The Language of Play - Kids that Listen, Speech Therapy, Language Development, Early Intervention

Hey Friends~  Today’s conversation is unusual for this podcast, but an important one. Over half of marriages end in divorce, and about 30% of those become high-conflict - deeply impacting children. This week, I’m joined by Lisa Johnson, a high-conflict divorce coach, to unpack the often-misunderstood topic of coercive control. We talk about what it is, the red flags within relationships, how it sh...

Hey Friends~  What’s really happening when kids struggle in school?   “Trying harder” just doesn’t work!  Many kids benefit from a multi-sensory approach to learn reading.  It works because this actually matches how the young  brain works.  If your child is bright but frustrated, resistant, or falling behind despite everyone’s best efforts, this episode with Dr. Emily Levy, will help you see those...

Hey Friends~  The kitchen isn’t just about food. It’s about connection.  Some of the most meaningful conversations happen while hands are busy - pulling grapes off stems, chopping, stirring. That’s often when kids open up about friendships, worries, or their day. The kitchen becomes the heart of the home.   In this episode,  Misa,  helps families navigate the kitchen in a way that builds skills an...

Hey Friends~  Are you a soothing presence for your kids?  According to today’s guest, a soothing presence is someone who is okay when you are not okay.   Usually these are specific people. You can probably know who your person  is.  Who will be okay when you are not?   As parents we want to be a soothing presence for our children.  Fortunately, it is simply a skill to learn.  So, if you did not ha...

Hey Friends~  The holidays can be exciting, but for many kids they are overwhelming. Travel, loud gatherings, new routines, and unfamiliar people can push children into meltdown mode, especially when language shuts down under stress. In this episode, we talk about how to use simple toys to prepare kids for upcoming changes, help them calm during holiday chaos, and create a sense of safety when wor...

Hey Friends~   If you’ve been leaning on screens to help your little one talk, you’re not alone. It often feels like the easiest option — and with all the advertising, it can even seem like the smartest choice when you’re worried.   But real language grows through real play.   With Christmas coming up, I’m sharing ten toys and games that you can suggest to gift-giving friends and family - so you g...

Hey Friends~  When your children start telling you stories, have you ever wondered how to keep that creativity going?  How about when what they tell is outlandish, imaginative, and there is no logic at all, have you been concerned you should stop it?  It’s easy to shut them down in our fast-paced analytical, task-oriented mind.    How do you engage your children in a way that expands their ideas a...

Hey Friends~   What if mouth breathing isn’t just a habit… but a symptom? In today’s episode, I’m joined by a guest who revealed something I hadn’t fully understood in all my years in this field: crooked teeth, small jaws, restless behavior, trouble with focus, even lingering speech sound errors can ALL be connected to how well a child is BREATHING. You’ll hear how an under-developed airway affect...

Hey Friends~  Recently, I got a written message from a listener who wrote, ‘My husband is Serbian and speaks Serbian to our son. I speak English, but I don’t speak Serbian well. Our little one is just 17 months and very vocal — but in my expat group, parents worry their bilingual kids might be confused. How young is too young for two languages? And how old is too old for 2 languages?”  It’s such a...

Hey Friends~  Today is the next in the SERIES: Speech & Language Delays, and  we’re diving into therapy and intervention options for parents - and looking closely at two main groups of kids. 1) The first group includes children who have been tested and qualify for speech therapy, but the help available just doesn’t feel like enough. and 2) The second group is often the largest - and sometimes...

Hey Friends~ Have you ever wondered what Montessori is and how it is different from traditional education? In this episode, we dive deep into a description of what Montessori is, where this educational model came from,  how language and communication is naturally promoted within the structure, and the benefits of Montessori with  Marsha Familaro Enright, a Montessori expert. So if you have ever be...

Hey Friends~  Have you ever felt like your child is struggling, but not “enough” to qualify for help? They’re bright, they’re trying, but school still feels like a battle… What if the problem isn’t your child… but the system?  For decades, schools have measured every kid against one “ideal learner” or “the norm.”   But what happens when your child’s amazing brain learns differently? When your chil...

Hey Friends~  Welcome back to this SERIES: Speech & Language Delays.  In this series, I am answering some commonly asked questions and you, dear listeners, are encouraged to send your questions!  Remember if you wonder, hundreds of others wonder the same thing!  This episode revolves around the question,  “My Child Did Not “Qualify” for Speech Therapy. What Does That Mean?” Special Education a...

Hey Friends~  “What caused this language delay?”   That’s a deeply important question, and one that parents ask often, sometimes with worry or guilt. The truth is, speech and language delays are common, and they have many possible causes, not just one.  Most experts today agree that it’s rarely a single factor, but rather a combination of influences that shape how communication develops. Today we...

Hey Friends~  Have you ever wondered what it takes for a homeschooling family to thrive? Today we’re diving into  it—flexibility, intentionality, and the courage to learn differently. Research shows homeschooling is growing across America, and more parents are discovering that when learning fits the child, confidence blooms.   In this episode, we talk about the parent who feels not qualified, flex...

Hey Friends~  Do you struggle to get your kids to sleep?  How about when it is still daylight at bedtime?   What about when your child has ADHD?  Sleep can be particularly difficult for kids due to the environment as well as their own body!    If you have needed help with sleep,  you are in luck!  Today we have a sleep expert in the house!  Join in for strategies to get your kids to sleep better s...

Hey Friends~  There is a long held belief that boys lag behind girls, but researchers now say there’s no real difference.  Do boys actually lag behind girls?  In this episode, we unpack both ideas, explain why the confusion exists, and give practical strategies for boys, girls, and all children.    If you’ve ever asked this question, you’re not alone. This episode is the SECOND IN A SERIES as we t...

Hey Friends~  “Is my child behind in speech? When should my toddler be talking? Should I wait and see, or do I need to worry right now? If you’ve ever asked yourself those questions, you’re not alone. Parents all over the world type those exact words into Google every single day — because watching your child struggle to talk, or not knowing if they’re on track, can feel overwhelming. This is the F...

Hey Friends~  Do you have a child with ADHD?  Are you open to do something entirely different than the norm?   Today, Dr. Candace Holmes talks about Neurofeedback and it’s impact on kids with Autism, ADHD, TBI, concussions, and other neurological issue.  Anxiety decreases and the brain gets re-ordered, so it is functioning better.   But just what is Neurofeedback? And how does it work?   Dr. Canda...

Hey Friends~  Do your kids hate reading?  Wouldn’t you love it if they LOVED READING?   Or… better yet, what if you knew how to teach them… from the start…  to LOVE READING?    In this episode, we talk about the foundations that give the confidence and skills needed to build strong reading early on.  This episode is targeted towards both parents of struggling readers and early readers.  You will h...

Hey Friends~  Ever wonder what your child is really learning when you give in to whining or ignore a mispronounced word? Every response—big or small—teaches kids what’s acceptable in their speech, behavior, and even their thinking. In this episode, discover how to guide communication and character by approving what helps them grow and redirecting what holds them back. Always cheering you on!  Dina...

Hey Friends~  You may have heard about the dangers of EMF radiations that comes from screens, Wi-Fi, and phones.  Today, I have a guest with me to talk about how we protect ourselves and our children from these invisible dangers.   With school just around the corner, this is an especially important topic! Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com  ...

Hey Friends~  When we talk to our kids, we use words that represent whole concepts all the time.  We do it so spontaneously that it’s difficult to communicate without using such words.  When our kids don’t have a good repertoire of concept - type words, it makes it difficult for them to do as told, express themselves, or deliver a message, accurately.   Today we discuss what concept words are, why...

Hey Friends~  BIG Feelings are so hard!  It’s confusing! And sometimes really disruptive.  Give yourself grace parents, become curious.   What if we could understand how our child felt by looking at the color that they chose to wear?  Wouldn’t that be amazing and helpful?!! Today’s guest decided to combine her child’s interests with colors to create a way to help him communicate better after an ac...

Hey Friends~  You’ve heard many times that a child’s behavior IS communication.  How do you deal with that when you are trying to create a thriving family? How does that work when you are dealing with adoption trauma, a second language and resistance to change?   Anna Maria Didio shares her story of growth and learning that can apply to blended families of all sorts.  Always cheering you on!  Dina...