Talking Toddlers

If Christmas feels overwhelming - for you or your toddler - you’re not imagining it. And you’re not doing anything wrong. For babies and toddlers, the holiday season brings more noise, more stimulation, more people, more stuff, and disrupted routines - often all at once. Little nervous systems aren’t built to manage that kind of overload, even when everything looks joyful from the outside. In this...

Christmas can feel heavy for moms of babies and toddlers - full of pressure, expectations, and the fear of getting it wrong. In this episode of Talking Toddlers, we talk about why a simpler, calmer Christmas is often exactly what young children need - and how choosing less can create more connection, regulation, and meaning for your family. You don’t need more information - you need clarity, suppo...

If you want your child to talk well — not just say more words — this episode will change the way you think about early communication. Because here’s the truth: Talking doesn’t just “show up” one day. It grows from the daily experiences underneath it — connection, play, movement, interaction, modeling, as well as sleep, nutrition, and healthy routines. Whether your baby is 6 months old and you want...

If you want your baby or toddler to talk well — not just say more words — this episode is your starting point. Because IMITATION is the skill that comes before gestures, babbling, understanding, and eventually… real talking. Most parents overlook imitation. Many professionals gloss over it. But after 35 years helping babies and toddlers communicate, I can tell you this with absolute certainty: Tod...

The Hidden Step Before First Words (Every Parent Misses This One) If your toddler isn’t using many words yet, this episode will change the way you see early communication.  Most parents—and honestly, many professionals—focus on the number of words. But talking doesn’t begin with words. It begins with the body, with connection, and with one crucial developmental step that predicts everything that c...

Are you tired of feeling embarrassed when your toddler won’t share? In this episode of Talking Toddlers , Erin Hyer, speech-language pathologist and early development specialist, breaks down what’s really happening inside your child’s brain when they say “mine!” You’ll learn why true sharing isn’t developmentally possible before age 4, how playdates often set toddlers up for stress (and shame), an...

If your toddler is constantly climbing, dumping, crawling, pulling things out of cabinets, or wandering from one “project” to another… this episode will make everything click. Between 12 and 18 months, the brain is wiring the foundations for attention, curiosity, emotional regulation, and — yes — first words. And it all happens through play. Not apps. Not fancy toys. Not early lessons. Movement. R...

You already know the #1 habit that helps toddlers learn to talk — pulling them into your world and engaging them, out loud, through the rhythm of your day. But staying present isn’t always easy. In this episode, Erin Hyer, speech-language pathologist and toddler specialist, gets personal about what gets in the way — the five barriers that quietly pull parents off course — and how to find your way...

What if the best way to help your toddler talk isn’t about doing more — but noticing more? If you’ve ever wondered how to build your child’s language without feeling like you’re teaching a class, this episode will give you the clarity and calm you’ve been craving. You’ll discover:  • Why connection—not correction—drives true communication  • How everyday routines (yes, even laundry and grocery run...

Everyone talks about “speech milestones,” but few realize that clear talking starts long before the first word. It begins with sucking, swallowing, mouthing, and chewing real food. In this episode, Erin Hyer — pediatric speech-language pathologist and host of Talking Toddlers — unpacks how modern feeding habits are quietly undermining children’s oral-motor development and what parents can do to co...

You’re in the grocery store. Your toddler is whining, tugging, then screaming, and finally — full-body flop in the aisle. People are watching. Your chest tightens. You start explaining, reasoning, pleading… and it just gets worse. Why? In this episode, Erin Hyer breaks down what’s actually happening inside your toddler’s brain during a meltdown — and why talking doesn’t work when their emotional s...

Does your toddler ignore you when you’ve asked the same thing six times?  Or do you feel that sting of embarrassment when they melt down in the store or refuse to listen at the park? Here’s the truth: your child isn’t being “bad.”  They’re showing you where they are developmentally — and the good news is, you can absolutely teach them how to listen, focus, and follow through. In this episode, I’ll...

Want to raise a healthy, thriving baby — without all the gadgets and overwhelm? In this episode, I’m sharing 10 powerful essentials that help your baby thrive by focusing on what truly matters: connection, rhythm, and presence. Drawing on over 35 years as a speech-language pathologist, toddler specialist, and mom, I walk you through ten simple, science-backed ways to support your baby’s developmen...

Most parents think reading starts with letters and phonics. But the truth is — literacy is a man-made skill, layered on top of speech and language.  If your child doesn’t get the right foundations at home , they may struggle later, even in the best schools. In this episode of Talking Toddlers , Erin Hyer — speech-language pathologist with 35+ years of experience — reveals the 10 foundational skill...

Should you homeschool through kindergarten or send your child to preschool?   You’ll discover the truth about “socialization,” what’s actually happening in many early childhood programs, and how to confidently decide what’s right for your family — without guilt, pressure, or fear of “falling behind.” From overworked teachers "managing" behavior, to the loss of play-based learning, to the...

Most parents think play begins with dolls and pretend kitchens — but the earliest stages of play start long before that… and missing them could mean missing crucial communication growth. From nibbling on their fists, to peekaboo and pretend play -- your child’s first three years are full of small moments that build a BIG foundation.  In this episode, Erin Hyer — speech-language pathologist and tod...

Your child’s brain isn’t finished at birth — it’s built day by day, through you. Whether you have a baby or a toddler, this episode will help you understand the “why” behind sleep struggles, sensitivities, and attention challenges — and remind you that brains are built through responsive parenting. In this episode of Talking Toddlers, Erin Hyer, speech-language pathologist with 35+ years of experi...

Why are so many mothers leaving the workforce — and what does it mean for our children? The Washington Post calls it “erasing pandemic gains.”  But after 35+ years as a speech-language pathologist working with hundreds of families, I see something deeper: maybe these mothers are choosing to reclaim what matters most. In this episode, I share two powerful family stories that illustrate the differen...

Did you know your toddler’s playtime is more than just fun?  Between 12 and 18 months, play is the engine driving their memory, focus, and problem-solving skills.  In this episode, Erin Hyer — speech-language pathologist with over 35 years of experience — unpacks why play is the true work of childhood.  You’ll learn how to: – Spot the signs that your toddler’s play is building real skills – Suppor...

Parents of babies and toddlers—you’re exhausted.  But here’s the good news: one small evening habit can change that, starting tonight. Learn the science of how light affects melatonin, why it matters for your toddler’s brain development, and how to create a bedtime environment that works for the whole family. Discover how one simple change—dimming your lights an hour before bedtime—can help your b...

Has gentle parenting gone too far?  Many well-meaning moms are finding themselves burned out, confused, and constantly negotiating with toddlers who seem to need more structure—not less. In this episode, Erin Hyer, speech-language pathologist and toddler development specialist, breaks down what toddlers actually need—and why a firmer, more faithful approach is gaining traction among modern parents...

Explore how speech develops after the first words — and what to do if your toddler can’t express themselves clearly.  Erin explains how to recognize delays in expression and speech sounds and gives practical, empowering strategies to support your child at home.  🎙 Part 2 of 2 in the “Building Blocks” Mini-Series In Part 1, we covered the first two foundational 'pillars' of speech develop...

The 4 Building Blocks of Speech Development – Part 1 Long before your toddler says their first real word, two powerful foundations (milestones) must already be in place: interaction and understanding . These aren’t “nice to have” skills — they are non-negotiable building blocks for speech, language, connection, and future learning.  Yet so many parents are told to wait and see, when in fact, there...

Why does your toddler seem to completely ignore you when you say “no”?  Are they just testing limits—or is something deeper going on? In this episode of Talking Toddlers , Erin breaks down what “no” actually means to children under three—and why their response is less about defiance and more about development.  You’ll learn how to guide your toddler through this critical stage with firm but loving...

Is your toddler always pushing back, melting down, or refusing to help?  From messy playtime to getting out the door, you’ll learn how to:  – Encourage turn-taking, even with babies  – Turn cleanup into connection  – Use routines and rules to reduce drama  – Make transitions smoother  – And raise a child who wants to help — without bribes, yelling, or power struggles In this episode of Talking Tod...