Talk it Out with Wee Talkers

Season 2 Finale! When babies start using their first words, parents get excited! And naturally, a lot of questions come up about what really counts as a word and how to support vocabulary growth. In this episode, Katie and Carly, pediatric SLPs, break down everything parents should know about first words, early milestones, and how to help toddlers build vocabulary in simple, meaningful ways. In th...

If you've ever wondered why your toddler's attention span seems so short (or why it feels impossible for them to sit still!), this episode is for you. Katie is joined by Dr. Lori Long and Katie Severson, SLP from The Childhood Collective—a team of child psychologists and a speech-language pathologist who help families of children with ADHD thrive at home and at school. Together, they break down wh...

This one is for your KIDS!  We want to share little sample of what you'll find in our Songs+Stories membership! Songs+Stories is the go-to quality resource for parents who understand the value of these early years and are intentional about what their kids listen to. Led by speech therapists and moms who get it, we hope this podcast brings a little joy to your day.   Songs+Stories is actually on MA...

When naps fade, quiet time can become a calm, valuable part of your toddler's day. Katie and Carly, pediatric SLPs and moms of 6 kids, share how to make it work—plus simple ideas for toys, activities, and rhythms that keep quiet time screen-free, independent, and enjoyable for everyone. In this episode, we cover: Why quiet time matters—even after naps are gone  How to start small and build up cons...

If you've ever wondered why some kids seem to kind of go with the flow while others melt down over seemingly small things and things feel harder? Parenting advice can feel confusing when what "works" for one child totally backfires with another.  This is something we wish we knew more about when our kids were little, so we are thrilled to share this episode with you.  In this episode, we're joined...

Overwhelmed by the toy aisle (or your living room floor)? You're not alone. In this episode, Katie and Carly (pediatric speech language pathologists and moms of six) share how to choose toys that truly stand the test of time. They'll walk you through what really matters when it comes to toys for babies, toddlers and preschoolers: choosing open-ended toys that encourage imagination, quality over qu...

We absolutely love the library, but we know it can be overwhelming. Families often wonder: Should you pick the educational books? The fun, silly ones? Are some books "better" than others? What if they want to read the same book over and over? In this episode, we're sharing simple tips to take the stress out of library trips and help you make the most of this incredible resource. Here's what we're...

It's typical for toddlers and preschoolers not to be able to say all speech sounds correctly. It's a learning process. Maybe your child says "tar" for star or "nana" for banana. But how do you know if it's just a normal stage or something more? In this episode, we're digging into the question: Should I be worried if my toddler says sounds "wrong"? Here's what we're covering: Why speech errors happ...

Parenting little ones is full of trial and error. Some choices you look back on and think, I'm so glad we did that. Others? You wish you'd done a little differently. In this episode, we're reflecting on those early years now that we have school-aged kids and sharing: 5 simple habits we're thankful we stuck with — like making room for open-ended play, encouraging a love of books, and keeping quiet...

Is your 18-month-old not talking yet, but clearly understands so much of what you say? You're not alone. And the fact they understand so much is a very encouraging sign! In this episode, Katie and Carly (speech-language pathologists and moms) break down: The difference between receptive (understanding) and expressive (talking) language What language milestones to expect around 18 months What actua...

Starting preschool or daycare? We've been there—more than six times between us! In this episode, we share our best tips for easing the preschool transition, from choosing books that prepare your child to creating goodbye routines that actually work. You'll hear real stories from our own kids, easy role play ideas, a simple connection routines for drop-off, and a preschool playlist to help your pre...

You've probably heard of kids having their tonsils or adenoids removed—but how do you know when it's actually necessary? In this episode of Talk It Out, we're joined by board-certified pediatrician Dr. Anjuli Gans to break down everything parents need to know about tonsils and adenoids in children. From their role in the body to the signs that they might be causing problems, Dr. Gans helps make se...

Picky eating is one of the most common concerns for parents of toddlers—but how do you know if it's a normal phase or something more serious? In this episode of Talk It Out, we're joined by Jenny Friedman, a pediatric dietitian, picky eating specialist, and mom of three. Together, we dive into what picky eating looks like in toddlers, how to reduce mealtime stress, and what actually works when you...

If your toddler has had multiple ear infections, you're not alone—and if you've ever wondered how those infections might impact their speech or language development, this episode is for you. We're joined by Dr. Anjuli Gans , a board-certified pediatrician with over a decade of experience, an attending physician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatr...

In this episode of Talk It Out, Carly and Katie are tackling a topic that so many families face: toddler frustration—especially when it's linked to speech and language delays. If you've ever watched your child melt down because they can't quite say what they're trying to express, you are far from alone.  This episode explores why late talkers tend to show more frequent or intense frustration and h...

Thumb sucking super common and a very natural things for  babies to do—but when is it time to start guiding them away from it? In this episode, we're covering: The pros and cons of thumb sucking How prolonged thumb sucking can affect speech and tooth development Gentle, practical strategies to help your child break the habit when they're ready Carly's personal experience with her daughter's thumb-...

Feeding a toddler can feel like a wild ride—one minute they love broccoli, the next they won't touch it. Sound familiar? In this episode, we're joined by Jess and Nita from Happy Healthy Eaters —two Registered Dietitians (and fellow moms!) who make baby and toddler feeding feel a whole lot more doable. We love their work, and wanted to bring the conversation here to Talk it Out! In the episode we...

Ever wonder when your baby will start babbling—or what to do if they aren't yet? Babbling is more than just adorable baby chatter—it's a key milestone that lays the foundation for talking. In this episode, we're covering: The stages of babbling and how they build toward first words Why some babies start babbling earlier than others Simple, everyday ways to encourage more babbling at home What to d...

  We're sharing something a little different on the podcast today—a special Songs+Stories podcast episode from inside our membership, just for your little one to enjoy! SONGS+STORIES  Our guilt-free screen time videos support their development. Without causing meltdowns! Join and get instant access to safe, ad-free content that's: ✓ Taught by speech therapists ✓ Calm, slow-paced + low-stim ✓ Simil...

Potty training can feel like a big transition for any family—but when your little one isn't talking much yet, it can feel even trickier. The good news? Words aren't required for potty training success! In this episode, we're sharing: Why you don't need to wait for your child to talk before starting potty training 5 ways to prepare your child before transitioning out of diapers Communication strate...

Today we're joined by Erin Morrison—also known as The Conscious Mom on Instagram—for a conversation that feels like a deep breath. Erin is a Certified Conscious Parenting Coach with two master's degrees in psychological counseling from Columbia University. She's also a mom of two, and brings a grounded, compassionate, and non-judgmental approach to her work with parents. In this episode, we talk a...

Screen time—it's one of the most debated parenting topics out there. But instead of an all-or-nothing approach, what if there was a way to make it work for your family without constant battles or guilt? In this episode, we're breaking it down: The 3 Cs framework to help guide your screen time decisions The 4 screen time rules we started when our kids were young (and still rely on today!) Why not a...

Is your child not copying your words yet? Wondering if that's normal—or what you can do to help? Imitation is one of the first building blocks of communication, and in this episode, we're diving into: How imitation develops step by step—from actions and gestures to sounds and words Why some kids pick up movements before they start talking Practical strategies to encourage your child to copy you mo...

We've loved connecting with you in Season 1 of Talk It Out with Wee Talkers ! While we take a short break to prepare for Season 2, we want to share some helpful resources for you.   In This Episode, We Cover: How to submit a question for Season 2: Visit weetalkers.com/questions to record and send us your question about baby or toddler speech and language development. The Wee Talkers Blog: Explore...

What to Do When You Can't Understand Your Toddler | Talk It Out Podcast Welcome to another episode of Talk It Out with Wee Talkers ! Today, we're tackling a question that so many parents have: What should you do when you can't understand what your toddler is saying? Carly and Katie answer a question from a dad who feels unsure of what to do when his 17-month-old tries to communicate, but he just c...