Raising Healthy Kid Brains

Your baby hasn't started walking yet, but your friend's child is already running around. That familiar worry creeps in - is something wrong?

I'm joined today by licensed speech-language pathologist Jordyn Gorman and founder of Eat Play Say, a network of experts on childhood development milestones.

In this episode, Jordyn and I dig into the truth behind milestone charts: what they actually measure, what they don't, and why hitting every milestone "on time" isn't the full story.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/114

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In a world where every kindergartner has access to an iPad, does handwriting still matter?

The answer, according to handwriting expert Holly Britton, is yes – and it's not just a penmanship issue; it's a thinking issue. In this episode, Holly explains why the way we teach handwriting is critical for young learners.

We dive into why handwriting is such a powerful tool for cognitive development and why, without it, kids are missing out on vital brain connections. As more classrooms move toward digital devices, Holly makes the case that handwriting is still the key to unlocking deeper learning and success in all areas.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/113

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Sleep struggles in families create a cascading effect. When children can't sleep, parents don't sleep, and everyone's mood, health, and ability to function suffers.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown, author of Beyond Tired and a triple board-certified sleep physician who transformed her own family's sleep crisis into a mission to help others. Drawing from both her medical expertise and personal experience with a reflux baby who wouldn't sleep, Dr. Brown is here to uncover the complex relationship between sleep and behavior.

Join us this week to learn the three categories of sleep issues and how to identify which one your child is dealing with. Dr. Brown shares why sleep hygiene matters, the surprising connection between ADHD and sleep disorders, and her CREATE framework for better sleep. Whether you're dealing with a toddler who won't stay in bed or your own 3 a.m. wake-ups, you'll walk away with actionable tools to help your entire family get the restorative sleep you need.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/112

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Does your child struggle to sit still or focus during learning time? What if the problem isn't that they're not paying attention, but that their brain actually learns best through movement, touch, and sensory input?

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Christina Bretz, a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience and senior professional learning manager at Learning Without Tears.

Join us to learn how surprise, play, and touch help children retain information and engage socially, while also supporting sensory sensitivities in a developmentally appropriate way.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/111

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Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a parenting storm, desperately trying to keep your cool while your child is melting down?

I'm talking with Dr. Alissa Jerud, a clinical psychologist who specializes in anxiety and emotion regulation, and author of Emotion-Savvy Parenting: A Shame-Free Guide to Navigating Emotional Storms and Deepening Connection. She brings a unique perspective that combines cognitive behavioral therapy techniques with the messy reality of parenting, and shares a revolutionary approach to handling both our children's emotions and our own.

Join us this week to discover practical strategies for when emotions run high (both yours and your child's).

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/110

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Today I'm talking with Dr. Hokehe Eko, a board-certified integrative pediatrician, whose work focuses on the powerful connection between gut health and brain function – especially in children with autism and ADHD.

Through stories of children who went from aggressive to calm, from constipated to regular, and from non-verbal to speaking their first words, you'll discover practical dietary changes that can improve your child's quality of life.

While these interventions don't cure autism or ADHD, they can significantly enhance therapy outcomes and family dynamics by addressing the underlying inflammation that may be driving challenging behaviors.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/109

When your child answers "good" to your question about their day, it might feel like the conversation ends there. But they're actually telling you a story. You just need the tools to uncover it.

In this episode, listening expert Christine Miles and I explore how to teach kids the language of listening, helping them – and you – tune in to the full story behind every conversation.

Through her Listening Path framework, Christine offers a practical way to turn listening into a skill kids can learn and use. You'll discover how to ask the right questions to uncover stories and help your kids build deeper connections with the people in their lives.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/108

The traditional education model we've been using since the 1940s was designed for assembly line workers. But this system is failing to prepare kids for real life.

This week, I'm talking to Dr. Linda Hopper, a former business coach turned classroom teacher, who turned the system upside down by bringing coaching principles into the classroom. After spending 14 years in the classroom, Dr. Hopper found that asking the right questions - rather than just giving the right answers - is the key to helping kids grow and learn.

Join us today as Dr. Hopper shows us how we, as educators and parents, can empower kids to become experts on themselves. Her approach shifts the focus away from standardized tests and helps students build skills that last a lifetime.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/107

This week, I'm talking with Stefanie Adler, a functional diagnostic nutritionist who transformed her own childhood of chronic digestive issues into a mission to help families heal through food.

After being told at age 12 that she'd have to live with IBS forever, Stefanie changed her diet against medical advice and watched symptoms she'd had for 13 years disappear within months. Now she helps parents decode their children's symptoms by addressing root causes rather than masking problems.

Join us today as Stefanie shares practical strategies for building your child's immune system through protective foods, simple swaps for common household toxins, and ways to make real food appealing even when everyone else has packaged snacks.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/106

This week, I'm joined by Alisha from Rainbow Sky Creations, a passionate educator who's spent years transforming how children experience mathematics in the classroom. She shares how, when children can touch, manipulate, and physically interact with mathematical concepts, something remarkable happens in their brains that traditional paper-and-pencil methods simply can't replicate.

Join us to hear the compelling research that shows how students using concrete materials develop stronger neural pathways for abstract thinking, leading to 30 to 50% faster learning and a staggering 90% increase in engagement.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://planningplaytime.com/105