Raising Healthy Kid Brains

88. The Power of Energy and Body Language in Your Child’s Communication with Siris Raquel Rivas-Verdejo Nov 21, 2024

This week, I’m joined by Siris Raquel Rivas-Verdejo for a fascinating conversation about the deep connection between language, communication, and our bodies. As a coach, speech-language pathologist, learning behavioral specialist, and therapeutic energy worker, Siris brings a unique perspective to helping children build language skills and improve their quality of life.

Join us in this episode as Siris breaks down the three key components of communication and offers her top tips for helping parents become better communicators and advocates for our children. Siris guides us through a powerful exercise to identify our body's "yes" and "no" responses, and how this tool can help parents understand their child's needs before they have the verbal skills to express them.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/88

87. How to Stop Yelling at Your Kids: A Peaceful Parenting Approach with Kristina Manning Nov 07, 2024

This week, I’m joined by school counselor and Peaceful Parent Coach Kristina Manning who is on a mission to help overwhelmed parents stop yelling at their kids. She breaks down the principles of peaceful parenting, highlights the science behind why yelling ultimately doesn’t work, and what we can do instead to teach our kids emotional regulation skills that will serve them well into adulthood.

If you want to break the cycle of yelling and build a stronger, more respectful relationship with your children, this episode is for you. Kristina offers practical tips and a helpful framework for responding to your children in a calm, intentional way, and sheds light on the biggest difference between peaceful parenting and permissive parenting.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/87

86. Heal Your Child's Stomach Pain: The Surprising Brain-Gut Connection with Dr. Ali Navidi Oct 24, 2024

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Ali Navidi, a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of GI Psychology. He specializes in innovative treatments for GI disorders using clinical hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy. With his expertise, we dive deep into the brain-gut connection and explore why so many children experience stomach discomfort related to stress and anxiety.

If your child suffers from regular stomach discomfort or has been diagnosed with IBS without any specific problem that doctors can find in their stomach, this episode is for you. Dr. Navidi breaks down the four-step progression of stomach pain related to stress and anxiety and offers hope for parents who have been struggling to find answers.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/86

85. The Self-Esteem Doctor's Guide to Raising Confident Kids with Dr. Simone Alicia Oct 10, 2024

Dr. Simone Alicia noticed that many of the children and adults she worked with struggled with self-esteem issues. She realized that there was a need for a new approach to help people feel good about themselves from the inside out. By combining her background in education, modeling, and later studying neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and divinity, Dr. Simone developed powerful tools for boosting self-esteem.

Join us this week as Dr. Simone, a.k.a The Self-Esteem Doctor, gives us a clear definition of what self-esteem entails and how we can nurture it in our children. Hear her brilliant ice cream cone analogy for helping kids understand they are in charge of building their self-esteem, and her top tips for guiding our kids as they cultivate a confident inner dialogue.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/85

84. 5 Foundational Language Skills Your Toddler Needs for Speech Development with Jill Urbane Sep 26, 2024

This week, I’m joined by early childhood interventionist, Jill Urbane, as she shares her expertise on toddler speech development. Jill has been working with families for over 25 years, and in that time, she has created a comprehensive system that gives parents the tools they need to encourage their child’s development and set a strong foundation for learning and success.

Listen in to hear Jill break down the five foundational language skills all children need to develop, and her top tips for parents supporting their child’s speech at home. Learn how imitation of gestures and sounds helps with speech development, the role music and play can have in boosting your child’s speech, and Jill’s advice for making learning a joyful experience for your child.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/84

83. From Teacher to Entrepreneur: How to Launch a Thriving Reading Coaching Biz Sep 12, 2024

As recent data shows that a staggering 67% of fourth graders in the United States have fallen behind in reading, Valerie and Amanda are on the front lines combating this crisis. Through the Elite Reading Coach Academy, they have gained the skills and tools to teach children to read using engaging, play-based methods that deliver real results.

Hear how Valerie and Amanda took the leap and became Elite Reading Coaches, starting their own businesses. They share the challenges they've overcome along the way, as well as the immense pride and fulfillment they feel in seeing their students gain confidence and fall in love with reading.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/83

82. Conquer Parental Comparison Syndrome and Parent at Your Child's Pace with Dr. Joel Warsh Aug 29, 2024

This week, I sit down with integrative pediatrician Dr. Joel Warsh to discuss his balanced approach to raising resilient kids. While he shares eye-opening data on the state of children's health today, Dr. Warsh focuses on small, gradual changes busy parents can make to nourish their families—no extreme lifestyle overhaul required.

Discover how reading labels, cooking one extra meal at home per week, and curating a more positive social media feed can have a profound ripple effect on your child's long-term wellness. Dr. Warsh walks you through simple micro-upgrades you can start implementing today to raise resilient kids, and arms you with wisdom that will help you think like a pediatrician as you parent at your child’s unique pace.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/82

81. Stop Yelling and Start Connecting with Celia Kibler Aug 15, 2024

Celia Kibler is a parenting expert with over 45 years of experience. She’s also a bestselling author, international speaker, and founder of the International Day of Calm. Her acclaimed 21 Days to Stop Yelling course is designed to guide you through a journey of self-reflection and practical skill-building to help you replace yelling with constructive and compassionate communication, and she’s sharing her insights with us on this episode.

If you’re ready to stop yelling and start connecting with your kids on a deeper level, listen in. Celia shares her secret to getting kids to cooperate without resorting to yelling, doable tips that will transform your parenting, and the importance of play, both for you and your kids, in fostering a peaceful household.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/81

80. Basic Financial Literacy for Kids with Anthony Delauney Aug 01, 2024

Anthony Delauney has been a financial planner for two decades and calls himself the Financial Dadvisor for kids and families. He is the author of five children’s books that focus on financial literacy, with a sixth releasing soon, and is a huge advocate for teaching children the financial know-how they need to make informed decisions now and in the future.

Anthony shares his insights on the importance of kids understanding finances from an early age and how parents and educators can start them young. We’re exploring why the lessons laid out in his books are about so much more than just money, what happens when kids take ownership of their decisions, and how money lessons can prepare them for all of life’s challenges.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/80

79. Experiential Learning: Reflect, Connect, and Grow with Bryn Lottig Jul 18, 2024

Bryn Lottig is an educator who uses the wilderness and adventure as a medium to teach children character development. Written for educators, parents, and leaders, her book, No Child Left Inside: Transforming the Next Generation Through Experiential Learning, explores how we can create an experiential learning cycle for kids where they can develop skills and safely explore personal strengths as well as limitations.

Bryn walks us through the concept of the experiential learning cycle and how leading kids through immersive outdoor experiences amplifies their social, emotional, and communication skills. We’re also exploring the importance of giving our children autonomy and choice, why kids need to engage in healthy risk-taking behaviors, and what happens when you make stressful patterns predictable, moderate, and controlled.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/79

78. How Do You Want to Grow This Summer? With Kelsey Sorenson Jul 04, 2024

Welcome to my first co-hosted podcast episode with my dear friend, Kelsey Sorenson. Kelsey is a former teacher, current homeschool mom to three kids, founder of Educate & Rejuvenate, and a certified life coach. She's also the host of the Educate & Rejuvenate Summer Conference: the virtual education event of the year that will have you ready to take on the next school year with joy and ease, and we’re inviting you along.

Kelsey and I are diving into what you can expect from the Educate & Rejuvenate Summer Conference 2024 happening in July, and how we’re on a mission to create a win-win-win for all parents, educators, and kids by reaching more people.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/78

77. The Power of Respect: Honoring Children as Individuals with Raffi Jun 20, 2024

My guest this week is legendary children’s musician and global troubadour, Raffi. In addition to his five-decade-long career as the most popular children’s entertainer in the English-speaking world, Raffi has started a global movement called the Raffi Foundation for Child Honouring, where he shares his philosophy on valuing and respecting children. He’s here to give us a brief introduction to his work.

Raffi shares his insights on the importance of respectful love and his nine guiding principles of child honoring. We’re discussing the beauty of treating our children with respect, how it grows our compassion in challenging moments, and Raffi’s tips for cultivating a safe, caring community for your children.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/77

76. Everyone Is Creative: How Art Improves Our Kids’ Brain Function with Karen DeLoach Jun 06, 2024

Karen DeLoach grew up directing plays on the playground with no idea that one day she’d make her own independent films and teach others how to do the same. As both a university instructor and a homeschool teacher, Karen has seen how art can impact both physical and mental health firsthand. She also shares some really powerful stories about how art has changed lives.

Join us for a wonderful conversation about discovering new ways to get creative, finding our ability to express ourselves through art, and the science behind what art can do for our kids—and for us! We discuss how the right and left brain are different, how art helps people who are neurodiverse, and what you can do to support your kids and their love for art.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/76

75. Neurodivergence in Children: When a Disability Isn’t Visible with Michelle Steiner May 23, 2024

Michelle Steiner is a writer, speaker, and photographer who writes about living with an invisible disability. She believes knowledge is what helps us all be more supportive of one another, and she’s on the show this week to shed light on identifying invisible disabilities in children. Whether you know someone with a learning disability or are wondering what to look out for in your own children, this is going to be a super helpful conversation to keep coming back to.

Michelle shares her experience of getting diagnosed as a child and why she feels empowered by her disability rather than held back by it. We’re exploring the pros and cons of labeling someone with a disability, when it might be time to seek professional help, and how you can best empower your children if they have an invisible disability.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/75

74. IEPs and 504s: What You Need to Know with April Rehrig May 09, 2024

April Rehrig is a mom, school psychologist, and teacher whose collaborative approach combines special education advocacy with real-world strategies that work. She decided to take parents behind the scenes In the world of special education through online workshops and IEP coaching so they can make informed decisions for their children, and she’s here today to walk us through the world of special education.

April lifts the veil on IEPs and 504s so you can develop a solid action plan for your child. Learn how to identify when to seek out an IEP or 504 plan for your child, the pros and cons of getting a special education assessment through your child’s school versus going private, and April’s top tips for preparing yourself for an IEP meeting.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/74

73. Understanding Sensory Processing with Claire Heffron Apr 25, 2024

Claire Heffron is a pediatric occupational therapist and the co-founder of The Inspired Treehouse where she helps parents and professionals conquer the common developmental roadblocks that come up for kids. Claire is on the podcast this week to help us understand the world of sensory processing.

Listen as Claire explains the three lesser-known sensory systems and why understanding them matters. We’re exploring sensory processing concerns, what certain aversions to sensory inputs can look like, and how having this understanding can build connections that lead to more cooperation.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/73

72. Yoga and Mindfulness for Kids with Giselle Shardlow Apr 11, 2024

There’s so much in the practice of yoga that parents and teachers can use to help kids have amazing experiences. This week, I’m speaking to Giselle Shardlow, an elementary teacher, yoga instructor, and founder of Kids Yoga Stories, to introduce us to the world of yoga for children.

Join us as Giselle walks us through the five C’s of kids yoga, and why play and yoga work so well together. She’s showing us how yoga empowers children of all ages to self-regulate and manage big emotions, and some of the biggest benefits that come from practicing yoga and mindfulness.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/72

71. How to Help Your Children Become Passionate Lifelong Learners with Neil Rosen Mar 28, 2024

What does it take for kids to become passionate about learning? How can we as parents encourage this process at home? My guest this week, Neil Rosen, has a forthcoming book called Rediscovering the Village: Classic Strategies to Help Children Develop a Lifelong Love of Learning, and he's joining me to share some smart strategies for creating a learning-centered home environment.

Join us this week to hear Neil's fascinating ideas on how to create a culture of kids who are passionate lifelong learners, the importance of developing strong family-school relationships, and how we can model this kind of behavior as parents.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/71

70. Preventing Abuse: How to Empower and Be Advocates for Our Children with Rachelle Rutherford Mar 21, 2024

What is the correct way to talk to young children about sexual abuse? How do we prevent our children from being abuse victims? And how can we create a comfortable, shame-free environment for our kids to approach us openly about their experiences?

My guest this week is Rachelle Rutherford, the current Mrs World America and Mrs World America Fitness who is using her platform to defend the prevention of all forms of child abuse. As a survivor of child sexual abuse and a mother of a child who experienced abuse, she knows that terrible things can happen to our children, even with the most protective of parents, and she’s here to shed light on what we can do to be in conversation with our kids about abuse.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/70

69. The Parent’s Role in Children’s Emotional Regulation with Dr. Cindy Hovington, Ph.D. Mar 14, 2024

Where do we begin when it comes to equipping our children with healthy emotional regulation skills? Like so many things, it begins with our ability to model the behavior ourselves. My guest on this episode, Dr. Cindy Hovington, is a mom of three, neuroscientist, and expert on children’s emotional health, and she’s here to walk us through our role as parents in creating an emotionally regulated home for our children.

Listen in as Dr. Cindy walks us through the three-part model of parental socialization, how to embrace healthy conflict resolution within your household, and her top tips for modeling strong emotional regulation for your kids.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/69

68. When Your Kids Are Having a Hard Time: Strategies for Filling Their Emotional Bucket with Jeanne-Marie Paynel Mar 07, 2024

What do you do when your kids are struggling with big emotions? This week, I'm exploring the topic of emotional regulation and I have the perfect guest to help me do it: Jeanne-Marie Paynel, conscious parenting expert and the host of The Art of Parenting Podcast.

Join Jeanne-Marie and me as we discuss why connecting before correcting matters, the importance of modeling self-regulation for your kids, and Jeanne-Marie’s favorite strategies for filling both your and your child’s emotional buckets together.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/68

67. From Angry to Empowered: How to Model Anger for Your Kids Feb 29, 2024

Building our emotional literacy as parents and teachers can have a big impact on our kids, but it’s not always easy. This week, we’re exploring the tricky emotion of anger, and I’m taking tips from Brené Brown’s Altas of the Heart to help you understand how to talk to kids about their anger.

Listen in to learn Brené's philosophy on anger and how we have the opportunity to transform it into something life-giving. You’ll hear why anger isn’t a "bad" emotion, how the energy of anger can fuel change, and how to empower the kids you serve through their experience of anger.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/67

66. How to Support Your Child’s Speech Development Feb 22, 2024

Recently, my nine-year-old started working on her speech at school, and seeing her progress made me reflect on the milestones we’re looking for in our children at different ages. Which speech milestones should your child be reaching between ages two and five? And how can we tell if those milestones are being hit? I’m sharing my insights with you this week.

Tune in to learn a general guideline for speech milestones in children between the ages of two and five, and my top tips for supporting your child in each growth phase. You’ll also hear why play is essential in building vocabulary and my favorite suggestions for integrating play as you help your child reach communication milestones.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/66

65. Adapting Your Parenting to Your Child’s Unique Personality with Kate Mason Feb 15, 2024

Personality assessments and temperament indicators are popular tools in the business world, and they can be powerful tools in parenting, too! This week, I'm speaking with Kate Mason, "Australia’s personality coach," who is sharing the benefits of deeply understanding our unique personalities and those of our children.

Join us as Kate walks us through the four dichotomies of temperaments, what happens when we learn more about ourselves, and how feeling solid in who we are is the secret to confidently connecting with anyone in life.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/65

64. A Day in a Reggio Emilia-Inspired Classroom with Jayda Rivera Feb 08, 2024

Jayda Rivera is a teacher at Bloom Learning Center in New York, where the approach is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. This philosophy views children as active participants in their learning journey. Jayda takes us through what a day of preschool looks like in a Reggio Emilia and nature-based classroom.

Discover what happens in Jayda’s classroom based on that approach, how she structures her day, and how learning activities are conducted. Learn how the individualized notes she takes influence what she teaches the next day, and how she manages to spend one-on-one time with the children.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/64

63. Raising Kids with an Unwavering Sense of Self Feb 01, 2024

Human behavior is motivated by the desire to belong, but the challenge is we first need to belong to ourselves before we can ever experience true belonging in a group. To foster belonging, we need to develop a strong and secure sense of self. In this episode, I’m walking you through what this looks like for your children.

I unlock the ‘why’ behind fostering a sense of self in our kids and five key practices that you can implement into your daily life. I’m exploring what happens when our children develop an unwavering sense of self, the role of our sense of self in belonging, and some fun activity ideas for facilitating a strong sense of identity, family, and autonomy.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/63

62. Serve and Return: 5 Steps in Building the Structure of Your Child’s Brain Jan 25, 2024

In this episode, I’m discussing articles from Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child, all about Brain Architecture and a key concept called Serve and Return. It explores how, the more sensitive and responsive we are to a child’s ‘serve,’ the more we can provide a rich environment of ‘returns,’ and, as a result, build a sturdy foundation for healthy brain architecture.

Discover how Serve and Return interactions shape brain architecture, 5 key elements that help increase and strengthen neural pathways in children’s brains, and how you can add more of these brain-building tips into your everyday life.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/62

61. What Is Developmental Movement? With Sukey Molloy Jan 18, 2024

Sukey Molloy was a professional modern dancer in New York City before an injury led her down a different path. She embarked on a career as an award-winning children’s music performer and recording artist, centering her work around movement and sensory play using the philosophy of Developmental Movement first coined by Garland O’Quinn. She’s joining me to share her insights on engaging children in movement that supports developing brains.

Discover what the framework of Developmental Movement entails, and Sukey’s top tips for inviting movement that calls children into their own bodies. Hear how movement helps the growth of a developing brain, what it means to become a magnet for children’s attention, and how to acknowledge children without judgment.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/61

60. Strategies for Greater Communication with Your Children with Kathy Bowers Jan 11, 2024

Do we have the correct expectations when we ask our kids to do something? Are we expecting them to remember multiple things at once and to know the correct order? What are some strategies for timing communication, especially when there’s already tension? And how can we allow our kids to take ownership of certain tasks?

This week, I’m speaking to parenting coach Kathy Bowers on how we can improve our communication with our children. Kathy helps parents who are struggling with communication find solutions to improve their parenting skills and relationship with their children, and she’s here this week to walk us through her top tips around routines, boundaries, and expectations of our children.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/60

59. Harnessing Emotions: The Secret to Achieving Your New Year’s Goals with Bree Nelson Jan 04, 2024

Bree Nelson is a life coach for moms and children who is on a mission to create emotionally intelligent kids. She empowers them to create a life they love, and she’s here this week to offer a goal-setting practice that will transform the way you set goals for 2024.

Hear Bree’s top tips for setting and achieving your goals this year, and how these strategies can be applied to both you and your children. We’re exploring the importance of measuring your goals and including checkpoints, how to use the CTFAR model to set your goals, and why we must focus on determination rather than motivation to achieve them.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/59

58. Cultivating Secure Attachment with Sarah Conway Dec 28, 2023

You’re hearing my conversation with child psychologist and parent coach, Sarah Conway. Sarah empowers parents to ditch punitive tactics and embrace brain-based strategies that nurture emotional intelligence. She’s here to illuminate the power of doing emotional regulation work, and why it’s never too late to start.

Join us this week for a dose of hope and courage this Holiday season as Sarah shares her insights on all things emotional regulation. Learn how to build secure attachment with your children, how to avoid falling into dysregulation, and her top co-regulation strategies for supporting kids through big emotions.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/58

57. Celebrating the Planning Playtime Community Dec 21, 2023

As we near the end of the year, I’m bringing together the Planning Playtime team to celebrate our amazing community. Steffani and Kara are joining me on this episode to dive into our favorite community stories that we’ve heard. They’ve both played a huge part in creating our programs and connecting with our members, and we’re here to honor the work our listeners have done.

Join us on this episode as Steffani, Kara and I come together for an end-of-year roundup to celebrate our Planning Playtime community! We’re each sharing our favorite stories that have touched our hearts to show you the power of our programs and the incredible work our members are committed to doing on their journey of teaching and learning.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/57

56. How to Turn Anxiety into Calm This Holiday Season Dec 14, 2023

The Holiday season tends to be a time of extreme stress and anxiety for most of us. There are long to-do lists, full calendars, visitors, and activities, so it’s no surprise if you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by it all. But did you know that anxiety is contagious and that you might be infecting your children with it?

Learn how to cultivate the feeling of calm, and why it’s just as infectious as anxiety. I’m sharing some of the unhelpful coping mechanisms we lean on to manage stress and anxiety, how to channel excitement when you’re feeling anxious, and questions to ask yourself that will help you access a sense of calm.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/56

55. 5 Ways to Get Kids Excited About Giving Dec 07, 2023

Giving is a topic that’s top of mind for most of us as we head into the Holiday season, but it’s also a powerful skill that transcends the festivities. We want our kids to be kind and generous people who have the desire to give throughout their lives, and I’ve discovered some interesting research about teaching our kids how to love the act of giving.

Hear five steps for getting your children excited about giving. Learn how kids have a naturally strong propensity for generosity, the benefits of building a habit of giving, and tips for making giving a part of their identity.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/55

54. Internal Family Systems Therapy for Kids with Bekkilyn Toone Nov 30, 2023

Internal Family Systems therapy suggests that we all have parts of us that aren’t necessarily our identity. Whether it’s sadness, anger, or anxiety, they aren’t really us, but they all have jobs that they’re doing and need to be heard.

To walk us through Internal Family Systems therapy and the practice of personifying our parts, I’m speaking to Bekkilyn Toone this week, a licensed marriage and family therapist who currently works with children, teenagers, and their families. Bekkilyn is sharing what happens when you allow space for all your parts, how this practice separates what we’re feeling from who we actually are, and her top tips and ideas for using this concept with your children.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/54

53. Helping Kids Develop the Habit of Gratitude Nov 23, 2023

Gratitude is a game-changing life skill that all of us can start and improve at any point in our lives. It is a beautiful gift you can give your children right now that will change the way they approach their lives forever, but it all starts with you modeling it for them first because kids learn from what we do more than what we say.

Hear what happens when we teach our children the practice of gratitude, and why it’s about so much more than just learning to say thank you. I’m sharing four steps to helping your children develop the habit of gratitude, and my top suggestions for modeling it with consistency so it becomes an automatic lifestyle choice for them.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/53

52. Teaching Your Child to Read: Homeschool Edition Nov 16, 2023

My guest this week is Hillary Ruprecht, a long-time member of our Planning Playtime community. She’s a mom of one who started homeschooling when her daughter was three and a half years old. Hillary felt inadequate and uncertain about her ability to teach her daughter how to read, and then she found Play to Read, and she’s here to tell us about her journey.

Hear Hillary’s experience of using the Play to Read program with her daughter as a homeschooling mom. She’s openly sharing some of the objections she initially had to using Play to Read, what changed her mind, and how the incorporation of play was a game-changer in her daughter’s love of reading.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/52

51. Creative Ways to Get Kids Excited About Reading with Dr. Victoria Waller Nov 09, 2023

Dr. Victoria Waller is a creative child educator, rockstar tutor, and author of Yes! Your Child Can: Creating Success for Children with Learning Differences. She’s got some amazing insights on helping children with learning differences harness their strengths and build an identity as a reader, and she's sharing them with us today.

Join us on this episode to hear Dr. Victoria Waller’s expertise on getting children to love reading and the value of starting as early as possible. She’s sharing the brilliance she’s witnessed in children with learning differences throughout her career, and how you can begin translating your children’s unique strengths into a love of reading.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/51

50. Peaceful Parenting without Punishments or Rewards with Michelle Kenney Nov 02, 2023

This week, I’m speaking to M.Ed Certified Parenting Coach, Michelle Kenney. Michelle is a mother of two girls and a former high school teacher and counselor who transitioned into a certified parenting instructor. After years of parenting using consequences, bribes, and gold stars, she completely reshaped the sacred relationship she shares with her daughters, and she credits connected parenting for it.

Hear Michelle’s insights on connected parenting and why difficult behaviors naturally fall into place when you focus on your relationship rather than on punishments and rewards. Learn why rewards don’t exemplify unconditional love, how connection increases cooperation, and her top tips for harnessing connection whenever your children are having a hard time, whether they're in adolescence or toddlerhood.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/50

49. Autism in Children: The Importance of Early Intervention with Shannon Urquiola Oct 26, 2023

Shannon Urquiola is the founder of Not Your Average Autism Mom, a non-profit organization that equips families raising children on the Autism spectrum with resources, trainings, coaching, and a sense of community. She entered the special education advocacy space after her own son was diagnosed with Autism, and she’s here to shed light on how to make this journey easier if you, too, are navigating parenting a special needs child.

Discover some of the early signs of Autism in young children and why early intervention is critical. Shannon is walking us through the options of evaluations that are available to you, the difference between various therapies, and her top tips for next steps if you receive an Autism diagnosis.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/49

48. Create a Culture of Learning in Your Home or Classroom Oct 19, 2023

A culture of learning can be a very organic, natural, and beautiful thing to create, and it doesn’t have to be hard. This week, I’m sharing what this culture can look like and how you can start creating one in your own kiddos’ environment. Discover the different types of curiosity and how curiosity plays a role in your child’s future success. I invite you to add a little bit of curiosity to your child’s learning so you can inspire them to gain more knowledge, gain more curiosity, and continue that loop as they age.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/48

47. How to Reverse Picky Eating with Katie Kimball Oct 12, 2023

I’m bringing you a conversation with Katie Kimball, the creator of Kids Cook Real Food and a trusted authority and advocate for children’s health. She is a former teacher, a two-time TEDx speaker, a writer, and a mother of four kids. Her Kids Cook Real Food course is recommended by the Wall Street Journal as the best online cooking class for kids, and she’s full of amazing tips and insightful advice for parenting picky eaters.

Discover how to tell if your kids are picky eaters. We’re discussing why it seems like picky eaters are increasingly common, how to stop your toddlers from becoming picky eaters, some basic steps parents can take to start reversing picky eating habits, and some general tips on how to assist your children in building a healthy relationship with food.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/47

46. The Power of the Play to Read Program with Angela Mason Oct 05, 2023

Angela Mason was a teacher who is now teaching her own kids to read at home. She has been a member of our Planning Playtime community for a number of years now, and she's here to share her experience of using the Play to Read program with her children and why she has found stacking play with the science of reading to be a magical combination.

Hear how Angela is using the Play to Read program at home with her children, and how it helps kids want to read and love the learning process. She’s sharing her thoughts on how teachers can benefit from this program, how play helps grow the new brain connections necessary for reading, and why her kids love it.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/46

45. Connected Parenting: From Combat to Connection with Jennifer Kolari Sep 28, 2023

My guest this week is Jennifer Kolari, a clinical social worker, family therapist, board-certified hypnotherapist, and founder of Connected Parenting. She’s also a highly sought-after speaker, author, and podcaster, and she’s here to introduce us to her Connected Parenting methodology, and why it’s the medicine you and your child need to go from combat to connection.

Join us on this episode as Jennifer breaks down the science of language and the power of harnessing compassion, empathy and connection. You’ll hear what mirroring means, the difference between punishments and consequences, the benefits of using the calm technique, and how her philosophy brings infinite gifts that will help you connect with not only your child, but the rest of the world.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/45

44. 7 Self-Soothing Strategies for Kids and Adults with Jeana Kinne Sep 21, 2023

Jeana Kinne is a veteran preschool teacher and director who has been working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers for over 20 years. She’s also a published author whose first book, Soothing Sammy, offers sensory strategies to teach kids how to calm down and is currently being implemented in schools and homes all over the world.

Join us on this episode to learn 7 sensory strategies to help kids self-soothe. Hear how everyone, from infants to adults, can benefit from learning self-soothing techniques, how these strategies can be used either to stimulate or have a calming effect, and Jeana is offering her insights on two bonus sensory inputs you may not have heard of before.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/44

43. Using Themes to Raise Smarter Preschoolers Sep 14, 2023

Teaching in themes is something we're very passionate about, and it's something we include in all of our curricula and Mommy & Me programs. Themes are inherently cute and fun for kids, but the value of teaching in themes runs much deeper than that, and I'll show you why.

Listen in this week to discover three reasons why teaching in themes is extremely powerful. I'm sharing the science behind using themes in preschool, how you can use this concept whether you're a teacher or a parent, and why themes support the vital skills preschool kids need to succeed throughout their lives.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/43

42. Your Child’s Mental Health: Why Humor Matters with Kelli Caldwell Sep 07, 2023

Kelli Caldwell, also known as Kelli Welli, is an award-winning songwriter and performer for kids and the people who love them. Her songs celebrate and honor all the parts of raising healthy little kids. At a time where we’re focused on trying to fix big issues in the world, Kelli believes there is tremendous value in including humor and silliness in her collection of songs, and she’s here today to show us why.

Join us on this episode as Kelli highlights how important humor is for your child’s brain development and mental health. She’s sharing her personal childhood experience and how humor played a vital part in navigating that, why laughter and levity in learning are powerful for both parents and children, and ways you can include humor into your daily life.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/42

41. How to Get the Most Out of Your Pediatrician Visits with Dr. Beth Cilenti Aug 31, 2023

Dr. Beth Cilenti is a board-certified pediatrician and internist at NVA Family Practice who believes that a strong relationship between patients and their primary care physician is essential for good health. She provides care for people of all ages, especially families and kids, and she’s offering her expertise on how, as an expert on your child, you can create a collaborative partnership with your pediatrician.

Join us on this episode as Dr. Beth and I discuss how to get the most out of your pediatrician visits. Dr. Beth is shedding light on how to make sure every visit is a personalized one, what you should be addressing with your pediatrician, and her advice for any parent who’s worried about asking “dumb” questions regarding your child’s development.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/41

40. The Play to Read Program in Action with Beth Liebenberg Aug 24, 2023

This week, I’m speaking to Beth Liebenberg who is a daycare provider in Canada. She understands how challenging it can be for working moms to get their children ready for kindergarten. Her mission is to make sure those kids aren’t at a disadvantage by getting them ready for school, not only to catch up with other kids, but to be ahead of their class. To do that, she’s been using our Play to Read program.

Beth offers her insights on using the Play to Read program and how it’s impacted the reading abilities of the children attending her daycare. She’s sharing her system for adapting it to each child, the exciting things she’s doing to make reading more fun, and her tips for encouraging children who are ready to start reading.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/40

39. The Early Signs of Dyslexia with Aly Young Aug 17, 2023

Aly Young, the owner of The Learning Lab, a specialized tutoring center that focuses on academic remediation for kids with dyslexia and ADHD, is here today to clarify what dyslexia really is and how we, as parents and teachers, can support dyslexic learners.

If you are a parent navigating the world of dyslexia, tune in this week. Aly offers her insights on the early signs of dyslexia, busts the common myths about what dyslexia really entails, and shares her top tips for empowering our kids by helping them realize that there are superpowers embedded in our biggest challenges.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/39

38. Hacks for Learning More Words Faster (Part 3) Aug 10, 2023

I’m rounding out our mini-series on the science of reading this week by introducing you to the basics of language comprehension.

I share one of the models of the science of reading called Scarborough’s Rope, and what each strand of language comprehension entails. Hear how each strand plays a role in helping your child master reading, and my favorite strategies for making learning to read a whole lot of fun.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/38

37. The Best Way to Teach Phonics (Part 2) Aug 03, 2023

Discover how the magic of play works so powerfully and beautifully with the science of reading. I’m diving into the three components of developing word recognition and my favorite exercises for building phonemic awareness.

Make sure to come back next week for the third installment of this series where I’ll introduce you to the final piece: language comprehension.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/37

36. How to Help Your Child Become a Proficient Reader (Part 1) Jul 27, 2023

The latest research in neuroscience around reading shows us that, with the right strategies, 95% of neurotypical students can learn to read by the end of first grade. To support our children, we need to understand the science.

Join me this week for the first in a three-part series on the science of reading. Hear what the science of reading entails, why you should care, what is happening in children’s brains as they learn to read, and what we can do to help our children become confident and proficient readers.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/36

35. How to Bring Calm to the Chaos with Dayna Abraham Jul 20, 2023

Dayna Abraham is a national board-certified educator, best-selling author, and parent to three neurodivergent children. She has helped desperate parents around the world find peace and meet their children where they’re at when conventional parenting tools have failed them.

Hear Dayna’s framework for parents raising kids in the modern world. She’s sharing the power of taking imperfect action, how to shift your language when your child is demonstrating challenging behaviors, and her top tips for beginning to cultivate trust and collaboration with your children.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/35

34. Coping Skills for Kids: Naming Emotions with Janine Halloran Jul 13, 2023

Janine Halloran is a licensed mental health counselor who has been working with children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. After seeing the value of learning healthy coping skills early in life, she created Coping Skills for Kids: a place where parents can get products and resources to help their kids cope with the daily challenges of life.

Hear how to lead your child in expanding their emotional vocabulary and why this matters. Janine is sharing how it’s not the emotion that matters but rather what you do with it, why it’s worth striving for imperfection, and we’re swapping parenting stories of times we’ve unintentionally caused big emotions in our children and how we dealt with it.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/34

33. Bilingualism: Why it Matters & How to Lead Your Children with Shannon Kelly Jul 06, 2023

Have you always wanted to give your kids the gift of learning foreign languages? What’s stopping you? For lots of parents, they wonder how it’s even possible for them to teach a new language when they aren’t experts or fluent enough in it. That's where my guest this week comes in.

Shannon Kelly is an Australian mother of two and the founder of The Cultured Kid where she developed the Fast Track to Fluency™ Framework to help kids grow up loving learning new languages. Shannon shares her tips for leading your children even if you don’t have much language experience yourself, and the wide array of benefits that learning new languages offers, not just in terms of academic advantages but in creating a well-rounded child.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/33

32. 4 Types of Nurturing All Children Need with Deborah McNelis Jun 29, 2023

Deborah McNelis is an author, speaker, and creator of Neuro-Nurturing: a framework that ensures all children receive the necessary experiences to recognize their worth. She's a brain development specialist and the founder of Brain Insights, where she is dedicated to ensuring all babies are nurtured in ways that science shows are essential for supporting optimal brain development, health, learning, and mental wellness.

Deborah shares her unique neuro-nurturing framework with us for healthy brain development. She’s discussing the four types of nurturing all children need, and how we can meet those needs in a practical way that can be implemented into everyday life.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/32

31. Creating a Family Culture You Love with Joe and Mell Hashey Jun 22, 2023

My guests this week have developed an amazing system that allows their kids to have ownership within their family unit. Joe and Mell Hashey have been married for 16 years and have three boys. Joe was a teacher and coach turned entrepreneur in the fitness industry, and Mell is a social worker turned stay-at-home mom. They’ve used their experience to build the Strong Family Co. framework that any family can use to establish values and stress-free family leadership, and they’re here to share their strategies with us.

You’ll learn how to set up a strong system of core values that you can use at home or in the classroom to help children build a sense of identity, and their tips for modeling clear communication for your kids.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/31

30. How to Get Your Children Reading Over the Summer Jun 15, 2023

We talk a lot about reading and why it's so important to expose our children to it at an early age. But in a world where screens have become such a huge temptation for kids, how can we make it easier to get them off screens and into books instead?

I share my top tips for making reading fun during the summer break. Hear the science behind reading and why it matters, three simple strategies for getting your children into reading this summer, and how these activities also offer the opportunity for you to connect more deeply with your children.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/30

29. How Your Child’s Character is Developed with Maria Dismondy Jun 08, 2023

Schools often emphasize teaching our kids hard skills like math and literacy, but how do we make sure our children are also picking up soft skills like character development and social-emotional skills that, according to my guest today, are what really matters at the end of the day?

I’m speaking to Maria Dismondy, a former teacher, children’s book author, and founder of the Cardinal Rule Press. With over a decade of experience as a teacher, she understands the value of using literature to teach challenging subjects. She's sharing why soft skills like character development are important and how we, as busy parents, can incorporate character development into our daily routines.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/29

28. Sign Language: Not Just for Hard-of-Hearing Children with Cynthia Long Jun 01, 2023

Have you ever considered adding sign language to your repertoire as a parent or teacher?

I’m delighted to share my recent conversation with nationally-certified interpreter and founder of ASL Teaching Resources, Cynthia Long. Cynthia shares the many benefits of using sign language with children, and what happens to a child’s brain development as they learn. Discover why sign language is so effective for emotional regulation, communication, and bonding, and Cynthia's top tips for implementing sign language with your children.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/28

27. Using Mommy & Me Preschool: A Parent’s Experience May 25, 2023

This week, you’re hearing about a little girl named Luna who did not enjoy learning from workbooks. Luna’s mom Rachelle was trying to figure out how to help her get ready for preschool, but she wasn’t quite sure what Luna was supposed to be learning. She was also having a hard time keeping Luna engaged and interested.

That’s when she found the Mommy & Me Preschool program, which changed everything for both of them. Rachelle shares how it helped her bring fun and play back to learning for her daughter, and how Luna is incorporating what she’s learned from the program in her class at school.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/27

26. What Your Child Needs at Different Developmental Stages with Alta Schwab May 18, 2023

What are the different phases of your child's brain development, and how does their current age of development relate to our hierarchy of needs as human beings?

To answer these questions, I am speaking with Alta Schwab. Alta is a Neurosomatic Therapist who has been studying childhood brain development extensively since her high school days. Her own personal health journey and love for children led her to neurosomatic therapy, where she gained a deeper understanding of the brain and nervous system and their interconnectedness. She is here to share her expertise on the hierarchy of needs and how it relates to the stages of childhood brain development.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/26

25. Tantrums and Challenging Behaviors with Jill Urbane May 11, 2023

Do you feel like you’re at your wit’s end when it comes to your child’s challenging behaviors? Are your toddler or preschooler’s tantrums, testing behaviors, and big emotions leaving you aggravated, frustrated and confused?

I’m speaking to Jill Urbane, also known as The Mentor Mom. Jill is a licensed social worker and early childhood expert who has been working with toddler and preschool parents for nearly 25 years. Jill shares her expertise on what is going on with preschooler and toddler brains, and why they demonstrate testing and challenging behaviors. She’s offering her advice for anyone who is struggling to effectively address these issues.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/25

24. Using Music to Teach Your Children Emotional Regulation with Laurie Berkner May 04, 2023

How can we use music to teach children the vital skill of emotional regulation? How might music have the ability to facilitate common bonds with other humans and create empathy and connection in our kids?

I’m speaking to Laurie Berkner who is one of the top preschool music artists in the world. She has over one billion streams, over 350 million views on YouTube, and an incredible list of top songs you might already be familiar with. Laurie offers her insights on the power music has in providing children the opportunity to express emotion that they might not yet have the verbal skills to communicate.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/24

23. How to Help Your Child Process Negative Thoughts Apr 27, 2023

Negativity is and will always be a part of our lives. We need to experience it, and it’s a helpful teacher for what’s good and bad. The challenge is not getting stuck in negative patterns and loops with the stories we tell ourselves every single day.

Hear the four different story hooks that get us into negative thought patterns from Susan David’s book, Emotional Agility. I show you why it’s important to remember that our inner voice is often unreliable, how stories are created, and how you can begin helping your child notice and reevaluate their negative thoughts.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/23

22. 5 Signs of a Spoiled Child and What You Can Do About It Apr 20, 2023

How can you tell if your child is a little bit spoiled? This is a question every parent asks themselves and becomes concerned about at some point. The good news is there are signs we can look for, and there are things we can do about it while having a lot of compassion for ourselves.

Discover the five signs your child might be spoiled, and the opportunities available for you to work in the direction you want to go. I’m offering ways for you to start seeing places where there’s room for improvement, and my favorite little games that, over time, become powerful in teaching them new skills.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/22

21. 3 Steps of Learning and Memory Apr 13, 2023

How does your child’s memory work? Since learning is one of our kids’ primary jobs, it’s important that we actually understand what that process looks like. Fully understanding our child’s memory can teach us a lot about how to teach our children and help them remember the things we want them to remember.

In this episode, I share how memory works in your child’s brain. I explain the three step process of learning and give some tips to help make your child’s memory even better.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/21

20. Building Your Child’s Vocabulary and Language with Lenora Edwards Apr 06, 2023

What should your child’s language development look like at ages two, three, four, or five years old? How many words should a child in this age range be able to communicate? What can you do to help them develop their vocabulary and language in a fun and engaging way?

To answer these questions, I sat down with AHSA board certified speech language pathologist Lenora Edwards. She is the Chief Knowledge Officer with Better Speech who works with individuals of all ages to become more effective communicators. Lenora offers her wisdom on how we ask our children questions, the importance of teaching them the difference between peer-to-peer versus peer-to-authority language, and her tips for encouraging fun and engaging ways of learning.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/20

19. Creating a Safe Space for Emotions with Dr. Cindy Hovington, Ph.D. Mar 30, 2023

Are you worried about your child’s emotional health? Do you wonder how you can help them develop their social and emotional skills? What is the best way to teach our children healthy emotional regulation?

To discuss these questions, I sat down with Dr. Cindy Hovington, Ph.D., a mother of three and the founder and director of Curious Neuron: an online resource to help parents protect their children’s emotional health through science-backed tips. She walks us through the four types of parenting styles, how we can become more emotionally intelligent, and why the end goal is all about recognizing our emotions and expressing them in healthy ways.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/19

18. Supporting Your Child’s Development Through Music Therapy with Stephanie Leavell Mar 23, 2023

Have you ever wondered if there’s a better way to navigate those high-stress points of your day? Whether it’s getting ready for school, night-time routines, or leaving playdates, what if we could decrease our verbal commands and use music instead to decrease stress and anxiety?

This week I speak to Stephanie Leavell, a mom, board certified music therapist, and founder of Music for Kiddos: an online education company that provides high-quality music that supports children’s brain development. She’s here to walk us through the power of substituting our verbal communication with music so we can talk less at our children, and instead use tempo, melody, and rhythm to get more buy-in with them.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/18

17. How Toys Impact Your Child’s Brain Mar 16, 2023

Toys have always been a way for children to learn about themselves and the world through play. What we’re seeing now is that children have more toys than ever before, making it harder for children to choose ones that are going to stimulate their brains.

If you’re thinking about the quantity and types of toys you want to have in your play area that benefit your child the most, listen in. I’m touching on how toys have changed over the last century, and three specific categories of toys and how they can be used to develop character and various skills in your child.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/17