Raising Healthy Kid Brains

A simple tweak in how we talk to kids about emotions can transform those frustrating moments into genuine connection. When children lack the vocabulary for their emotions, they face the same barrier as trying to communicate in a foreign language. Kristina Lucia, an award-winning author and illustrator who creates books about feelings, discovered firsthand how learning to name and express emotions changed her relationships. Join us this week to discover why vulnerability isn't weakness, how to meet children at their level (literally and figuratively), and practical ways to expand emotional vocabulary for the whole family. Most importantly, you'll learn how small adjustments in communication create space for deeper understanding and stronger connections. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/104

Finding the balance between gentle parenting and building resilience in our kids is a huge challenge, often resulting in unintentional perfectionism on our part as parents. But could this perfectionism be having a deeper impact on your child's development? I'm speaking to Lisa Chan, a former pediatric occupational therapist turned parent coach, to explore how we can support our children's emotional development without falling into the perfectionism trap. Lisa brings over a decade of experience working with kids who have autism, ADHD, and sensory challenges, and she shares why she made the shift from therapy to parent coaching. Tune in this week as Lisa shares practical strategies for understanding your child's unique needs, whether it's sensory input, executive functioning challenges, or emotional regulation struggles. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/103

How do we help our young children with their handwriting? And in this digital age where everyone's learning on an iPad, is it even necessary for children to be practicing their handwriting skills? School-based occupational therapist Dr. Christina Bretz believes handwriting remains a crucial skill for children's cognitive development, even in our digital age. Listen in this week to learn the research that proves the importance of children learning handwriting, and practical strategies for teaching handwriting. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/102

My guest today is Dr. Aditya Nagrath, who holds a PhD in Mathematics and Computer Science. With over 30 years of industry experience as a software engineer, author, and entrepreneur, he's worked on everything from atomic clocks to Amazon's Kindle Fire. As founder of Elephant Head Math software and the Elephant Learning Math Academy, he's developed an online system that helps children learn about a year and a half of math in just 10 weeks when used 30 minutes per week. In our conversation, Dr. Nagrath outlines three distinct steps to master new math concepts – define, recognize, and produce. He explains the crucial "language gap" in mathematics, and explores the difference between recognizing math symbols on paper versus truly understanding and applying mathematical concepts. Most importantly, we discuss math anxiety and what children need to overcome it. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/101

Have you ever felt caught in the crossfire between gentle parenting and raising resilient kids? As a parent in today's world, I constantly wrestle with how to validate my children's emotions while still helping them develop the strength to face life's inevitable challenges. This tension between empathy and resilience represents one of the most significant parenting dilemmas of our time. In this special 100th episode, I'm diving into a concept that has transformed my approach to parenting: preparing the child for the road, not the road for the child. Join me this week as I introduce you to the concept of antifragile children—those who don't just bounce back from challenges but actually grow stronger because of them. I share three practical strategies to foster this quality in your children, helping them develop the emotional equivalent of "stress wood" that will enable them to stand tall through life's inevitable storms. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/100

Have you ever struggled with setting boundaries while still being a kind, gentle person? Today's conversation might just transform your approach to parenting and relationships. In this episode, I'm diving into the world of boundaries with Amy Armstrong, a pioneer in conflict resolution who brings her expertise from high-conflict divorce situations into practical advice for everyday parenting. She introduces a revolutionary approach to boundaries that allows us to maintain our warmth and kindness while still protecting our needs and teaching our children valuable life skills. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/99

Have you ever had one of those moments where you discover something so important, you can't believe no one told you sooner? That's exactly how I felt recording this episode. If your child snores, breathes through their mouth, grinds their teeth, has ADHD symptoms, gets frequent cavities, or even wets the bed - these could all be signs of pediatric sleep apnea. The most shocking part? Unlike adult sleep apnea, the solution for children can be remarkably simple. Dr. Kalli Hale, a dentist specializing in sleep dentistry, shares how airway-centered dental care and how proper intervention in childhood can prevent a lifetime of sleep-disordered breathing issues. This information could literally change your child's life - it's that important. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/98

What if your child told you their school wasn't teaching them to read properly? Would you believe them? In this week's episode, we dive deep into a story that's unfortunately all too common in our education system. Dr. Irene Daria shares her journey from being a concerned mother to becoming a developmental psychologist specializing in teaching children how to read. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/97

I'm joined by education blogger, children's book expert, and former teacher, Melissa Taylor. Melissa is the creator behind Imagination Soup: a blog where parents, grandparents, librarians, and teachers can find great children's books as well as educational learning ideas, resources, and community. We dive into the world of nonfiction and explore why it's such an essential part of a balanced reading diet for kids. Throughout the episode, Melissa shares practical tips and strategies for incorporating more nonfiction into your child's reading routine. From book talks and read-alouds to hands-on activities and critical thinking exercises, you'll come away with a toolbox full of ideas for making nonfiction fun and accessible for kids of all ages. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/96

Anna Rita is the Regional Managing Director of Green Ivy International School and Interim Head of School at Pine Street School. As an expert in multilingual education, we explore the incredible power of learning languages in childhood. Anna Rita shares why the ages of 0-6 are a critical window for language acquisition, how bilingualism enhances executive function and cultural understanding, and the long-term cognitive benefits of speaking multiple languages. Whether you're considering language immersion school, learning a heritage language at home, or simply want to give your child's brain a boost, this episode will open your eyes to the world of possibilities in multilingual learning. Get ready to be inspired to help your child become a global citizen! Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/95