Talking Toddlers

Today's episode we kick off a two-part series on developing ESSENTIAL listening and understanding skills in your toddler.  I guide you through the first five milestones crucial for fostering amazing listening abilities in your little ones. Key Takeaways: Follow NOVEL Commands: Encouraging your toddler to understand and act on new instructions. Follow 2-Step Directions Related to Objects: Help...

CLICK HERE - JOIN THE WAITLIST In this episode let's dive into the art of creating a peaceful bedtime routine that helps your toddler transition into sleep without stress or power struggles.  I draw on over three decades of clinical practice and real-life experience as I share  expert insights on starting young and fostering independence in your little one’s sleep habits. Learn how to establi...

Today I'm thrilled to share 10 of my favorite summer activities to do with your toddler. These activities are designed to get your little one moving, boost engagement, build language skills, and create excitement for everyone involved. As a seasoned speech language pathologist with over 35 years of experience, I've seen firsthand how toddlers learn best by doing.  They need moms and dads...

Welcome back, new moms! In today's episode, we're diving deeper into one of the essential skills for toddlers: LISTENING. As we know, mastering this skill takes time, but fear not, we're here to guide you through it. Every parent wants their toddler to listen - to understand, right? Are there any secrets to helping your toddler develop these listening skills? Yes there are ... and w...

Children who don't understand words can't USE words to talk. In this episode I introduce what's behind LISTENING SKILLS, so you can support your toddler during everyday activities.  There are AUDITORY ASPECTS that are being "honed" with every interaction - building his capacity to understand and learn through his toddlerhood. Some aspects include:  Auditory Attention Audit...

CLICK HERE - JOIN THE WAITLIST In this episode, we're thrilled to introduce a new resource by Laura Mize, a renowned speech pathologist and creator of "Teach Me To Talk." Laura has just released her latest resource titled "The Late Talker Workbook," designed specifically to assist parents in nurturing language skills in their late-talking toddlers. Laura Mize's expert...

🍼   Picture this: your little bundle of joy taking those first sips of independence. But before you reach for that colorful cup, hold on a sec! In this episode, I'm uncovering the TOP 5 REASONS why ditching the sippy cup might just be the best decision for your tiny tot. 🚫   From dental woes to speech delays, I'm separating fact from fiction and shedding light on the hidden concerns th...

You don't need to interact with and entertain your baby during every waking moment.  Babies need time on their own, too, so they can gradually start to understand that they're independent from you.  Slowing life down a bit and letting your child be bored can have lots of benefits.  One of the first things you may notice - even in very young babies - is that it allows them to explore on t...

Pretend play is the ultimate brain builder.  I t's the magic potion that sparks language, supercharges social skills, and boosts emotional intelligence. The 3 top benefits of pretend play. Language Leaps: Pretend play acts as a secret language workshop for your little one.  As they engage in imaginative scenarios, they're not just playing – they're experimenting with words, tones, a...

In this week's episode, we continue our exploration of the vital stages of babbling with your baby, delving even deeper into the intricacies that shape their cognitive and communicative abilities. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS YOUR ESSENTIAL CHECKLIST Building on last week's discussion, we unravel the significance of cooing and babbling as precursors to language development, offering valuable ins...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the fascinating world into the crucial stages of babbling with your baby. To ensure a thorough understanding of the subtle distinctions between each stage and how best to gauge your baby’s or toddler’s growth, I've split this remarkable exploration into two episodes. CLICK HERE TO GRAB ESSENTIAL CHECKLIST We explore the significance of both cooing and...

In today's episode, we're tackling a topic that resonates with countless new moms around the world - the phenomenon known as "New Mom Imposter Syndrome."  This psychological experience, marked by feelings of overwhelm and self-doubt, is a common yet often unspoken struggle that many women face as they navigate the transformational journey of motherhood. Becoming a mother is und...

Today’s discussion sheds light on the genuine concerns mothers face and how these often go unaddressed or overlooked in routine pediatric consultations. These concerns, sometimes dismissed or brushed aside, create an undercurrent of anxiety for new moms navigating the uncertainties of parenthood. One specific area of concern is the use and understanding of the screening Modified Checklist for Auti...

Welcome to the first episode of the year 2024!  As we dive into the fresh chapter ahead, it's time to set our sights on purposeful objectives. This episode is all about making 2024 your most fulfilling year yet, especially if you're navigating the ever-evolving journey of parenting. In this episode, we embark on a reflective journey together. I share my personal insights on transitioning...

One of your top concerns as a new mom is meeting milestones ... on time! So let's finish the TOP 10 SECRETS to helping your toddler move from single words to 2-word phrases and then you can pick up your  FREE Building Vocabulary: Single Words to 2-Word Phrases Guide CLICK HERE NOW TO GET YOUR GUIDE Ep # 71 we continue the deep dive into how and why every parent needs to keep a word list for t...

You want your toddler to hit each milestone, right?   You understand the MAJOR ones: - roll over - crawling - walking - talking Now what? He's saying a bunch of single words. He follows basic directions, most of the time? Has he 'stalled' ... Is he 'stuck' ... Am I stuck? Do I even know what to look for? How can I truly, truly support his progress? Do not worry - I got you...

First words are an exciting time, as is following directions and putting sentences together! Milestones are vital pieces of information that can't be glossed over. So yes, it’s discouraging when your toddler doesn’t hit such critical  milestones.  Therefore, in this episode I’m revealing true SECRETS to help you KNOW how to measure where your toddler is currently and HOW to help him/her move...

Happy Thanksgiving! This episode is about sharing what's possible. You'll want to hear about 2024 announcements and to be the first in line to hear how to support your baby and toddler through each and every milestone. He isn't falling behind, he's thriving! The secret is --------------. Gotta listen to find out! So enjoy this episode and I invite you to jump over to my youtube...

Understanding the concept of “NO” is a hard one to grasp for most toddlers! How can we help them learn to listen, follow directions, STOP when I ask him? When is it developmentally APPROPRIATE to expect such understanding? In this week’s episode we cover these questions AND provide 10 Established Strategies To Avoid Meltdowns  Our goal is to help your toddler develop independence, curiosity AND co...

Toddlers love to move. Toddlers need to move. We need toddlers to move. While it's no secret that kids love to move, what might surprise you is just how crucial movement is for their overall development - especially in the realm of speech AND language. In this episode, I explore the wonderful world where MOVEMENT and SPEECH meet, and discover the proactive steps you can take to nurture your c...

Teething & drooling with toddlers can be a messy and frustrating period! But it doesn't have to be that way ... and there are A LOT of fun ways to minimize the slimy drool all together. In this episode I delve deep into the fascinating world of drooling and teething, dispelling common misconceptions and shedding light on their intricate connections to your baby and toddler’s vital develop...

Fussy babies, pacifiers, self-soothing, and self-regulation…  We continue the conversation in this week’s episode as there seems to be a lot of nuances we can’t overlook. oral motor development (how your baby’s mouth is shaped) speech sounds and eating skills breathing and upper respiratory health sleep, rest and recovery Remember, my purpose is to demonstrate how EVERYTHING is related - especiall...

It's a common 'go to' and has been around for centuries, so why are there so many questions?  Do ALL babies use pacifiers? Are there possible risks or side effects? What can I do INSTEAD to help my fussy baby? In this episode I cover these questions and strategies to build your understanding, make a plan and create a strategy for each stage of your baby's first year. All babies...

Kids and snacks go together like peanut butter and jelly, but for parents, the non-stop requests for more food can leave you frustrated and burnt-out…and perhaps wondering why?   The truth is that toddlers' bodies need plenty of healthy, nutrient-dense calories to support growth and development.  But kids also need boundaries to help them make smart, healthy choices when it comes to what (and...

Success can look different to each of us ... but I bet you have some 'idea' of how you see your toddler in the future ... confident, curious, helpful, kind, creative? How can we help him or her achieve that? Well it starts with PLAY ... to explore their environment, try new things, and solve problems (through play) they build confidence, social competence, and emotional stability. Listen...