciating Life's Small Details
20:35 Practical Applications of the Birder Mindset
23:10 The Connection Between Bird Watchers and Wisdom
25:30 Moving Beyond Binary Thinking with Children
28:15 The Critical Learning Period (Ages 0-10)
30:30 Outer Shell vs. Inner Swirls
33:40 Closing Thoughts: The Lasting Impact of Our Words
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode
BONUS: Practical Strategies to Stop Avoiding Difficult Conversations
April 4, 2025
•15m
In this S4E30 bonus episode, I reflect on my conversation with Dr. Katy Anthes about her Forward Framework for moving from polarization to progress. Drawing from the classic book Difficult Conversations, I consider the gap between intentions and impact, explaining why we often misinterpret others' motives and how avoiding difficult conversations damages relationships.
Learn practical strategies for:
➡️recognizing your contribution to conflicts,
➡️understanding your emotions,
➡️and addressing issues directly to create meaningful progress.
Whether you're an educator, parent, or leader, these evidence-based techniques will transform how you approach challenging conversations and build stronger connections.
📚 Featured Book: Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen
00:00 - Introduction: Moving from Polarized Mindsets to Progress
01:00 - The Schoolutions: Coaching and Teaching Strategies Podcast
01:40 - Dr. Katy Anthes's Forward Framework
02:10 - "Difficult Conversations": A Classic Resource
03:00 - Why Assumptions About Intentions Are Often Wrong
04:00 - How We Assume Intentions from Impact
05:30 - Digital Communication and Misinterpreting Intentions
07:00 - How Accusing Others Creates Defensiveness
08:30 - The Toxicity of Avoiding Difficult Conversations
10:00 - Tools for Spotting Your Contribution: Role Reversal
11:00 - The Observer's Insight Technique
12:00 - Understanding Your Own Emotions
14:00 - Final Thoughts: Being Understood vs. Being Right
14:30 - Outro and Contact Information
#DifficultConversations #IntentionsVsImpact #ConflictResolution #EducationPodcast #CommunicationSkills #ForwardFramework #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment #TeachingStrategies #ParentingTips #WorkplaceRelationships #PersonalGrowth #AssumedIntentions #ProfessionalDevelopment #EducatorResources
Check out my full S4E30 interview with Dr. Katy Anthes!
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired, and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
New episodes are released every Monday, with a bonus solo episode on Fridays featuring research-backed coaching and teaching strategies you can apply right away to better serve the children in your care.
🔔 SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode of Schoolutions: Coaching & Teaching Strategies Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast/
👉 Follow us on social:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-wahl-4300811a/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolutionspodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schoolutionspodcast/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/olivia-wahl.bsky.social
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@schoolutionspodcast
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode
BONUS: Why Children Fear Making Mistakes
April 11, 2025
•14m
Discover why children fear making mistakes and how to help them embrace setbacks and learn from them. Nurturing curious minds is essential for growth and development.
In this powerful bonus episode, I delve deeper into my conversation with Lily Howard Scott, author of The Words That Shape Us.
Discover how the language educators and caregivers use profoundly impacts children's emotional development, self-perception, and willingness to take risks.
Learn practical strategies for building emotional vocabulary, reframing mistakes as learning opportunities, and using language that honors children's autonomy.
Whether you're a teacher, parent, or caregiver, these evidence-based approaches will transform how you communicate with the children in your care and help them develop the emotional intelligence needed to thrive in school and beyond.
Episode Mentions:
➡️ Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
➡️ Carol Dweck - Even Geniuses Work Hard
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview
01:00 - Overview of "The Words That Shape Us" Book Structure
04:00 - Developing Children's Emotional Vocabulary
07:00 - Helping Children Become Comfortable with Discomfort
09:00 - Reframing Mistakes as "Brilliant" Learning Opportunities
11:00 - Building a Culture of Fearless Learners
12:00 - Final Thoughts and Poem "On Children"
#TheWordsThatShapeUs #TeacherLanguage #EmotionalIntelligence #GrowthMindset #BrilliantMistakes #ChildDevelopment #ClassroomCommunity #TeachingStrategies #SEL #EmotionalVocabulary #PerfectionismInKids
Check out my full S4E31 interview with Lily Howard Scott (https://youtu.be/3UGl2D9VKg8).
New episodes are released every Monday, with a bonus solo episode on Fridays featuring research-backed coaching and teaching strategies you can apply right away to better serve the children in your care.
🔔 SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode of Schoolutions: Coaching & Teaching Strategies Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast/
👉 Follow us on social:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-wahl-4300811a/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolutionspodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schoolutionspodcast/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/olivia-wahl.bsky.social
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@schoolutionspodcast
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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