logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2025
27m 6s

How to talk toddler

NPR
About this episode
Toddlerhood is a big and beautiful period of self-discovery. Kids are picking up new cognitive and motor skills and learning language a mile a minute. But there are some behaviors in this age range that can be confusing, frustrating or spirit-breaking for parents, like tantrums, hitting, stealing toys and more. This episode, Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle helps you decode your toddler's behavior and address it more strategically.

Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit
Sign up for our newsletter here.
Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.org
Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit

To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Yesterday
How to get 'financially naked' with your partner
How much money do you make? What assets and debts do you have? What are your spending habits? These are all questions you should ask your partner, says Vivian Tu, founder of Your Rich BFF, a financial education company. In this episode, host Marielle Segarra talks with Tu about h ... Show More
21m 41s
Mar 30
Looking for analog hobbies? Try writing a letter
Unlike texting and email, old-fashioned letters, hand-addressed and sent in the mail, are "read intentionally," says Rachel Syme of The New Yorker. In her book, Syme's Letter Writer, Syme offers advice on what to write about, how to find the perfect stationery, and why we should ... Show More
21m 48s
Mar 26
Drowning in toys? Here’s how to handle kid clutter
Having kids comes with a lot of clutter - some of it even shows up before your baby does. From toys that overflow from the toy chest, to unwanted hand-me-downs, and piles of art your kids make, you can't keep it all. Psychotherapist Denaye Barahona offers advice for parents on th ... Show More
23m 9s
Recommended Episodes
May 2021
Transforming Toddler Tantrums - Devon Kuntzman [277]
The Terrible Twos. The Three-nagers. Why are these years so hard, filled with countless meltdowns, frustration, and stress? Does it have to be this way? In today’s podcast, I talk to Devon Kuntzman, ACC and ICF certified coach about how we can overcome the challenges and experien ... Show More
56m 3s
Sep 2025
Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: Navigating Defiance, Meltdowns, and Anxiety to Raise Confident, Connected Kids
Big kids mean big feelings and sometimes that shows up as defiance, meltdowns, or even anxiety. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really going on beneath the surface and why it’s not just “bad behavior.” We often think school-aged is cruising with emotions but big feeling ... Show More
51m 48s
Jul 2025
How to Get Your Toddler to Listen Without Yelling: 7 Everyday Strategies Ep 111
Is your toddler always pushing back, melting down, or refusing to help? From messy playtime to getting out the door, you’ll learn how to: – Encourage turn-taking, even with babies – Turn cleanup into connection – Use routines and rules to reduce drama – Make transitions smoother ... Show More
41m 10s
Apr 2025
How to Become More Confident in Your Parenting
<p>#051 Lisa discusses how to build confidence in parenting by addressing bad behaviour and promoting respect all while emphasising the importance of making children feel good about themselves to improve behaviour and achieve positive outcomes. <br/><br/>She tackles various commo ... Show More
37m 57s
Sep 2025
How to connect with a child that shuts you down (without losing your cool)
Send us Fan MailThis episode will change how you see your child’s moods and how you respond to them.If you’ve ever tiptoed around your child in the morning, worried the “wrong” cereal bowl or shirt will set off a meltdown, this conversation is for you.Joining me is Dr. Alex Reed, ... Show More
1h 8m
Sep 2025
The 7 Stages of Play: Building Your Child’s Brain from Birth to Age 3 Ep 120
Most 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 a ... Show More
31m 15s
Nov 2023
Screaming Toddlers: Why They Do It and How To Stop It
Dr. Cathryn delves into the piercing world of toddler shrieks and screams, a phase that's as challenging as it is common. We share a story that brings this issue close to home for many, discuss why toddlers go through this phase and present big-hearted strategies to manage and mi ... Show More
13m 38s
Jan 2024
Why your own emotional intelligence matters as a parent with Genny Rumancik
Send us Fan MailHang tight for a cozy chat that's like catching up with your parent BFF – we're spilling the beans on emotions and parenting with Jenny from EQ School. No fancy talk, just a laid-back convo packed with aha moments.From decoding our emotions to setting real, self-c ... Show More
50m 13s