Learn With Less

Find out how this woman is making libraries family-centered spaces. In this episode of Learn With Less, we speak with Suzanne Flint, child development specialist and principal architect of the California State Library’s  early learning initiative,  to discuss what public libraries are doing to promote library programs for families. Suzanne Flint  is a child development specialist with a...

Ever wondered why you change your voice when you talk to babies? In this episode, Ayelet discusses this phenomenon (known as “infant-directed speech,” “motherese,” or “parentese”). She covers tips on ways to communicate with babies, the innate reasons we modify our voices when we talk to babies, and the research that supports those changes! Below is the transcript of this week’s “Developmental Tho...

This episode is all about the Learn With Less™ curriculum (formerly known as  The Heart of It Curriculum) , which is a week-by-week development and activity guide for playing with your baby from birth to three years.  Get Access to the Learn With Less™ Curriculum! Outline of this week’s episode. Your experience with this episode can be enhanced by watching the complementary video, linked below. If...

This episode is all about  The Heart Of It  curriculum, now known as the Learn With Less™ Curriculum . This episode of Learn With Less features the journey of author Ayelet Marinovich into parenthood. Her creation of the baby and toddler enrichment curriculum, “Learn With Less ™ ” focuses on infant and toddler development week by week along with simple activities to support your baby’s d...

This episode is all about  The Heart Of It  curriculum, which is now known as the Learn With Less™ Curriculum Transcript of this week’s interview with mother of two young children (and founder of  Lil’ollo ), Alexandra Nicoletti. Our discussion focuses on Alexandra’s experience becoming a mother, and how her access to the  Learn With Less Curriculum  as a beta tester has c...

The Heart Of It  curriculum has been folded into the  Learn With Less™ Curriculum , which serves families with babies birth to three years of age. I always like to give to friends or family who are expecting their first child the following piece of my mind: If anyone tells you ‘this is the only way to do it’ (when referring to pretty much anything baby-related), tell them ‘thanks,’ and then run th...

Why Use Sign Language with Infants and Toddlers? In this episode, we speak with pediatric speech-language pathologist Adrienne, of “ Learn With Adrienne . ” Our discussion focuses on: Adrienne’s special interest in using gestures and Sign Language with young children as a tool to support the development of verbal language The evidence that supports this practice Great tips and resources for p...

What is self-regulation? What is emotional regulation? On this episode of  Learn With Less , Ayelet explores these terms and how to support this sometimes tricky part of your infant and/or toddler’s development. Below is the transcript of this week’s “Developmental Thought,” an excerpt from the full episode. For additional information, music, play ideas and the complete interactive family exp...

Most of us have heard the term – “sensory processing” – but do you really know what it means? In this episode, we are joined by Christie Kiley, a pediatric occupational therapist (OT and creator of the blog  MamaOt . Our discussion focuses on Christie’s background as both an OT and a mother of two, as well as some really helpful definitions and tips about sensory processing (also known as sen...

How do we create messy play experiences for our little ones without going mad, ourselves? Messy play is… messy – but SO important! There are so many reasons why “messy play” is important for learning in the lives of infants and toddlers. On this episode of  Learn With Less , Ayelet explores these reasons, and provides a few ideas to help more resistant caregivers wrap their heads around some...

Families raising or considering raising a child who is multilingual are confronted with many questions. On this episode of  Learn With Less , Ayelet delves into the topic of multilingualism and bilingualism. The research is clear (a child learning two or more languages will not be “stunted!”) and the methodology, though sometimes not so clear-cut, is basically a “one way or the other” approach. Be...

Young children learn about the world through exposure, interaction and  experience . On this episode of  Learn With Less , Ayelet explores the notion of experiential learning and how we can most effectively provide those experiences. Below is the transcript of this week’s “Developmental Thought,” an excerpt from the full episode. For additional information, music, play ideas and the complete...

We have something a little bit special for you: an  all music  episode. On this episode of  Learn With Less , Ayelet invites families in her community to participate in a sing-along to celebrate the 25th episode of the podcast! Sing along to some of your favorite songs with us – no interruptions, just a great opportunity to sit (or dance!), listen and sing with your infant and/or to...

Transcript of this week’s interview with Ania Witkowska , a somatic movement educator and therapist. Our discussion focuses on Ania’s philosophy, the way she works with families, and some tips and strategies (along with favorite “props”).  So often, we are out of touch with the mind-body connection. This somatic movement educator has made it her mission to help us connect....

We all struggle to see from another’s perspective. Believe it or not, we start learning that ability in infancy! On this episode of  Learn With Less,  Ayelet explores the ways infants and toddlers learn to develop emotional intelligence and the ability to take another’s perspective. Below is the transcript of this week’s “Developmental Thought,” an excerpt from the full episode. For addi...

She’s an educator, a therapist, a mom, and she has some great ideas for you about early literacy. Meet Megan Lingo, Educational Therapist, creator of Chickadee Lit, and co-creator of KidArt Lit. In this episode of  Learn With Less , Megan spoke to Ayelet about wordless picture books. Have you ever sat down with a wordless picture book and thought, “am I doing this right?” The first answe...

We are happier when we enjoy meaningful relationships: it’s scientifically proven On this episode of  Learn With Less , Ayelet explores the idea that the first years of life are dedicated to the development of a secure bond with one or more caregivers, followed by the confidence of exploration. Social/emotional development is becoming more and more recognized as a vital component of early learning...

What is open-ended play, and where can I get some? On this episode of the Learn With Less podcast, Ayelet answers the following questions: What is open-ended play, and why is it important? What kinds of materials are considered good for open-ended play? What objects already in and around my home can I use to foster and encourage open-ended play? How can my interactions with my child encourage open...

The term “speech therapist,” for many of us, is a complete misnomer! On this episode of  Learn With Less , Ayelet shares a bit about what it is she does as a pediatric speech-language pathologist. Below is the transcript of this episode’s “Developmental Thought,” a short excerpt from the full episode. For additional information, music, play ideas and the complete interactive family experience...

To teach our children, we give of ourselves. But how much is the right amount of support? On this episode of  Learn With Less , Ayelet explores what it means to give the “right amount” of support when our young children are learning new skills.  Below is the transcript of this week’s “Developmental Thought,” an excerpt from the full episode. For additional information, music, play ideas and the co...

Making connections in the brain and in the world… What do the skills of matching, classifying and patterning have in common? What do these things involve and require when it comes to brain-building? How can we best support these developing skills in our infants and toddlers? These are the topics we explore on this episode of  Learn With Less ! Below is the transcript of this week’s “Developme...

Emotional development starts from birth – and it’s something we “work on” our entire lives! Consider that even as adults, we struggle to understand our feelings. We have emotional reactions, we “act out” or “lash out” and we sometimes have emotional responses to a trigger in our environment. In this episode of  Learn With Less , Ayelet explores some of the ways we can help our youngest h...

There’s a term we all need to know: object permanence There comes a time in every baby’s life when he realizes he is a separate entity from his caregiver. Mayhem ensues. Below is a transcript of this episode’s “Developmental Thought,” an excerpt from the full episode. For additional information, music, play ideas and the complete interactive family experience, please listen to the entire episode....

Puppets: they’re not just for magic shows! A powerful learning tool Puppets are singular in their diverse ability to entertain, teach and connect. In this episode of  Learn With Less , Ayelet explores the merits of puppets and the ways we can use them in play! Below is the transcript of this episode’s “Developmental Thought,” an excerpt from the full episode. For additional information, music...

We are all communicators. Sometimes it takes a little more attention to see it! In this episode of  Learn With Less,  Ayelet discusses the importance of adult responsiveness to infant and toddler attempts at communication. So much of our response shapes and informs our childrens’ communication with the world – the more we can reach into their world and pull out what we can, the more we s...