If the phrase “kindergarten readiness” sends you into a spiral of flashcards and phonics drills, this one’s for you.
In this follow-up episode, I chat with Susie Allison (@busytoddler), former kindergarten teacher and mom of three, to reframe how we think about school prep. Spoiler: it’s not about who can write their name in cursive or recite the alphabet b ... Show More
Aug 4
The Follow-Up: The Trouble with Triple-Feeding
Triple feeding (nursing, pumping, and supplementing) might sound like a solid plan on paper. But for many parents, it turns into a nonstop cycle that’s physically draining, mentally exhausting, and emotionally overwhelming. In this Follow-Up episode, Dr. Mona talks with lactation ... Show More
15m 3s
Jul 30
Screens in Education: Balancing Necessity and Well-Being
Conflicted about your child using screens in school? From iPads in kindergarten or digital homework apps in middle school we’ll cover how to balance the reality of tech with what your child truly needs developmentally. I’m joined by Emily Cherkin, M.Ed., former teacher, author, a ... Show More
50m 37s
Jul 3
RE-RELEASE Kindergarten Readiness - 3 Skills Teachers Really Want to See with Zeba McGibbon
Worried if your toddler is ready for preschool?I welcome Zeba McGibbons, teacher, curriculum creator, and children’s book author. In this episode, we discuss kindergarten readiness, and it's not actually about academic readiness like parents think, but rather social-emotional ski ... Show More
40m 36s
Apr 2020
S1 E10 All about how to build trust in your children, understand them, and enjoy it as well
This week I have a beautiful conversation with Junnifa all the way over in Nigeria. You may know Junnifa from her blog, Nduoma or instagram or her school, Fruitful Orchard Montessori. You'll leave this episode feeling inspired to either parent in a more Montessori way, maybe ... Show More
1h 20m
Sep 2024
Preparing your child for preschool using play
Send us a textIn this conversation, I chat with Connie about the critical aspects of preschool education, emphasizing the importance of play in child development. We explore the challenges children face in adapting to open-ended play, the significance of emotional regulation, and ... Show More
57m 47s
Aug 2024
Does my Child have ADHD? When & Why to Intervene
This week, Dr. Dave Anderson- the lead psychologist at the Child Mind Institute and expert on ADHD sits down with us to help parents understand ADHD. We dive into key strategies for supporting children with ADHD, such as nurturing their strengths, managing parental expectations, ... Show More
45m 30s
Dec 2024
2431: How To Get Your Kids to Talk to You AND Help Your Child Develop Good Homework Habits by Julie Morgenstern
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2431:Julie Morgenstern's insights offer practical strategies to foster meaningful communication with children and guide them ... Show More
13m 8s
Apr 2025
Communicating with My Deaf Son
When my son wasn't talking yet, I felt lost. As a neurotherapist, I thought I had the tools — but nothing was working. I didn’t know yet that he was deaf, and every day felt like a guessing game. In this episode, I share the raw, honest journey of trying to connect with him befor ... Show More
11m 11s