Raising Boys & Girls Episode 343: Transforming Toddlerhood with Devon Kuntzman
Jan 22, 2026
Devon Kuntzman, a certified toddler parenting expert and founder of Transforming Toddlerhood, joins to share invaluable insights for raising resilient children. She reframes toddler tantrums as communication instead of defiance, explaining how immature brains and sensory overload affect behavior. Devon emphasizes the importance of co-regulation and connection over punishment. She offers practical strategies for setting boundaries, incorporating play into routines, and practicing gratitude to strengthen parent-child relationships—all while reminding caregivers that progress, not perfection, is key.
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Toddlers Aren't Mini Adults
- Toddlers are not mini adults; their emotional and impulse-control development lags behind physical abilities.
- Expectation mismatches cause frustration for caregivers and misinterpretation of behaviors.
Behavior Is Communication
- View challenging toddler behavior as communication, not defiance.
- Behaviors signal emotions, needs, sensory states, and development of selfhood.
Regulate Yourself First
- Regulate yourself first: reduce perceived threat and ground your nervous system before responding.
- Use sensory anchors like fresh air, scents, or deep breaths to calm and enable co-regulation.
