Parenting Understood: Recent Episodes
Erin O'Connor and Michelle Tangeman
Parenting Understood is a podcast aimed at helping parents become more confident and relaxed in their parenting. We explore the current research on different parenting and child development topics and break it down into an easy to understand, relatable content. We know there is an abundance of information out there which can make it feel overwhelming. Maybe trying to determine what’s fact vs opinion makes you want to bury your head in the sand. Let us help you find and understand the evidence based resources you need, to feel more confident in the choices you make as parents. Join us each week to get a breakdown of the current research and let us guide you to becoming a more confident and relaxed parent, able to provide the sensitive and responsive care your child needs.
In this episode, we welcome author Lauren Tetenbaum to discuss her new book, "Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life's Next Period." Lauren, a perinatal mental health specialist, shares her motivation for writing the book: a shocking realization of how little she, and many women, knew about this significant life stage.
We delve into common misunderstandings surrounding perimenopause and menopause, emphasizing that symptoms like mood changes, irritability, and brain fog can begin as early as the late 30s and are often dismissed. The conversation highlights the critical need for better education, trusted healthcare providers, and open communication with partners, even dedicating a chapter in the book for men. Lauren stresses the importance of community and destigmatizing menopause, advocating for it to be discussed as openly as pregnancy and motherhood.
In this episode, reproductive mental health expert Dr. Mary Riddle joins us to explore the psychological dimensions of infertility, new parenthood, and donor conception — drawing on both clinical expertise and her own fertility journey.
Dr. Riddle reframes infertility as a genuine psychological crisis, not just a medical one and discusses reasons for dropping out of treatment. She further discusses how partners often grieve differently, and assuming otherwise creates distance. After finally conceiving, parents may face anxious pregnancies and guilt around normal feelings of ambivalence — all of which Dr. Riddle urges parents to normalize and voice.
On postpartum mental health, she covers both depression and the under-recognized postpartum anxiety (affecting 11–21% of new mothers), encouraging parents not to let cultural pressure to appear blissful delay seeking help. Finally, Dr. Riddle advocates for early, open conversations with donor-conceived children.
Resources
- Seleni Institute (seleni.org) — therapy, support groups, and educational resources for individuals and families navigating infertility, postpartum mental health, and all stages of the family-building journey
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine (asrm.org) — mental health provider finder and patient resources
- maryriddle.com — Dr. Riddle's research and practice information (coming soon)
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Agnes K. Simone, a board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Olea Women's Health in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Dr. Simone specializes in integrative, hormone-informed psychiatric care for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and midlife — a space she says is deeply underserved.
After training at UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Institute and the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Dr. Simone noticed a recurring gap in her practice: women were coming in with new anxiety, mood changes, and cognitive concerns, yet the hormonal connection was frequently being missed. That experience led her to found Olea Women's Health, a boutique practice designed to treat the whole picture — both the psychiatric and hormonal dimensions of midlife.
We discuss what hormone-informed psychiatry actually means, why perimenopause is so often overlooked as a mental health inflection point, and what women deserve to know about the connection between hormones, mood, sleep, and cognition. Dr. Simone brings both clinical rigor and genuine warmth to this conversation, and her core belief is simple: women deserve care that takes their experiences seriously.
In this episode, we speak with the founder of the Seleni Institute, Nitzia Logothetis, a New York City nonprofit devoted to maternal and family mental health, about the invisible emotional toll of infertility and the gaps in women's mental health care.
Founded in 2011, Seleni grew from the conviction that supporting children begins with supporting parents, and from Nitzia's own experience discovering she had no guaranteed parental leave while pregnant and working in a community mental health clinic. Today, Seleni runs a clinic serving up to 120 patients weekly, an online resource hub reaching 30,000 readers monthly, and national clinician trainings on perinatal mental health, grief, infertility, Black maternal mental health, and soon, perimenopause.
The conversation centers on infertility as "disenfranchised grief" — a compounding series of invisible losses that strain relationships and challenge identity, with secondary infertility carrying its own quiet devastation. Nitzia closes with advice for those beginning the journey.
Learn more, request appointments, or explore clinician trainings (including 100 annual scholarships) at seleni.org.
In this episode, Dr. Marc Brackett, author of Permission to Feel, discusses the importance of emotional self-awareness, and explains that emotional self-awareness is the ability to identify and label our emotions. This skill is essential for understanding our own emotional states and making informed decisions. He explains that it can lead to improved mental health, stronger relationships, and better decision-making. Emotionally self-aware individuals are better able to manage their emotions, resolve conflict, and build trust with others.
He further describes how the How We Feel app helps users develop emotional self-awareness. The app prompts users to label their emotions and provides feedback on their accuracy. This process helps users to become more aware of their emotional responses to different situations.
Marc is founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and professor in the Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine at Yale University. As a researcher for over 20 years, Marc has focused on the role of emotions and emotional intelligence in learning, decision making, creativity, relationships, health, and performance. Most recently, with Pinterest co-founder Ben Silbermann, Marc and his team co-created the Apple award-winning app, HowWeFeel, that was designed to teach emotion skills and enhance well-being.
Marc is the lead developer of RULER, a systemic, evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning that has been adopted by over 4,500 schools across the United States and in other countries, including Australia, China, England, Italy, Mexico, and Spain. RULER, which has reached over 4 million children, infuses social and emotion learning into the immune system of schools by enhancing how school administrators lead, educators teach, students learn, and families parent.Marc is also the co-founder of Oji Life Lab, a corporate learning firm that develops innovative digital learning systems for emotional intelligence.
For more information on Dr. Brackett please visit:
https://www.marcbrackett.com/
For additional information on the How We Feel app please visit
https://howwefeel.org/
Michelle and Erin recorded a podcast episode discussing emotional exhaustion and burnout in parenting, focusing on the importance of mom friendships and community support. They explored how meaningful connections with other parents can provide validation, reduce stress, and benefit both parents and children, particularly during adolescence when multiple attachment figures become important. The conversation covered practical strategies for building these friendships, including starting small and being patient with the process, while also addressing how digital technology has impacted both parent and child social connections.
We welcome back Dr. Kim Van Dusen to Parenting Understood. Dr. Kim discusses her newly released parenting book centered on creative, play-based strategies for building better behavior and deeper connection with children, primarily targeting parents, caregivers, coaches, and teachers of kids between the ages of 3 and 10. The book weaves together three evidence-based frameworks — including solution-focused therapy and positive behavior interventions — into what the author describes as a "trifecta" for more peaceful, connected parenting. A core message throughout is that children naturally connect and process the world through play rather than through adult-style conversations or lectures, so parents can use small, everyday "micro-play moments" (like turning room-cleaning into a game or using stuffed animals to role-play tough social situations) to navigate everything from sibling conflict to friendship challenges at school. The author draws on her own parenting journey, sharing personal stories about her 12-year-old daughter spontaneously using these techniques with her younger brother during a difficult night, and reflects on the decade-plus it took to write the book — a journey that included cancer treatment and the COVID pandemic. The episode closes with information on where listeners can find the book (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the author's website) and how to follow her on Instagram.
We are thrilled to be re-airing our episode with Emily Oster on making parenting decisions through data. Emily is a Professor of Economics at Brown University and the author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm. She holds a PhD in Economics from Harvard. Prior to being at Brown she was on the faculty at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Emily's books analyze the data behind choices on parenting and pregnancy. She is also founder and CEO of Parent Data, which provides information for parents, people who want to be parents, or anyone who likes to do their research before making a decision. In this episode, Emilly discussed with us her most recent book, The Family Firm, which takes a data driven approach to help parents think more deliberately about key issues in the elementary school years including sleep, school, health, extra curricular activities and more. Emily presented to us how you can immediately apply frameworks and concepts to utilize the date in your life for making best decisions for your children.
You can find more information on Emily Oster, her books and research, and join her bi-weekly mailing list at emilyoster.net or parentdata.org. You can also connect with Emily via Twitter and Instagram @ProfEmilyOster. To hear Emily and my recent conversation on data driven decision making please visit this link Emily Oster Video. In this video, we discuss how data can (and can't) help us make parenting decisions, and take audience questions.
In today's episode, we are excited to be joined by Melinda Wenner Moyer. Melinda Wenner Moyer is a contributing editor at Scientific American magazine and a regular contributor to The New York Times, Washington Post, and other national magazines and newspapers. She is a faculty member in the Science, Health & Environmental Reporting program at NYU's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. Her first book, How To Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes, was published in July 2021 by J.P. Putnam's Sons. We speak with Melinda on her research, publications, and being a mother. We also discuss how she and other journalists can help parents wade through the large amounts of data and information on parenting and child development that is now available.
You can learn more about Melinda and her research, as well as order her book and subscribe to her newsletter at melindawennermoyer.com.
In this episode, after a brief hiatus, we reunite to dive deep into a topic that resonates both professionally and personally: attachment. While often discussed as a phenomenon of early infancy, we explore how attachment serves as a lifelong regulatory system. We discuss the "messy" reality of applying developmental theories to real-world parenting, the challenge of maintaining a "secure base" while fostering autonomy in adolescence, and how attachment styles are fluid and capable of change.
In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Niobe Way about her new book, Rebels with a Cause, which expands on her earlier work about boys and friendships. Niobe explores "boy culture," a term she uses to describe the privileging of stereotypically masculine qualities over feminine ones. As she discusses, this creates a crisis of connection for everyone, not just boys and men. Niobe further emphasizes that "hard" and "soft" skills are equally important for being a full human, and should stop being gendered. She also discusses how this cultural imbalance regarding skills affects parenting, research, and societal issues. She encourages parents to foster emotional sensitivity and perspective-taking in their children and to model self-reflection and curiosity. Additionally, Niobe emphasizes the importance of prioritizing relationships and listening to others.
We are thrilled to be joined in our first episode of the New Year by Jessica Grose. Jessica is an opinion writer at The New York Times who writes a popular newsletter on parenting. Jessica was the founding editor of Lenny, the email newsletter and website. She also writes about women's health, culture, politics and grizzly bears. She was named one of LinkedIn's Next Wave top professionals 35 and under in 2016 and a Glamour "Game Changer" in 2020 for her coverage of parenting in the pandemic. She is the author of the novels Soulmates and Sad Desk Salad. She was formerly a senior editor at Slate, and an editor at Jezebel. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, New York, the Washington Post, Businessweek, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and many other publications. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughters.
In this episode of Parenting Understood, we speak with Jessica Hill, founder of The Parent Collective, to discuss the vital yet often neglected postpartum period. Jessica highlights the isolation many new parents face and emphasizes the importance of building a support network before the baby arrives, rather than waiting for the chaotic fourth trimester.
We explore practical strategies for preparation, specifically the need for honest partner communication regarding the division of labor to prevent future resentment. Jessica advocates for establishing a "system" early on so both parents understand their roles. We also address the potentially toxic influence of social media. In short, the episode encourages parents to prioritize real-life connections, advocate for their agency during birth, and recognize that they don't have to navigate the transition to parenthood alone.
To learn more about the Parent Collective please visit: THE PARENT COLLECTIVE
In this episode of Parenting Understood, we speak with Sean Whitcomb from Sony Interactive Entertainment about supporting children in safe and balanced online play. Sean discusses PlayStation's "safe and inclusive by design" philosophy, emphasizing connection over control through tools like the PlayStation Family App. We explore how gaming may foster real friendships, teach digital responsibility, and strengthen family relationships. Sean also addresses moderation, screen time, and evolving play habits across ages.
For more information please visit Play Station Family App and playstation.com/family.
In this episode of Parenting Understood, we speak with Jodi, founder of Flrrish, about her journey as a NICU mom after her daughter was born at 28 weeks. Jodi shares the shock, fear, and identity shifts that followed her daughter's early arrival, as well as the loneliness many NICU parents experience. She explains how these challenges inspired her to support other preemie families through coaching, community, and guidance navigating early intervention services. Lastly, we discuss parental mental health, the stigma around seeking help, and the importance of meeting children—and parents—exactly where they are.
Jodi can be found at the following:
Website
TikTok
In this episode of Parenting Understood, we are joined by Dr. Debbie Raphael, a child and adult psychiatrist, to discuss how her personal experiences as a parent intertwine with her professional insights. Dr. Raphael shares how becoming a mother during her child psychiatry fellowship deepened her understanding of validation, attunement, and mentalization—skills that foster healthy emotional development in children. She explains how parents' ability to validate their child's feelings builds self-trust and resilience from early childhood through adolescence. The conversation also explores the importance of community support, self-care, and maintaining balance between empathy and boundaries. Dr. Raphael introduces her forthcoming book, which integrates clinical research and lived experience to guide parents in creating positive childhood experiences that buffer against stress and adversity. We reflect on how nurturing connection—both within families and communities—supports mental health across generations.
In this episode, we speak with early childhood educator, Lucy Chen, about the challenges of separation anxiety during the start of school. We explore how separation begins as early as infancy with object permanence and continues to evolve as children enter preschool and beyond. Lucy emphasizes that separation is not “one and done” but an ongoing process tied to trust, attachment, and new environments. Teachers play a key role in creating safe, predictable routines, building relationships, and honoring the wide range of ways children express their emotions—whether outwardly through tears and tantrums or inwardly through silence and withdrawal. The conversation also highlights the dual experience of parents navigating their own feelings of letting go, balancing expectations, and supporting their children while giving themselves grace. With strategies like modeling confidence, slowing down schedules, and fostering consistent routines, the episode underscores that separation is developmental, relational, and best approached with patience and compassion.
In this episode, we sit down with Naaz Nichols of Care.com to discuss the growing pressures on working parents, especially those in the “sandwich generation” caring for both children and aging parents. Nichols highlights alarming trends, including a sharp decline in mothers’ workforce participation driven by return-to-office mandates, high childcare costs, and limited flexibility. She underscores the urgent need for affordable childcare and senior care, workplace equity policies, and cultural shifts that normalize flexibility and caregiving support. The conversation explores the financial and emotional toll of caregiving, from families patching together multiple care arrangements to the staggering stress levels that leave many parents feeling isolated. Nichols shares personal stories, Care.com’s new senior care offerings, and advice for caregivers: prioritize self-care, build support systems, and advocate openly for help. The episode closes with sobering insights on declining interest in parenthood, shaped by the high costs of caregiving
In this last episode of our back to school series, we speak about starting a new school from the perspectives of parent and child. We draw on our own personal experiences, as well as research in this conversation. We pay special attention to the role of social capital in the transition to a new school year. We also speak on best practices for speaking with our children about how their day went and what they have learned beyond just asking “How was school today?”.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Damour about the emotional lives of teenagers. We pay especial attention to the pressures that both genders feel yet how those may be manifested differently across genders, at times. Dr. Damour unpacks parent-child relationships, especially the mother-daughter relationship, and the role of identification in that relationship as girls mature. We also discuss how research methods may not always allow for the identification of areas of concern for boys.
Dr. Lisa Damour is the author of three New York Times best sellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. She co-hosts the Ask Lisa podcast, works in collaboration with UNICEF, and is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Damour is also a regular contributor to The New York Times and CBS News.
Dr. Damour serves as a Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University and has written numerous academic papers, chapters, and books related to education and child development. She maintains a clinical practice and also speaks to schools, professional organizations, and corporate groups around the world on the topics of child and adolescent development, family mental health, and adult well-being.
Dr. Damour graduated with honors from Yale University and worked for the Yale Child Study Center before earning her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan. She has been a fellow at Yale’s Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy and the University of Michigan’s Power Foundation. She and her husband are the proud parents of two daughters.
To learn more about Dr. Damour and her work please visit https://drlisadamour.com/ and follow her on instagram @lisa.damour
In this episode, we welcome author Lauren Tetenbaum to discuss her new book, "Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life's Next Period." Lauren, a perinatal mental health specialist, shares her motivation for writing the book: a shocking realization of how little she, and many women, knew about this significant life stage.
We delve into common misunderstandings surrounding perimenopause and menopause, emphasizing that symptoms like mood changes, irritability, and brain fog can begin as early as the late 30s and are often dismissed. The conversation highlights the critical need for better education, trusted healthcare providers, and open communication with partners, even dedicating a chapter in the book for men. Lauren stresses the importance of community and destigmatizing menopause, advocating for it to be discussed as openly as pregnancy and motherhood.
In this episode, Dr. Andrew Koepp discusses his research on children's self-regulation and behavioral changes throughout the day and week. He explains how children's self-control, particularly in terms of restlessness and inhibition, tends to wear out across the school day and week.
Andrew suggests that understanding these natural ebbs and flows can help parents and teachers plan activities, emphasizing the importance of restorative experiences like sleep, physical activity (recess), and unstructured playtime. He also offers three key pieces of advice: meet kids where they are by understanding their varying self-control, anticipate difficult moments and plan accordingly, and use anticipatory guidance to clearly communicate behavioral expectations to children.
To learn more about Dr. Koepp’s work please visit: Dr. Andrew Koepp
In this episode, we discuss the significant impact of the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision on individuals' mental health, particularly concerning perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Shana DeVlieger, a developmental psychologist, elaborates on how this landmark ruling, which overturned Roe v. Wade, has not only reshaped abortion laws but has also created a pervasive climate of uncertainty affecting caregivers across the United States. The conversation highlights the necessity of understanding perinatal mental health within a broader socio-political and ecological systems context. The episode underscores the importance of acknowledging systemic factors and advocates for structural changes to better support caregivers and their families, urging a shift in policy to address mental health as a public good.
To reach Shana please email her at: sed485@nyu.edu
In this episode we speak with author Sarah Gallucci about her book, "Laid: A Memoir of Love, Intimacy, and Marriage." Sarah opens up about her personal motherhood journey, revealing the stark contrast between societal expectations and her own struggles with anxiety, anger, and the overwhelming mental load of raising two young children. She discusses hitting rock bottom, seeking therapy, and the controversial decision to explore an open marriage as a means of self-preservation. This raw and honest conversation delves into the importance of trusting your intuition, the power of journaling, and the critical role of emotional regulation in navigating the complexities of modern motherhood.
To read more about Sarah and her work please visit her on instagram (@_sarah_gallucci_), TikTok (sarah gallucci) and view her recent Tedx Talk .
In this episode of Parenting Understood we are joined by Joan Nguyen, founder of Bumo, to discuss the evolving landscape of childcare. Joan highlights how the pandemic exposed critical childcare gaps, transitioning it from a personal issue to an economic one. She explains how Bumo addresses these challenges by offering an online platform for instantly bookable childcare, including unique options like summer camps and school holiday programs. She emphasizes Bumo's commitment to equitable access, providing affordable options alongside premium services. The conversation also covers technology's role in improving parent-provider communication and the future vision of Bumo as a global solution for flexible, accessible childcare.
In this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Lauren Girouard-Hallam, an expert in children's development and technology, to discuss the impact of AI on children aged three to twelve. Lauren discusses her current research focusing on how children trust technology over human sources. Her studies reveal an "inverse U" pattern: young children are skeptical, trust peaks around seven to ten years, and declines as they grow older and become more discerning. The conversation highlights the importance of co-viewing technology with children and fostering open discussions about online interactions. Lauren advises parents to engage their children with curiosity and positivity, emphasizing the value of maintaining healthy digital habits and privacy awareness.
In this episode of "Parenty Understood," we welcome Dr. Jessica Zucker, a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in women's reproductive and maternal mental health. We discuss Dr. Zucker's forthcoming book, "Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame that Shape Women's Lives," which aims to challenge societal taboos surrounding women's health issues from menstruation to menopause. Dr. Zucker shares her personal journey, including her own experience with miscarriage, and her efforts to start the "I Had a Miscarriage" campaign. The conversation underscores the importance of open dialogue to break the cycle of silence, stigma, and shame.
To learn more about Dr. Zucker and her work please visit: her instagram @ihadamisscarriage and her website. Her latest book is available everywhere books are sold including amazon book shop.
Understanding temperament can transform parenting approaches, bringing harmony to the often turbulent journey of raising children. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Sandee McClowry about recognizing that each child's temperament is unique, and how this allows parents to cater their strategies to individual children’s needs. Whether your child is industrious, friendly, cautious, or high maintenance, acknowledging these traits helps in crafting supportive environments. We also discuss how parents must also be aware of their own temperaments to foster better interactions. Using tools like secret signals and timers can ease repetitive conflicts, while puppets and role-play enhance empathy and perspective-taking. Ultimately, the key is respecting each other's temperamental differences for a more peaceful family dynamic.
Dr. Ronald Mah and Michelle discuss how a parent with narcissistic tendencies can impact a child and their development of self. He discusses entitlement, grandiosity, and righteousness, which create a mindset where rules don’t apply. Parenting styles are examined, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries with sensitivity for healthy child development. Problematic parenting styles include permissiveness (too sensitive, no boundaries) and neglect (no sensitivity, no boundaries). The discussion ties into attachment theory, highlighting secure attachment as fostering availability, attunement, and sensitivity.
This week we are re-airing a previous episode with Dr Clancy Blair on self-regulation in honor of his life and legacy. Sadly Clancy passed away on Dec. 19th. Clancy was a groundbreaking professor of child development at New York University, died December 19, 2024 in Nashville, TN. He was 63. The author of over 200 scientific articles, Blair was one of the most influential developmental psychologists of his generation. His research fundamentally changed how scientists understand the ways that children are shaped by family, neighborhood, and schools; Professor Blair has had a lasting effect on both scientific research and public policy.
Clancy was born December 27, 1960, in Birmingham, Alabama. He earned a BA from McGill University in 1983, and returned home to Birmingham to earn MA, MPH, and PhD degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
From 1998 to 2022, Clancy was a professor of developmental psychology, first at Penn State University, and then at New York University. He was known as a brilliant, generous scholar and loving husband and father. With friends, colleagues and family, Blair shared his brilliant wit, his seemingly limitless embrace of life and his confidence in the world's goodness. He wore Converse high-tops and an irrepressible smile. His students remember him as kind and supportive, a mentor as excited by their ideas as his own.
Shortly after moving to Nashville in 2021 with his wife, Cybele, Clancy was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia. He retired from NYU in 2022. Clancy continued to give back to his community in vibrant, creative ways including through advocacy for people living with dementia, songwriting, ceramics, and volunteering at Nashville's Room in the Inn until a few weeks before he died.
In this episode, we chat with Amanda DeLuca, founder and CEO of Riley, a platform designed to support new parents with evidence-based information and technology. Amanda shares her journey from a career in technology to becoming a parent and the challenges she faced, including postpartum depression and anxiety. Despite meticulous planning, she and her husband found themselves unprepared for the realities of parenthood. This experience led them to create Riley, an app that provides parents with access to reliable data and personalized advice, alleviating the overwhelming cognitive load. The app personalizes user experiences by integrating data, such as family demographics and calendar events, to provide relevant advice and support. With features like developmental milestone tracking and practical tips, Riley seeks to empower parents, helping them focus on what truly matters: loving and supporting their children.
To learn more about Riley and sign up for the beta program, visit https://rileyapp.com/ or follow along on LinkedIn and Instagram. Also for a free 30 day subscription to Riley use code RILEYUNDERSTOOD30 at checkout.
In this episode, we are joined by my colleague, Dr. Robin Neuhaus, to discuss recent research of ours on Perinatal Mood Disorders (PMADs) and parenting supports. We highlight the stigma associated with PMADs, leading to underreporting and inadequate support. We emphasize the need for improved screening methods, increased awareness among healthcare providers, and accessible resources for parents. The conversation also touches on the impact of parental leave policies and the importance of support networks. We conclude by advocating for greater inclusivity in research and resources, recognizing the diverse experiences of caregivers.
For information on the study featured and this episode please visit Nested and @nested.institute on instagram.
In this “off-cycle” episode we speak about the impact of ongoing wildfires in LA on children and families. Michelle describes the tense atmosphere, with strong winds, poor air quality, and evacuation alerts, creating a sense of fear and uncertainty reminiscent of the early pandemic days.
Our conversation highlights the challenge of parenting amidst an active crisis, requiring a caregiver to manage their own emotional regulation while supporting their children. Michelle emphasizes the importance of preparedness, having open conversations with children about safety plans, and addressing their fears and anxieties honestly and age-appropriately.
In this episode, we catch up after a short break, and chat about strategies for easing school transitions, particularly for children experiencing separation anxiety. We discuss the special importance of parental support through acceptance, validation, and confidence-building. We also emphasize establishing routines to provide children with a sense of security and familiarity. We finish up by discussing our personal and professional goals for 2025.
This episode of Parenting Understood features Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, author of the upcoming book "Post Traumatic Parenting". Dr. Koslowitz, an expert in child development and trauma, discusses the often-overlooked impact of past trauma on parenting. Robyn explains how common coping mechanisms developed in childhood, like people-pleasing, dissociation, and perfectionism, can become obstacles in parenting. These ingrained responses, once helpful, can lead to stress, anger, and disengagement when raising children. Dr. Koslowitz identifies five distinct "post traumatic parenting types". She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and recognizing these patterns. By acknowledging their trauma and its influence, parents can begin to heal and break the cycle. Dr. Koslowitz shares practical strategies like journaling, inner child work, and personifying emotions to manage triggers and respond more effectively to challenging situations. The conversation highlights the potential for parenting to be a catalyst for personal growth and healing. By confronting their own past traumas, parents can develop healthier coping mechanisms and create a more positive environment for their children.
Find Dr. Koslowitz:
- Book: "Post Traumatic Parenting" (available for pre-order)
- Podcast & YouTube: Post Traumatic Parenting
- Instagram: @doctorKoslowitzpsychology
This episode of Parenting Understood explores the crucial topic of emotional regulation for both parents and children. Dr. Cindy Hovington, a neuroscientist and parenting expert, explains that emotional regulation is about responding thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively. She emphasizes that parents' emotional states deeply impact their children, highlighting the importance of modeling healthy emotional responses. The discussion delves into the difference between suppression and true calm, advocating for cognitive reappraisal as a tool to manage emotions effectively. Practical advice includes daily reflection to identify emotional patterns and revisiting challenging situations with children to foster their understanding and growth. Hovington also encourages parents to embrace their own emotional journeys and create a supportive environment for their children to develop essential emotional regulation skills.
In episode 145, Erin and Michelle delve into the concepts of attachment and self-regulation, highlighting their significance in parenting and child development. The hosts discuss how attachment forms a secure base, allowing children to regulate stress and explore their environment. Attachment theory categorizes relationships as either secure, which supports effective self-regulation, or insecure, where stress regulation can be more challenging. Brain research reveals that secure attachments foster more integrated neural activity between the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for emotional regulation.
The conversation touches on the potential effects of having mixed attachment styles with different caregivers and how secure attachments can mitigate the impact of insecure ones. As children grow, they develop social referencing skills, using their caregivers to navigate and interpret social and emotional contexts. Co-regulation—where caregivers model emotional regulation and validate children’s emotions—is emphasized as a key supportive strategy. Emotional awareness and using natural, age-appropriate language to describe emotions help children understand and articulate their feelings. Practical techniques like deep breathing are also explored as essential tools to support self-regulation, even if results take time and consistency.
In this latest episode, we discuss with Professor Selcuk Sirin the potential influences of our expanding digital world on parenting and child development. We speak about both preparing children for entering the digital world, as well as supporting them once they are in it. We also touch upon the development of technology, and the various generational responses to it.
As an applied psychologist, Dr. Sirin uses empirical research methods to better understand the needs of children and families, and to arm professionals and policy makers with this knowledge so as to better address the needs of the most vulnerable. The goal that unites all of his work is to enhance the lives of marginalized children using development in context as a general framework. He focuses on immigrant children in New York, Muslim youth in the US, refugees in Turkey and Norway, and students at risk in US schools.
He has published his work in top journals, such as Child Development, Developmental Psychology, Review of Educational Research, and Pediatrics, in an effort to inform scholars, practitioners, and policy makers about marginalized children. He has also made a concerted effort to get his work to a wider audience both locally and globally, as he believes strongly in “giving scientific knowledge away.” He has served on several policy committees such as the National Academy of Sciences, the Urban Institute, and the Migration Policy Institute. He has also collaborated with UNESCO and Save the Children, in their efforts to improve the lives of refugee children.
Please visit his lab's web page for most recent work and volunteering opportunities. Sirin Lab
For those from Turkey here is his Turkish web page: http://www.selcuksirin.com/
Turkçe web sayfam için lütfen şu sayfayı ziyaret edin: http://www.selcuksirin.com/
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Diana Turk to discuss civic engagement and supporting children in their engagement. We explore traditional and critical civic engagement. Diana provides a definition of civic engagement that includes community building, empathy, and understanding diverse perspectives. She emphasizes the importance of involving children in civic activities from a young age, modeling thoughtful discussions, and explaining the "why" behind our actions. Diana provides practical examples, like discussing the reasoning behind supporting a particular cause or candidate, and involving children in community service. She also highlights the importance of empowering neurodivergent children to participate in civic life and provides resources for families to support their children's civic engagement. For more information on Dr. Turk and her work please visit her website
Diana Turk is the Director of Teacher Education at NYU Steinhardt's School of Culture Education, and Human Development and an associate professor of Teaching and Learning. Diana received her MA and PhD in American Studies from the University of Maryland at College Park. She brings to her work in teacher education a passion for civic engagement, a commitment to teaching for democratic change, and a dedication to the fundamental belief that all teachers must be prepared to reach and teach all learners. Actively committed to an ongoing anti-racist journey, Diana recognizes the need for all students to have teachers who see, know, and understand them, as well as look like them, Diana is passionate about building a highly diverse and effective teacher corps that is anti-racist, culturally sustaining, and rigorously dedicated to teaching and guiding the nation’s children.
This is the first episode in our new biweekly release schedule. In this episode, we discuss permissive grandparents and how to navigate, at times, different parenting styles between parents and grandparents. We acknowledge the vital role grandparents play in a child's life while recognizing the potential challenges of inconsistent parenting styles. We further offer practical advice for parents, when having discussions with grandparents around parenting styles. We stress the importance of patience and understanding, recognizing that changing ingrained behaviors takes time. Ultimately, we provide valuable tools for parents seeking to maintain healthy relationships with grandparents while ensuring consistent guidance for their children.
In this episode of Parenting Understood, we delve into early literacy with Dr. Susan Neuman. We discuss creating child-centered learning environments that foster literacy development. Dr. Neuman emphasizes the importance of responsive teacher-child conversations, play, reading, writing, and singing. She highlights the need for a balanced approach to alphabetics and encourages parents to engage children in informational texts. The conversation also touches upon the influence of research on educational policies and the significance of recognizing individual learning styles. To learn more about Dr. Neuman and her work please visit her website Susan Neuman | NYU Steinhardt, LinkedIn profile and Susan B. Neuman on X.
This episode of Parents Understood features Dr. Rose Perry and Dr. Natalie Brito discussing Social Creatures, a non-profit focused on social health. Dr. Perry, a social neuroscientist, discusses her research highlighting the impact of early social connections on lifelong well-being, and how her recognizing the societal undervaluing of these connections lead to her founding Social Creatures, which aims to promote health through community building. Drs. Perry and Brito also discuss Social Creatures’ program, Bonded by Baby, which addresses the high prevalence of loneliness among new parents. By connecting parents with similar-aged infants, the program offers crucial social support and combats postpartum depression and anxiety. Additionally, Drs. Perry and Brito provide practical advice for parents, emphasizing the importance of open communication, self-care, and maintaining diverse connections.
For more information on Dr. Perry and Social Creatures please visit her LinkedIn page, as well as the Social Creatures website. For more information on Dr. Natalie Brito please visit her LinkedIn page and her lab website ISLAND.
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Katie Scott Newhouse, Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Director of Special Education at New York University, to discuss supporting neurodiverse students in middle childhood. Dr. Newhouse emphasizes the importance of recognizing individual differences and tailoring support strategies accordingly. Transitions, especially back-to-school after summer, can be challenging for neurodiverse students. Strategies discussed include open communication between parents and teachers, visual schedules, social stories, and classroom placement considerations. We highlight the importance of parent advocacy and connecting with community resources. We also touch on the challenges of navigating the school system and the need for proactive support.
For more information on Dr. Newhouse and her work please visit: Dr. Katie Newhouse
In this episode, we discuss with Dr. Fabienne Doucet her new bilingual picture book "Love is Still Winning." The book tells a story of a child reminding their mother about the enduring power of love and kindness in the world. Fabienne’s professional background in education and her passion for children's literature have intertwined in this project. She sees stories as a powerful tool to initiate conversations about complex issues and to foster understanding. The book encourages readers to explore acts of love in their own lives and communities, promoting a message of hope and resilience. We discuss various ways in which caregivers can use the book to engage in meaningful conversations. You can find the book at independent bookstores and online retailers, and follow Fabienne on social media @Bailabomba for updates on events and future projects.
In this latest episode, we speak with Dr. Lindsey Cormack about ways parents can support their children in becoming engaged citizens. Lindsey is a civics expert and the author of the book HOW TO RAISE A CITIZEN (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It). We speak with Lindsey about how Americans’ civic knowledge is alarmingly low; how young voters struggle to navigate the complicated system of voter registration, and that civics instruction receives the lowest number of K-12 hours out of any subject. Further, as Lindsey notes, we have a culture of considering political talk to be taboo which means many adults, on both sides of the aisle, aren’t having productive conversations with children about government issues. Because of this, Lindsey speaks to how parents and caregivers can create a solid foundation of civics knowledge for their children and provide them with strategies and necessary know-how to be able to raise engaged and informed citizens.
Lindsey Cormack is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Diplomacy Lab at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. She earned her PhD in Government from New York University and is raising a daughter on the Upper East Side. She currently serves as the Secretary for Community Board 8 in Manhattan. She created and maintains the digital database of all official Congress-to-constituent e-newsletters in the DCInbox Project.
In this last episode of our back to school series, we speak about starting a new school from the perspectives of parent and child. We draw on our own personal experiences, as well as research in this conversation. We pay special attention to the role of social capital in the transition to a new school year. We also speak on best practices for speaking with our children about how their day went and what they have learned beyond just asking “How was school today?”.
We are thrilled to be joined in our first episode of the New Year by Jessica Grose. Jessica is an opinion writer at The New York Times who writes a popular newsletter on parenting. Jessica was the founding editor of Lenny, the email newsletter and website. She also writes about women’s health, culture, politics and grizzly bears. She was named one of LinkedIn’s Next Wave top professionals 35 and under in 2016 and a Glamour “Game Changer” in 2020 for her coverage of parenting in the pandemic. She is the author of the novels Soulmates and Sad Desk Salad. She was formerly a senior editor at Slate, and an editor at Jezebel. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, New York, the Washington Post, Businessweek, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and many other publications. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughters.
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Matthew Zakrowski, a psychologist specializing in gifted and talented, and twice-exceptional children. We define what it means to be gifted and talented, moving beyond the stereotype of high-achieving students to recognizing the unique neurodivergence of gifted children. Dr. Zakrowski emphasizes that parenting gifted children involves comprehensive 360-degree support. Further, he shares insights into the complexities of raising gifted children, noting their intellectual intensity and often precocious behavior. He also provides examples of how children might show their giftedness in unconventional ways. Additionally, he delves into the challenges some gifted children face, including perfectionism and social-emotional asynchrony where their intellectual and social ages do not align.
For more information on Dr. Zakrowski and his work please visit his website: The Neurodivergent Collective
In today’s first of two episodes with Dr. Jeanne Donaldson, we discuss using token economies with children to help them establish positive behaviors. Dr. Donaldson defines what a reward/token economy is and how the functions of a reward system can be used, as well as how to avoid misusing them.
Dr. Jeanne Donaldson earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Her research focuses on solving issues common in early childhood and assessing child and adult interventions. To learn more or contact Dr. Donaldson, you can reach out to her via email at jdonaldson@lsu.edu.
In this episode, Dr. Jess Gaulton of FamilyWell Health discusses the increasing awareness and evolving support for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). She highlights the progress made in recognizing these conditions, which were previously dismissed or stigmatized. Dr. Gaulton emphasizes the importance of breaking the stigma by sharing personal experiences, as she did with her own struggles with postpartum depression. She introduces FamilyWell Health's innovative care delivery model, which integrates perinatal mental health services directly into existing healthcare systems. This approach involves a collaborative care team of social workers, coaches, therapists, and psychiatric providers, offering comprehensive support through telehealth. Dr. Gaulton emphasizes the importance of personalized care, tailoring treatment plans to individual needs, and the value of early intervention and peer support. She also discusses the development of a coach certification program aimed at empowering individuals to provide effective support to perinatal individuals experiencing mental health challenges. The episode concludes with a call for continued awareness and storytelling to further destigmatize PMADs and promote accessible, comprehensive support.
For more information on Dr. Gaulton and FamilyWell Health visit FamilyWell Health and LinkedIn.
In this podcast episode, Kevin Seldon, founder of the nonprofit "All Parents Welcome," shares his personal experience of feeling unsupported and isolated as a non-birthing parent. He discusses the lack of resources and awareness for the mental health struggles of non-birthing parents around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Kevin emphasizes the importance of changing terminology to include all parents, regardless of gender or birthing experience. He also highlights the need for more research on non-birthing parents, the creation of a self-assessment tool for PMADs, and the importance of involving all parents in the conversation to improve the mental health of all. He encourages listeners to get involved and support the cause by spreading the word and advocating for inclusivity in parenting culture.
To join the APW movement please click here APW Join the Movement sign up and to contribute to the daddy campaign please click here daffy campaign.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Damour about the emotional lives of teenagers. We pay especial attention to the pressures that both genders feel yet how those may be manifested differently across genders, at times. Dr. Damour unpacks parent-child relationships, especially the mother-daughter relationship, and the role of identification in that relationship as girls mature. We also discuss how research methods may not always allow for the identification of areas of concern for boys.
Dr. Lisa Damour is the author of three New York Times best sellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. She co-hosts the Ask Lisa podcast, works in collaboration with UNICEF, and is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Damour is also a regular contributor to The New York Times and CBS News.
Dr. Damour serves as a Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University and has written numerous academic papers, chapters, and books related to education and child development. She maintains a clinical practice and also speaks to schools, professional organizations, and corporate groups around the world on the topics of child and adolescent development, family mental health, and adult well-being.
Dr. Damour graduated with honors from Yale University and worked for the Yale Child Study Center before earning her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan. She has been a fellow at Yale’s Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy and the University of Michigan’s Power Foundation. She and her husband are the proud parents of two daughters.
To learn more about Dr. Damour and her work please visit https://drlisadamour.com/ and follow her on instagram @lisa.damour
In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Niobe Way about her new book, Rebels with a Cause, which expands on her earlier work about boys and friendships. Niobe explores "boy culture," a term she uses to describe the privileging of stereotypically masculine qualities over feminine ones. As she discusses, this creates a crisis of connection for everyone, not just boys and men. Niobe further emphasizes that "hard" and "soft" skills are equally important for being a full human, and should stop being gendered. She also discusses how this cultural imbalance regarding skills affects parenting, research, and societal issues. She encourages parents to foster emotional sensitivity and perspective-taking in their children and to model self-reflection and curiosity. Additionally, Niobe emphasizes the importance of prioritizing relationships and listening to others.
Please join Dr. Way for her book launch of Rebels with a Cause on July 9th at McNally Jackson, Seaport, 4 Fulton Street, New York, NY at 6:30pm. RSVP
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Ashley Fallon, PhD in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from New York University and Director of Mansfield Children’s Center, regarding how to produce summer activities for our children when we are all out of ideas. Dr. Fallon will demonstrate ways to introduce structured and unstructured learning into the summer days to combat “The Summer Slide.” After this episode, you will have easy, fun ways to add learning into children’s and parent’s daily schedules!
For any questions or more information regarding this episode, you can reach out to Dr. Fallon at ashley.fallon@nyu.edu
On this episode of Parenting Understood, we are joined by Jamie H. Davis, partner in the family law firm Gailor, Hunt, Davis, Taylor & Gibbs, and podcast host of A Year and A Day: Divorce without Destruction. Jamie discusses the complexities of divorce and how to support both oneself and children through the process. Throughout, she emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the best interests of children during a divorce, advising parents to avoid involving children in adult conflicts and to ensure they have a stable and predictable routine. Davis offers several tips for parents, including maintaining emotional health by seeking therapy and avoiding self-medication. She also highlights the importance of self-care and grieving the end of the relationship as part of the healing process. For those beginning the separation process, Davis advises consulting a lawyer, ensuring the decision to separate is firm, and keeping the focus on the child's well-being.
For more information on Jamie and her work, including new book, please consult: Jamie Davis
In this episode of Parents Understood, we discuss the importance of micro moments in parenting, and how they can positively impact children and parent-child relationships. We emphasize noticing the good in children's behavior, using soft and gentle touch paired with praise, practicing active listening and validation, incorporating mindful moments to build self-regulation, and setting clear boundaries to promote distress tolerance. These small but meaningful interactions foster a safe and secure environment for children, leading to stronger connections and better communication within the family. We give examples of how these micro moments can be integrated into everyday activities and routines. We also acknowledge the challenges of implementing these strategies consistently, especially in stressful situations.
In this episode of Parenting Understood, we are joined by Dr. Jessica Gaulton, a neonatologist and founder of Familywell, about perinatal and postpartum health. We discuss the definition of PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders), emphasizing that it encompasses any mood disorder experienced during pregnancy or within a year after birth. We also highlight the lack of screening for PMADs and the resulting underestimation of their prevalence, emphasizing the importance of recognizing symptoms in both birthing and non-birthing parents. We touch on the sobering statistic that the leading cause of death in the perinatal period is suicide and overdose, often occurring in the period between six weeks and a year postpartum, when many new parents lack adequate support. Jessica explains how Familywell aims to integrate mental health support into OB care by embedding resources directly into clinics and making them accessible through insurance coverage.
To learn more about Dr. Gaulton and her work please visit www.familywellhealth.com, @familywellhealth and on LinkedIn at Jessica Shiffman-Gaulton or FamilyWell Health.
In this episode of Parenting Understood, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Rebecca Dekker founder of Evidence Based Birth. Rebecca is a nurse and researcher who is dedicated to supporting parents in pregnancy and the birthing process. She recounts her traumatic first birth experience, which involved unnecessary interventions and separation from her newborn, and how it led her to research the evidence behind common birthing practices. She found that many practices were not supported by evidence and could even be harmful. This led her to create a platform to share evidence-based birthing information with millions of people. In this episode, she discusses the importance of self-advocacy during pregnancy and birth, provides tips for managing pain during labor with and without medication, and addresses the rise of elective inductions at 39 weeks, highlighting both the benefits and potential risks of this practice.
For more information on Dr. Rebecca Dekker and her work please visit: Evidence Based Birth
In this episode, we discuss boundaries with parent coach Cindy Shuster. We talk about what boundaries are and how to establish them with ourselves and our children. We further discuss the core principle of boundaries and why we have them. Additionally, we speak about how to change boundaries once they have been set. Lastly, we address mutual boundary setting.
Cindy Shuster, founder of Partner in Parenting, LLC, is a PCI® certified parent coach and a Nurtured Heart Approach® Advanced Trainer. Before earning her parent coach certification, Cindy was a classroom teacher for 10 years and has a B.S. and M.S. in education. She has 3 adult sons, so she understands firsthand the many challenges of parenting, especially in today's fast-paced and complicated world! Cindy lives in the Baltimore area with her husband, Dave, and her dog Haley, but she coaches her clients by phone or Zoom, so she can work with parents from most locations.
To learn more about Cindy and her work visit please visit parentcoachcindy.com and @parentcoachcindy.
In this episode of Parenting Understood we are joined by Chelsey Goodan, author of Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls. In this episode we talk about girls’ experiences feeling unheard while also experiencing societal pressures to be perfect and likable. We delve into the role of social media in girls’ views of themselves and others. We further discuss the role of gender in girls and boys identity development. Chelsey also offers advice on how to support girls and to provide strong relationships for them.
To learn more about Chelsey and her work please visit:
Chelsey Goodan | Author & Speaker
This week we discuss how AI language models, specifically ChatGPT and Gemini, can support us in parenting. We delve into how ChatGPT and Gemini may help with things from crafting meals to creating personalized bedtime stories, generating craft ideas and developing educational games. We note, however, that AI models are best used as a starting point for evidence-based information and should not replace the input of a qualified professional.
In this episode of Parenting Understood we speak with Dr. Harriet Tenenbaum about the importance of parent-child talk for a child's development. As we discuss, parents who speak more about emotions with their children help their children understand emotions better. Interestingly, there does not appear to be a large difference between explaining emotions to children and asking them questions about emotions in supporting their learning about emotions. We also address the role of parent talk in both children’s understanding of scientific principles, and in gender stereotyping.
For more information on Dr. Tenenbaum and her work please visit: Prof Harriet Tenenbaum | University of Surrey
In this episode, we discuss how a reward chart can support young children when traveling. More specifically, we walk through the key steps to using a reward chart, and the role of supporting positive behaviors. Traveling is a time of transition and often stress for children (and parents) but there are evidence based strategies to support children in the experience.
For more information on Spot It and to get a copy please e-mail Michelle at thrivingtoddler@gmail.com
We are thrilled to be re-releasing our episode with Dr. Clancy Blair as part of our four week back to school series before our reflection on the past 100 plus episodes in two weeks. Dr. Blair is a developmental psychologist and Professor at New York University, who studies self-regulation in young children. His primary interest concerns the development of cognitive abilities, referred to as executive functions, and the ways in which these aspects of cognition are important for school readiness and early school achievement. He is also interested in the development and evaluation of preschool and elementary school curricula designed to promote executive functions as a means of preventing school failure. Prior to coming to NYU, Blair spent ten years as an Assistant and then Associate Professor in the department of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State.
Dr. Blair spoke with us regarding self-regulation, and the different stages that can be expected in children as they age from infants to adolescents. We also explored the ways in which the environment can impact self-regulation, and how parents can utilize different strategies for trying to best promote positive self-regulation.
If you would like to learn more about the work of Dr. Blair, you can visit his Google Scholar page at https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=duCRaqgAAAAJ&hl=en
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Holly Gover, a board-certified behavior analyst with extensive experience working with children with developmental disabilities. Dr. Gover, currently a faculty member in pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, joins us to tackle a common concern for parents: picky eaters.
Dr. Gover shares valuable insights on how to encourage children to try new foods in a relaxed and enjoyable manner, empowering them to feel in control of their eating choices. We also explore the warning signs that may indicate the presence of an eating disorder and discuss the pressures faced by parents when preparing meals for their children and families.
Delving deeper, we uncover three essential techniques: creating a culture of trying, increasing exposure to diverse foods, and avoiding mealtime battles. These strategies serve as powerful tools for parents seeking to overcome the challenges of picky eating and to foster healthier eating habits in their children.
Join us for this discussion that empowers parents with practical advice and effective approaches to navigate the world of picky eaters, ultimately creating a positive mealtime experience for the entire family.
To learn more about Michelle’s Pocket Parent membership, please visit https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/pocketparent
You can reach out to Dr. Gover by contacting her at holly.gover@vumc.org or by visiting her webpage at https://pediatrics.vumc.org/person/holly-c-gover-phd-bcba-d
In this episode, we are joined by Lauren Smith-Brody, founder of the Fifth Trimester movement and the author of The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom's Guide to Style, Sanity, and Big Success After Baby. We discuss with Lauren how her work addresses the research and policy around early parenthood, as well as the practical. Lauren speaks about how her work dissects the systems that drive the inequities that make new motherhood, and especially new employed motherhood, so challenging, and her mission to recruit others to speak up about caregivers in their workplace and their needs. Lauren addresses the parallels between infants’ fourth trimester and mothers’ fifth trimester. She further talks about child care, especially in regards to thinking about how one gets comfortable with one’s decision about care, and how decisions are made. We further talk about the roles of ambivalence and agency in parenting. Lauren also speaks about her current work around rights and caregivers in the workforce.
For more information on Lauren please visit:
http://www.thefifthtrimester.com/founder
For more information on Chambers of Mothers please visit:
https://www.chamberofmothers.com/
In this episode, we discuss 9 key principles to consider when having conversations with children around difficult topics, such as illness. We discuss ways to be developmentally appropriate with one’s approach, especially for younger children. In addition, we talk about supports to consider when having these conversations, and the importance of gearing one’s approach towards one’s own child’s needs.
Resources:
Talking to Children about Cancer
Talking to Children about Mental Illness
Talking to Children about Death
In this episode we are joined by Harvard Professor, Dr. Paul Harris, to delve into the intricate world of children's imagination and its developmental significance. Drawing on his research, Dr. Harris challenges historical views, notably those of Freud and Piaget, highlighting the pragmatic value of children's imaginative play. He shares experiments involving young children's responses to pretend scenarios, revealing their sophisticated understanding and application of imagination in everyday situations. Moreover, Dr. Harris explores children's willingness to believe in unseen phenomena, shedding light on the role of trust, consensus, and attachment in shaping their perceptions. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Harris provides practical insights and thought-provoking reflections, offering a deeper understanding of child development and the dynamics of parent-child interactions.
To learn more about Dr. Harris and his research please visit his website Dr. Paul Harris.
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Felienne Hermans to delve into the world of programming and its significance in children's development. We explore why programming is vital for children, emphasizing their shift from being digital consumers to creators. Felienne underscores the importance of fostering creativity in the digital realm, highlighting how programming empowers children to craft their own digital creations.
Felienne also offers insights into age-appropriate programming activities. Moreover, she addresses common misconceptions about programming and offers practical advice for parents looking to engage their children in coding. She stresses the value of choosing activities aligned with children's interests, whether it's art, storytelling, or gaming.
Felienne also encourages parents to embrace learning alongside their children, emphasizing the importance of modeling curiosity and resilience.
To learn more about Dr. Hermans and her coding program, please visit her website https://www.felienne.com/ and https://www.hedycode.com/
In this episode, we are joined by Danielle DuBosie, co-Founder of Sakara Life, which merges modern science and ancient healing wisdom. We explore the intricate connection between nutrition, emotions, and childhood development. Danielle, who had a background in functional medicine, delves into the emerging research on the gut microbiome's impact on emotional well-being, emphasizing how food directly influences gut health, which in turn affects mood and mental health. She also advocate for teaching children to discern how different foods make them feel. Danielle shares strategies for fostering a positive relationship with food, such as involving children in meal preparation and emphasizing diversity in food choices. We also discuss practical meal ideas and the importance of avoiding processed foods. Throughout, Danielle highlights the complexity of nutrition and the importance of nurturing a holistic approach to well-being.
To learn more about Danielle and her work please visit her on instagram @danielleduboise and @sakaralife and listen to The Sakara Life podcast.
In this latest episode, Professor Noguera argues for a shift in education, prioritizing both academic achievement and social-emotional development. He highlights how schools often neglect fostering positive student-adult relationships, which are crucial for well-being. Dr. Noguera proposes a holistic approach, emphasizing a supportive environment in schools. Further, we discuss how parents are key in promoting balanced lifestyles and social interactions. We also touch on broader societal trends and the potential impact of AI in education, acknowledging both its potential benefits and concerns about hindering critical thinking skills.
To learn more about Dr. Pedro Noguera and his work please visit:
Dr. Noguera-UCLA
In this episode, we are joined by Drs Marc Brackett and Niobe Way to discuss the importance of human connection for children, teenagers, and adults. We talk about the significance of supportive relationships for healthy social emotional development, and the potential negative effects of a lack of supportive relationships, including violence and self-harm. Further, Marc and Niobe dive into the topic of relational intelligence and ways in which this can be understood and learned. Finally, we discuss how parents can find ways to be the person their children can turn to and how they can go from passing judgment to being curious role models.
To learn more about Dr. Marc Brackett please visit:
https://www.marcbrackett.com and howwefeel.org
To learn more about Dr. Niobe Way please visit:
https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/people/niobe-way and listen to her Ted talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFsZsn7SRAc
To learn more about Dr. Way’s research and the movie Close please visit: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-01-27/lukas-dhont-close-oscar-nominee
In this episode we speak with Dr. Keegan Tangeman about the use of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to support children and adults in overcoming difficult thoughts and behaviors. We speak about the use of this type of therapy in general, as well as with suicidal adolescents. Further, we discuss how the principles of DBT can be used to support children not only in therapy but in their interactions with others.
Dr. Tangeman is a licensed, child and adolescent psychologist. He received his doctorate from Pepperdine University and completed his pre-doctoral internship at Morrison Child and Family Services, an APA-Accredited clinical internship in Portland, Oregon with rotations in community mental health and juvenile forensic settings. Dr. Tangeman completed two, APA-Accredited postdoctoral fellowships in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry program at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he specialized in child and adolescent trauma, child psychological assessment, as well as evidence-based treatments for children and adolescents. Dr. Tangeman developed and directed the Behavioral Assessment and Treatment clinic for disruptive behavior disorders at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and served the role of Clinical Project Director for a multi-site, randomized controlled trial of Dialectical Behavior Therapy with adolescents, affiliated with the University of Washington and the University of California at Los Angeles.
To learn more about Dr. Keegan visit https://www.drkeegan.com/drtangeman
We are thrilled to be joined in our first episode of the New Year by Jessica Grose. Jessica is an opinion writer at The New York Times who writes a popular newsletter on parenting. Jessica was the founding editor of Lenny, the email newsletter and website. She also writes about women’s health, culture, politics and grizzly bears. She was named one of LinkedIn’s Next Wave top professionals 35 and under in 2016 and a Glamour “Game Changer” in 2020 for her coverage of parenting in the pandemic. She is the author of the novels Soulmates and Sad Desk Salad. She was formerly a senior editor at Slate, and an editor at Jezebel. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, New York, the Washington Post, Businessweek, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and many other publications. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughters.
In this episode, we discuss Jessica’s new book Screaming on the Inside: The unsustainability of American motherhood. Jessica highlights some of the enduring themes of motherhood she saw in her research for the book, and the role of those themes in modern motherhood. We also talk about how social media impacts attitudes towards mothering and community development. Lastly, Jessica discusses her own experiences with parenting and career.
For more information on Jessica and her recent book, please visit the following sites:
https://jessicagrose.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Screaming-Inside-Unsustainability-American-Motherhood/dp/006307835X
https://www.nytimes.com/by/jessica-grose
For more information on Cooper please visit us on instagram @your_cooper and on-line at beta.yourcooper.com . If you are interested in joining a Cooper group please click join Cooper, where you'll fill out a brief onboarding to tell us more about yourself, your family and your parenting needs. Enter code 'ParentingUnderstood' at checkout to receive 20% off your Cooper Membership!
In this episode, Dr. Whitney discusses her book "Doing It All: Stop Over-Functioning and Become the Mom and Person You're Meant to Be." She addresses the challenges faced by mothers who feel overwhelmed and pulled in multiple directions, offering strategies for self-compassion, setting boundaries, and prioritizing what matters most. Dr. Whitney emphasizes the importance of being sensitive and responsive to children's needs, establishing routines, nurturing internal motivation, and modeling emotional regulation. She also advises stressed moms to practice self-compassion, commit to doing less, and focus on the things that matter most to them.
Throughout the discussion, we delve into the challenges of parenting in a fast-paced, media-driven society, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and mindful prioritization. We highlight the significance of allowing children time for unconstrained skill development, encouraging parents to focus on what truly matters in the midst of overwhelming demands. Dr. Whitney's personal experiences and academic insights provide a relatable and evidence-based approach to parenting, offering practical guidance for mothers seeking to navigate the complexities of modern parenting with grace and resilience.
Links:
https://modernmommydoc.com/
@modermommydoc
Modern Mommy Doc Podcast
In this episode, we are joined by Professor Susan Neuman to explore early literacy and how parents can best support their young children. Susan emphasizes the importance of understanding the science of reading and highlights key skills that contribute to a child's success as a reader.
The conversation delves into various aspects of early literacy, such as phonological awareness, representational language, and the significance of play. Susan encourages parents to engage in activities that align with their child's interests and emphasizes the need for a balance between structured learning and maintaining the joy of childhood.
A specific focus is placed on evaluating school reading programs, especially in the context of New York City's changes in literacy education. Susan advises parents to look for structured reading programs while being cautious of excessive time spent on specific activities, ensuring that children still have time for play and diverse learning experiences. We also speak about the importance of the home-school connection.
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Richard Weissbourd to speak about achievement pressure. We discuss how parents can be mindful of the messages they send and how to prioritize children’s well-being over external validation. Dr. Weissbourd speaks as to how collective action is critical to address systemic issues that are fueling achievement pressure.
Richard Weissbourd is a Senior Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Kennedy School of Government. His work focuses on moral development, the nature of hope, vulnerability and resilience in childhood, parenting and effective schools and services for children. He directs the Making Caring Common Project, a national effort to make moral and social development priorities in child-raising and to provide strategies to schools and parents for promoting in children caring, a commitment to justice and other key moral and social capacities. He leads an initiative to reform college admissions, Turning the Tide, which has engaged over 300 college admissions offices. This initiative seeks to elevate ethical character, reduce excessive achievement pressure and increase equity and access in the college admissions process. He is also conducting research on how older adults can better mentor young adults and teenagers in developing caring, ethical, mature romantic relationships.
He is a founder of several interventions for children facing risks, including ReadBoston and WriteBoston, city-wide literacy initiatives led by Mayor Menino. He is also a founder of a pilot school in Boston, the Lee Academy, that begins with children at 3 years old. He has advised on the city, state and federal levels on family policy, parenting and school reform and has written for numerous scholarly and popular publications and blogs, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Psychology Today and NPR. He is the author of The Vulnerable Child: What Really Hurts America’s Children and What We Can Do About It (Addison-Wesley, 1996), named by the American School Board Journal as one of the top 10 education books of all time. His most recent book, The Parents We Mean to Be: How Well-Intentioned Adults Undermine Children's Moral and Emotional Development (Houghton Mifflin 2009), was named by The New Yorker as one of the top 24 books of 2009.
To learn more about Dr. Weissbourd’s work visit https://www.gse.harvard.edu/directory/faculty/richard-weissbourd
In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome back Dr. Jeanne Donaldson to speak with her on the topic of behavior basics and creating a foundation of a warm, loving, safe, nurturing environment in our homes. We take on a variety of topics including establishing the foundations of sleep, nutrition, movement, safety, parental attention, and building and supporting independence through choice making. With all of the information out online and on social media, we wanted to take a moment to do an episode where we sift through it all and look at the evidence based basics. We hope you enjoy it!
To learn more about Michelle’s Q&A membership, please visit https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/offers/u9UQ2BgG
To learn more about Dr. Donaldson, you can visit her website at https://www.lsu.edu/hss/psychology/faculty/school/donaldson.php or by email at jdonaldson@lsu.edu
As we head into the holiday season, we are re-airing our interview with Eve Rodsky, a mom of 3, an attorney, an activist, and NY Times Best Seller Author of “Fair Play” and “Find Your Unicorn Space.” In this episode, we discuss what “Unicorn Space” is, and what we can do to help discover this space. We also discuss the mental load of motherhood, an especially pertinent topic during these times.
You can learn more about Eve Rodsky and purchase “Find Your Unicorn Space” at her website:
https://www.everodsky.com/ and by following her on Instagram @everodsky
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Damour about the emotional lives of teenagers. We pay especial attention to the pressures that both genders feel yet how those may be manifested differently across genders, at times. Dr. Damour unpacks parent-child relationships, especially the mother-daughter relationship, and the role of identification in that relationship as girls mature. We also discuss how research methods may not always allow for the identification of areas of concern for boys.
Dr. Lisa Damour is the author of three New York Times best sellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. She co-hosts the Ask Lisa podcast, works in collaboration with UNICEF, and is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Damour is also a regular contributor to The New York Times and CBS News.
Dr. Damour serves as a Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University and has written numerous academic papers, chapters, and books related to education and child development. She maintains a clinical practice and also speaks to schools, professional organizations, and corporate groups around the world on the topics of child and adolescent development, family mental health, and adult well-being.
Dr. Damour graduated with honors from Yale University and worked for the Yale Child Study Center before earning her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan. She has been a fellow at Yale’s Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy and the University of Michigan’s Power Foundation. She and her husband are the proud parents of two daughters.
To learn more about Dr. Damour and her work please visit https://drlisadamour.com/ and follow her on instagram @lisa.damour
In this brief episode, Michelle and I discuss techniques to support young children in their listening. This is our last episode of the year as we take a month break. During our break, we will be re-airing episodes on selective eating, the emotional lives of children and developing emotional self-awareness. Wishing you and your families a joyous holiday season and New Year!
In this episode, we discuss with Chloe Massey, Cooper Education Team Parenting Expert and Doctoral Candidate- parenting, teaching, and learning challenges. We dig into some of the behavioral, social, and academic challenges that might surface around this time of year among school aged children. Chloe brings her knowledge and experience as a former classroom teacher, as well as a parent navigating all of this herself. We talk through strategies on how to communicate best with your child's teacher, how to handle the hard conversations - especially when you disagree with your child's teacher, how to provide support at home, and the importance of getting all caregivers aligned and consistent.
In this episode we speak with Dr. Aliza Pressman about her new book, The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans. Aliza outlines what those five science backed principles are, and what they look like in parenting. We further discuss how these principles apply across a broad range of children’s ages, and the various roles that temperament and family values play in their application. To learn more about Aliza visit her website and to pre-order her book visit Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, Books-A-Million, Apple or SImon & Schuster. When you pre-order, submit your receipt to preorder , and receive a preview chapter on resilience.
As we head into the holiday season, we are re-airing our interview with Eve Rodsky, a mom of 3, an attorney, an activist, and NY Times Best Seller Author of “Fair Play” and “Find Your Unicorn Space.” In this episode, we discuss what “Unicorn Space” is, and what we can do to help discover this space. We also discuss the mental load of motherhood, an especially pertinent topic during these times.
You can learn more about Eve Rodsky and purchase “Find Your Unicorn Space” at her website:
https://www.everodsky.com/ and by following her on Instagram @everodsky
In this episode, we have a slightly different format, as we bring my class to the podcast. Michelle guest lectures on anxiety in childhood. She outlines what childhood anxiety is, how it manifests, and ways to support children experiencing anxiety. Michelle weaves in examples from her practice to illustrate concepts. We discuss anxiety in the home and school contexts. To learn more about Michelle and her practice visit: https://michelletangeman.com/
In this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by members of the Fisher Price development team. We discuss the research and development that goes into the making of a toy. As we learn, it takes a lot to get a toy to completion! We also talk about the many ways to engage children with toys, and how we can build emotional connections to toys. To learn more about Fisher Price and their play lab visit: Fisher Price
In this episode, we follow up from episode 106 where we discussed a situation in which recess was taken away from a kindergarten class in response to the behavior of a few children. We speak about the importance of caregiver-school communication to ensure appropriate supports for our children in school. We also discuss what may be potential barriers to effective home-school partnerships.
The Article We Refence In This Episode:
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/131/1/183/30893/The-Crucial-Role-of-Recess-in-School?autologincheck=redirected
https://www.edutopia.org/video/why-recess-should-never-be-withheld-punishment/
In this episode, we speak with Duygu Balan about intergenerational trauma, and ways to break the cycle. Duygu discusses how the therapeutic relationship can support one in rewriting one’s narrative in a healthy manner. We also speak about how to develop a healthier relationship with oneself, and the importance of self-curiosity. We finish our conversation with a discussion of how parenting has impacted our professional lives and vice versa. For more information on Duygu, please visit her website and follow her on Instagram: @duygubalan
In this episode, we discuss with Dr Heather Woodley, the roles of play and toys in teaching children about diversity, equity and inclusion. Heather outlines how toys and children’s programming can act as both windows and mirrors for children - windows into others’ experiences and reflections of their own. We discuss the importance of providing children with materials that are both windows and mirrors, and how to do this.
Dr. Heather Homonoff Woodley, PhD is a Clinical Associate Professor of TESOL, Bilingual Education and World Language Education and the Director of Childhood Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at New York University. Her research and courses focus on anti-racist, social justice-based, and multilingual education collaboratively with communities, families and youth. She has published articles, chapters and curriculum on multilingual classrooms, mother-scholars, and teaching for justice with comics and the arts. Heather received a 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Faculty Award at NYU, a 2019 Steinhardt Teaching Excellence Award, a 2018 Steinhardt Diversity & Innovation Grant, and a 2014 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the National Association of Bilingual Education. She was a Fulbright Scholar in Morocco, and earned her PhD in Urban Education at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, her MS in Education (TESOL) from City College of New York, CUNY, and her BA in History from Wesleyan University. See her full bio and works at www.HeatherWoodley.com
In this episode, we discuss a situation in which kindergarten children were denied recess time as a consequence of a few children. We talk about what taking away recess time can mean for young children, as well as the implications of relying on children’s reports of incidents that occur at school. We also discuss the potential implications of imposing a “punishment” on an entire class based on the behavior of a few students.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Damour about the emotional lives of teenagers. We pay especial attention to the pressures that both genders feel yet how those may be manifested differently across genders, at times. Dr. Damour unpacks parent-child relationships, especially the mother-daughter relationship, and the role of identification in that relationship as girls mature. We also discuss how research methods may not always allow for the identification of areas of concern for boys.
Dr. Lisa Damour is the author of three New York Times best sellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. She co-hosts the Ask Lisa podcast, works in collaboration with UNICEF, and is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Damour is also a regular contributor to The New York Times and CBS News.
Dr. Damour serves as a Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University and has written numerous academic papers, chapters, and books related to education and child development. She maintains a clinical practice and also speaks to schools, professional organizations, and corporate groups around the world on the topics of child and adolescent development, family mental health, and adult well-being.
Dr. Damour graduated with honors from Yale University and worked for the Yale Child Study Center before earning her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan. She has been a fellow at Yale’s Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy and the University of Michigan’s Power Foundation. She and her husband are the proud parents of two daughters.
To learn more about Dr. Damour and her work please visit https://drlisadamour.com/ and follow her on instagram @lisa.damour
We are thrilled to be re-airing our episode with Emily Oster on making parenting decisions through data. Emily is a Professor of Economics at Brown University and the author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm. She holds a PhD in Economics from Harvard. Prior to being at Brown she was on the faculty at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Emily’s books analyze the data behind choices on parenting and pregnancy. She is also founder and CEO of Parent Data, which provides information for parents, people who want to be parents, or anyone who likes to do their research before making a decision. In this episode, Emilly discussed with us her most recent book, The Family Firm, which takes a data driven approach to help parents think more deliberately about key issues in the elementary school years including sleep, school, health, extra curricular activities and more. Emily presented to us how you can immediately apply frameworks and concepts to utilize the date in your life for making best decisions for your children.
You can find more information on Emily Oster, her books and research, and join her bi-weekly mailing list at emilyoster.net or parentdata.org. You can also connect with Emily via Twitter and Instagram @ProfEmilyOster. To hear Emily and my recent conversation on data driven decision making please visit this link Emily Oster Video. In this video, we discuss how data can (and can't) help us make parenting decisions, and take audience questions.
In this episode, we speak with Mariel Benjamin, LCSW, about how parenting is currently based in a feeling of fear - fear of messing up one’s children, fear of being judged by others, and fear of failing in helping children reach their full potential. As we speak about, this fear can be detrimental for many reasons. When in a state of fear, we make decisions based on limited information and lots of emotion. This fear-based parenting can have a number of negative consequences for ourselves and our children. We further discuss how to avoid fear-based parenting.
Mariel is DIrector of Groups at Cooper, DIrector of Programs at The Mount Sinai Parenting Center and on faculty at the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount SInai. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience at Mount Sinai Medical Center working with families and children. She received her B.A. and B.S. summa cum laude from Northwestern University and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from New York University. She is also a trained facilitator of Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs.
For more information on Mariel and Cooper please visit @your_cooper on instagram and yourcooper.com
In this compelling episode, we sit down with the co-authors and partners, Alex Ritter and Alex Kenworthy, to delve into their groundbreaking book, "Your Baby Girl Likes Girls." This invaluable resource offers crucial insights and advice for parents and their queer daughters navigating the often challenging journey of coming out. We emphasize the vital need for an open, accepting environment for children to express their thoughts and feelings, whether they embrace their true selves at a young age or later in adulthood. Our discussion revolves around essential tips for parents, encouraging curiosity, patience, and understanding. We underscore the significance of letting the child determine when to share their identity, and the detrimental effects of being closeted on individuals and relationships. Tune in to learn more about fostering a supportive, loving family environment that embraces authenticity and promotes understanding.
Connect with Alex and Alex on Instagram @yourbabygirllikesgirls and don't miss the opportunity to order their enlightening book, "Your Baby Girl Likes Girls."
In this episode, Dr. Marc Brackett, author of Permission to Feel, discusses the importance of emotional self-awareness, and explains that emotional self-awareness is the ability to identify and label our emotions. This skill is essential for understanding our own emotional states and making informed decisions. He explains that it can lead to improved mental health, stronger relationships, and better decision-making. Emotionally self-aware individuals are better able to manage their emotions, resolve conflict, and build trust with others.
He further describes how the How We Feel app helps users develop emotional self-awareness. The app prompts users to label their emotions and provides feedback on their accuracy. This process helps users to become more aware of their emotional responses to different situations.
Marc is founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and professor in the Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine at Yale University. As a researcher for over 20 years, Marc has focused on the role of emotions and emotional intelligence in learning, decision making, creativity, relationships, health, and performance. Most recently, with Pinterest co-founder Ben Silbermann, Marc and his team co-created the Apple award-winning app, HowWeFeel, that was designed to teach emotion skills and enhance well-being.
Marc is the lead developer of RULER, a systemic, evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning that has been adopted by over 4,500 schools across the United States and in other countries, including Australia, China, England, Italy, Mexico, and Spain. RULER, which has reached over 4 million children, infuses social and emotion learning into the immune system of schools by enhancing how school administrators lead, educators teach, students learn, and families parent.Marc is also the co-founder of Oji Life Lab, a corporate learning firm that develops innovative digital learning systems for emotional intelligence.
For more information on Dr. Brackett please visit:
https://www.marcbrackett.com/
For additional information on the How We Feel app please visit
https://howwefeel.org/
In this episode, we conclude our series on school readiness with a conversation with Claire Marie about school lockdown drills. Claire is a school safety and emergency management expert who works with schools to develop and implement safety plans. She emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed practices when teaching students about safety procedures, such as lockdown drills. Claire talks about the importance of providing students with opportunities to practice the procedure in a safe and controlled environment. She also provides recommendations for parents on how to prepare children for drills. Further, she discusses how to talk to children after they have experienced a lockdown drill. For more information about Marie Clare and her book to help parents prepare their children visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-marie-a6241aa4/ and https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sammy-the-sasquatch-welcome-to-crittertopia-claire-marie/1143283995
As a new academic year commences, we have decided to rebroadcast a well-received episode centered on pediatric anxiety. Within this episode, our guest is Dr. Rebecca Etkin from the Anxiety & Mood Disorders Program at the Yale Child Study Center. Her expertise lies in both researching and treating anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Throughout this installment, we delve into topics such as the signs that should raise parental concern regarding their child's anxiety, the rationale behind utilizing evidence-backed interventions, the evolution of anxiety treatment in the realm of pediatrics, and Dr. Etkin's notable contributions to the SPACE program.
We are thrilled to be re-releasing our episode with Dr. Clancy Blair as part of our four week back to school series before our reflection on the past 100 plus episodes in two weeks. Dr. Blair is a developmental psychologist and Professor at New York University, who studies self-regulation in young children. His primary interest concerns the development of cognitive abilities, referred to as executive functions, and the ways in which these aspects of cognition are important for school readiness and early school achievement. He is also interested in the development and evaluation of preschool and elementary school curricula designed to promote executive functions as a means of preventing school failure. Prior to coming to NYU, Blair spent ten years as an Assistant and then Associate Professor in the department of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State.
Dr. Blair spoke with us regarding self-regulation, and the different stages that can be expected in children as they age from infants to adolescents. We also explored the ways in which the environment can impact self-regulation, and how parents can utilize different strategies for trying to best promote positive self-regulation.
If you would like to learn more about the work of Dr. Blair, you can visit his Google Scholar page at https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=duCRaqgAAAAJ&hl=en
In this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Ashleigh Collins, Dean of Academic Programs at Relay Graduate School Education. Dr. Collins discusses how to form a positive relationship with your child's teacher where you act as partners in scaffolding your child. Research shows that a strong predictor of children's academic and social well-being, especially in earlier childhood, is related to the parent-teacher connection. Dr. Collins speaks to the special importance of keeping lines of communication open between parents and teachers, and provides ideas as to how to do this. Further, Dr. Collins speaks about the benefit of establishing connections with other parents and caregivers in your child's class. In addition, we discuss the state of education and teaching as related to the pandemic and post-pandemic. Please tune in next week for a new episode on separation anxiety at the start of the school year. We have postponed our discussion around our first 100 episodes to bring these important topics related to back to school to our audience. Please celebrate with us though in three weeks as we reflect on the past 2.5 years!
To learn more about Dr. Collins please visit her website and her Linkedin profile. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-collins-ph-d-07b73610
In this last episode of our back to school series, we speak about starting a new school from the perspectives of parent and child. We draw on our own personal experiences, as well as research in this conversation. We pay special attention to the role of social capital in the transition to a new school year. We also speak on best practices for speaking with our children about how their day went and what they have learned beyond just asking “How was school today?”.
Welcome to the 100th episode of Parenting Understood! We are beyond excited and incredibly grateful for our amazing community of listeners who have supported us throughout this journey.
For this special milestone, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Robyn Koslwitz, educational director of the Targeted Parenting Institute, about parenting post-trauma. This episode holds dear as we have recently experienced parenting post-trauma, and we are dedicated to supporting others in similar situations.
We want to take a moment to thank you all for joining us on this incredible journey. Your continued support and engagement inspire us to keep creating valuable content for parents everywhere. In our upcoming 101st episode, we kick off our new series on preparing children for back to school. Then, in the 102nd episode, we'll take a moment to reflect on the insightful conversations we've had in the past 101 episodes. Here's to many more episodes of Parenting Understood! Stay tuned and keep parenting with informed knowledge.
In this episode, we are thrilled to speak with Michael Perry, entrepreneur, devoted father of two young boys, and creator of a family organizational app called Maple. Michael speaks to us about his journey of building Maple, an app designed to help parents manage their busy lives more effectively. Michael opens up about the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and parenthood and how fatherhood completely transformed his sense of purpose. We discuss the overwhelming nature of parenting, which stems from the increasing demands of modern life and the lack of organizational tools catered specifically to parents. Throughout the conversation, Michael emphasizes the importance of taking care of ourselves and finding a balance between work, family, and personal well-being. Join us for an inspiring and candid conversation about parenting, entrepreneurship, and the quest for a better family-life balance!
To learn more about Maple, you can visit https://www.growmaple.com/ or follow on Instagram @growmaple or download Maple through your phone’s app store. To contact Michael, please email Michael@growmaple.com
To learn more about Cooper, please visit https://yourcooper.com/
In this week’s episode we speak with Dr. Bamgbose, a reproductive psychiatrist, about the impacts of hormones on women's mental health across the lifespan. Dr Bamgbose highlights the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and postpartum depression, and seeking professional help if they occur. She also discusses the benefits of medication and therapy for managing mood disorders, as well as the importance of lifestyle changes, such as exercise and sleep hygiene.
In addition to discussing the impact of hormones on mental health, she addresses psychedelics and their potential benefits for women's mental health. She notes that there is some research to suggest that psychedelics, such as psilocybin and LSD, can be effective in treating mood disorders, anxiety, and PTSD. However, she cautions that more research is needed in this area, and that psychedelics should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.
If you are experiencing symptoms of a mood disorder, it is important to seek professional help. A qualified healthcare provider can assess your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment for you.
Some additional resources:
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org
- The American Psychiatric Association: https://www.psychiatry.org
- The National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov
To learn more about Dr Bamgbose please visit:
https://mindfulhealthsolutions.com/experts/sinmi-bamgbose-md/
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Dana Winters of the Fred Rogers Institute about supporting children in the development of empathy. More specifically, she speaks about the "simple interaction" approach. This approach focuses on four key dimensions of interaction: connection, reciprocity, inclusion, and purpose. It can be used in any setting, from the home to the classroom. By focusing on these four key dimensions, adults can help children develop empathy and build positive relationships. Dr Winters speaks further about specific examples of how to use the simple interaction approach with children. We also discuss additional ways to teach children empathy, including reading children specific books about empathy.
To learn more about Dr. Winters and the Fred Rogers Institute, please visit fredrogersonstitute.org.
If you would like to learn more about the Time Timer, please visit
Time Timer: https://bit.ly/3KmWMEa
Today we are thrilled to be joined by Ali Star Locke and John Patrick Nelson of the podcast Sensory Overload. Ali and John share their story regarding how they began their podcast, after having a child on the spectrum. We hope that you join us to learn more about Sensory Overload and some of the helpful resources for being a parent to a child on the spectrum.
To visit our new website, please visit Parentingunderstood.com
If you would like to learn more about the Time Timer, please visit
Time Timer: https://bit.ly/3KmWMEa
Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Yishan Xu as she discusses the various ways sleep changes throughout life and how to tackle sleep issues in adults with a focus on parents.
Dr. Xu speaks to the potential pitfalls of relying on sleep medication, and the power of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) as a first-line treatment.
We also speak with Dr. Xu about gender differences in sleep, from hormonal shifts in women to sleep disorders in men. Further, we take a look at some common sleep myths and take a look at the digital age's influence on sleep disorders. Dr. Xu provides insight into the detrimental effects of excessive screen time before bed and the simple steps you can take to improve sleep hygiene.
Get ready to crack the sleep code and unlock the path to sweet dreams and optimal well-being. Tune in now to revolutionize your relationship with sleep!
To learn more about Parenting Understood, please visit our brand new webpage here or by visiting www.parentingunderstood.com
To learn more about Dr. Yishan Xu’s work, you can visit her website at mindbodygarden.com or by listening to her podcast, Deep into Sleep.
To get 10% off Dr. Yishan Xu's CBTI course, you can visit https://www.mindbodygarden.com/course and use the code "parentingunderstood"
To purchase a Time Timer, please visit the link here or by clicking https://bit.ly/3KmWMEa
In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome back Dr. Jeanne Donaldson to speak with her on the topic of behavior basics and creating a foundation of a warm, loving, safe, nurturing environment in our homes. We take on a variety of topics including establishing the foundations of sleep, nutrition, movement, safety, parental attention, and building and supporting independence through choice making. With all of the information out online and on social media, we wanted to take a moment to do an episode where we sift through it all and look at the evidence based basics. We hope you enjoy it!
To learn more about Michelle’s Q&A membership, please visit https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/offers/u9UQ2BgG
To learn more about Dr. Donaldson, you can visit her website at https://www.lsu.edu/hss/psychology/faculty/school/donaldson.php or by email at jdonaldson@lsu.edu
In this episode of "Parenting Understood," we welcome Sara Petersen, who has been challenging the perception of motherhood influenced by media and social media. Sara shares her journey as a writer, inspired by her experiences as a mother and her evolving understanding of feminism. She explains how motherhood ignited her feminism and made her question the idealized version of motherhood portrayed in the media.
The conversation delves into the complexities of maternal identity and the weight it carries compared to paternal identity. We highlight the feelings of intellectual starvation, claustrophobia, and the struggle to maintain autonomy in motherhood as well as delve further into the impact of social media on motherhood. We also examine the psychological impact of social media, including downward and upward comparison theories.
You can learn more about Sara through her book, Momfluenced: Inside the Maddening, Picture-Perfect World of Mommy Influencer Culture, and by following her on Twitter and Instagram @slouisepetersen
In this episode, we speak with Renne Reina, psychologist and host of the renowned podcast, The Mom Room. Renne delves into the fascinating world of parenting fears, drawing from her extensive social media and podcast presence. She provides insights, empathy, and practical advice around parenting, and discusses the importance of authenticity on social media. Renne emphasizes the importance of finding one’s true voice amidst digital noise and cultivating a genuine online presence. We end by highlighting the power of seeking multiple viewpoints and embracing diverse perspectives to foster a well-rounded understanding of oneself as a parent.
You can learn more about Renne Reina by listening to her podcast, The Mom Room, and following her on Instagram @thereneereina
In this episode, we are joined by Drs Douglas Clements and Julie Sarama to discuss early math learning. Douglas H. Clements is Distinguished University Professor, Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning, and Executive Director of the Marsico Institute for Early Learning at the University of Denver. Previously a kindergarten teacher for five years and a preschool teacher for one, he has conducted research and published widely in the areas of the learning and teaching of early mathematics and computer applications in mathematics education. His most recent interests are in creating, using, and evaluating a research-based curriculum and in taking successful curricula to scale using technologies and learning trajectories.He has served on the U.S. President's National Mathematics Advisory Panel, the Common Core State Standards committee, and the National Research Council’s Committee on Early Mathematics, and is and co-author each of their reports.
Julie Sarama is the Kennedy Endowed Chair in Innovative Learning Technologies and Professor at the University of Denver. She conducts research on young children's development of mathematical concepts and competencies, implementation and scale-up of educational reform, professional development models and their influence on student learning, and implementation and effects of software environments in mathematics classrooms. She has taught secondary mathematics and computer science, gifted math at the middle school level, preschool and kindergarten mathematics enrichment classes, and mathematics methods and content courses for elementary to secondary teachers.She designed and programmed over 50 published computer programs, including her version of Logo and Logo-based software activities, including Turtle Math™, which was awarded the Technology & Learning Software of the Year award.
In this episode, we delve into what constitutes early math knowledge, and how to support it at home. As we discuss, caregivers often engage in numeracy talk and behavior with children without consciously doing so. As Douglas and Julie point out, there are also many additional opportunities in early childhood (and beyond) to incorporate math into fun activities (such as Candyland).
To learn more about how to incorporate math into everyday interaction with your children please visit the following websites:
https://www.learningtrajectories.org/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Douglas_Clements
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Julie-Sarama
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Holly Gover, a board-certified behavior analyst with extensive experience working with children with developmental disabilities. Dr. Gover, currently a faculty member in pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, joins us to tackle a common concern for parents: picky eaters.
Dr. Gover shares valuable insights on how to encourage children to try new foods in a relaxed and enjoyable manner, empowering them to feel in control of their eating choices. We also explore the warning signs that may indicate the presence of an eating disorder and discuss the pressures faced by parents when preparing meals for their children and families.
Delving deeper, we uncover three essential techniques: creating a culture of trying, increasing exposure to diverse foods, and avoiding mealtime battles. These strategies serve as powerful tools for parents seeking to overcome the challenges of picky eating and to foster healthier eating habits in their children.
Join us for this discussion that empowers parents with practical advice and effective approaches to navigate the world of picky eaters, ultimately creating a positive mealtime experience for the entire family.
To learn more about Michelle’s Q&A membership, please visit https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/offers/u9UQ2BgG
You can reach out to Dr. Gover by contacting her at holly.gover@vumc.org or by visiting her webpage at https://pediatrics.vumc.org/person/holly-c-gover-phd-bcba-d
In this week's episode, we interview psychiatrist Dr. Joshua Siegel about his research on the impacts of psychedelics, such as ketamine, on depression. We delve into the growing interest in mental health and wellness and explore emerging treatment methods. Dr. Siegel shares how his research has influenced his parenting and sheds light on his perspective on his children's emotions. Tune in to gain insights into the fascinating connection between psychedelics, mental health, and parenting.
To learn more about Dr. Siegel’s research, please visit: https://sites.wustl.edu/psychedelics/welcome-to-piper/
For more information on Michelle’s Q&A Membership, please visit:
https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/offers/u9UQ2BgG
In this episode, we speak with Melissa Finkelstein, a lawyer, author, and mother of three. Melissa discusses her latest book, Bobby the Snake and the Broken TV, which is part of her book series, Big Feelings Friends. She shares how her own children inspired her to write these books and the importance of children's books as both a mirror and a window for our children's stories. By sharing her personal experiences, Melissa hopes to show how her books can provide a relatable and empathetic perspective for children dealing with big emotions. Tune in to this episode to learn more about the power of children's books in helping children navigate their emotions and challenges!
You can learn more about Melissa by following her Instagram page @melissafinkelsteinbook and her books are available in several bookstores throughout the Northeast and they're also available on Amazon.
For more information on Parent Pocket Membership please visit Thriving Toddler.com
In today’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Jessica (“Jessi”) Gold. Dr Gold, MD, MS, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, specializing in college mental health, medical education, and physician wellness. In this episode, we discuss with Dr. Gold her work supporting the mental health needs of those on the college campus, as well as her efforts to de-stigmatize mental health and psychiatry. She further discusses how COVID exacerbated pre-existing stressors, as well as added new ones, for the population at large but especially for groups including college students and health care workers. More specifically, Dr Gold speaks about the effects of the social isolation associated with COVID on college students’ mental health, as well as how on-line learning, for many, exacerbated existing attention problems. We further discuss how the lack of a schedule during COVID contributed to college student’s motivation and interest, as well as what we can learn from the pandemic in terms of supporting college students. We conclude with a discussion of the current research on the neurological effects of COVID, and how to better support growing the work force in mental health services, especially psychiatry.
For more information on Dr. Gold and her work please visit her webpage, https://www.drjessigold.com/ as well as her instagram (@drjessigold) and twitter https://twitter.com/drjessigold.
For more information on Parent Pocket Membership please visit Thriving Toddler.com
We are thrilled to be joined in this episode by Dr. Denice Ross, faculty member at the University of Wisconsin and Chair of the UW System Institute for Urban Education. Dr. Ross is an advocate for literacy as a form of social justice. She describes how she applies verbal behavior (a language and literacy approach using principles of behavior) to reading and literacy, and discusses the systems and inequities that impact access to evidence-based practices. She further speaks to how the narrative of literacy for economically disadvantaged communities is often framed through a deficit lens. Dr.Ross also discusses how black children's literacy has historically been a tool of empowerment, and that reading instruction grounded in the science of behavior has a history of positively impacting learners' experiences.
For more information and to visit the references mentioned, please visit: UW System Institute for Urban Education: https://uwm.edu/education/institute-urban-edu/ Frederick Douglass Audio Autobiography: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZrQFB9wRW4
National Reading Panel: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/publications/pubs/nrp/Documents/report.pdf
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Whitney Casares to discuss developmental milestones and their impact on children's development. We explore how parents can be overwhelmed by the stress of trying to keep up with perceived expectations for their child's development. Dr. Casares emphasizes the importance of understanding each child as a unique individual, with their own strengths and challenges, and avoiding the temptation to compare them to others or follow a one-size-fits-all approach. We also delve into the different types of developmental milestones, including both physical and emotional. We conclude by discussing the benefits of building a positive social network and how to filter out unhelpful advice and resources that push unrealistic expectations for children's development.
You can discover more about Dr. Casares’ work by downloading the app Modern Mama's Club, following her on instagram @modernmommydoc, visiting her website modernmommydoc.com and by reading her book The Working Mom Blueprint.
For more information on Cooper please visit us on instagram @your_cooper and on-line at beta.yourcooper.com . If you are interested in joining a Cooper group please click join Cooper, where you'll fill out a brief onboarding to tell us more about yourself, your family and your parenting needs. Enter code 'ParentingUnderstood' at checkout to receive 20% off your Cooper Membership!'
In this episode, Dr. Kelly Fradin, author of the upcoming book "Advanced Parenting: Advice for helping kids through diagnoses, differences, and mental health challenges," shares her personal story of being sick with cancer as a child and how it inspired her to create a guide for parents raising children with advanced health conditions. Dr. Fradin discusses the challenges that parents face in balancing their own personal lives, partnerships, and the care of their other children while also caring for their child, who needs different supports. She also provides insights into the resources and research available to support parents in this situation.
Dr. Kelly Fradin is a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Kelly Fradin is a pediatrician and mother of two from NYC. She is the Director of Pediatrics at the Atria Institute in NYC where she works with leading experts to bring innovations in preventive care to their members and underserved populations. During her time working in public health in the South Bronx she launched her instagram account @adviceigivemyfriends to provide calm, realistic, and evidence-based advice to families. Pursuing this mission she wrote Parenting in a Pandemic to help give parents the tools they needed to interpret the news and support their family during the peak of the pandemic. Her new book, Advanced Parenting will be published by Hachette in April 2023, seeks to support parents in navigating their children’s challenges.
To learn more about Dr. Fradin and “Advanced Caregiving”, you can visit her Instagram page @ adviceigivemyfriends or visit https://drkellyfradin.com/
Resources mentioned in the episode:
https://childmind.org/
https://healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx
For more information on Cooper please visit us on instagram @your_cooper and on-line at beta.yourcooper.com . If you are interested in joining a Cooper group please click join Cooper, where you'll fill out a brief onboarding to tell us more about yourself, your family and your parenting needs. Enter code 'ParentingUnderstood' at checkout to receive 20% off your Cooper Membership!'
In this episode, we are joined by Lauren Smith-Brody, founder of the Fifth Trimester movement and the author of The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom's Guide to Style, Sanity, and Big Success After Baby. We discuss with Lauren how her work addresses the research and policy around early parenthood, as well as the practical. Lauren speaks about how her work dissects the systems that drive the inequities that make new motherhood, and especially new employed motherhood, so challenging, and her mission to recruit others to speak up about caregivers in their workplace and their needs. Lauren addresses the parallels between infants’ fourth trimester and mothers’ fifth trimester. She further talks about child care, especially in regards to thinking about how one gets comfortable with one’s decision about care, and how decisions are made. We further talk about the roles of ambivalence and agency in parenting. Lauren also speaks about her current work around rights and caregivers in the workforce.
For more information on Lauren please visit: http://www.thefifthtrimester.com/founder
For more information on Chambers of Mothers please visit: https://www.chamberofmothers.com/
For more information on Cooper please visit us on instagram @your_cooper and on-line at beta.yourcooper.com . If you are interested in joining a Cooper group please click join Cooper, where you'll fill out a brief onboarding to tell us more about yourself, your family and your parenting needs. Enter code 'ParentingUnderstood' at checkout to receive 20% off your Cooper Membership!'
In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Meghan McCormick to dive deeper into the topic of pre-kindergarten (pre-k), and its long-term effects on children. Our discussion is centered on recent research showing contrasting results on the benefits of pre-k education for young children. We delve in depth into how the quality of pre-k programs, and children’s educational experiences subsequent to pre-k, may have a lasting impacts on development.
Dr. McCormick shares insights from her extensive research on the subject, and delves into the various factors that contribute to the success of pre-k programs, as well as later educational supports that should be in place to promote the continued benefits of a high quality pre-k experience.
Through a deep dive into the latest research studies, this episode provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the long-term effects of pre-k on children, and offers actionable insights for those seeking to provide the best possible early education for their children.
For more information about Dr. Meghan McCormick please visit https://www.mdrc.org/about/meghan-mccormick or by e-mail at meghan.mccormick@mdrc.org
For more information on Cooper please visit us on instagram @your_cooper and on-line at beta.yourcooper.com . If you are interested in joining a Cooper group please click join Cooper, where you'll fill out a brief onboarding to tell us more about yourself, your family and your parenting needs. Enter code 'ParentingUnderstood' at checkout to receive 20% off your Cooper Membership!'
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Gina Green to explore the significance of using scientifically supported interventions to help children with developmental delays. We delve into the issue of people embracing theories, treatments, and programs that have not been properly evaluated, some of which have been claimed to be effective in full cures of things such as autism. We also talk about how parents can navigate the overwhelming amount of parenting information online and focus on key things that are supported by science. Additionally, we provide insights on where parents can find trustworthy scientific-based information.
To learn more about Michelle’s Pocket Parent Membership, please visit https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/offers/u9UQ2BgG/checkout
To learn more about the Association for Science and Autism Treatment please visit https://asatonline.org/
We are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Julia Brailovskaia to discuss the benefits of moderating social media usage. We speak about strategies for setting boundaries with children and ourselves to achieve a healthy balance. We also discuss the risks of social media addiction that can arise when usage is not moderated.
Julia Brailovskaia currently works at the Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum. As a member of the "Bochum Optimism and Mental Health (BOOM)" team she investigates risk and protective factors of mental health. Her main research focus is on the relationship between mental health, personality and media use, especially social media addiction.
You can find more about Julia’s research on Google Scholar.
In this episode we are joined by Mike Rucker, an organizational psychologist and author of "The Fun Habit: How the Disciplined Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life," to discuss the importance of finding joy and wonder in parenting. Mike emphasizes the importance of emotional flexibility and shared control with children to create positive relationships and memories. He suggests that parents should focus on finding enjoyable activities with their children, rather than just scheduling activities out of duty. By doing so, parents can create lasting memories and positive experiences for both themselves and their children. Rucker also shares what inspired him to write his book, and how the disciplined pursuit of joy and wonder can change one's life for the better. This episode offers valuable insights for parents who want to cultivate more fun and joy in their relationships with their children.
To learn more about Michelle’s Pocket Parenting Membership, please visit https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/offers/u9UQ2BgG
To learn more about Mike Rucker, please visit https://michaelrucker.com/
“The Fun Habit: How the Disciplined Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life” is available now at booksellers everywhere.
Today we are thrilled to be joined by Maya Corbett, a CPA and financial professional with almost 20 years of experience. Maya discusses with us the importance of teaching children financial literacy and managing your own family finances. Maya speaks about her own background and how she realized the importance of financial education after making preventable financial mistakes. She talks about teaching her own children financial skills, and her development of workshops to support children in learning about money management through her organization the Danarii Financial Education Academy, and a family membership program-the Wealthy Kids Investment Club. We end the episode with key takeaways on how to begin applying financial literacy to your children’s lives.
To access the Pocket Parent Membership please visit https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/offers/u9UQ2BgG
You can learn more about Maya's at her website https://www.dinarii.com/
We are thrilled to have Dr. Adithyan Rajaraman as our guest on the latest episode of our podcast. Dr. Rajaraman is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and the Director of Behavior Analysis Research at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.
In this episode, we delve into the world of Applied Behavior Analysis and trauma-informed care with a focus on general parenting practices. Dr. Rajaraman's shares valuable insights on fostering healthy connections with our children and promoting essential coping mechanisms. You can learn more about Dr. Rajaraman by visiting his website at https://vkc.vumc.org/people/rajaraman-adithyan and by contacting him on a.rajaraman@vumc.org and on Instagram @dithpix
To register for the Pocket Parent Membership, please visit https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/offers/u9UQ2BgG
Today we are excited to be joined by Dr. Jaqueline Nesi. Dr. Nesi is a psychologist, professor, and founder of Techno Sapiens,an up to date resource on the research on technology and teenagers. Dr. Nesi is here to discuss with us a recent proclamation by the U.S. Surgeon General that age 13 and under is too young for children to be on social media and that there could be dangers related to too much screen time. We will look at how social media could contribute to mental illnesses and if social media does have any impact. Furthermore, we will discuss the importance of understanding how scary “headlines” regarding social media research can impact parenting views. Finally, we will discuss strategies regarding how parents can implement social media for the first time in their children’s lives.
To learn more about Dr. Jacqueline Nesi, please visit https://www.jacquelinenesi.com/
To subscribe to Techno Sapiens, please visit https://technosapiens.substack.com/
In this episode, we are joined by Drs Marc Brackett and Niobe Way to discuss the importance of human connection for children, teenagers, and adults. We talk about the significance of supportive relationships for healthy social emotional development, and the potential negative effects of a lack of supportive relationships, including violence and self-harm. Further, Marc and Niobe dive into the topic of relational intelligence and ways in which this can be understood and learned. Finally, we discuss how parents can find ways to be the person their children can turn to and how they can go from passing judgment to being curious role models.
To learn more about Dr. Marc Brackett please visit:
https://www.marcbrackett.com
To learn more about Dr. Niobe Way please visit:
https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/people/niobe-way and https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-01-27/lukas-dhont-close-oscar-nominee
On today’s episode, the two of us discuss a topic that we see coming up more and more, anxiety in young children. We decided to do an episode on anxiety after Michelle’s 3 year old developed a fear of Spiderman at a birthday party. Furthermore, we discuss a common approach "parental accommodation," in which the parent alters the environment to prevent or alleviate the child's fear or anxious feelings. However, this approach can reinforce the child's anxiety or fear response. We hope that after today’s episode you leave with different strategies and techniques to help your children combat fears and anxieties.
We are thrilled today to present a unique episode of Parenting Understood! We are speaking with Nicole Stnaley, the founder of Arise Financial Coaching and the creator of the money momentum method. This method has helped hundreds across the globe simplify the way they manage their money to hit their financial goals with ease.
After battling crippling financial anxiety in her early twenties, Nicole decided that enough was enough. She enrolled in her first personal finance course which changed the course of her life. She went from 30K in debt to building my family of four's net worth to over a quarter-million dollars at 27. No inheritance or shortcuts. That growth was about much more than numbers in a bank account. It brought joy, confidence, and freedom into her life.Nicole speaks with us about her journey as it relates to finances and motherhood. We also discuss strategies with her related to becoming “financially free”.
Studies mentioned in today’s episode:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/making-sense/money-habits-are-set-by-age-7-teach-your-kids-the-value-of-a-dollar-now
https://www.cnbc.com/select/how-to-take-control-of-your-finances/
You can find more about Nicole by following @arise.financial.coaching or by visiting https://www.arisefinancialcoachingaz.com/
Today we are thrilled to be joined by Abbey Williams, a licensed clinical social worker and the creator of You, The Mother. Abbey shares with us her experiences as young, single mom co-parenting. She also speaks about her current experiences in a blended family. Lastly, we speak about loneliness and estrangement in parenting.
You can learn more about Abbey Williams and You, The Mother by listening to the Podcast, You the Mother, and by following on social media on TikTok and Instagram @You,The Mother and finally by visiting youthemother.com.
For more information on Cooper please visit us on instagram @your_cooper and on-line at beta.yourcooper.com . If you are interested in joining a Cooper group please click join Cooper, where you'll fill out a brief onboarding to tell us more about yourself, your family and your parenting needs. Enter code 'ParentingUnderstood' at checkout to receive 20% off your Cooper Membership!'
Dr. Selcuck Sirin is an applied psychologist and a Professor of Applied Psychology at New York University. Selcuck uses empirical research methods to better understand the needs of children and families, and to arm professionals and policy makers with this knowledge so as to better address the needs of the most vulnerable. The goal that unites all of his work is to enhance the lives of marginalized children using development in context as a general framework. He focuses on immigrant children in New York, Muslim youth in the US, refugees in Turkey and Norway, and students at risk in US schools. He has published his work in top journals, such as Child Development, Developmental Psychology, Review of Educational Research, and Pediatrics, in an effort to inform scholars, practitioners, and policy makers about marginalized children. He has also made a concerted effort to get his work to a wider audience both locally and globally, as he believes strongly in “giving scientific knowledge away.” He has served on several policy committees such as the National Academy of Sciences, the Urban Institute, and the Migration Policy Institute. He has also collaborated with UNESCO and Save the Children, in their efforts to improve the lives of refugee children.
We begin this episode with a discussion with Selcuck as to how he views parenting as in crisis currently. He speaks to how parental isolation and pressures have created a period in which parents face many challenges. We further discuss his research and advocacy work around supporting early parent-child interactions through book reading in his Million Book Project based in turkey. Through providing high-quality books to parents of very young children, this project supports positive parent-child interactions. Through parent-parent connections supported in large part through instagram this project also helps to bring together parents. We also discuss another one of Selcuck’s projects focused on measuring important early school readiness skills in children. We finish this episode with talking about how being a parent has influenced Selcuck’s work.
For more information on Selcuck and his work please visit the following sites and follow him on instagram @selcuksirin .
https://wp.nyu.edu/sirin/
http://www.selcuksirin.com/ (in Turkish)
We are thrilled to be joined in our first episode of the New Year by Jessica Grose. Jessica is an opinion writer at The New York Times who writes a popular newsletter on parenting. Jessica was the founding editor of Lenny, the email newsletter and website. She also writes about women’s health, culture, politics and grizzly bears. She was named one of LinkedIn’s Next Wave top professionals 35 and under in 2016 and a Glamour “Game Changer” in 2020 for her coverage of parenting in the pandemic. She is the author of the novels Soulmates and Sad Desk Salad. She was formerly a senior editor at Slate, and an editor at Jezebel. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, New York, the Washington Post, Businessweek, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and many other publications. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughters.
In this episode, we discuss Jessica’s new book Screaming on the Inside: The unsustainability of American motherhood. Jessica highlights some of the enduring themes of motherhood she saw in her research for the book, and the role of those themes in modern motherhood. We also talk about how social media impacts attitudes towards mothering and community development. Lastly, Jessica discusses her own experiences with parenting and career.
For more information on Jessica and her recent book, please visit the following sites:
https://jessicagrose.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Screaming-Inside-Unsustainability-American-Motherhood/dp/006307835X
https://www.nytimes.com/by/jessica-grose
For more information on Cooper please visit us on instagram @your_cooper and on-line at beta.yourcooper.com . If you are interested in joining a Cooper group please click join Cooper, where you'll fill out a brief onboarding to tell us more about yourself, your family and your parenting needs. Enter code 'ParentingUnderstood' at checkout to receive 20% off your Cooper Membership!'
Today we are re-airing our episode with Professor Niobe Way. Dr. Way is a Professor of Developmental Psychology, and the founder of the Project for the Advancement of Our Common Humanity, at New York University. She is also the mother of two children. Professor Way discusses social connectedness, and how parents can support their younger children and teens in building relationships with themselves and others. We delve in depth into how supporting children’s connections, friendship, and relationship is a vital component of supporting their mental health and social-emotional needs. Further, we discuss Dr Way’s research on the specific ways that certain mindsets and cultures impact boys’ and girls’ development.
For more information on Dr. Niobe Way and her lab please visit:
https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/people/niobe-way
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-crisis-connection/201809/the-crisis-connection-roots-consequences-and-solutions
https://www.tedmed.com/speakers/show?id=729990
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-crisis-connection/201912/the-cultural-roots-loneliness-and-violence
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-crisis-connection/201809/the-crisis-connection-roots-consequences-and-solutions
https://www.tedmed.com/speakers/show?id=729990
For more information on Cooper please visit us on instagram @your_cooper and on-line at beta.yourcooper.com . If you are interested in joining a Cooper group please click join Cooper, where you'll fill out a brief onboarding to tell us more about yourself, your family and your parenting needs. Enter code 'ParentingUnderstood' at checkout to receive 20% off your Cooper Membership!'
Today we are revisiting the important topic of Pediatric Anxiety. Anxiety in children is an issue we continue to see a rise in attention to and we think this episode gives listeners a good introduction to the subject.
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Rebecca Etkin about pediatric anxiety and other mood-related problems. Dr. Etkin is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Yale Child Study Center Anxiety & Mood Disorders Program. Dr. Etkin received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Johns Hopkins University and her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from SUNY Buffalo. She specializes in conducting research and treatment with children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. In this episode, we discuss when parents should be concerned about their child’s anxiety, why parents should use evidence-based interventions, the history of anxiety treatment in pediatrics, and her work specifically in the SPACE program.
For more information on the Sleep Game mentioned in today's episode please visit Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDQwDeKgGqg
Episode 29 [Revisited]: Self-Regulation With Dr. Clancy Blair
We are thrilled to be re-releasing our episode with Dr. Clancy Blair as part of our six week series before our new launch on January 3rd. Dr. Blair is a developmental psychologist, who studies self-regulation in young children. His primary interest concerns the development of cognitive abilities, referred to as executive functions, and the ways in which these aspects of cognition are important for school readiness and early school achievement. He is also interested in the development and evaluation of preschool and elementary school curricula designed to promote executive functions as a means of preventing school failure. Prior to coming to NYU, Blair spent ten years as an Assistant and then Associate Professor in the department of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State.
Dr. Blair spoke with us regarding self-regulation, and the different stages that can be expected in children as they age from infants to adolescents. We will also explored the ways in which the environment can impact self-regulation, and how parents can utilize different strategies for trying to best promote positive self-regulation.
If you would like to learn more about the work of Dr. Blair, you can visit his Google Scholar page at https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=duCRaqgAAAAJ&hl=en
For the next six weeks, we will be re-airing episodes as we work on a brand new line up starting January 3rd, 2023. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season, and thank you all for being a part of our Parenting Understood community!
Bloom is Michelle's monthly parenting group to solve your child's behavior concerns while building a strong loving connection. You can find out more about it here: https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/membership
Today we continue with part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Jeanne Donaldson. We will continue to discuss using token economies with children to help them establish positive behaviors. Today’s focus will be on the types of rewards/tokens that can be used, pricing strategies, selecting backups and using variety, troubleshooting common problems with token economies, implementing savings, and discussing taking away tokens as a form of punishment.
Dr. Jeanne Donaldson earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Her research focuses on solving issues common in early childhood and assessing child and adult interventions.
Some key tokens mentioned include:
Passes/privileges
- TV show/video game time
- Extra book/chapter at bedtime
- Outings – library, park, children’s museum
- Sleepover
- Parent cleans my room
- Breakfast for dinner
- Dance party
- Pick the restaurant
- Stay up late
Tangible items
- School/office supplies
- Art supplies
- Craft items
- Stickers
- Scented lip balm
- Books
- Bubbles
- Squishy toys
- Glow sticks/bracelets
- Clothing
- Holiday-themed and seasonal items
To learn more or contact Dr. Donaldson, you can reach out to her via email at jdonaldson@lsu.edu.
For more information on Thriving Toddler’s Backpocket Essentials program, please visit: https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/backpocket-essentials
In today’s first of two episodes with Dr. Jeanne Donaldson, we discuss using token economies with children to help them establish positive behaviors. Dr. Donaldson defines what a reward/token economy is and how the functions of a reward system can be used, as well as how to avoid misusing them.
Dr. Jeanne Donaldson earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Her research focuses on solving issues common in early childhood and assessing child and adult interventions.
To learn more or contact Dr. Donaldson, you can reach out to her via email at jdonaldson@lsu.edu.
On today’s episode of Pinot and Parenting we are chatting with Olya Valenta, marketing director of the toy company Magna-Tiles. Olya discusses the history of Magna-Tiles. We also speak about the role of play in children’s development, and how play can be facilitated. Finally, Olya discusses what it is like to be a parent and to work at a toy company.
You can learn more about Olya Valenta and Magna-Tiles at https://www.magnatiles.com/ and by visiting their Instagram page @magnatiles
We also want to point out that many of us have been going through tough, difficult, and stressful times. If you are ever in need of help, we encourage you to seek assistance. A good resource to start to find a local therapist is at https://www.therapyden.com/
For more information on the Toddler Life Skills course, please visit https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/toddler-life-skills
Thank you and Happy Holidays to all of you and your loved ones! We will be back again at the start of next year with brand new episodes.
In this episode of Pinot and Parenting, we had the pleasure of speaking with filmmaker Olivier Bernier. Olivier speaks about he and his wife’s journey with their son, Emilio, from his birth through to his start of preschool. Olivier outlines the challenges they faced with the New York City public school system when their son with Down syndrome applied to pre-kindergarten. We also discuss his new film, Forget Me Not, in which he and his wife turn the camera on their family as they navigate the often segregated school system to secure an inclusive education for their son.
For more information on the Olivier Bernier and his film, please visit:
Forget Me Not | About The Film (forgetmenotdocumentary.com)
For more information on back pocket essentials, please visit:
Backpocket Essentials Toddler Parenting Course | Thriving Toddler
In this brief episode, Erin reflects on how her career as a researcher has helped her as a mom. She especially focuses on how her knowledge of attachment theory and science helped her through her daughter’s NICU experience.
For more information on Cooper please visit us on instagram @your_cooper and on-line at beta.yourcooper.com . If you are interested in joining a Cooper group please click join Cooper, where you'll fill out a brief onboarding to tell us more about yourself, your family and your parenting needs. Enter code 'ParentingUnderstood' at checkout to receive 20% off your Cooper Membership!'
We are thrilled today to discuss with Dr. Maria Gilmour a topic we often hear or read about but may not fully understand - Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Dr. Gilmour will explain what ABA is and how it is used in practice. She will also discuss with us the contrasting ways in which ABA has seen pushback and can also be viewed as accessible and flexible for parents. Finally, we hope to leave parents with key words and information to understand if you are interested in ABA.
Dr. Maria Gilmour has been professionally working with families for the past 20 years. Dr. Gilmour is an educator, author of “Seven Superpowers” and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has extensive experience consulting with parents and families, teachers, educational leaders, and school administrators in both public and non-public programs for educating children and adults with special needs. She is well known for her creative approach to cross-disciplinary collaboration.
You can learn more about Dr. Gilmour on sevensuperpowers.com or on Facebook @ sevensuperpowers
We are thrilled today to discuss with Dr. Maria Gilmour a topic we often hear or read about but may not fully understand - Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Dr. Gilmour will explain what ABA is and how it is used in practice. She will also discuss with us the contrasting ways in which ABA has seen pushback and can also be viewed as accessible and flexible for parents. Finally, we hope to leave parents with key words and information to understand if you are interested in ABA.
Dr. Maria Gilmour has been professionally working with families for the past 20 years. Dr. Gilmour is an educator, author of “Seven Superpowers” and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has extensive experience consulting with parents and families, teachers, educational leaders, and school administrators in both public and non-public programs for educating children and adults with special needs. She is well known for her creative approach to cross-disciplinary collaboration.
You can learn more about Dr. Gilmour on sevensuperpowers.com or on Facebook @ sevensuperpowers
Today we are thrilled to be joined by Katie Lear who is a counselor, play therapist, and drama therapist who combines research-based coping skills with creative play to help tween girls live better lives with anxiety and OCD. Katie will speak with us how her practice during COVID and observing levels of depression due to children’s lack of schooling, social life, and extra curriculars led her to form a Dungeons and Dragons group with the intent of creating relationships. We will discuss how overall gaming can be used to create socialization fulfillment for children and how screen time can be used positively. Finally, we will discuss Katie’s new book A Parent's Guide to Managing Childhood which was published in July by Adams Media and Simon & Schuster, and was recently featured in the New York Times.
Her writing and commentary on children's mental health has appeared in Parents Magazine, Business Insider, New York Times Kids, and National Geographic, as well as on websites like WebMD and Healthline. When she's not counseling, you can find her playing Dungeons & Dragons with middle schoolers through her sister business, Young Dragonslayers.
You can find more about Katie at katielear.com and about her Dungeons & Dragons projects at youndgragonslayers.com
Today we are thrilled to be joined by Katie Lear who is a counselor, play therapist, and drama therapist who combines research-based coping skills with creative play to help tween girls live better lives with anxiety and OCD. Katie will speak with us how her practice during COVID and observing levels of depression due to children’s lack of schooling, social life, and extra curriculars led her to form a Dungeons and Dragons group with the intent of creating relationships. We will discuss how overall gaming can be used to create socialization fulfillment for children and how screen time can be used positively. Finally, we will discuss Katie’s new book A Parent's Guide to Managing Childhood which was published in July by Adams Media and Simon & Schuster, and was recently featured in the New York Times.
Her writing and commentary on children's mental health has appeared in Parents Magazine, Business Insider, New York Times Kids, and National Geographic, as well as on websites like WebMD and Healthline. When she's not counseling, you can find her playing Dungeons & Dragons with middle schoolers through her sister business, Young Dragonslayers.
You can find more about Katie at katielear.com and about her Dungeons & Dragons projects at youndgragonslayers.com
In this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Daniel Shaw to discuss his work focusing on developmental trajectories of externalizing behaviors from childhood through adulthood with an especial focus on lower income boys. We discuss how his research informed his development of and involvement with preventive interventions. We also talk about the important roles of child care, schools, and general resources, and the income disparities that exist among these factors. Further, we discuss Dr. Shaw’s most recent work involving a technique based on the motivational interview. We end with a short conversation on how work influences Dr. Shaw’s life as a parent and vice versa.
To find about more about Dr. Daniel Shaw and his work please visit:
Daniel Shaw, PhD | (pitt.edu)
For more information on Cooper please visit us on instagram @your_cooper and on-line at beta.yourcooper.com . If you are interested in joining a Cooper group please click join Cooper, where you'll fill out a brief onboarding to tell us more about yourself, your family and your parenting needs. Enter code 'ParentingUnderstood' at checkout to receive 20% off your Cooper Membership!'
In today’s episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Professor Niobe Way. Dr. Way is a Professor of Developmental Psychology, and the founder of the Project for the Advancement of Our Common Humanity, at New York University. She is also the mother of two children. Professor Way discusses social connectedness, and how parents can support their younger children and teens in building relationships with themselves and others. We delve in depth into how supporting children’s connections, friendship, and relationship is a vital component of supporting their mental health and social-emotional needs. Further, we discuss Dr Way’s research on the specific ways that certain mindsets and cultures impact boys’ and girls’ development.
For more information on Dr. Niobe Way and her lab please visit:
https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/people/niobe-way
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-crisis-connection/201809/the-crisis-connection-roots-consequences-and-solutions
https://www.tedmed.com/speakers/show?id=729990
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-crisis-connection/201912/the-cultural-roots-loneliness-and-violence
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-crisis-connection/201809/the-crisis-connection-roots-consequences-and-solutions
https://www.tedmed.com/speakers/show?id=729990
For more information on Cooper please visit us on instagram @your_cooper and on-line at beta.yourcooper.com . If you are interested in joining a Cooper group please click join Cooper, where you'll fill out a brief onboarding to tell us more about yourself, your family and your parenting needs. Enter code 'ParentingUnderstood' at checkout to receive 20% off your Cooper Membership!'
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Cara Goodwin, founder of Parenting Translator. We discuss what research tells us about the influences of child care on child development, and potential variations in child outcomes based on the type of care children receive. More specifically, we discuss what research tells us about associations between group child care and/or a consistent babysitter and children’s parental attachment relationships. We delve into more depth about the potential role of child care quality on children’s development of attachments to caregivers, as well as parents, and the evidence regarding the role of having multiple attachment figures in young children’s lives. Further, we discuss research demonstrating how parental sensitivity and satisfaction with one’s work situation relates to the parent-child attachment relationship.
For more information on Dr. Cara Goodwin and Parenting Translator please visit https://www.parentingtranslator.com/ and on instagram: @parentingtranslator
For more information on Cooper please visit us on instagram @your_cooper and on-line at beta.yourcooper.com . If you are interested in joining a Cooper group please click join Cooper, where you'll fill out a brief onboarding to tell us more about yourself, your family and your parenting needs. Enter code 'ParentingUnderstood' at checkout to receive 20% off your Cooper Membership!'
Today on an episode for Pino and Parenting, we interview Kaitlin Bishop about her children’s book, If You Ever. Kaitlin Bishop is a stay-at-home mom of two that moonlights as an author and illustrator. Her three-year-old son inspired her to write her first book If You Ever. It wasn’t until she realized how expensive hiring an illustrator was that she decided to utilize her newly found love of painting, and simply do it herself. After one year of painting, editing, and final touches, she finally completed what she set out to do: create a permanent place for the love letter to her son by self-publishing her book. Kaitlin shares with us how her creative project helped her mental health.
You can follow her on IG: @Katilinbishopillustrations
You can find her book on Amazon
To find out more about Michelle's ABC's of Toddler Behavior, you can visit thrivingtoddler.com
Today on an episode for Pino and Parenting, we interview Kaitlin Bishop about her children’s book, If You Ever. Kaitlin Bishop is a stay-at-home mom of two that moonlights as an author and illustrator. Her three-year-old son inspired her to write her first book If You Ever. It wasn’t until she realized how expensive hiring an illustrator was that she decided to utilize her newly found love of painting, and simply do it herself. After one year of painting, editing, and final touches, she finally completed what she set out to do: create a permanent place for the love letter to her son by self-publishing her book. Kaitlin shares with us how her creative project helped her mental health.
You can follow her on IG: @Katilinbishopillustrations
You can find her book on Amazon
To find out more about Michelle's ABC's of Toddler Behavior, you can visit thrivingtoddler.com
This week we are thrilled to be joined by Janette Newman, Deputy Director of the Early Childhood Center at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. Our focus is discussing what a high quality preschool experience looks like, especially at the start of the year. We pay especial attention to how classroom set-up and a play based curriculum supports children’s early self-regulation. By focusing on one example of a high quality experience, we delve into more details of how various activities in the preschool classroom support children’s concurrent and long-term development.
To learn more about Janette and Lenox Hill Community House please visit: https://www.lenoxhill.org
This week we are thrilled to be joined by Janette Newman, Deputy Director of the Early Childhood Center at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. Our focus is discussing what a high quality preschool experience looks like, especially at the start of the year. We pay especial attention to how classroom set-up and a play based curriculum supports children’s early self-regulation. By focusing on one example of a high quality experience, we delve into more details of how various activities in the preschool classroom support children’s concurrent and long-term development.
To learn more about Janette and Lenox Hill Community House please visit: https://www.lenoxhill.org
Punishment is a natural phenomenon that is poorly understood, frequently misapplied, and its applications controversial. In this week’s episode of Parenting Understood, Michelle Tangeman, LMFT, BCBA discusses the meaning of punishment and its impact on human behavior. She discusses examples of appropriate and inappropriate forms of punishment, the side effects and problems with punishment, and what factors parents need to consider before using appropriate forms of punishment.
To find out more information about Thriving Toddlers Back Pocket Essentials, visit
https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/backpocket-essentials.
Punishment is a natural phenomenon that is poorly understood, frequently misapplied, and its applications controversial. In this week’s episode of Parenting Understood, Michelle Tangeman, LMFT, BCBA discusses the meaning of punishment and its impact on human behavior. She discusses examples of appropriate and inappropriate forms of punishment, the side effects and problems with punishment, and what factors parents need to consider before using appropriate forms of punishment.
To find out more information about Thriving Toddlers Back Pocket Essentials, visit
https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/backpocket-essentials.
In this last episode of our back to school series, we speak about starting a new school from the perspectives of parent and child. We draw on our own personal experiences, as well as research in this conversation. We pay special attention to the role of social capital in the transition to a new school year. We also speak on best practices for speaking with our children about how their day went and what they have learned beyond just asking “How was school today?”.
In this last episode of our back to school series, we speak about starting a new school from the perspectives of parent and child. We draw on our own personal experiences, as well as research in this conversation. We pay special attention to the role of social capital in the transition to a new school year. We also speak on best practices for speaking with our children about how their day went and what they have learned beyond just asking “How was school today?”.
As students return to the classroom, this is our second episode in a month-long series focused on school. In this episode, we speak with Assistant Professor Lilly Padilla about multi-language learners, and the school environment. Lilly outlines research on early language development including research linking multi-language learning to development of executive function skills and early math skills. She also speaks to the limitations often seen around supporting multilingual children, especially neurodiverse children, with communication systems only in English. Further, Lilly provides information on her research examining the communication practices of nonspeaking bilingual children ages 3 to 8. We conclude our episode with a discussion on getting supports for multilingual children in schools.
For additional information on Lilly and our discussion in this podcast please visit the links below:
Links:
https://www.lillypadia.com/
https://www.colorincolorado.org/families/special-education
https://growingupbilingual.com/bilingual-articles-and-resources-for-families-and-educators/
In this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Ashleigh Collins, Dean of Academic Programs at Relay Graduate School Education. Dr. Collins discusses how to form a positive relationship with your child's teacher where you act as partners in scaffolding your child. She speaks to the special importance of keeping lines of communication open between parents and teachers, and provides ideas as to how to do this. Further, Dr. Collins speaks about the benefit of establishing connections with other parents and caregivers in your child's class. In addition, we discuss the state of education and teaching as related to the pandemic.
To learn more about Dr. Collins please visit her website and her Linkedin profile. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-collins-ph-d-07b73610
In this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Anna D. Johnson, a Provost Distinguished Associate Professor of Psychology at Georgetown University. We speak in depth this week about Anna's work and research with the Tulsa Pre-Kindergarten Program in Tulsa, Oklahoma (TULSA SEED) designed to follow children the year before they entered prekindergarten. Children just completed their third grade year. The study is designed to understand how Pre-k experiences when children are three and then four years old shape educational learning, developmental and health trajectories through elementary school. The breadth of the study using multi system, multi reporter, multi source data has allowed for the examination of mechanisms that may be responsible for associations between these early Pre-k experiences and later outcomes, which we discuss. We also speak about important findings related to teacher's experiences and how those experiences are reflected in their classroom practices. Findings indicate the need to better support teachers. We also discuss how the Tulsa's universal PreK programs result in their being used by a majority of families, and being of high quality, and the implications of this for child development and larger public policy.
To learn more about Dr. Anna D. Johnson, please visit her website: https://gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/contact/00336000014TwO9AAK/anna-johnsonn
Also please visit The Child Development and Policy Lab twitter:
https://www.cdsplab.org/ and follow them on twitter https://twitter.com/cdsplab
Today’s episode is a solo episode with Dr. Erin O’Connor, Ed.D. Erin goes over the various options when thinking about helping young children learn to use the toilet. She also shares information from her personal and research experiences around toilet learning. Further, Erin talks a bit about her transition to being Chief of Education at Cooper.
To learn more about Cooper please visit @your_cooper on instagram and sign up for more information at https://www.yourcooper.com/
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Rebecca Etkin about pediatric anxiety and other mood-related problems. Dr. Etkin is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Yale Child Study Center Anxiety & Mood Disorders Program. Dr. Etkin received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Johns Hopkins University and her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from SUNY Buffalo. She specializes in conducting research and treatment with children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. In this episode, we discuss when parents should be concerned about their child’s anxiety, why parents should use evidence-based interventions, the history of anxiety treatment in pediatrics, and her work specifically in the SPACE program.
For more information on the Sleep Game mentioned in today's episode please visit Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDQwDeKgGqg
Today's episode is a solo episode with Michelle Tangeman, LMFT, BCBA. Michelle is answering the question, "Why is it difficult to maintain your cool as a parent?" She shares information from her personal and professional experiences to give you a three-step plan to keep your cool. You can find more information about Michelle's Backpocket essentials at https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/backpocket-essentials
Today's episode is a solo episode with Michelle Tangeman, LMFT, BCBA. Michelle is answering the question, "Why is it difficult to maintain your cool as a parent?" She shares information from her personal and professional experiences to give you a three-step plan to keep your cool. You can find more information about Michelle's Backpocket essentials at https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/backpocket-essentials
In this episode of Pino and Parenting, we are pleased to chat with Britt Hawthorne. Britt
is a Black bi-racial momma, teacher, NYT bestselling author, and anti-bias and antiracist facilitator. Britt partners with caregivers, educators, and families to raise the next generation of antiracist children. In this episode, we discuss how we can be co-conspirators to actively work towards justice, the impact of white supremacy, and how colorblindness is harmful. This episode is full of practical tips for parents and educators in raising the next generation of antiracist children.
To learn more about Britt Hawthorne you can visit her website at britthawthorne.com where you can sign up for her weekly newsletter full of practical tips. You can find her book at any local book store or at your nearest library.
In this second part of Episode 50, we reflect on our exciting and educational first year of Parenting Understood. Last week, for the first part of episode 50, we aired our interview with Dr. Elnsary as we believe that her research on the importance of parental mindset defines much of what our first year has been about. In this second half, we review several of the episodes we think speak to how knowledge and experiences help us all as parents in developing a mindset based on our own and our children’s growth. In particular, we speak some about sleep, self-regulation and pre-school. But before we delve into those topics we do a quick catch-up with one another and take a breath as we head into our next 50 episodes and expand our new Youtube channel and Twitter presence @ParentingCast.
We are excited to have Dr. Mei Elansary join us for our 50th episode of Parenting Understood. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Elansary about her and colleagues’ work on parental mindset and how that impacts child development in the first year of life. Further, Dr. Elansary discusses how her and colleagues’ research indicates that the effects of parental mindset on infant brain activity varies as a function of maternal stress, and the implications of these findings. More specifically, we speak about how this research might inform interventions and parenting practices. Dr Elansary also talks about how her work has been informed by and informs her own parenting.
Dr Elansary is a pediatric specialist at Boston Medical Center. She received her medical degree from Yale University, her Masters in Philosophy from Oxford University and her undergraduate degree from The University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Elansary is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine. She is a practicing pediatrician as well as researcher.
To learn more about Dr Elansary and her work: https://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm/profile/mei-elansary/ and https://twitter.com/meielansary
To learn more about the research we address in this episode:
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2022/01/turns-out-smarter-kids-are-made-not-born/
We are thrilled to be re-airing our episode with Dr. Eric Dearing, who discusses the development of mathematical thinking and the role of the environment in children’s development of understanding of mathematical concepts. We discuss methods to bring math into everyday interactions with children, and research on the topic. We also talk about how knowledge of developmental research can inform parenting decisions and techniques.
Dr. Eric Dearing is a Professor of Applied Psychology in the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. Dr. Dearing’s work focuses on the consequences of young children’s lives outside of school on their performance in school and their overall well-being. As a member of the DREME Network, he is partnering with community organizations to better understand how families, early childhood educators, and other family-facing professionals can best support early math learning for children facing social or economic disadvantages.
For more information on Dr. Dearing, DREME, and the book, The Gardner and the Carpenter, referenced in this episode, please see below:
Gopnik, A. (2016). The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the new science of child development tells us about the relationship between parents and children.
Development and Research in Early Math Education | (stanford.edu)
Eric Dearing - Lynch School of Education and Human Development - Boston College (bc.edu)
Today we are thrilled to be re-visiting an episode in which Dr. Carolyn Strom joined us to talk about the neuroscience behind reading and literacy. As Dr. Strom notes, when we look at the brain science around reading, we're not wired for reading in the same way that we're wired for spoken language. Therefore, as we discuss, in order to learn to read, we have to help our kids wire their brains by teaching them the basics of the letters and sounds. And as Dr. Strom details there is a very specific way to teach that is aligned with what we know about how the brain organizes complex information. Dr. Strom further details evidence-based instructional methods to support reading. We also discuss the role of sound recognition in relation to dyslexia.
Dr. Strom is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Literacy at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Her work is focused on bridging the divide between scientific research and instructional practices. Currently, she is leading an initiative with early childhood educators and families called 'Cortex in the Classroom.’ This work focuses on the practical application of reading research and on the development of new instructional media for supporting early reading. Dr. Strom graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, has a Master’s degree from USC in Reading Education and a PhD from NYU.
To learn more about Dr. Strom and her research please visit:
https://carolynstrom.com/ https://twitter.com/carolyn_strom
With the start of summer, this week we revisit a former episode with Dr. Ashley Fallon in which we discuss the summer slide - in which children, at times, display some loss in skills learned in school the previous year. Dr. Fallon introduces structured and unstructured activities that can be included in your young child’s every day to help stem this potential slide.
Dr. Fallon has her PhD in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from New York University. She is currently the Director of Mansfield Children’s Center. Dr. Fallon can be reached out at ashley.fallon@nyu.edu
This week we speak with Dr. Carly Robinson on ways to help families support children around particularly meaningful moments in education. Dr. Robinson outlines some of her research that has identified common barriers to parental engagement, as well as sources of support. Also as part of our conversation, we discuss the need for transparency in research. A growing but not yet large trend is for studies to pre-register research questions prior to data collection and/or analysis. As we discuss, such practices hold promise in ensuring the dissemination of valid and complete research findings.
Dr. Robinson is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Brown University’s Annenberg Institute where she works with the National Student Support Accelerator. She is also affiliated with the Social Psychology in Education & the Environment (SPiEE) Lab at Johns Hopkins University and the Student Social Support (S3) R&D Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School. She completed her Ph.D. in Education at Harvard University. While at Harvard, she was awarded the National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship and was an IES Fellow in the Partnering in Education Research (PIER) program.
Prior to conducting educational research, Dr. Robinson worked as a New York City teacher. She received a B.A. in Psychology from Williams College and a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. .
For more information on Dr. Robinson and her research please see the links below:
Carly Robinson (carlydrobinson.com) Carly Robinson (@Carly__Robinson) / Twitter
(2) Carly Robinson | LinkedIn
Today we speak about how social media use impacts teens and preteens development and mental health. We discuss the more nuanced research on screen time with this group delving into how screen time alone does not tell the whole story, and the potential risks as well as benefits of social media. Similar to discussions we have had on other types of research, we also delve more into the role of individual differences in the impacts of social media on mood and other outcomes, and the importance of mindfulness around how social media impacts’ oneself and mental well being. Additionally, we discuss limit setting around phone usage and how to engage one’s child in the process. We also touch on Dr Nesi’s current research looking at emotional regulation and phone usage, and the role of social media in our own lives as moms.
Dr. Nesi is an Assistant Professor at Brown University, where she studies how technology use affects teenagers and how parents can help. She got her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Harvard University, and her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Her research has been funded by organizations like the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). She regularly speaks at conferences, trainings, schools, and organizations. To learn more about her please see links below.
Twitter | Google Scholar | ResearchGate | LinkedIn | Researchers@Brown | Contact Me
Today, we revisit our previous Episode 20 with Professor Emily Oster in honor of her being named one of Time’s most influential people of 2022. We are so thrilled that Emily is receiving recognition for her important work supporting parents by providing them with information on valid research, evidence based practices and economics-driven decision making.
In this episode, we speak with Emily about the impetus for her third book, The Family Firm, in which she discusses how to use data driven approaches to parenting school age children. With school age children, at times, there is not as much research available to drive parenting decisions. This can make some of us less at ease as we want to turn to the research for advice on best practices. Emily though lays out a four F framework in terms of thinking about when faced with parenting decisions related to your older school children how you can make thoughtful decisions in the face of what is often very limited data. In our discussion, we delve more into the importance of realistic options and, at times, reconsidering decisions that we have made. Additionally, we discuss the role of values in decision making around parenting.
Emily is a Professor of Economics at Brown University and the author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm. She holds a PhD in Economics from Harvard. Prior to being at Brown she was on the faculty at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Emily’s academic work focuses on health economics and statistical methods. She is interested in understanding why consumers do not always make “rational” health choices — why do people not eat a fully healthy diet, or pursue all recommended preventative health behaviors? Her work also concerns methods for learning causal effects from observational data.
You can find more information on Emily Oster, her books and research, and join her bi-weekly mailing list at emilyoster.net. You can also connect with Emily via Twitter and Instagram @ProfEmilyOster
In this episode, we speak with author Nefertiti Austin about her journey to motherhood as a resource and adoptive parent, and how this journey is reflected in her first non-fiction book, Motherhood So White. As Nefertiti discusses, her experience as a Black, single by choice woman was not reflected in parenting books and other resources. This lack of representation inspired her to add her voice and experience to the literature. Nefertiti also talks about the emotional space of black mothers who face heightened concerns regarding their children’s safety due to race. Lastly, we speak with Nefertiti about her upcoming book around raising neuro diverse children of color.
Nefertiti is an artist and author. In her first non-fiction book, Motherhood So White: A memoir of race, gender and parenting in America Nefertiti writes about the erasure of diverse voices in motherhood. Her work around this topic has appeared in many publications including the "New York Times", "Washington Post", “Huffington Post”, "MUTHA", and “Gen Medium”. Nefertiti is the adoptive mother of two children and lives in Los Angeles, CA.
To learn more about Nefertiti Austin and her writings visit Nefertiti Austin
To learn more about the Back Pocket Essentials, visit: https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/backpocket-essentials
In this episode, we are excited to be joined by Dr. Cara Goodwin, founder of Parenting Translator. We discuss the role of research in information available to parents on parenting and child development. We focus on several important themes present in social media regarding parenting, including a one size fits all approach to parenting, attachment and behavior theory and reward systems. We also discuss the importance of realistic expectations for parents. Dr. Cara Goodwin has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of Virginia, a Master’s in Developmental Psychiatry from Cambridge University, a Master’s in Child Psychology from Vanderbilt University, and a PhD in Child Psychology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed an APA accredited clinical psychology internship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University. She is currently licensed as a clinical psychologist in the state of Virginia.
You can learn more about Dr. Goodwin and her work at: Parenting Translator
If you are raising a Toddler and you’d like to learn more about Back Pocket Essentials, visit ThrivingToddler.com.
Today we are thrilled to be joined by the Childhood Collective. We speak about skills that support children with ADHD, and the importance of providing children with ADHD and their parents information on the neurological underpinnings of ADHD. We also discuss in more depth what an evaluation for ADHD may entail, and the role of schools in supporting children with ADHD and their parents.
The Childhood Collective was founded by two child psychologists (Lori Long, Ph.D. and Mallory Yee, Ph.D.) and a speech language pathologist (Katie Severson, M.S., CCC-SLP). Lori, Mallory and Katie are three moms who are dedicated to supporting parents of children with ADHD. With over 40 years of combined professional experience, they empower parents by teaching science-backed strategies to raise happy and confident children!
To learn more about the resources and supports available from the Childhood Collective visit:
https://thechildhoodcollective.com
@thechildhoodcollective
We are delighted today to be joined by Dr. Dale Farran and to discuss the results from a recent study of hers and colleagues, which has followed for over a decade 2,990 low-income children in Tennessee who applied to free, public prekindergarten programs. Some of the children were admitted by lottery, and the others were not, creating a “real world” randomized, controlled trial, which is the gold standard in science to show causality. Recent results show that children enrolled in the public pre-k were scoring lower than their peers in the control group on state tests of Math, English and Science in sixth grade. Furthermore, at sixth grade, they were more likely to have experienced an expulsion or suspension than their peers not enrolled in a public pre-k. But as we discuss there is much nuance and complexity to this research that must be considered when considering the results and how they can inform policy and practice.
Dr. Dale Farran is an Emerita Professor at Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Farran has been involved in research and intervention for high-risk children and youth for all of her professional career. She has conducted research at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., and the Kamehameha Schools Early Education Project in Hawaii. Dr. Farran is the editor of two books dealing with risk and poverty, the author of more than 90 journal articles and book chapters, and a regular presenter at national conferences. Her recent research emphasis is on evaluating the effectiveness of alternative preschool curricula for preparing children from low-income families to transition successfully to school and longitudinal follow up for long term effects. Currently she is directing an evaluation of the State of Tennessee’s prekindergarten program. Most recently, she has been involved in identifying early childhood classroom practices most facilitative of children’s outcomes, including coaching tools to improve practice.
You can learn more about Dr. Farran and her work at:
https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/bio/dale-farran
To learn more about the Parenting Understood email series on Pre-School please be sure to visit and join our mailing list at: https://parentingunderstood.com/
We are thrilled today to be joined for the second of our two part episode with Dr. Jenna Elgin and Dr. Shanna Alvarez of Helping Families Thrive to continue our discussion of attachment and social learning. We also explore how parents can shift through information found on social media and Instagram to make best judgments for themselves and their families.
For more information on Dr. Elgin and Dr. Alvarez, please visit their website: https://helpingfamiliesthrive.com/ and their Instagram account @helpingfamiliesthrive
We are thrilled today to be joined for the first of a two part episode with Dr. Jenna Elgin and Dr. Shanna Alvarez of Helping Families Thrive to discuss attachment theory and science. There is a lot of information (often contradicting) regarding attachment that leads parents to feel confused, conflicted, or even guilty in their parenting styles. Dr. Elgin and Dr. Alvarez will speak with us on how to shift through all this information.
For more information on Dr. Elgin and Dr. Alvarez, please visit their website: https://helpingfamiliesthrive.com/ and their Instagram account @helpingfamiliesthrive
For more information on Thriving Toddler’s Backpocket Essentials program, please visit:
https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/backpocket-essentials
Today we are excited to be joined by Emma Hubbard to speak with us on ways to create and foster play with infants. We will discover how understanding what play looks like, especially in the early months, can be beneficial in the development of children.
Pediatric Occupational Therapist and mum to a whip-smart 5 year old and a very cheeky little 3 year old, Emma is the Founder of Brightest Beginning, which provides online courses and resources for parents. She is also the creator of the Youtube channel Emma Hubbard, which is a free resource for new parents, where Emma shares all the tips and tricks she has learnt practicing as a pediatric occupational therapist, including how to help your little one to roll over, how to introduce solids, newborn sleep plus lots more.
You can learn more about Emma by visiting her pagel https://brightestbeginning.com/about/
You can also follow Emma on Instagram @brightest.beginning, Youtube Channel: Emma Hubbard
For more information on Thriving Toddler’s Playing with Intention program, please visit:
https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/playing-with-intention
Today we continue with part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Jeanne Donaldson. We will continue to discuss using token economies with children to help them establish positive behaviors. Today’s focus will be on the types of rewards/tokens that can be used, pricing strategies, selecting backups and using variety, troubleshooting common problems with token economies, implementing savings, and discussing taking away tokens as a form of punishment. Dr. Jeanne Donaldson earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Her research focuses on solving issues common in early childhood and assessing child and adult interventions.
Some key tokens mentioned include:
Passes/privileges
- TV show/video game time
- Extra book/chapter at bedtime
- Outings – library, park, children’s museum
- Sleepover
- Parent cleans my room
- Breakfast for dinner
- Dance party
- Pick the restaurant
- Stay up late
Tangible items
- School/office supplies
- Art supplies
- Craft items
- Stickers
- Scented lip balm
- Books
- Bubbles
- Squishy toys
- Glow sticks/bracelets
- Clothing
- Holiday-themed and seasonal items
To learn more or contact Dr. Donaldson, you can reach out to her via email at jdonaldson@lsu.edu.
For more information on Thriving Toddler’s Backpocket Essentials program, please visit:
https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/backpocket-essentials
In today’s first of two episodes with Dr. Jeanne Donaldson, we discuss using token economies with children to help them establish positive behaviors. Dr. Donaldson defines what a reward/token economy is and how the functions of a reward system can be used, as well as how to avoid misusing them.
Dr. Jeanne Donaldson earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Her research focuses on solving issues common in early childhood and assessing child and adult interventions.
To learn more or contact Dr. Donaldson, you can reach out to her via email at jdonaldson@lsu.edu.
We are thrilled to have Dr. Dana Charles McCoy join us again on Parenting Understood. In this episode, Dr. McCoy speaks with us about her recent research on the impacts of COVID on child development (emotional, social, and learning). In particular, she summarizes her and colleagues’ research focused on forecasting the long term consequences of closing early childhood centers on children’s development with special attention to children in low and middle income countries.
Dr. McCoy is an Associate Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). Her work focuses on understanding the ways that poverty-related risk factors in children's home, school, and neighborhood environments affect the their cognitive and socioemotional development in early childhood. Her research looks at both domestic and international contexts.
To learn more about Dana and her research, please visit:
https://seed.gse.harvard.edu/ or you can reach out to her via Twitter @DanaCMcCoy or
dana_mccoy@gse.harvard.edu
In today’s episode, we are excited to be joined by Melinda Wenner Moyer. Melinda Wenner Moyer is a contributing editor at Scientific American magazine and a regular contributor to The New York Times, Washington Post, and other national magazines and newspapers. She is a faculty member in the Science, Health & Environmental Reporting program at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. Her first book, How To Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes, was published in July 2021 by J.P. Putnam’s Sons.
We speak with Melinda on her research, publications, and being a mother. We also discuss how she and other journalists can help parents wade through the large amounts of data and information on parenting and child development that is now available.
You can learn more about Melinda and her research, as well as order her book and subscribe to her newsletter at melindawennermoyer.com.
Today we are thrilled to be joined by Joan Nguyen for an episode of Pinot and Parenting to speak with us regarding Bümo. Bümo Work offers co-working space on site with licensed child care and Bümo Brain provides online live classes for children 7 and under.
Joan is the co-founder and CEO of Bümo. Raised by refugee parents, Nguyen spent much of her childhood living in poverty. Her father finished 7th grade; and her mother, high school — as a result, she was raised with the understanding that education was not only important, but also a privilege that she needed to wholeheartedly pursue. With a budding passion for education and learning, Nguyen started MeriEducation, an INC5000 company, at 20 years old with $3,000 she saved, giving educational services ranging from SAT preparation to academic tutoring.
As a mother of two toddlers, Nguyen co-founded with Chriselle Lim with the mission of changing the landscape of virtual early childhood education as a robust resource for parents and children who desire to learn through exploration, imagination, innovation, and creativity.
You can learn more about Joan and Bümo at:
https://www.bumowork.com/
https://bumobrain.com/
You can follow Bümo and Joan on Instagram @bumoparent and @joan.bumo
Today we are excited to be joined by Dr. Jason Kahn, Chief Science Officer and co-founder of “Mightier”, a biofeedback gaming system that helps children age 6 and older build emotional coping skills. He combines his expertise in developmental psychology and mental health to create video games that help children build emotional strength: the ability to harness their emotions to overcome behavioral challenges. Dr. Kahn also holds appointments at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he creates and researches new technology addressing acute problems in pediatric mental health.
Dr. Kahn will explain to us what “Mightier” is and how children can use “Mightier” to build their own emotional strength through video games!
You can learn more about Dr. Kahn and “Mightier” by visiting their website https://www.mightier.com/scientific-overview/ and by following their Instagram and Twitter @bemightier
Today we are excited to be joined by Dr. Megan Aclan. Dr. Aclan is an adjunct faculty member within the graduate program of Applied Behavioral Analysis at USC. Her career experience is focused on both the individual and business level. At the individual level, Dr. Aclan works in the areas of feeding/eating disorders, anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and addiction. In this episode, Dr. Aclan will describe what feeding issues look like, how environments can impact feeding disorders, and what intervention approaches have been used to support families. We hope after this episode you can have some useful techniques for creating healthier eating habits with your children!
You can find more information about Dr. Aclan at aclan@usc.edu
Today we are excited to be joined by Eve Rodsky, a mom of 3, an attorney, an activist, and NY Times Best Seller Author of “Fair Play” and new book “Find Your Unicorn Space.” We will discuss with Eve what is a “Unicorn Space” and what we can do to help discover this space for themselves. We hope this episode will help our listeners reclaim their creativity and avoid the traps that are preventing it from occurring. You can learn more about Eve Rodsky and purchase “Find Your Unicorn Space” at her website: https://www.everodsky.com/ and by following her on Instagram @everodsky
We are thrilled to be back with our first new episode of 2022! Today, we will be interviewing Dr. Eric Dearing a Professor of Applied Psychology in the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. Dr. Dearing’s work focuses on the consequences of young children’s lives outside of school on their performance in school and their overall well-being. As a member of the DREME Network, he is partnering with community organizations to better understand how families, early childhood educators, and other family-facing professionals can best support early math learning for children facing social or economic disadvantages. In this episode, we discuss methods to bring math into everyday interactions with children, and research on the topic. We also talk about how knowledge of developmental research can inform parenting decisions and techniques.
For more information on Dr. Dearing, DREME, and the book, The Gardner and the Carpenter, referenced in this episode, please see below:
Gopnik, A. (2016). The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the new science of child development tells us about the relationship between parents and children.
Development and Research in Early Mathematics Education | (dreme.stanford.edu)
Eric Dearing - Lynch School of Education and Human Development - Boston College (bc.edu)
Today, we will go back to episode 16 in which we speak with Ria Simon on the best things to do and not do for building strong relationships with your children’s teachers. With the start of the second half of the school year, this is a great time to start utilizing these techniques and suggestions to create stronger relationships with your children’s educators. On today’s Pinot and Parenting, we are thrilled to have with us Ria Simon, a community ambassador from HiMamam and a former educator in elementary schools.. Ria will be talking with us about the importance of building strong parent/teacher relationships and different methods and strategies that you can use to foster strong bonds with your children’s teachers or for educators how to best interact with your student’s parents. We will examine how to speak about difficult conversations and how to create engaging conversations without being overbearing.
To learn more about Ria Simon and HiMama, please check out himama.com and The Preschool Podcast
Today, we go back to episode 14 to visit the controversial topic of corporal punishment. Our guest Jorge Cuartas will discuss some of the negative consequences that can be associated with corporal punishment. We hope you enjoy and we will be back soon with new episodes!
Today we are excited to be joined by Jorge Cuartas. Jorge is a PhD candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and co-author of Corporal Punishment and Elevated Neural Response to Threat in Children. He researches the negative impacts of violence including harsh discipline as it impacts children. He recently addressed the House of Representatives in Colombia as they consider a federal ban on corporal punishment.
In one study, nearly half of parents interviewed were found to have spanked their children with one third having done so in the last week. Jorge will discuss with us the negative and dangerous impacts of spanking and corporal punishment. While spanking is often done with the intention of creating good behavior, Jorge will present how the effects can actually be the opposite.
Today, we will go back to episode 10 in which we cover of racial socialization of children and learning to talk about race. We think this is one of the most important topics we have covered and we hope that you enjoy it.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Briggite Vittrup, department chair of Human Development, Family Studies, and Counseling at Texas Woman’s University. Dr. Vittrup’s academic and research interests include racial socialization; children's racial attitudes; child discipline; and media influences on children.
Our conversation focuses on the important topic of discussing race with your young children. While this is often an uncomfortable discussion point, Dr. Vittrup explains why it is essential to have these topics and not avoid them. Dr. Vittrup explains the do’s and don'ts of talking about race and how to use a color conscious approach for speaking with children. She also provides useful resources on ways to begin these conversations. t
Resources mentioned in episode:
Book : All the Colors We Are/Todos los colores de nuestra piel: The Story of How We Get Our Skin Color/La historia de por qué tenemos diferentes colores de piel by Katie Kissinger
Book: Something Happened in Our Town (A Child's Story About Racial Injustice) by Marianne Celano
Teachingtolerance.org
Embracerace.org
You can find more information on Dr. Vittrup at https://apps.twu.edu/my1cv/profile.aspx?type=twp&id=4pCl%2bq%2b7SWo4Rjfa%2fZ3otQ%3d%3d&dept=humandev
Today, we will go back to episode 7 in which we cover the important topic of how to utilize time outs with your children. We hope you enjoy this episode and please remember to revisit and review all our other episodes. Happy New Year!
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jeanne Donaldson on the topic of giving time outs to children. Dr. Donaldson earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Her research focuses on solving problems common in early childhood and assessing child and adult interventions. After this episode, you will understand the different aspects that go into giving a child time out, considerations on when to use the time out strategy, and easier ways to implement an effective time out!
If you are curious and want to learn more about time-out from positive reinforcement, Michelle has several free resources available on her Instagram Account @thriving.toddler.
Visit the guide section that includes seven posts on “Time Away From Positive Reinforcement.” You can also download the time-out check list here: https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/time-out-opt-in
Today, we will go back to episode 20 in which we cover the important topic of using data to make parental decisions. We think this topic is a great follow up to last week’s episode on choosing a preschool. With the start of the new year, resolutions and goals are made and this can include parenting ones. This episode will help to show how you can use data to influence these future new goals or resolutions. We hope you enjoy this episode and please remember to revisit and review all our other episodes. Happy New Year!
We are excited to be joined by Professor Emily Oster. Emily is a Professor of Economics at Brown University and the author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm. She holds a PhD in Economics from Harvard. Prior to being at Brown she was on the faculty at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Emily’s books analyze the data behind choices on parenting and pregnancy. Emily will be discussing with us her most recent book, The Family Firm, which takes a data driven approach to help parents think more deliberately about key issues in the elementary school years including sleep, school, health, extra curricular activities and more. Emily will present to us how you can immediately apply frameworks and concepts to utilize the date in your life for making best decisions for your children.
You can find more information on Emily Oster, her books and research, and join her bi-weekly mailing list at emilyoster.net. You can also connect with Emily via Twitter and Instagram @ProfEmilyOster
Today, we will go back to episode 24 in which we cover the important topic of choosing a preschool. We think the start of the new year is an excellent time to begin your research on what factors are important to you for choosing your child’s preschool. We hope you enjoy this episode and please remember to revisit and review all our other episodes. Happy Holidays!
We are thrilled to have back with us Dr. Meghan McCormick, Research Associate at MDRC and lead researcher on Boston’s Public Pre-Kindergarten Project. Dr McCormick has extensive research experience examining the roles of the home, school and neighborhood contexts on children’s development. Today Dr. McCormick will be speaking with us on the topic of preschool and how it impacts children's growth and development. Some factors we will be examining are choosing a preschool, how to determine environments that best support learning, and what is considered a “high quality” program.
You can learn more about Dr. Meghan McCormick by visiting https://www.mdrc.org/about/meghan-mccormick or by email at meghan.mcormick@mdrc.org
While we are out for the holiday break, we would like to rebroadcast some of our favorite and important episodes. Today, we will go back to episode 12 in which we cover the importance of tackling sleep problems. We hope you enjoy this episode and please remember to revisit and review all our other episodes. Happy Holidays!
In this episode, we will hear from Dr. Gregory Hanley, a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, past Associate Editor of The Behavior Analyst, and past Editor of Behavior Analysis in Practice and of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. He has published over 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters primarily focused on the assessment, treatment, and prevention of problem behavior and sleep problems, teaching strategies for developing life skills, and empirically-derived values for practitioners. Dr. Hanley currently advises doctoral candidates as a Research Professor at WNEU, serves as an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and leads FTF Behavioral, the international training and consulting group based in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Dr. Hanley will discuss the common sleep problems that most children experience and explain how behavioral intervention management and function based approaches and strategies can be successfully used to combat some of these sleep challenges.
You can find more information on Dr Hanley and his free sleep assessment tool at the link below:
https://practicalfunctionalassessment.com/ and https://ftfbc.com/
We are delighted to be joined in a two-part episode with Dr. Sarah Bren to speak on the topic of Covid, and the related stressors and anxiety that parents and children experienced throughout this pandemic. We will explore the ways that parents can cope with past and new stressors that have entered our lives, as well as, our children’s lives including navigating relationships, friendships, school, and social skills. Dr. Bren is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in psychodynamic and relationship based approaches to working with children and families. She is particularly passionate about equipping parents with tools to understand the building blocks of child development and how secure relationships form and thrive. Her work is focused on parents finding their inner confidence to respond to any parenting problems.
You can also learn more about Dr. Sarah Bren by visiting her webpage at https://drsarahbren.com/ and Instagram @drsarahbren. Our second part, where we discuss more stress resolutions, will exist on Dr. Sarah Bren’s podcast “Securely Attached”, and will air on December 14th.
Today we are excited to be joined by the mother of four boys and author of “We All Like Different Things and That's A-OK With Me!” and “Tilly Toad's Heavy Load”, Jo Dodd. Jo will speak to us regarding her journey to becoming an author, and how her children have become an inspiration and guiding force for her book series. Additionally, we will speak with Jo on ways to incorporate one’s own jobs and experiences into the lives of one’s children. Finally, we are excited to speak about Jo's soon to be available picture book for moms.
You can find Jo’s books for purchase online at livinginjotopoia.com, and you can learn more about Jo by following her on Instagram at livinginjotopia
We are pleased to be joined today by Dr. Clancy Blair. Dr. Blair is a developmental psychologist, who studies self-regulation in young children. His primary interest concerns the development of cognitive abilities, referred to as executive functions, and the ways in which these aspects of cognition are important for school readiness and early school achievement. He is also interested in the development and evaluation of preschool and elementary school curricula designed to promote executive functions as a means of preventing school failure. Prior to coming to NYU, Blair spent ten years as an Assistant and then Associate Professor in the department of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State.
Dr. Blair will be speaking with us regarding self-regulation, and the different stages that can be expected in children as they age from infants to adolescents. We will also explore the ways in which the environment can impact self-regulation, and how parents can utilize different strategies for trying to best promote positive self-regulation.
If you would like to learn more about the work of Dr. Blair, you can visit his Google Scholar page at https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=duCRaqgAAAAJ&hl=en
Today we are excited to be joined by Jessica Fuller, a board certified behavior analyst and a doctoral student working in the area of mindful parenting and education at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She recently started a school in the Dominican Republic where mindfulness practices are one of the core values taught to staff, parents, and students. Jessica will be speaking with us on the topic of mindfulness and on how parents can utilize mindfulness through three skills:
Mindful S.T.O.P - Stop, Take a breath, Observe, and Proceed
Surfing the Urge
Soles of the Feet
If you are interested in learning more Jessica Fuller or her research by following her on Instagram @jessfullerbcba
We are delighted to be joined today by Zoë Bisbing who is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in child and adolescent eating disorders, a mother of three, and co-founder of The Full Bloom Project. Zoë will be discussing with us her important work with the Full Bloom Project and how we can utilize tools to create a positive atmosphere and environment for increasing protective factors and decreasing risk factors for children and adolescents developing body and eating disorders. Through this episode we will understand how the issue of body image also can be viewed as a social justice issue that all can play a role in working to improve.
For more information on Zoë and The Full Bloom Project, please visit thefullbloomproject.com; check out The Full Bloom Project podcast available at all major streaming services; and on Instagram @fullbloomproject
Have you ever wondered if your child is too shy or if you should be concerned about your shy child? In this episode of Pinot and Parenting, we will continue to talk about temperament jumping off of last week's conversation with Dr. McClowry. You will hear about the research on shy children and our experiences growing up as those “shy children.” We also talk about goodness of fit when raising our own children and how to embrace our children’s qualities and not force a change in temperament.
As always, you can learn more about us through our Instagram pages @ScientificMommy, @thriving.toddler, and @parentingunderstood
In this episode, we discuss, with Dr. Sandee McClowry, temperament, as well as temperamental profiles and their characteristics. Through the discussion, we address how to provide an environment for children that is a good fit for them based on their temperamental needs. We also discuss how understanding temperament explains why a one size approach does not work when it comes to parenting. Temperament influences how we approach the world, and our interactions with others and situations. By supporting our children based on their temperament, we can best provide for them.
Sandee McClowry, PhD, RN, FAAN is the developer of INSIGHTS into Children’s Temperament, an evidenced-based social-emotional learning program. INSIGHTS provides parents and teachers with effective, yet, practical behavioral strategies, tailored to children’s different personality styles. The strategies have demonstrated that they improve children’s social- emotional skills. A classroom version is also available for the primary grades.
Now Professor Emerita from New York University, Dr. McClowry devotes her time to conducting national and international professional development workshops and does private practice with online sessions with children and parents. Dr. McClowry has written three books that explain the strategies used in INSIGHTS, including Temperament-based Elementary Classroom Management as well as co-authoring many professional manuscripts in a variety of multi-disciplinary journals.
Citations:
Book:
Your Child"s Unique Temperament: Strategies for Responsive Parenting
O’Connor, E.E., Cappella, E., McCormick, M.P & McClowry, S.G. (2014). An examination of the efficacy of INSIGHTS in enhancing the academic and behavioral development of children in early grades. Journal of Educational Psychology, 106(4), 1156-1169. doi: 10.1037/a0036615
McCormick, M.P., O’Connor, E.E., Cappella, E., & McClowry, S.G. (2015). Getting a good start in school: Effects of INSIGHTS on children with high maintenance temperament. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 30(A), 128-139. doi: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2014.10.006
O’Connor, E.E., Cappella, E., McCormick, M.P & McClowry, S.G. (2014). Enhancing the academic development of shy children: A test of the efficacy of INSIGHTS. School Psychology Review, 43(3), 239-259.
We are thrilled to have back with us Dr. Meghan McCormick, Research Associate at MDRC and lead researcher on Boston’s Public Pre-Kindergarten Project. Dr. McCormick has extensive research experience examining the roles of the home, school and neighborhood contexts on children’s development. Today Dr. McCormick will be speaking with us on the topic of preschool and how it impacts children's growth and development. Some factors we will be examining are choosing a preschool, how to determine environments that best support learning, and what is considered a “high quality” program.
You can learn more about Dr. Meghan McCormick by visiting https://www.mdrc.org/about/meghan-mccormick or by email at meghan.mcormick@mdrc.org
We are excited to welcome back Dr. Jeanne Donaldson to speak with us regarding The Good Behavior Game, a research based intervention for changing behavior. After this episode, you will learn how to implement this strategy at home. We hope you will find new fun ways to work with your children on everyday behaviors and routines!
Dr. Donaldson earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Her research focuses on solving issues common in early childhood and assessing child and adult interventions.
To learn more or contact Dr. Donaldson, you can reach out via email at jdonaldson@lsu.edu
We are excited to welcome back Dr. Jeanne Donaldson to speak with us regarding The Good Behavior Game, a research based intervention for changing behavior. After this episode, you will learn how to implement this strategy at home. We hope you will find new fun ways to work with your children on everyday behaviors and routines!
Dr. Donaldson earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Her research focuses on solving issues common in early childhood and assessing child and adult interventions.
To learn more or contact Dr. Donaldson, you can reach out via email at jdonaldson@lsu.edu
Today we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Carolyn Strom. Carolyn is an early literacy expert who works with pre-school and elementary educators, families, and children to improve reading outcomes. She taught first grade in Compton, California for 8 years before becoming a reading specialist in New York City. She is currently an Assistant Professor and Program Leader in the Literacy Program at New York University.
Carolyn will be discussing with us the science behind reading and literacy in children. We as humans are not wired to read; therefore, Carolyn demonstrates the need for proper steps and lessons to develop reading in children. Our episode will showcase how reading starts with speech and oral language and the overall Importance of sound. Techniques, intervention, and resources are also presented that can be used to begin creating reading skills.
To contact and learn more about Dr. Carolyn Strom and her research, please visit https://carolynstrom.com/
Resources mentioned in today’s episode are listed here: Letter Land; How to Teach your Kid to Read in 100 Lessons; Bob Books; Alpha Blocks; Letter Factory; Reading Rockets; Science of Reading: What I wish I had learned in College
In this special episode, we talk about our lives as moms, researchers and practitioners, and how those relate to supporting our toddlers in play. Research and theory provide rich information on how to scaffold young children in independent play but what do we find happens in practice? Join us for an honest conversation on motherhood, play and supporting toddlers!
As always, you can learn more about us, Erin O’Connor and Michelle Tangeman, by following us on Instagram @ParentingUnderstood @Thriving.Toddler @ScientificMommy
We are excited to be joined by Professor Emily Oster. Emily is a Professor of Economics at Brown University and the author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm. She holds a PhD in Economics from Harvard. Prior to being at Brown she was on the faculty at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Emily’s books analyze the data behind choices on parenting and pregnancy. Emilly will be discussing with us her most recent book, The Family Firm, which takes a data driven approach to help parents think more deliberately about key issues in the elementary school years including sleep, school, health, extra curricular activities and more. Emily will present to us how you can immediately apply frameworks and concepts to utilize the date in your life for making best decisions for your children.
You can find more information on Emily Oster, her books and research, and join her bi-weekly mailing list at emilyoster.net. You can also connect with Emily via Twitter and Instagram @ProfEmilyOster
Today we are thrilled to be joined by Christine French Cully, Chief Purpose Office and Editor in Chief of Highlights Magazine and mother of two. Christine is an outspoken advocate for issues that impact children and their wellbeing. Christine has been dedicated to Highlights’ belief that children are the most important people on the planet. Christine will discuss with us her new book “Dear Highlights: What Adults Can Learn from 75 Years of Letters and Conversations with Kids.” She will discuss some of the types of letters that have been sent over the years and how this book, which has compiled letters received over the years to Highlights magazine from children, can give readers an insight into children’s hopes, fears, dreams, and aspirations.
You can learn more about Christine French Cully and Highlights at their podcast, Highlights Kids, and can purchase “Dear Highlights: What Adults Can Learn from 75 Years of Letters and Conversations with Kids” through most major booksellers.
Dr. Meltzer-Body is the Assad Meymandi Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also directs the UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders and is an executive sponsor of the UNC SOM and UNC Health Well-Being initiative. Dr. Meltzer-Brody founded the UNC Perinatal Psychiatry Program in 2004 and became Chair of the UNC Department of Psychiatry in October 2019. She investigates the epidemiologic and biological predictors of perinatal depression (PND) including genetic, neurosteroid and other neuroendocrine biomarkers as well as the impact of adverse life events. She is also the founder and lead of the Postpartum Depression Action Towards and Treatment (PACT) Consortium, and co-PI on a smartphone app (originally named PPD ACT and now rebranded as MOM GENES) that is a large scale international genetic study of PPD and postpartum.
In today’s episode, Dr. Meltzer-Brody will be discussing with us how perinatal depression, which can impact 10-15% of mothers, is defined, what are some of the signs that one should recognize as an indicator of when to reach out for help, and finally what are some of the best treatments for perinatal depression, postpartum depression, and anxiety. Dr. Meltzer-Brody will also talk about how her smartphone app, MOM GENES, has been used to generate evidence-based research on postpartum and how to identify genetic risk factors for women who may develop postpartum depression.
You can learn more about Dr. Meltzer-Brody and her research at https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/directory/samantha-meltzer-brody/ and https://www.momgenesfightppd.org/
We are thrilled to be joined today by Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang. Dr. Immordino-Yang studies the psychological and neurobiological bases of social emotion, self-awareness and culture and their implications for learning, development and schools. She is a Professor of Education at the USC Rossier School of Education, a Professor of Psychology at the Brain and Creativity Institute, a member of the Neuroscience Graduate Program Faculty at the University of Southern California, and Director of the USC Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education (CANDLE). She is currently PI for a school-based intervention study of the role of students’ social-emotional competencies in academic success and a PI on a study of the neural and psychosocial correlates of mindsets in low-SES adolescents from two cultural groups. Dr. Immordino-Yang also serves as scientific adviser to several Los Angeles schools/districts and is a mother of two!
Dr. Immordino-Yang will be discussing with us an often overlooked topic in parenting: understanding neuroscience to recognize how it impacts children’s psychological development. She will demonstrate how a child’s culture and emotions and feelings can shape the brain and our behaviors. We will also explore how a children’s ability to understand meaning can impact how children view the world. Getting a grasp of these concepts can help parents be able to understand how to connect with their children and be able to better relate to children’s mindsets.
You can learn more about Dr. Immordino-Yang and her research at candle.usc.edu
On today’s Pinot and Parenting, we are thrilled to have with us Ria Simon, a community ambassador from HiMama and a former educator in elementary schools. Ria will be talking with us about the importance of building strong parent/teacher relationships and different methods and strategies that you can use to foster strong bonds with your children’s teachers or for educators how to best interact with your student’s parents. We will examine how to speak about difficult conversations and how to create engaging conversations without being overbearing.
To learn more about Ria Simon and HiMama, please check out himama.com and The Preschool Podcast
Today we are excited to be joined by Dr. Jonathan Zimmeman. Dr. Zimmerman is a historian of Education and Professor of Education at the University of Pennsylvania who has spent much of his career examining how education practices and policies have developed over time. He has a special interest in how social and political movements come to shape education. Dr. Zimmerman previously taught for 20 years at NYU Steinhardt and is currently the Judy and Howard Berkowitz Professor in Education at University of Pennsylvania. In addition to his role in academics, Dr. Zimmerman is a proud father of two girls.
Dr. Zimmerman will discuss with us his research on how the history of the “Little Red School House” and the early foundations of education have come to shape education today. We will showcase how understanding the history of schooling and its role in family and community are crucial to analyzing where we are today and what the future holds for education and our children.
You can learn more about Dr. Zimmerman and his work at the following link:
https://www.gse.upenn.edu/academics/faculty-directory/zimmerman
Today we are excited to be joined by Jorge Cuartas. Jorge is a PhD candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and co-author of Corporal Punishment and Elevated Neural Response to Threat in Children. He researches the negative impacts of violence including harsh discipline as it impacts children. He recently addressed the House of Representatives in Colombia as they considered a federal ban on corporal punishment.
Jorge will discuss with us why spanking continues to be prevalent amongst parents across the world. Furthermore, he will explain how his research has demonstrated the negative and dangerous impacts of spanking and corporal punishment. While spanking is often done with the intention of creating good behavior, Jorge will present how the effects can actually be the opposite.
Today we are excited to be joined by Dr. Tyler Watts. Dr. Watts is an Assistant Professor of Developmental Psychology in the Department of Human Development at Teachers College, Columbia University. He studies educational policies designed to promote the cognitive and socio-emotional development of children from underserved communities. He worked as a Research Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Scholar at New York University, and received his Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Irvine.
Dr. Watts will discuss his study of revisiting the famous delayed gratification experiment known as the “Marshmallow Test” and will explain how his discoveries shed new light on what we know about delayed gratification as it relates to long-term behavior and personality. We will see how delayed gratification alone does not determine child wellbeing, but there are many other factors that must be accounted for in a holistic approach to predicting outcomes.
To learn more about Dr. Watts and his research, please check out his website at: https://tylerwatts.org/
In this episode, we will hear from Dr. Gregory Hanley, a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, past Associate Editor of The Behavior Analyst, and past Editor of Behavior Analysis in Practice and of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. Hanley currently advises doctoral candidates as a Research Professor at WNEU, serves as an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and leads FTF Behavioral, the international training and consulting group based in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is primarily focused on the assessment, treatment, and prevention of problem behavior and sleep problems, teaching strategies for developing life skills, and empirically-derived values for practitioners.
Dr. Hanley will discuss the common sleep problems that most children experience and explain how behavioral intervention management and function based approaches and strategies can be successfully used to combat some of these sleep challenges.
You can find more information on Dr Hanley and his free sleep assessment tool at the link below:
https://practicalfunctionalassessment.com/ and https://ftfbc.com/
In this episode, we are excited to speak with Dr. Melissa Goldstein, a pediatrician at Carnegie Hill Pediatrics. Along with her practice and research in pediatrics, Dr. Goldstein dedicates much of her time to helping families navigate the steps to adoption, practicing adoption medicine and offering pre-adoption medical counseling.
Dr. Goldstein speaks with us regarding the adoption process domestically and looking at the research and resources that support the best practices for navigating adoption. After this episode, we hope you will be able to begin to understand what to expect with the adoption process whether or not adoption may be in your future.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Brigitte Vittrup, Department Chair of Human Development, Family Studies, and Counseling at Texas Woman’s University. Dr. Vittrup’s academic and research interests include racial socialization; children's racial attitudes; child discipline; and media influences on children.
Our conversation focuses on the important topic of discussing race with your young children. While this is often an uncomfortable discussion point, Dr. Vittrup explains why it is essential to have these topics and not avoid them. Dr. Vittrup explains the do’s and don'ts of talking about race and how to use a color conscious approach for speaking with children. She also provides useful resources on ways to begin these conversations.
Resources mentioned in episode:
Book : All the Colors We Are/Todos los colores de nuestra piel: The Story of How We Get Our Skin Color/La historia de por qué tenemos diferentes colores de piel by Katie Kissinger
Book: Something Happened in Our Town (A Child's Story About Racial Injustice) by Marianne Celano
Teachingtolerance.org
Embracerace.org
You can find more information on Dr. Vittrup at https://apps.twu.edu/my1cv/profile.aspx?type=twp&id=4pCl%2bq%2b7SWo4Rjfa%2fZ3otQ%3d%3d&dept=humandev
Dana Charles McCoy is an assistant professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). Her work focuses on understanding the ways that poverty-related risk factors in children's home, school, and neighborhood environments affect the development of their cognitive and socioemotional skills in early childhood. Her research looks at both domestic and international contexts.
Dr. McCoy will speak to us about her work developing The Caregiver Reported Early Development Index (CREDI) and how it is used to measure population-level development for children under age 3 as an easy, cost-effective, and culturally-neutral way of gathering data. CREDI helps to identify basic, universal that can be seen and measured taking into account cultural considerations. This has been especially helpful as other forms of assessment continue to be outdated or only viewed through one cultural lens. We hope that this episode will help you to see that just because values are different amongst groups doesn't mean they are wrong!
To learn more about Dr. McCoy’s research, please visit https://seed.gse.harvard.edu/
Welcome to the first episode of the Parenting Understood series known as Pinot and Parenting. These episodes will focus less on research and more on experience. So much goes into parenting and we are excited to often talk about the amazing research and evidence based practices that focus on supporting our children and ourselves. However, we have found that experiences, parenting, teaching and counseling are also vital resources that can be uplifting, funny, and challenging.
In our inaugural episode, we are excited to feature Caitlin Murray of Big Time Adulting who will share her experiences as a mother and how to use everyday family comedy to help handle the good and the bads of life.
You can follow Caitilin Murray @bigtimeadulting
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jeanne Donaldson on the topic of giving time outs to children. Dr. Donaldson earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Her research focuses on solving problems common in early childhood and assessing child and adult interventions. After this episode, you will understand the different aspects that go into giving a child time out, considerations on when to use the time out strategy, and easier ways to implement an effective time out!
If you are curious and want to learn more about time-out from positive reinforcement, Michelle has several free resources available on her Instagram Account @thriving.toddler.
Visit the guide section that includes seven posts on “Time Away From Positive Reinforcement.” You can also download the time-out check list here: https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/time-out-opt-in
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Ashley Fallon, PhD in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from New York University and Director of Mansfield Children’s Center, regarding how to produce summer activities for our children when we are all out of ideas. Dr. Fallon will demonstrate ways to introduce structured and unstructured learning into the summer days to combat “The Summer Slide.” After this episode, you will have easy, fun ways to add learning into children’s and parent’s daily schedules!
For any questions or more information regarding this episode, you can reach out to Dr. Fallon at ashley.fallon@nyu.edu
In this episode, we speak with Pediatrician, Author, Speaker, and Mama Mindset Coach, Dr. Whitney Casares of Modern Mommy Doc about her new book The Working Mom Blueprint that illustrates techniques and research regarding how to become well-centered and present parents. Dr. Whitney speaks on the importance of self-care especially for working moms who are constantly combating stress, juggling tasks, and managing guilt. We will showcase that when moms thrive, kids thrive!
You can find Dr. Whitney on Instagram @modernmommydoc and at https://www.modernmommydoc.com/
You can order Dr. Whitney’s book, The Working Mom Blueprint and The New Baby Blueprint: Caring for You and Your Little One, at: https://www.modernmommydoc.com/books
In this episode, we speak with Dr Meghan McCormick, Research Associate at MDRC and lead researcher on Boston’s Public Pre-Kindergarten Project. Dr McCormick has extensive research experience examining the roles of the home, school and neighborhood contexts on children’s development. Today she focuses on “constrained” vs “unconstrained” activities in which young children are involved at home and school, and the benefits of unconstrained activities. We also get into a great conversation with Meghan on how to choose a good preschool for your children.
You can find Dr Meghan McCormick on Twitter @meghan_mccorm and https://www.mdrc.org/about/meghan-mccormick
McCormick, M., Weiland, C., Hsueh, J., Pralica, M., Weissman, A. K., Moffett, L., Snow, C., & Sachs, J. (2021). Is skill type the key to the prek fadeout puzzle? Differential associations between enrollment in pre k and constrained and unconstrained skills across kindergarten. Child Development, 1-22.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Natalie Brito, an Associate Professor at New York University, about the early development of self-regulation. Dr Brito is a developmental psychologist who examines how early social and cultural contexts shape the trajectory of neurocognitive development. In this discussion, Dr Brito discusses how the development of regulation in young children is intricately related to the supports they receive from caregivers, and ways that we as parents can support their development of these skills. She also addresses what are realistic expectations for self-expectation at different stages in development.
You can find Dr Natalie Brito on instagram at @britobabylab , https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/people/natalie-h-brito
Brito, N.H., Greaves, A., Leon-Santos, A., Fifier, W.P. & Noble, K.G. (2020). Associations between Bilingualism and Memory Generalization During Infancy: Does Socioeconomic Status Matter:Bilingualism; Language & Cognition.
Brito, N.H., Elliott, A.J., Isler, J.R., Rodriguez, C., Friedrich, C,. Schuffrey, L/. & Fifier, W.P. (2019). Neonatal EEG as a Biomarker for Later Neurodevelopmental Disorder Risk during Toddlerhood. Developmental Psychobiology.
In this episode, Michelle and Erin discuss rigorous quantitative research examining short and long term effects of early child care on children’s social and cognitive development. In our discussion, we delve into depth on the National Institutes of Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development and their methods and findings. Early Care and Education can be a stressful topic for parents but high quality research allows us to identify the many positives to high quality care and educational experiences for children and parents.
A comprehensive overview of the NICHD SECCYD study can be found out:
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/research/supported/seccyd/overview
NICHD Early Child Care Research Network. (2004b). Type of child care and children’s development at 54 months. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 19, 203 – 230.
Welcome to Parenting Understood! A collaboration between a practitioner, Michelle Tangeman, and researcher, Erin O’Connor, which provides research and objective, evidence based information on parenting and child development allowing parents to become critical consumers of the plethora of information in media outlets. Each week we will delve into a central topic in parenting.
Please follow Michelle @thrivingtoddler and Erin @scientificmommy.