Advertise on podcast: Transforming The Toddler Years- Parents and Educators Raising Calm, Connected, Capable Kids

Did you know that only 7% of communication is verbal? In this episode I explore the idea that speech is only 7% of communication, while 93% comes from nonverbal cues like tone, facial expressions, body language, and energy. I share how infants, toddlers, and even adults communicate meaningfully long before or beyond words, and how children are especially sensitive to these signals. Want to learn more about language, communication and connecting with toddlers? Book your complimentary connection call now! February 3, 2026 Episode 307 How to Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say - Little Linguists Series Part 3 About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book T⁠alk to Them Early and Often, ⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to raise a good writer? Helene Lieberman from BlackBack Writing joins me this week to discuss how to raise good writers. We discuss early habits, creating good habits and how to get little hands ready to write. Helene is a MS, OTR/L and has been a pediatric Occupational Therapist for 36 years. She has participated in researching the effect of sensory integration treatment in preschool and the use of BlackBack Writing in preschool. Helene is the creator of BlackBack Writing to teach shapes, letters and numbers and Write Bright cards and paper to teach the proper alignment of letters. Learn more about BlackBack Writing Programs at www.blackbackwriting.com ⁠Want to learn more about the 4 C’s of Collaborative Discipline?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab your free download and embrace connection before correction! Get it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ January 29, 2026 Episode 306 Raising Good Writers with Pediatric Occupational Therapist Helene Lieberman About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of ⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠

Why dysregulated kids can't learn Join me in part 2 of the Little Linguists Series where I discuss that meaningful learning begins with connection, not curriculum. I explain why children are not born with the ability to regulate their emotions and why dysregulated children are simply not available to learn. The episode explores how children learn regulation through modeled behavior, responsive caregiving, and being accepted for who they are—not who adults expect them to be. Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ January 27, 2026 Episode 305 Dysregulated Kids Can't Learn (Here's What To Do) Little Linguists Series Part 2 About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of ⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

What happens when strong relationships become the foundation for emotional regulation, language growth, and positive behavior? This episode introduces Chapter One of Talk to Them Early and Often, exploring the science behind infant and toddler language development. It emphasizes that all caregivers are teachers and play a powerful role in shaping early communication through emotionally available relationships. Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ January 20, 2026 Episode 304 Toddler Caregivers - You Have One Job (And It's Not What You Think) Little Linguists Series Part 1 About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of ⁠Core4Parenting⁠. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠

Wondering how to tell the difference between typical toddler behaviors and early developmental red flags? In this guest episode, I’m joined by Dr. Theresa Lyons for an insightful and reassuring conversation about early childhood development. Together, we explore common toddler behaviors that often worry parents—and how to recognize when those behaviors are a normal part of development versus when they may signal a need for extra support. Dr. Theresa Lyons is the founder and CEO of Navigating AWEtism, and dedicated to turning autism complexity into clarity. With a Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry from Yale University and the lived experience of parenting a daughter with autism, she blends rigorous science with real-world insight to empower families. Her signature Navigating AWEtism Matrix is the first evidence-based roadmap that organizes overwhelming autism research into a clear, step-by-step framework parents can actually use. Learn more about her work here: https://awetism.co/work-together Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ January 15, 2026 Episode 303 Developmental Delays or Autism - How to Spot Red Flags with Dr. Theresa Lyons About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of ⁠Core4Parenting⁠. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠

What if every parent, caregiver, and teacher understood that language is the foundation of emotional regulation and learning before age five? In this episode, I introduce my new book by sharing the deeply personal story that shaped my work in early childhood education, including my journey into home-based childcare and the loss of my first child. I explain why the birth-to-five years are critical, emphasizing how emotional regulation and intentional language profoundly influence brain development and learning. This episode outlines the book’s two-part structure: the science behind early language development and 25 practical language strategies that foster connection and independence. Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ January 13, 2026 Episode 302 3 Kids Under Two - And 1 On The Way! This Story & More in the Book's Introduction About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

What happens when you say yes before you’re ready? This episode explores the journey behind my upcoming book, Talk to Them Early and Often, the doubts along the way, and the courage it takes to begin before you feel fully prepared. Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ January 6, 2026 Episode 301 3 Years In And We're Just Getting Started! Big Reveal for 2026 About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠

What happens when we look back at three years of growth and step boldly into a brand-new chapter? In this special New Year episode, I pause to reflect on the last three years—lessons learned, growth, and moments that shaped our journey. I also look ahead to what’s coming next, including the exciting release of a new book created especially for toddler parents, caregivers, and educators. Join me as we close one chapter and welcome a new one together. Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠ January 1, 2026 Episode 300 3 Years In And We're Just Getting Started! Big Reveal for 2026 About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Meltdowns and tantrums are inevitable with toddlers. How you handle them is up to you. In this episode, I explore a new, conscious approach to handling toddler meltdowns that shifts away from control and punishment and toward collaboration, connection, and mindset. Ready to master meltdowns? Download my free 5 Mindful Mantras for Conscious Parents Managing Toddler Meltdowns here! December 30, 2025 Episode 299 New Approach to Managing Meltdowns for the New Year About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life. Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Worried your child is more focused on what they'll get this holiday season? In this episode, I dive into the idea of instead of saying, "what do you want?", you say, "what would you like to give?". I talk about raising thoughtful gift gives and trying to balance out the receiving and the giving. ⁠Ready to Adopt the 4 C’s of Collaborative Discipline?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab your free download and embrace connection before correction! Get it ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠ December 23, 2025 Episode 298 Gift Giving Season - Stop Asking, "What Did You Get?". Ask This Instead! About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life. Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nervous about travelling with kids this holiday season? In this special replay episode I discuss the challenges of traveling with kids during the holiday season. I explain the cognitive process that children go through and how travel tests their executive functioning skills. I also emphasize the importance of seeing it through your child's perspective and making it about the journey, not the destination. Ready to nurture your relationship while raising strong, self-aware kids who feel truly seen, heard, and safe to tell you anything?  Check out my free gift to you:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠5 Things Your Toddler Needs to Hear You Say Everyday⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch and listen as your child starts to respond differently to you. December 16, 2025 Episode 298 How to Travel with Kids: 3 Ways to Make it Easier About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life. Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to raise a child that is truly grateful and generous? In this episode, I explore how giving and receiving are the two sides of the coin of gratitude and thankfulness. I share a recent example of teaching kids to give and how the lesson does not settle in our kids' souls unless we tap into their feelings and the emotions around it. Ready to take the next step? Check out my short video training, where I guide you through the process of writing your personalized mission statement for raising and to teaching extraordinary human beings. Find all the details⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠ December 9, 2025 Episode 297 Teaching Toddlers How to Give and Receive About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life. Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

How can we inspire true gratitude to come from within our toddlers? Join me in this episode as I talk all about inspiring gratitude from our children, even in the middle of struggle.  I share ways to use language, motivation and inspiration to use with your kids. Teachers and ECE Professionals- what type of professional development would you benefit most from? I do⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠early childhood education trainings, pre-service, in-service⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠and everything in between and would love to connect with you on a 1:1 call to see how I can be of service to you and the littles you work with. December 4, 2025 Episode 296 The 4 A's of Gratitude - Teaching Toddlers How to Show Thankfulness About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life. Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠! ⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠

It's that time of year when buying can be excessive and kids want everything! Join me in this episode as I discuss the valuable lesson of teaching our children the difference between a need and a want. I share examples and give some simple tips on how to practice teaching this skill! Ready to take the next step? Check out my short video training, where I guide you through the process of writing your personalized mission statement for raising and to teaching extraordinary human beings. Find all the details⁠⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.⁠⁠ December 2, 2025 Episode 295 Teaching Toddlers the Difference Between Needs vs. Wants About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life. Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Worried about your child's risky play? Dr. Joanna Spotts joins me in this conversation to talk about the benefits of risky play and why it is essential for development. We also discuss ways to safely provide opportunities for risky play. Joanna Spotts, EdD has been an educator for over 20 years. Dr. Joanna discovered her passion for risky play during her doctoral journey and seeks to use her voice to help others find the joy of risky play. Join her monthly newsletter to stay up to date! Ready to Adopt the 4 C’s of Collaborative Discipline?⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab your free download and embrace connection before correction! Get it ⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠ November 27, 2025 Episode 294 The Power of Risky Play (Why Your Child Needs It) with Dr. Joanna Spotts About Your Host: Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success. As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life. Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠