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In today’s episode, I’m joined by speech-language pathologist and mom of three Melissa Minney, founder of Raising Little Talkers® and the Little Talkers® course for parents of babies and toddlers. Melissa has helped tens of thousands of families feel more confident supporting their child’s speech and language at home. 

In this episode, we talk about:

• The most common speech concerns parents have
• How common late talking actually is – and how many kids catch up on their own
• What typical speech and language milestones look like (with realistic ranges, not scary rigid cutoffs)
• What really counts as a “word” (animal sounds, “uh-oh,” “wawa” for water, etc.)
• Simple ways to encourage language at home: narrating, following your child’s lead, using sign, music, and books
• Why screens displace real-life interaction 
• Myth-busting:
  • “Boys just talk later.”
  • “Two languages will confuse my child.”
  • “The older sibling talks for them, that’s why they’re delayed.”
  • “They’re just being stubborn and refusing to use their words.”
• If you’re worried about your child’s speech, or just want to be proactive, this episode is meant to reassure you, give you concrete benchmarks, and remind you that needing support doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” with your child. Your child is normal – and there is so much you can do at home to help them communicate and feel understood. 

Connect with Melissa / Raising Little Talkers®:

• Website & blog: raisinglittletalkers.com
  raisinglittletalkers.com
• Free class: “Help your toddler say more words” – learn the 5-step Little Talkers® method
  👉 learn.raisinglittletalkers.com/workshop
  learn.raisinglittletalkers.com
• Little Talkers® self-paced online course for parents of babies and toddlers (about 2 hours, broken into short, practical videos)
  raisinglittletalkers.com+1
• Instagram: @raisinglittletalkers

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

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