Not Just Theories

What’s the best book to read to your child? The one they want you to read!

In Episode 38 of Not Just Theories, I’m talking about making books enjoyable, accessible, and part of everyday family life (without turning reading into another task for our kids)

We’ll explore the “broccoli effect”: how making children read because it’s good for them can sometimes backfire, and why enjoyment and connection matter. I’ll share practical ideas for encouraging reluctant readers, from interactive books and funny voices to following your child’s interests, letting them choose their own books, and making stories available beyond formal story time.

We’ll also chat about why picture books, graphic novels, audiobooks, and even the same favourite story on repeat all count.

Because reading doesn’t have to look one particular way (and it doesn’t need to become a battle)

In this episode:

Why the best book is the one your child enjoys

The “broccoli effect” and avoiding pressure around reading

Choosing books around your child’s interests

Interactive books, illustrations, graphic novels, and audiobooks

Making stories fun with sound effects, silly voices, and play

Encouraging reluctant readers without forcing them to sit still

Letting children choose, explore, and revisit favourite books

Supporting communication through shared reading without turning it into a therapy session

Whether your child devours books, prefers to look at pictures, or isn’t interested in sitting down for a story, there are lots of ways to make books part of your everyday life.

Resources mentioned:

“Every child develops at their own pace.”

It’s something we hear all the time, and there’s truth in it. But sometimes this message gets used to explain away something that actually deserves a closer look.

In this episode, we’re unpacking the difference between a communication milestone and a communication average, because they aren't interchangeable.

An average tells us where the middle of a population sits. Children naturally fall above and below that point, so being outside an average doesn't automatically mean there is a problem.

A milestone is different, it represents a skill that we expect children to have achieved by a particular age. If a child isn't reaching that milestone, that is a reason to seek assessment or professional guidance. It is not a reason to panic, but also not something that should automatically be met with “let's just wait and see.”

We’ll look at examples from the Speech Pathology Australia communication milestones, and connect this back to my earlier Early Communication episodes about serve and return, waiting, and creating opportunities for children to communicate.

Previous Early Communication episode Serve and Return - The Foundation for Connection

Previous Early Communication episode: Stop Asking, Start Connecting

Speech Pathology Australia Communication Milestones

Because “on their own timeline” and “let’s get some professional guidance” aren't mutually exclusive.

Sometimes, the most helpful thing we can do when we’re communicating with our children is… nothing.

In this episode of Not Just Theories, we’re heading to the Bluey universe to look at the power of waiting, using the Hairdressers episode as a jumping-off point.

When we’re eager to help our children communicate, it can be tempting to fill every silence: asking another question, offering a word, or jumping in to keep the interaction moving. But sometimes our children just need a little more time.

We’ll look at why waiting can be such a powerful part of early communication, how it gives children opportunities to initiate and respond, and what this can look like in everyday interactions and play.

This episode also connects back to my earlier episode on serve and return, where we explored the foundations of those back-and-forth interactions.

Listen to the earlier Early Communication episode: Early Communication Part 1: Serve and Return

And if you haven't seen Hairdressers, don't worry. I'll walk you through the moments that got me thinking about waiting in the first place. (But also, what are you waiting for?!? Bluey is amazing and you should definitely check out this episode)

Because sometimes supporting communication isn't about finding the perfect thing to say. Sometimes it's about leaving enough space for your child to say something themselves.

If toothbrushing feels like a daily battle in your house, you’re not alone.

In this episode of Not Just Theories, I take a very real, very common parenting challenge (toothbrushing resistance) and walk through how I used my communication toolkit (from the previous episode) in practice.

Because the truth is, no single strategy magically fixes these moments.

Instead, I share how different tools can be used flexibly over time, including:

This episode builds directly on the idea that parenting isn’t about finding the right script. Instead, it’s about having multiple strategies you can draw on when things aren’t going to plan. 

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a power struggle over something as simple (and necessary!) as brushing teeth, this episode will help you think about those moments differently, and give you practical ways to respond.

When it comes to parenting and communication, it’s easy to go searching for the strategy that will fix everything.

But in real life, one strategy is rarely enough.

In this episode of Not Just Theories, I talk about the idea of a communication toolkit. A collection of strategies you can draw on flexibly, depending on your child, the situation, and the moment you’re in.

Inspired by the book How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen, this episode explores how tools like:

can all work together (rather than in isolation)

I also share a real-life example of navigating a tricky phase with my own child, where I found myself using multiple tools across days and weeks, not because I was doing it “wrong,” but because that’s what responsive parenting actually looks like.

This episode is about moving away from perfection and toward flexibility, reflection, and having more than one way to respond.

In this final episode of the infant sleep series, we bring together the key ideas from the previous episodes.

We revisit:

• how circadian rhythms and sleep pressure shape sleep

The goal of this series has never been to provide a single “right” way to manage infant sleep. Instead, it’s about understanding the many factors that influence sleep, so families can make decisions that work for their child and their lives.

This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.

Some babies seem to sleep easily almost anywhere. Others are far more sensitive to stimulation, change, or discomfort.

In this episode we explore how temperament can shape infant sleep, using the concept of dandelion and orchid children.

We talk about how some babies are naturally more adaptable, while others are more sensitive to their environment. We discuss why these differences can make certain sleep approaches work well for some families but not others.

This episode is about reducing parental guilt and recognising that sleep differences between babies are often rooted in temperament, not parenting choices.

This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.

When babies wake frequently, the question many parents are really asking is:

How do I survive the sleep deprivation?

In this episode we shift the focus from “fixing” baby sleep to protecting parent sleep. We talk about practical strategies for maximising adult rest, including sharing overnight responsibilities, managing sleep windows for adults, and rethinking the often-unhelpful advice to “sleep when the baby sleeps.”

This episode is about realistic ways families can protect their own sleep and wellbeing during a stage of life that is naturally demanding.

This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.

Not all babies experience the world in the same way.

In this episode we explore how sensory processing differences can influence infant sleep. Some babies seek more stimulation and movement, while others are more sensitive to noise, light, or touch. These differences can shape how easily they settle and stay asleep.

We talk about how understanding your baby’s sensory needs can help you think differently about sleep environments, stimulation during the day, and why some babies struggle with approaches that work well for others.

This episode is part of the Not Just Theories Infant Sleep Series, exploring the many factors that influence baby sleep, from circadian rhythms and temperament to medical and sensory differences.

In Part 4 of the infant sleep series, we explore a biological factor that can significantly affect sleep but is often overlooked in mainstream sleep advice: food allergies and gut discomfort.

Sometimes when babies are waking frequently, feeding constantly, or struggling to settle, the issue isn’t a sleep habit at all. It’s discomfort.

In this episode of Not Just Theories, I talk about how food allergies (particularly cow’s milk protein allergy or CMPA) can show up in babies, and why these patterns are often missed or dismissed as reflux, colic, or “normal fussiness.”

We discuss possible signs that may appear together, including:

mucus or blood in stools

frequent or runny stools beyond the newborn stage

reflux and feeding discomfort

back arching and persistent fussiness

frequent feeding for comfort

disrupted sleep

I also share personal experiences from both of my children, including the reality of navigating strict elimination diets while caring for a newborn, and the practical and social challenges that can come with removing major food groups postpartum.

This episode is general education, not medical advice. If you’re concerned about your baby’s symptoms, feeding, or sleep, it’s important to discuss these patterns with your GP or another qualified health professional before making dietary changes.