Ep. 25 - Raising Little Learners with Melissa Markus, The Kindergarten Mom

About this episode

Frances and hockey coach Nikita Krivokrasov discuss identity, resilience, and the impact of coaching on personal growth.

In this heartfelt and practical episode, Frances sits down with educator, creator, and content powerhouse Melissa Markus, known online as The Kindergarten Mom. A former dance friend turned inspiring voice for parents and teachers, Melissa shares how her platform began, what continues to drive her, and why the kindergarten years are some of the most important in a child’s development. Together, they explore the beauty and complexity of early childhood education, the power of movement and routine, the importance of advocating for children, and what it means to truly meet kids where they are. This conversation is filled with wisdom for parents, educators, and anyone who wants to better understand how young children learn, grow, and thrive. Show notes In this episode of The Playbase, Frances reconnects with old friend Melissa Markus, educator, creator, and the voice behind The Kindergarten Mom. Melissa shares how her online platform was born out of a season of change, motherhood, and a deep desire to continue contributing meaningfully to families and children outside the classroom. What started as a way to share ideas and support others grew into a trusted space where parents and…

People in this episode

Host: Frances

Guest: Nikita Krivokrasov

Topics covered

• identity
• resilience
• coaching
• purpose
• adversity
• personal growth

Keywords

• hockey
• coaching
• identity
• resilience
• purpose
• adversity
• personal journey

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Kindergarten Mom

More episodes of The Play Base

• Ep. 30 - Raising Confident Kids Through Mentorship with Jasmine Eingen · June 9, 2026 · 47 min
• Ep. 29 - Finding Alignment, Intimacy, and Joy with Dr. Fay Gersh · June 2, 2026 · 51 min
• Ep. 28 - Building the Foundation First with Paulette Cormier · May 26, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Ep. 27 - All the World Is a Classroom with Thabatta Mizrahi · May 19, 2026 · 39 min
• Ep. 26 - Finding the Light: Leadership, Resilience, and the Bagpipe Story with Chris D’Angelo · May 12, 2026 · 51 min
• Ep. 24 - Stop Treating Kids in a Bubble: The Power of Whole-Family Support with Dr. Ryan Seidman · April 28, 2026 · 53 min