Discerning Parenting

Here's another listener question episode!We're tackling a topic that many parents are curious about: Independent Play. A listener recently asked, "What exactly is independent play? My toddler doesn't seem to engage in it. Does independent play mean my toddler has to play alone, and that she needs to play in a room all by herself? And if so, for how long?" These are excellent questions, and they highlight a common concern among parents. Understanding independent play, how to encourage it, and how much time your child should spend playing independently can be a bit of a mystery. But don’t worry, you’re in the right place. Today, we'll dive deep into what independent play means, why it's important, and how you can foster it in your child. We'll explore the benefits of independent play for both you and your toddler, and provide some practical tips to make it a positive experience for everyone. Let's get started on this journey to nurturing your child's independence and creativity!Check out this previous episode from the Discerning Parenting Podcast:The Clingy Toddler: 5 Gentle Parenting Strategies to Encourage Independence⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

If you're eager to find easy and effective methods to support your child's brain development, you've come to the right place. Today, we're continuing our enlightening discussion with three more simple yet powerful tips that you can implement immediately. These strategies are designed to seamlessly fit into your daily routine, making a significant impact on your child's cognitive growth. Plus, be sure to stay tuned until the end for a special bonus tip that will further boost your child's brain power. Let's dive in and explore these invaluable insights together!Previous episodes mentioned in this podcast:Screen Time Addiction In Children with Dr. Paul FilomenoIs increased screen time in young kids linked to developmental or language delays? Interview with Dr. Angel DyIf you have a baby or child below three, check out our book, Toddler Talking: Boost Your Child's Language and Brain Development in Three Easy Steps. You’ll get powerful, science-backed, and yet practical strategies to boost your baby’s language and brain development.⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Welcome to another enriching episode of the Discerning Parenting Podcast! Today, we're diving into a topic that's close to every parent's heart—boosting your child's brain development. Contrary to what you might think, you don't need elaborate methods or costly tools to give your child's cognitive abilities a significant boost. Over the course of this episode and the next, we'll be uncovering six remarkably simple yet highly effective strategies to support your child's mental growth. In today's session, we'll introduce the first three of these strategies. Stick around—you'll be amazed at how practical and achievable these tips are. Let's get started on this exciting journey to nurture and enhance your child's brainpower!If you have a baby or child below three, check out our book, Toddler Talking: Boost Your Child's Language and Brain Development in Three Easy Steps. You’ll get powerful, science-backed, and yet practical strategies to boost your baby’s language and brain development.⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Welcome to today's episode of the Discerning Parenting Podcast, where we delve into the fascinating world of childhood learning. Have you ever wondered if some of the most commonly held beliefs about how kids learn might actually be myths? Imagine if shifting your perspective could not only alleviate your stress and guilt but also enhance your child's learning journey. Today, we're set to bust three major myths about how kids learn. What you uncover in this episode might just surprise you and transform the way you support your child's education. So, get ready to rethink what you know and discover new insights into how children truly learn.The study mentioned in this episode:Spontaneous fMRI activity during resting wakefulness and sleepIf you have a baby or child below three, check out our book, Toddler Talking: Boost Your Child's Language and Brain Development in Three Easy Steps. You’ll get powerful, science-backed, and yet practical strategies to boost your baby’s language and brain development.⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Welcome to today's episode! We are diving into a topic that often sparks passionate debates, especially on social media: choosing the right educational system for your child. You’ve probably encountered many strong opinions—some advocating for Montessori, others for traditional schooling, and many more in between. This can make the decision feel overwhelming and highly charged.If you haven't already, we recommend listening to our previous episode on school readiness. Today’s discussion builds on that, featuring our special guests, developmental pediatricians Dr. Janys Lim and Dr. Jack Herrin. Both are not only experts in their field but also parents who have navigated these choices with their own children—Dr. Herrin’s kids are now in late high school and college, while Dr. Lim’s range from late elementary to high school. Alongside them, I’ll be sharing my perspective as a parent of a preschooler. Join us as we explore how to choose the right school for your child, offering a blend of foresight and hindsight from our diverse experiences.Help your kids make a smooth transition to school! Check out our online course, School Start Success!⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Welcome to another episode of the Discerning Parenting podcast! I'm thrilled you're here with us today because we have a topic that resonates with so many parents: My child is ready for school, what can I do to prepare them?These are some of the most common questions I receive, and today, we have two exceptional guests to help us answer them. Joining us are Dr. Jack Herrin and Dr. Janice Lim, both esteemed developmental pediatricians and, importantly, parents themselves. If you've been following our podcast, you'll know how insightful their advice is.In this episode, we'll dive deep into understanding school readiness and practical steps you can take to ensure your child is prepared for this big milestone, whether it's preschool or kindergarten. Stay tuned for an engaging and informative discussion!Help your kids make a smooth transition to school! Check out our online course, School Start Success!⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

This episode is the second part of our series on schooling for toddlers and preschoolers. In our last episode, we discussed that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question, "When should I enroll my child in school?" We covered three critical factors to consider. If you haven't already, be sure to listen to that episode as well.Today, we're diving deeper into choosing the right program if you decide to enroll your child early in school. Join us as we explore the different types of early education programs, what to look for in a curriculum, and how to ensure the environment aligns with your child's needs and your family's values. Tune in to gain insights and tips that will help you make informed decisions for your child's educational journey.Check out these previous podcast episodes:Does My Toddler Need To Be Enrolled In School Or Is It Too Early? 3 Factors You Need To ConsiderHow Do Kids Learn to Read? with Teacher Tasha Mendoza, Reading Intervention SpecialistHelp your kids make a smooth transition to school! Check out our online course, School Start Success!⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Are you wondering when the best time is to enroll your toddler in school? Should you start them early, or could it be too soon? Join us as we explore this important question in depth. In this first episode of our two-part series, we discuss the factors to consider when deciding on the right time for your child's school enrollment. Don't miss this insightful discussion!Help your kids make a smooth transition to school! Check out our online course, School Start Success!⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

As the school year wraps up and vacation time begins, many of us are feeling the pressure to plan activities, keep our kids entertained, and even start gearing up for the next school year. This busy season can quickly become overwhelming. In this episode, we'll discuss how to navigate the chaos, share tips for a fun and relaxing summer, and offer strategies to prepare for the upcoming school year without the stress. Tune in for a dose of summer sanity!🌞⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Welcome to the Discerning Parenting podcast! In today's episode, we dive into a classic parenting dilemma that's especially relevant as school vacations begin: Should we let our kids enjoy being kids, or should we focus on keeping them in learning mode? Whether you're tuning in during the summer or any other time of the year, this topic remains timeless and pertinent. Join us as we explore the triumphs and trials, the questions, and the quiet moments that shape our parenting journeys and our children's lives.⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges. 🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot! The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.