The Art of Playful Parenting

Starting school is a huge transition, and it can feel incredibly overwhelming for both your child and you. Jill has helped hundreds of families navigate this transition as a preschool teacher, and has gone through it herself as a parent. In this episode, she shares some strategies and tips that can help take the stress out of the start of school.  Featured on the Podcast: The Starting School Strat...

On today's episode, Jill chats with Catherine Lessman, an Early Childhood Development Specialist and mom to three boys. Her business, Miss Catherine, supports families as they navigate the early years of childhood. We cover so much in this conversation: potty training, poop struggles, tips for simplifying life and parent intentionally with three boys under 6, mom guilt and overwhelm, why an indivi...

On today's episode, Jill talks about building collaboration and problem-solving skills through play, dodging perfectionism, and building resilience through play. Featured on the Podcast: Want to work with me privately and be the parent you've always wanted to be?  Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts...

The summer is in full swing and it's such a fun time of year to share with your children: traveling, special events & adventures and…. meltdowns. If you've ever felt so excited to share something fun with your child and it does NOT go the way you imagined, today's episode is for you. Jill shares WHY this happens, and what you can do to help.  Featured on the Podcast: Want to work with me privately...

Do you get freaked out by a mess? If so, you're not alone! But messy play is vital & incredibly beneficial for young children, & the sensory integration it provides is a developmental need. So what's a parent to do? On today's episode, Jill talks about why messy play is important and shares her tried and true tips to make messy play feel less overwhelming and stressful for you. Featured on the Pod...

On today's episode, Jill reflects on her daughter's first year of preschool as the school year concludes, as well as some tips and ideas for having a less stressful summer! Featured on the Podcast: The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your...

On this week's episode, Jill is in conversation with Donna Kleyman from Grow and Go PT. Donna is a pediatric physical therapist focused on empowering families to tackle physical health & development through play, positioning, and functional products. She works with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in her private practice. She's also a mom of two. We cover SO much in this conversation: what pare...

Today's episode topic is about independent play and how it can save your sanity as a parent—especially if you're one working from home! Jill shares a few of her independent play tips, as well as a glimpse into how she utilizes independent play herself as a primary caretaker running a business from home.   Featured on the Podcast: The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundat...

In today's episode, Jill shares strategies and tips for how to balance raising an only child with being the default playmate. Featured on the Podcast:   Ready to see more independent play? Download this free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child plays and learns independently.  Grab it here!   The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about found...

Our children are always watching us, picking up on things they see. Often, what they see us do speaks even louder than what we say. On today's episode, Jill reflects on this and how the way we act when faced with difficult circumstances, or treat ourselves when we make a mistake can greatly impact the way our children respond to those situations, and what can we do have a positive iimpact on the w...

Entertaining our children all day long is not sustainable. And not only would it be exhausting for us to try to do this as caretakers, but it is actually damaging to our children's play skills. Today's episode is all about respectfully declining play—how to do it, and the other ways you can connect instead. Featured on the Podcast: The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about found...

If you are looking to lengthen the amount your child plays independently and/or make your child's play more engaging, there is one simple thing you can start doing immediately that will have a huge impact. In today's episode, Jill talks about how to use observation to see more engaged stretches of play. Featured on the Podcast: The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE ! You'll learn about foundati...

On this week's episode, Jill is in conversation with her first guest on the podcast, Camie Vanderbush from Sleep Baby Consulting. Camie is a mom of two, an elementary school teacher turned stay-at-home mom and pediatric sleep consultant. She helps families develop lasting sleep habits for their babies and families so they can be the well rested parents they want to be and be the best for their chi...

On today's episode, Jill shares strategies that you can use to accommodate multiple siblings at the same time. She gets into how to create play experiences that multiple children can enjoy together and how to  use open-ended toys and play materials that each child can utilize in their own way, depending on their age and skills.   Featured on the Podcast: The Playful Parenting Membership is coming...

It's Mental Health Month and today's episode topic is about simple regulation techniques you can use to help you calm and regulate when you're losing it. PLUS a special guest appearance(because when you record from your bathroom, sometimes they appear)!  Featured on the Podcast: Want to work with me privately and be the parent you've always wanted to be? Book a discovery call to get started! Does...

Whining. Screaming. Throwing. Today's episode topic is about attention-seeking behaviors and the bad rep they get, plus a simple, impactful phrase you can teach your child to use in those moments instead that can really help!   Featured on the Podcast: Want to work with me privately and be the parent you've always wanted to be? Book a discovery call to get started! Like the show? Leave a review he...

Today's episode is about a relationship mindset shift that can change everything in parenting. We'll discuss the difference between being a collaborator and a controller, why one style goes against most of our natural instincts, and the most effective ways to see more of the behavior we'd like to see in our children.   Featured on the Podcast: Want to work with me privately and be the parent you'v...

In today's episode, recorded on the four year anniversary of New York City's lockdown in March of 2020, Jill reflects on her experience being pregnant and postpartum during the global Coronavirus pandemic. Featured on the Podcast: Want to work with me privately and be the parent you've always wanted to be? Book a discovery call to get started!   Buy Purchase Pregnant Pause: 10 Narratives of Pregna...

Ohhhh yes. Transitions can be so tough for young children, and, in turn, really hard for parents. On today's episode we talk about why daily transitions can be so difficult and three simple strategies you can implement immediately that can have a huge impact!   Featured on the Podcast: Want to work with me privately and be the parent you've always wanted to be? Book a discovery call to get started...

Do you feel like you're in a cycle of constantly entertaining your child?   Maybe your child is having more screen time than you'd like because it feels like the only way for you to get anything done or get a little bit of a break? Do you want time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently?   If this sounds familiar, you're likely struggling with independent play or...

Ep 1: Welcome to the Art of Playful Parenting Podcast Ever wish you had access to a play and parenting coach who could help you feel less overwhelmed and burnt out and more empowered as a parent? That's what you experience once a week by listening to The Art of Playful Parenting Podcast hosted by Jill Lerman. With 15 years of experience working with young children and their families, Jill brings a...