Happier Childhoods
Happier Childhoods is a podcast for adults shaping childhood through movement, play, and connection.
Hosted by Carrie Speed of PlayMotion Kids, this show offers honest conversations and practical ideas for parents, teachers, childcare directors, social workers, caregivers, enrichment instructors, and child-focused professionals who want to support kids in meaningful, doable ways.
Each episode explores childhood wellbeing, child development, behavior, emotional regulation, resilience, sensory needs, trauma-informed care, play-based learning, mindfulness, movement, and the everyday science of connection.
You’ll hear conversations about what it really takes to help children feel safe, supported, and connected while also supporting the adults who care for them.
Carrie is a social worker and the founder of PlayMotion Kids, a movement, music, and mindfulness enrichment program for children. She also certifies and licenses instructors who want to bring movement, mindfulness, and whole-child learning to children in their own communities.
Because when adults are supported, equipped, and encouraged, happier childhoods become possible.
If you care about creating healthier, happier childhoods, you belong here.
www.playmotionkids.com
www.playmotionkids.com/businessowners
Happier Childhoods
EP 18 Raising Confident Kids Without Fear-Based Teaching (Inside the Dance Studio) w/Leslie Kuny
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
What does it actually look like to build confident, resilient kids without fear, shame, or outdated teaching methods?
In this episode of Wait, Am I Saving the World?, I’m joined by dance educator, choreographer, and studio owner Leslie Kuny, who’s been working with kids for over 20 years. We talk about what’s changing in the world of dance (and childhood in general), and why the old-school, fear-based approach just doesn’t work anymore.
Leslie shares how she creates a studio environment where kids feel safe, supported, and still challenged—without losing the joy of movement. We get into body image, confidence, boundaries, and why play matters more than ever for today’s kids.
This conversation is especially helpful for parents, teachers, and anyone working with children who wants to build strong, confident kids in a healthier, more human way.
What we cover:
- What resilience actually looks like in kids
- Why fear-based teaching backfires
- How dance culture has impacted body image (and how to shift it)
- What parents should look for in a dance studio
- Why kids today struggle with unstructured movement
- How to set boundaries while still keeping things fun
Connect with Leslie Kuny
- Instagram: @lesliekuny
- YouTube: Leslie Kuny Dance
- Podcast: Dancing Through It
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Leslie Kuny and Her Journey
04:13 Creating a Supportive Dance Studio Culture
06:39 Philosophy of Teaching and Student Engagement
11:21 Addressing Body Image and Self-Perception in Dance
16:29 Healthy Conversations About Bodies and Movement
20:22 Parental Guidance on Body Image and Dance Studios
25:29 The Importance of Play and Unstructured Movement
32:21 Boundaries and Classroom Management in Dance
41:12 Conclusion and Connecting with Leslie Kuny
FB & IG: playmotionkids
Website: www.playmotionkids.com
Want to bring movement, music, and mindfulness to parents and children in your community? Learn more at www.playmotionkids.com/businessowners
IG: better.childhood.project