Shows
Play2Learn PodcastMotivation for Motherhood with Francesca ThomsonIn this engaging conversation, Kelly and Francesca Thomson explore the themes of motherhood, vulnerability, and community. They discuss the importance of authenticity in social media, the challenges of building connections as mothers, and the significance of embracing the journey of motherhood. Francesca shares her personal journey of career shifts after having kids and emphasizes the need for support and healthy living in motherhood. The conversation concludes with a focus on creating a supportive community for mothers and the joy of sharing experiences.Get On the Bus with Francesca Thomson on Instagram @marathonofmotherhood...2025-07-1124 minPlay2Learn PodcastA Parenting Guide to Navigating Childhood Anxiety with Guest Barb ShepardIn this episode, Kelly & Alex speak with Barb Shepard, a licensed mental health counselor specializing in pediatric OCD and anxiety. They discuss the nature of anxiety, particularly in children, and how it manifests in various situations. Barb shares insights on recognizing clinical anxiety versus typical childhood worries, strategies for parents to manage anxiety at home, and the importance of fostering resilience and bravery in children. The conversation emphasizes the role of parents in modeling healthy coping mechanisms and the significance of providing support and understanding to children facing anxiety.Email: therapy@barbshepardcounseling.com2025-06-2038 minPlay2Learn PodcastUnderstanding Common Behavioral Challenges & Strategies for Supporting Your Child at Home with Guest Laura VincentIn this conversation, Kelly Vincentini and Laura Vincent discuss common behavioral challenges faced by parents with young children, particularly focusing on the ages of one to four and a half. They explore strategies for managing transitions, the importance of understanding typical versus concerning behaviors, and the role of the child's environment in influencing behavior. Laura emphasizes the significance of communication, emotional regulation, and the need for parents to seek professional help when necessary. This episode also discusses the multifaceted aspects of parenting, emphasizing the importance of creating a structured environment, establishing routines, and the necessity of self-regulation f...2025-06-0656 minPlay2Learn PodcastMaintaining your Marriage through Parenting & Fostering Unconditional Love within the HomeIn this heartfelt conversation, Kelly Vincentini interviews her parents, Bob and Marybeth, reflecting on their 41 years of marriage and the lessons learned in parenting. They discuss the importance of unconditional love, sibling bonds, the challenges of parenthood, and maintaining a healthy marriage while raising children. The conversation emphasizes the significance of preparing children for independence and the pride parents feel as they watch their children thrive.Check out this Episode's Conversation Topics!Unconditional love creates a safe space for children.Modeling kindness and acceptance fosters sibling bonds.Family activities strengthen relationships among siblings.Parenting involves stepping...2025-05-2328 minPlay2Learn PodcastNavigating Grief - A Guide for Parents, Talking to your children about death - Emotional Safety in Grief ConversationsOn this episode, Kelly and Amy Mack explore the complexities of discussing grief and death with children. They emphasize the importance of clear communication, emotional honesty, and age-appropriate explanations. Amy shares insights from her experience as a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist, highlighting how children understand and process grief differently at various developmental stages. The discussion also covers the significance of normalizing grief within families, managing personal grief while supporting children, and the value of creating concrete grieving rituals to help children cope with loss. She emphasizes the importance of child-led activities to help c...2025-05-0950 minPlay2Learn PodcastKindergarten Readiness According to a Veteran TeacherMeet Jackie Clark, an experienced educator with a passion for nurturing joy and growth in children. We discuss the evolution of kindergarten, the shift to full-day programs, the impact of universal pre-kindergarten, and the essential skills children need to thrive in their early education. Jackie emphasizes the importance of social skills, emotional readiness, and fostering independence in young learners, while also addressing the balance between academic and social development. In this conversation, we dive into the importance of fostering independent life skills in children, the decision-making process for parents regarding school readiness, and the impact of homeschooling o...2025-04-2556 minPlay2Learn PodcastFamily Travels Near, Far, and Everywhere In Between! From budget friendly to all inclusive resorts - Let's Talk TRAVEL TIPS!In this episode of the Play to Learn Podcast we discuss our experiences and insights on traveling with children. We share nostalgic childhood travel memories, compare recent family trips to Disney and Atlantis, and emphasize the importance of planning, space, and sleep schedules for a successful family vacation. The conversation also covers essential packing tips for traveling with kids, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for the whole family. We discuss the intricacies of family travel, focusing on packing strategies, managing screen time, and creating core memories. We also share personal experiences and practical tips for making v...2025-04-1137 minPlay2Learn PodcastSpeech and Language from Birth through Early Childhood YearsIn this episode, we interview Laura Vincent, a regional program director for Liberty Post and licensed speech language pathologist. We discuss Laura's journey in the field of speech language pathology, the common concerns parents have regarding their children's communication development, and the differences between late talkers and those with language disorders. Laura emphasizes the importance of intelligibility in speech, the role of pediatricians in evaluating speech and language development, and offers practical advice for parents on how to support their children's communication skills at home. In this conversation, we discuss essential strategies for parents and caregivers to s...2025-03-2842 minPlay2Learn PodcastInstilling a Love for Reading and Early Literacy within the Home, Utilizing Library Resources, Importance of Introducing both Fiction & Non-FictionToday we interview Windy Cardarelli from the Manlius Library, part of the Onondaga County Public Libraries in Central New York. Early literacy is the foundation for reading, writing, speaking and listening as your child continues to develop and grow. We discuss the importance of promoting reading in the home and ways to make reading fun and engaging for children of all ages! Windy shares the benefits of attending your local library and the importance of utilizing their resources for learning!Additional Topics Include: Engaging Children with Non-Fiction//Navigating Story Time for Young Children//Tips & Tri...2025-03-1431 minPlay2Learn PodcastPediatric Dentistry (Tongue & Lip Tie Revisions with Guest Dr. Kotlow)On today's episode we interview, Dr. Lawrence Kotlow, a pediatric dentist and specialist located in Albany, NY. He focuses on laser surgery and supports families with challenges directly related to tongue and lip ties. Dr. Kotlow explains the impact that tongue and lip ties can have on the body, ways to advocate for your little one throughout their dental health journey, common misconceptions in pediatric dentistry, and more! This episode sheds light on behaviors that you may be experiencing with your little one at home and provides insight on how to navigate situations that may in fact b...2025-02-2839 minPlay2Learn PodcastExpert Perinatal Chiropractic Care, Newborn Chiropractic Care, and Combatting Chronic Ear Infections & Tongue Ties with Chiropractic Care with Dr. Brooke Smith from Kukenberger ChiropracticMeet Dr. Brooke Smith, one of the three specialized chiropractors on staff at Kukuenberger Chiropractic, located in Fayetteville, NY.Dr. Smith highlights the Role of Chiropractic Care in Family Health, Benefits and Techniques related to Prenatal Chiropractic Care, Postnatal Recovery and Support, Chiropractic Care for Ear Infections and Ties in Children, Common Reasons for Newborn Chiropractic Visits, and Addressing Digestive Issues in Infants through Chiropractic Care. Follow Kukenberger Chiropractic on Instagram @kukenbergchiro to learn more about perinatal chiropractic care for both mother and newborn. Local to Central New York and interested in joining a P...2025-02-1428 minPlay2Learn PodcastNourishing the Body, Understanding Women's Health and Hormones, Importance of Self-Care, & Supporting Postpartum Fitness with Guest Meghan BarrettAs a parent, do you find it difficult to prioritize your own health and wellness? Wherever you are in your current season of life, our guest Meghan Barrett has some great tips for maintaining physical and mental health during motherhood. From diet and exercise, to self-care and sleep habits, you'll feel empowered and ready to embrace your own well-being; and in turn be able to show up for the ones you love in the best way possible.Follow Meghan on Instagram @barrettfitnesscnyLocal to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class...2025-01-3144 minPlay2Learn PodcastKick the Comparison Syndrome & Setting Family GoalsDo you sometimes find yourself comparing your child to the children around you, at the playground, at daycare, etc? Maybe you worry your child is "behind" because you witnessed another child complete a task with ease, that yours may still have difficulty with. Or perhaps you compare your second child's development to that of your eldest? Guess what... we are all guilty of this! As caregivers, we let our worries get the best of us sometimes and comparison sneaks up. It's because we CARE! Try the exercise in today's episode to learn more about the importance of re...2025-01-1742 minPlay2Learn PodcastPlan Your Dream Disney Trip with Guest Allison Hammond!Meet Allison Hammond! Allie is a mother to two boys and is an experienced travel planner with Pixie Dusting Plans. She helps her clients plan their dream vacations to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Cruises and more! Follow Allie on Instagram @allisonwonderlandtravelInterested in planning your dream disney vacation but don't know where to start? Check out Allie's POCKET GUIDE or Contact her via email at allison@pixiedustingplans.comLocal to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class? Visit our...2025-01-0331 minPlay2Learn PodcastSelf-Regulation For Children and CaregiversAlyssa Blask Campbell is the CEO and founder of Seed & Sew and a globally recognized expert in emotional development. With a master's degree in early childhood education, Alyssa has dedicated her career to advancing the field of emotional intelligence. She co-created and researched the collaborative emotion processing method with Lauren Staubel, assistant professor of early education and mindfulness consultant, revolutionizing how adults understand and respond to children's emotions while fostering the development of emotionally intelligent future generations. Alyssa's work is further amplified through her podcast, Voices of Your Village, a platform uniting parents, caregivers, educators, and experts across more...2024-12-1945 minPlay2Learn PodcastImprove Fine Motor Skills with Simple Household Items!What ARE fine motor skills? How do I assist my little one in building these important development skills? This mini-episode will simplify the concept of fine motor skills and provide you with easy examples for everyday practice right at home! Learning through play is always our focus and we can't wait to share some PLAYspiration with you!Local to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class? Visit our website to register here: https://play2learntot.com/Let's connect! Follow us on Instagram @play2learntot REGISTER for your FREE Demo...2024-12-0208 minPlay2Learn PodcastRethinking the traditional Elf this Holiday Season with Guest Grace BeeleyIf you are looking for a manageable, magical way to have the elf visit your home, look no farther! Listen to our interview with Grace Beeley, author of Clyde: The Good Inside Elf. Her new book is inspired by Dr. Becky of the Good Inside Community and is a great family read if you want to squash the old "naughty vs nice" concept at home, while also building your children's emotional intelligence. Follow Grace Beeley, author of Clyde: The Good Inside Elf on social media @burrowmama and snag a copy of her book on Amazon! Fol...2024-12-0114 minPlay2Learn PodcastYou can be the Magic Maker & Avoid Holiday BurnoutDecember is here which means the holidays are right around the corner! It is so hard to juggle the FUN & not feel the fatigue! This episode is full of ideas for the holiday season that will help you to prioritize FAMILY! Thanks for listening to our very first episode! Click the links below for some wonderful free resources you can utilize at home today!Editable Calendar of Holiday Activities for your family!The Perfect Gift Guide for your little one!Local to Central New York and interested in joining a...2024-12-0126 min