Talking Toddlers

In this episode I cover some exciting NEW SCIENCE that helps us understand developmental risk factors and how much influence we have on our babies and toddlers. If Autism is genetic, can we do anything to minimize its impact? Are we stuck with what we have inherited, or can our environment influence how our genes unfold? What about the Nature vs Nurture debate? Does it matter? I love to question s...

Don't worry ... be happy! How can you be sure your toddler will be ready for reading? Wait ... he can barely speak in sentences!! The answer rests in what you DO together in those first three years... right now! In this episode, I share how the current reading 'methods' are changing once AGAIN, and how you can stay ahead of it - without worry or self-doubt. You build strong reading...

Mornings can be a difficult period OR a brilliant opportunity. It may often feel like a time crunch ... or is it? In this episode, I challenge you to re-think your morning routine. Let's walk through a healthy, effective and efficient MORNING ROUTINE that supports engagement, language learning, and fosters growth ... no matter what age your baby/toddler is... every morning is a new beginning....

Many of you have asked, so I am answering... This episode I cover specific tips to focus on if you think your toddler may be "slow to talk" and you're unsure of next steps. Always speak with your primary healthcare provider, but also call private practices in your area; ask friends and relatives for referrals. MOST IMPORTANT take inventory of your quality time together. How can you...

- Terrible two's is a COMMON phrase we hear over and over again ... but is it true? - Toddlers ALWAYS get runny noses, colds, or congestion ... but is it true? - Babies and toddlers often get up during the night ... but is it true? - Toddlers are just picky ... but is it true? I think we hear statements like these so often, we just believe them and take it as fact, but are they REALLY true? M...

Why does my baby / toddler stuff his mouth? Is it normal to just swallow without chewing? He spits out more than he swallows. How can I help her? These concerns are becoming more and more common - and many parents are either baffled or assume it's just part of being a toddler. BUT the truth is NONE of this is "typical" or "healthy" and can be avoided ... you just need a fe...

Episode 54 Decisions over which foods to eat, which products to purchase, whose ideas or methods to follow, and how to implement endless parenting suggestions... It all culminates in DECISION FATIGUE! Then, as a natural consequence of decision fatigue is to DO NOTHING and maintain the status quo. In this episode I share some truths about our modern developmental challenges - and at the same time,...

Toddlers want to talk. They want to be engaged. They want to be good listeners. They just don't know how, yet. They learn best through their life experiences .... with you! This episode provides 6 strategies that positively influence learning to talk. You'll be able to apply them naturally, everyday, with your little one and build his or her verbal speech ... and understanding. QUESTIONS...

Many parents intuitively know the importance of play in child development, but despite its many benefits, we rarely associate play with LEARNING . For most people, learning involves acquiring a specific new skill, such as memorizing alphabets, counting, or colors and shapes.  They often believe that playing is only for fun and involves no "actual learning." However, according to studies,...

In this episode I discuss how UNRESTRICTED OUTDOOR PLAY makes for strong, confident, and capable children. Current research strongly suggests that over 54% of children under 10 years of age have a chronic condition. YET ... new research indicates 50% of developmental challenges are preventable! Our modern day lifestyle can be tricky to navigate, but there are better choices out there. I want to ch...

In this episode I cover three main mistakes many parents, therapists and teachers unknowingly fall into that makes it harder for toddlers to learn how to speak. I've learned over the years in private practice, that once your toddler starts using words, we often forget they are still in the "process" of developing phrases and sentences. Learning to "listen" and learning to...

Learning how to discipline a toddler without totally loosing your cool is possible. Here are a few concepts I cover in today's episode ... YOU'VE GOT THIS: Praise your child’s good behavior, but do so without giving external rewards. Start labeling how he feels instead of putting him in a timeout or giving empty threats and warnings.  Make sure his needs are met, making him less likely t...

Guess what, our toddler doesn't really understand all that much ... yet! When we say, "don't throw your food on the floor!" All they hear is THROW - FOOD ! They love it when we yell, get excited and move our hands up and down as we run to pick up, intervene, or recover our mess. Guess what, you just reinforced their "naughty" behavior! YIKES ... what do we do instead?...

Toddlers are just starting out. Know the behaviors that are "telling you" his ability to wire-up and regulate is a bit different, unique and perhaps challenging. Does it interfere with learning, social connection, and engagement? We need to understand & respect differences - and at the same time create environments where all kids can blossom into their BEST VERSION. These are MOST CO...

Today’s episode is about limiting beliefs - how they may influence how we parent our children, how focusing on behavior can create power struggles, and how we can alter our parenting style to parent with our kids instead of over them. Typically we take on limiting beliefs unconsciously, often in childhood. Relationships with primary caretakers, teachers, coaches influence us as we are dependent on...

Watching your baby grow is one of the best parts of parenting: first smiles, words, and steps are moments many of us remember for the rest of our lives.  There are also subtler baby milestones, like when your baby begins reacting to music or uses their tongue to move food around in their mouth.  All milestones, big and small, are important to your child’s development Milestones are meant as guides...

Just 15 minutes of PLAY can spark millions of brain connections. The more present you are… the more you understand your baby/child. Slow is usually always better than fast. Let your baby / toddler linger AND practice at the level she is working through, even if it seems slow to you…  Babies / toddlers will move along to the next level when they are ready - given the opportunities. In this episode...

You want to know the secret relationship between tummy time, jaw development and vowels sounds. The fear of gagging or choking is real; however, as you begin to understand how to best support physical and cognitive development, it melts away.  Vowel sounds require a strong and stable jaw ... and you want to know the secrets behind helping your baby master these 22 delightful sounds by his 2nd birt...

Can I avoid meltdowns with my toddler? We can certainly manage them better when we understand where they are coming from or what might be the precipice. You'll see how to navigate different situations when you get into the juicy details around these 3 HIDDEN Sensory Systems ... which most pediatricians don't even recognize. In this episode, I'm sharing what they are and how best to...

Wondering if there's a way to prevent your kids from becoming picky eaters? Or how to get a fussy eater to actually eat and try new foods? Put these 15 STRATEGIES into immediate action to prevent AND repair picky eating all together.  No parent wants their child to be a picky eater. Just imagine feeding them the same three things day after day, cooking  separate meals, and battling through br...

In this episode we continue the conversation of how to Stop Picky Eaters in their tracks - essential strategies and mindset shift. Between six and nine months of age, we are setting the stage. It's an INTRODUCTION to solid foods, but plan you must! Although it's a learning process with some trial and error, there are very specific strategies that keep you and your baby on track. You neve...

In this episode, we discuss strategies to PREVENT picky eating habits with babies and young children. Today we cover five PROVEN STRATEGIES that can help with introducing solid foods.  HINT: this is just the beginning… take advantage of Mother Nature ,  introduce a wide variety of flavors,  make mealtime enjoyable (make is MESSY) be a good role model involve your child in meal planning and prepara...

In this episode Erin discusses how: Nutrition plays a crucial role in your child's development. Food can be both medicine and an energy source for the body  Investigating food intake and absorption can help identify potential obstacles to development. Important to look beyond just the symptoms of speech and language disorders and consider other aspects of a child's health and behavior Pa...

In this episode we walk through 5 common, everyday items that could delay development and WHY you need to be more thoughtful before you jump in. Becoming a new mom in this modern world is challenging enough, we can avoid unnecessary traps, when we are better informed. Stay focused on your goal … healthy and unencumbered development for your baby!  You are b uilding neuro-connections ---> neuro-...

We continue the conversation on the four central pillars which support strong verbal communication skills, which developed through every day experiences. In this episode, I present how parents who understand why playing peek-a-boo is so critical to brain development can jumpstart talking, understanding and learning more naturally. What red-flag to look for and how to enhance your everyday activiti...