Shows
Talking ToddlersWhy Some Kids Cooperate - And Others Struggle Ep 143Are calm, cooperative kids just born that way?Recently, there’s been growing conversation around Japanese parenting - how children there seem more respectful, more self-disciplined, and more socially aware.But is it cultural magic?Or is it development?In this episode of Talking Toddlers, we walk through seven parenting principles often associated with Japanese culture - and translate them through the lens of brain development, attachment research, language growth, and nervous system regulation.You’ll learn:• Why attachment must come before independence • Why modeling works better th...
2026-02-1740 minTalking ToddlersWhen Your Gut Keeps Whispering “Pay Attention” Ep 142Sometimes it’s not a loud concern.It’s not panic.It’s just a quiet feeling you can’t shake.A whisper that says: pay attention.If your baby or toddler isn’t talking the way you expected — and you’ve been told not to worry, to relax, or that they’ll “catch up” — this episode is for you.Not to scare you.Not to rush you.And not to tell you that something is “wrong.”But to help you understand why that inner nudge matters — and how earl...
2026-02-1054 minTalking ToddlersWhy Your Toddler Isn’t Listening Yet (And What Actually Builds It) Ep 141If you’ve ever wondered “Why won’t my toddler listen?” — this episode is for you.Many parents assume listening is a behavior problem.But developmentally, listening is a brain skill — one that takes time, guidance, and the right conditions to grow.In this episode, Erin Hyer — a speech-language pathologist with over 35 years of early intervention and real-life experience — explains why toddlers often can’t listen yet, even when they seem capable in other ways. And why yelling, repeating, or getting firmer usually backfires.You’ll learn:Why listening is not...
2026-02-0357 minTalking ToddlersWhy Some Toddlers Struggle to Talk (And What Actualy Helps) Ep 140If your toddler isn’t talking much yet, you may feel pressure to do more -talk more, label more, teach more.But after 35 years in early intervention, I’ve learned something important:speech doesn’t grow from more words.It grows from slow moments, shared attention, movement, and being included in everyday life.In this episode, I walk you through 5 common patterns I see over and over again when language is slow to emerge - not to create fear or blame, but to help you see what’s been hid...
2026-01-2756 minTalking ToddlersYou’re Not Behind (Yet) — This Matters More Than Words Ep 139If your toddler isn’t talking much yet, this episode is for you.Many parents worry about words — how many, how clear, how often. But long before speech shows up reliably, something else is being built underneath.In this episode, Erin Hyer — speech-language pathologist with over 35 years of experience — explains what actually matters before words take off, and why so many well-intentioned parents miss it in today’s busy, overstimulating world.You’ll learn:Why talking and understanding develop together — but don’t always show up evenlyWhat’s really happening in your child’s brain when...
2026-01-2026 minTalking ToddlersWhy Asking “What’s This?” Often Backfires With Late Talkers Ep 138If your toddler isn’t talking much yet, you may have found yourself asking, “What’s this?” — hoping to hear a word.But for many late talkers, that well-intentioned question quietly shuts things down.In this episode, Erin Hyer — speech-language pathologist with over 35 years of clinical and real-life experience — explains why asking for words too early can work against development, and what actually helps toddlers feel ready to communicate.You’ll learn:Why silence doesn’t mean your child won’t talk — just that the foundations are still formingThe difference between 'testing' and ...
2026-01-1338 minTalking ToddlersWhy Parenting Feels Harder Than You Thought (And What Actually Helps) Ep 137Many parents enter early parenthood expecting exhaustion — but not the constant feeling of being on edge, unsure, or reactive, even when they’re trying their best.In this episode of Talking Toddlers, we take a step back from tips and tactics and look at what often gets missed in conversations about parenting young children: where we place our effort matters just as much as how much effort we give.Through real-life stories and a prevention-first lens, Erin explores how everyday rhythms — including sleep, food, play, movement, and pace — quietly shape a child’s behavior, attention, learning...
2026-01-0625 minTalking ToddlersWhat Actually Matters in the First 3 Years (35 Years of Perspective) Ep 136After more than 35 years of sitting on floors with babies and toddlers - and walking alongside thousands of mothers - I’ve learned something that still surprises people.The children who thrive in the first three years aren’t raised by parents who do everything “right.”They’re raised by adults who stay in sync — who notice, respond, and adjust in real time.In this final episode of the year, I’m not offering a checklist or another set of milestones to track. I’m sharing three anchors that have held st...
2025-12-301h 00Talking ToddlersIf Christmas Feels Like Too Much, You’re Not Doing It Wrong Ep 135If Christmas feels overwhelming - for you or your toddler - you’re not imagining it.And you’re not doing anything wrong.For babies and toddlers, the holiday season brings more noise, more stimulation, more people, more stuff, and disrupted routines - often all at once. Little nervous systems aren’t built to manage that kind of overload, even when everything looks joyful from the outside.In this episode, I explain why Christmas can feel like “too much” for young children, and how understanding early brain development can help you release guilt, lower expe...
2025-12-2329 minTalking ToddlersYour Toddler Doesn’t Need a Bigger Christmas - They Need a Calmer One Ep 134Christmas can feel heavy for moms of babies and toddlers - full of pressure, expectations, and the fear of getting it wrong.In this episode of Talking Toddlers, we talk about why a simpler, calmer Christmas is often exactly what young children need - and how choosing less can create more connection, regulation, and meaning for your family.You don’t need more information - you need clarity, support, and a simple way forward.Talking Toddlers is here to help you slow down, understand what’s developmentally normal, and focu...
2025-12-1620 minTalking ToddlersI’ve Seen Hundreds of “Late Talkers.” Here’s What All Parents Miss. Ep 133If you want your child to talk well — not just say more words — this episode will change the way you think about early communication.Because here’s the truth:Talking doesn’t just “show up” one day.It grows from the daily experiences underneath it — connection, play, movement, interaction, modeling, as well as sleep, nutrition, and healthy routines.Whether your baby is 6 months old and you want to stay ahead…or your toddler is already showing signs of delay…understanding what’s happening underneath the words is one of the best gifts you can g...
2025-12-0944 minTalking ToddlersI’ve Helped Toddlers Talk for 35 Years. If You Want Your Baby to Talk Well, Watch This. Ep 132If you want your baby or toddler to talk well — not just say more words — this episode is your starting point.Because IMITATION is the skill that comes before gestures, babbling, understanding, and eventually… real talking.Most parents overlook imitation.Many professionals gloss over it.But after 35 years helping babies and toddlers communicate, I can tell you this with absolute certainty:Toddlers learn to imitate long before they learn to talk — and imitation is one of the strongest predictors of early speech.In tod...
2025-12-0244 minTalking ToddlersThis ALWAYS Happens Before Babies Say Their First Word (Every Parent Misses This One) Ep 131The Hidden Step Before First Words (Every Parent Misses This One)If your toddler isn’t using many words yet, this episode will change the way you see early communication. Most parents—and honestly, many professionals—focus on the number of words. But talking doesn’t begin with words. It begins with the body, with connection, and with one crucial developmental step that predicts everything that comes next.In today’s episode, Erin pulls back the curtain on the hidden foundations of communication—what really happens before first words—and why this matters fo...
2025-11-2549 minTalking ToddlersWhy Toddlers Won’t Share (And Why You Can Stop Worrying) Ep 130Are you tired of feeling embarrassed when your toddler won’t share?In this episode of Talking Toddlers, Erin Hyer, speech-language pathologist and early development specialist, breaks down what’s really happening inside your child’s brain when they say “mine!”You’ll learn why true sharing isn’t developmentally possible before age 4, how playdates often set toddlers up for stress (and shame), and simple ways to build calm, language-rich moments of connection at home.Erin also reveals how early turn-taking builds the foundation for real cooperation — without guilt, begging, or over-coaching.===🌟...
2025-11-1848 minTalking ToddlersWhy Your Toddler Does That: The Real Learning Behind Climbing, Dumping & Exploring Ep 129If your toddler is constantly climbing, dumping, crawling, pulling things out of cabinets, or wandering from one “project” to another… this episode will make everything click.Between 12 and 18 months, the brain is wiring the foundations for attention, curiosity, emotional regulation, and — yes — first words. And it all happens through play.Not apps.Not fancy toys.Not early lessons.Movement. Repetition. Real-life exploration.In this episode, Erin Hyer, SLP and toddler specialist for 35+ years, breaks down:• Why play is the real work• How modern life gets in the way•...
2025-11-111h 10Talking ToddlersWhat Gets in the Way of Helping Toddlers Talk: Simple Shifts, Big Change Ep 128You already know the #1 habit that helps toddlers learn to talk — pulling them into your world and engaging them, out loud, through the rhythm of your day.But staying present isn’t always easy.In this episode, Erin Hyer, speech-language pathologist and toddler specialist, gets personal about what gets in the way — the five barriers that quietly pull parents off course — and how to find your way back with small, meaningful shifts that bring more calm, confidence, and connection.If you’re ready for real-life encouragement (not perfection), this episode will remind you that it’s...
2025-11-0441 minTalking ToddlersWhat Really Teaches Toddlers to Talk (It’s Not What You Think) Ep 127What if the best way to help your toddler talk isn’t about doing more — but noticing more?If you’ve ever wondered how to build your child’s language without feeling like you’re teaching a class, this episode will give you the clarity and calm you’ve been craving.You’ll discover: • Why connection—not correction—drives true communication • How everyday routines (yes, even laundry and grocery runs) become language lessons • A simple daily rhythm that builds confidence, calm, and conversationForget flashcards and “talk time.” Real language growth happen...
2025-10-2841 minTalking ToddlersThey Got It WRONG: The Hidden Link Between Eating and Speech Development Ep 126Everyone talks about “speech milestones,” but few realize that clear talking starts long before the first word. It begins with sucking, swallowing, mouthing, and chewing real food.In this episode, Erin Hyer — pediatric speech-language pathologist and host of Talking Toddlers — unpacks how modern feeding habits are quietly undermining children’s oral-motor development and what parents can do to course-correct with confidence.You’ll discover:Why mouthing and chewing are essential brain-building workoutsHow pouches, purees, and processed foods keep kids stuck in baby patternsThe simple, God-designed rhythm that connects eating, brea...
2025-10-2145 minTalking ToddlersSTOP Talking When Your Toddler Melts Down: Do This Instead Ep 125You’re in the grocery store. Your toddler is whining, tugging, then screaming, and finally — full-body flop in the aisle. People are watching. Your chest tightens. You start explaining, reasoning, pleading… and it just gets worse.Why?In this episode, Erin Hyer breaks down what’s actually happening inside your toddler’s brain during a meltdown — and why talking doesn’t work when their emotional system is in charge. You’ll learn how the right hemisphere, limbic system, and survival responses work together… and what to do instead to bring calm back to the moment.She shares re...
2025-10-1439 minTalking ToddlersDon't Repeat Yourself: 4 Keys to Get Your Toddler to Listen the First Time Ep 124Does your toddler ignore you when you’ve asked the same thing six times? Or do you feel that sting of embarrassment when they melt down in the store or refuse to listen at the park?Here’s the truth: your child isn’t being “bad.” They’re showing you where they are developmentally — and the good news is, you can absolutely teach them how to listen, focus, and follow through.In this episode, I’ll walk you through 4 simple, science-backed keys to getting your toddler’s attention and guiding them with confidence:...
2025-10-0727 minTalking Toddlers10 Essentials to Help Your Baby Thrive — Skip the Gear, Build Connection Ep 123Want to raise a healthy, thriving baby — without all the gadgets and overwhelm? In this episode, I’m sharing 10 powerful essentials that help your baby thrive by focusing on what truly matters: connection, rhythm, and presence.Drawing on over 35 years as a speech-language pathologist, toddler specialist, and mom, I walk you through ten simple, science-backed ways to support your baby’s development — from skin-to-skin bonding and baby-wearing to tummy time, outdoor rhythms, mindful feeding, and calm sleep.Forget the noise. Forget the pressure. Here’s what matters most — and why you are your baby’...
2025-09-3037 minTalking ToddlersReading Starts at Birth: 10 Foundations Only Parents Can Give Ep 122Most parents think reading starts with letters and phonics. But the truth is — literacy is a man-made skill, layered on top of speech and language. If your child doesn’t get the right foundations at home, they may struggle later, even in the best schools.In this episode of Talking Toddlers, Erin Hyer — speech-language pathologist with 35+ years of experience — reveals the 10 foundational skills every baby, toddler, and preschooler needs before school. These aren’t worksheets or apps. They’re simple, daily habits that only parents and caregivers can provide through connection, play, and conv...
2025-09-231h 07Talking ToddlersIs Daycare Really Helping Your Child? What Parents Need To Know Ep 121Should you homeschool through kindergarten or send your child to preschool? You’ll discover the truth about “socialization,” what’s actually happening in many early childhood programs, and how to confidently decide what’s right for your family — without guilt, pressure, or fear of “falling behind.”From overworked teachers "managing" behavior, to the loss of play-based learning, to the social-emotional gaps that show up years later, you’ll learn why the most powerful learning still happens at home. Erin Hyer — speech-language pathologist with 35+ years of experience — breaks...
2025-09-1633 minTalking ToddlersThe 7 Stages of Play: Building Your Child’s Brain from Birth to Age 3 Ep 120Most parents think play begins with dolls and pretend kitchens — but the earliest stages of play start long before that… and missing them could mean missing crucial communication growth.From nibbling on their fists, to peekaboo and pretend play -- your child’s first three years are full of small moments that build a BIG foundation. In this episode, Erin Hyer — speech-language pathologist and toddler specialist with 35+ years of experience — breaks down the 7 stages of play and shows how each stage fuels brain growth, language development, and social connection.You’ll learn:The...
2025-09-0931 minTalking ToddlersWhy Your Toddler’s Brain Needs THIS: The First Years Explained Ep 119Your child’s brain isn’t finished at birth — it’s built day by day, through you.Whether you have a baby or a toddler, this episode will help you understand the “why” behind sleep struggles, sensitivities, and attention challenges — and remind you that brains are built through responsive parenting.In this episode of Talking Toddlers, Erin Hyer, speech-language pathologist with 35+ years of experience, explains why the first years matter so much for brain development. We’ll cover:What exterogestation (the “second womb”) really meansHow 100 billion neurons become connected through eve...
2025-09-0224 minTalking ToddlersThe Truth About Childhood — And Why Moms Are Leaving the Workforce Ep 118Why are so many mothers leaving the workforce — and what does it mean for our children?The Washington Post calls it “erasing pandemic gains.” But after 35+ years as a speech-language pathologist working with hundreds of families, I see something deeper: maybe these mothers are choosing to reclaim what matters most.In this episode, I share two powerful family stories that illustrate the difference presence makes — one stretched thin and overwhelmed, the other grounded and intentional — plus the science that backs it up:Erica Komisar’s research on the first three y...
2025-08-2621 min