The Parenting Network Podcast

On this episode, Kelly Vincentini speaks with Maggie McGarvie, a speech-language pathologist, about the importance of promoting language development in children, particularly during the early years. They discuss practical strategies for parents to engage with their babies and toddlers, emphasizing the significance of connection, narration, and minimizing distractions from technology. Maggie shares insights on how to foster language skills through play, music, and meaningful interactions, while also addressing common pitfalls to avoid during these critical developmental stages.

Compass to True Connection

Check out her Norms Guide for developmental benchmarks for Articulation, Expressive Language, Receptive Language, Social Language, and Play/Motor for children 0-6years old.

Connect with Maggie on Instagram @yourathomeslp - YouTube or email [email protected] 

Additional Resources Available Here!

Learn more about Liberty Post here: https://liberty-post.com/

Learn more about Liberty Resources here: https://liberty-resources.org/ 

Local to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class? Visit our website to register here: https://play2learntot.com/

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REGISTER for your FREE Demo class here! 

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In this episode, Kelly speaks with Alicia Suskin, a doula and breastfeeding specialist, about her journey and the vital role of doulas in supporting families during labor and postpartum. They discuss personal birth experiences, the importance of emotional and physical support, and the misconceptions surrounding the role of doulas compared to midwives. Alicia emphasizes the need for trust and rapport with clients, highlighting the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by new mothers. They share the importance of support systems during birth, the benefits of placenta encapsulation, and essential tips for breastfeeding mothers; all while emphasizing the need for education and self-advocacy in maternal health, encouraging mothers to trust their instincts and prioritize self-care during the postpartum period.

Alicia's Services - https://www.syracusedoula.com/services 

Contact Alicia via email at [email protected] or  on Instagram @syracusedoula

Learn more about Liberty Post here: https://liberty-post.com/

Learn more about Liberty Resources here: https://liberty-resources.org/ 

Local to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class? Visit our website to register here: https://play2learntot.com/

Let's connect! Follow us on Instagram @play2learntot

REGISTER for your FREE Demo class here! 

Interested in learning more about Franchising Opportunities? Email us at [email protected]

In this engaging conversation, Kelly and Francesca Thomson explore the themes of motherhood, vulnerability, and community. They discuss the importance of authenticity in social media, the challenges of building connections as mothers, and the significance of embracing the journey of motherhood. Francesca shares her personal journey of career shifts after having kids and emphasizes the need for support and healthy living in motherhood. The conversation concludes with a focus on creating a supportive community for mothers and the joy of sharing experiences.

Get On the Bus with Francesca Thomson on Instagram @marathonofmotherhood

Check out her Smarter Swaps for Every Day and Every Celebration ! 

Learn more about Liberty Post here: https://liberty-post.com/

Learn more about Liberty Resources here: https://liberty-resources.org/ 

Local to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class? Visit our website to register here: https://play2learntot.com/

Let's connect! Follow us on Instagram @play2learntot

REGISTER for your FREE Demo class here! 

Interested in learning more about Franchising Opportunities? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Kelly & Alex speak with Barb Shepard, a licensed mental health counselor specializing in pediatric OCD and anxiety. They discuss the nature of anxiety, particularly in children, and how it manifests in various situations. Barb shares insights on recognizing clinical anxiety versus typical childhood worries, strategies for parents to manage anxiety at home, and the importance of fostering resilience and bravery in children. The conversation emphasizes the role of parents in modeling healthy coping mechanisms and the significance of providing support and understanding to children facing anxiety.

Email: [email protected]

Website: barbshepardcounseling.com

Instagram: @anxietyOCDfamily 

Resources- 

Books for Parents:
-Breaking Free from Child Anxiety and OCD by Eli Lebowitz
-Talking Back to OCD by John March
-Stopping the Noise in Your Head by Reid Wilson

Workbooks for Kids:
-The Crushing OCD Workbook for Kids: 50 Fun Activities to Overcome OCD with CBT and Exposures by Natasha Daniels

-What to Do when Your Brain Gets Stuck by Dawn Huebner 

Podcasts:
AT Parenting Survival Podcast - Raising Kids with OCD and Anxiety
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-parenting-survival-raising-kids-with-ocd-anxiety/id1205679186

YouTube:

OCD and Anxiety Online - Nathan Peterson
https://www.youtube.com/ocdandanxiety

Learn more about Liberty Post here: https://liberty-post.com/

Learn more about Liberty Resources here: https://liberty-resources.org/ 

Local to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class? Visit our website to register here: https://play2learntot.com/

Let's connect! Follow us on Instagram @play2learntot

REGISTER for your FREE Demo class here! 

Interested in learning more about Franchising Opportunities? Email us at [email protected]

In this conversation, Kelly Vincentini and Laura Vincent discuss common behavioral challenges faced by parents with young children, particularly focusing on the ages of one to four and a half. They explore strategies for managing transitions, the importance of understanding typical versus concerning behaviors, and the role of the child's environment in influencing behavior. Laura emphasizes the significance of communication, emotional regulation, and the need for parents to seek professional help when necessary.  

This episode also discusses the multifaceted aspects of parenting, emphasizing the importance of creating a structured environment, establishing routines, and the necessity of self-regulation for parents. They explore the interconnectedness of parental and child well-being, the significance of setting clear boundaries, and the role of positive reinforcement in fostering healthy choices. 

Regional Program Director
Laura Vincent, MS CCC/SLP
[email protected]

Contact
6723 Towpath Road
E. Syracuse, NY 13057
Phone: 315-425-1004
Audiology Phone: 315-701-5710
Fax: 315-235-3411

Learn more about Liberty Post here: https://liberty-post.com/

Learn more about Liberty Resources here: https://liberty-resources.org/ 

Local to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class? Visit our website to register here: https://play2learntot.com/

Let's connect! Follow us on Instagram @play2learntot

REGISTER for your FREE Demo class here! 

Interested in learning more about Franchising Opportunities? Email us at [email protected]

In this heartfelt conversation, Kelly Vincentini interviews her parents, Bob and Marybeth, reflecting on their 41 years of marriage and the lessons learned in parenting. They discuss the importance of unconditional love, sibling bonds, the challenges of parenthood, and maintaining a healthy marriage while raising children. The conversation emphasizes the significance of preparing children for independence and the pride parents feel as they watch their children thrive.

Check out this Episode's Conversation Topics!

• Unconditional love creates a safe space for children.
• Modeling kindness and acceptance fosters sibling bonds.
• Family activities strengthen relationships among siblings.
• Parenting involves stepping back to allow children to learn from mistakes.
• Maintaining a marriage requires communication and small gestures of love.
• Children learn more from observation than instruction.
• It's important to prepare children for independence from a young age.
• Resilience is a key trait to instill in children.
• Celebrating family moments is essential, but true family is shown in tough times.
• The little things in a marriage matter just as much as the big gestures.

Learn more about Liberty Post here: https://liberty-post.com/

Learn more about Liberty Resources here: https://liberty-resources.org/ 

Local to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class? Visit our website to register here: https://play2learntot.com/

Let's connect! Follow us on Instagram @play2learntot

REGISTER for your FREE Demo class here! 

Interested in learning more about Franchising Opportunities? Email us at [email protected]

On this episode, Kelly and Amy Mack explore the complexities of discussing grief and death with children. They emphasize the importance of clear communication, emotional honesty, and age-appropriate explanations. 

Amy shares insights from her experience as a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist, highlighting how children understand and process grief differently at various developmental stages. The discussion also covers the significance of normalizing grief within families, managing personal grief while supporting children, and the value of creating concrete grieving rituals to help children cope with loss. She emphasizes the importance of child-led activities to help children connect with their feelings and memories of lost loved ones, whether they are pets or family members. 

The conversation also covers how to navigate difficult topics such as miscarriage and current events that may frighten children, providing strategies for parents to support their children through these experiences. Additionally, Amy shares resources available for grieving families, highlighting the significance of community support during such challenging times.

Local Grief Support Services for Children

1. HOPE for Bereaved (Syracuse, NY)

2. Hospice of Central New York & the Finger Lakes (Liverpool, NY)

3. Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. (New Hartford, NY)

Recommended Children’s Books on Grief & Loss
General Grief and Death
 The Invisible String – Patrice Karst
 The Memory Box: A Book About Grief – Joanna Rowland

Loss of a Grandparent
 Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs – Tomie dePaola
 Grandpa’s Stories – Joseph Coelho

Loss of a Pet
 The Tenth Good Thing About Barney – Judith Viorst
 When a Pet Dies – Fred Rogers

Miscarriage, Infant Loss, or Sibling Death
 Something Happened – Cathy Blanford
 Always My Twin – Valerie Samuels

Sad or Scary Events / Community Grief
 A Terrible Thing Happened – Margaret Holmes
 Come With Me – Holly McGhee

Online Tools & Videos for Children
Sesame Workshop provides excellent digital tools for young children to navigate grief and traumatic events.
• Grief Resources
• Violence and Traumatic Events

Articles by Liana Lowenstein, MSW, RSW, CPT-S
Liana Lowenstein is a Registered Clinical Social Worker, Certified Play Therapist-
Supervisor, and Certified TF-CBT Therapist who has worked with children and families since 1988. She is an internationally known author, trainer, and supervisor in the field of child mental health. Below are helpful articles she has written for supporting grieving children and families:
 Grief: How to Help Children Cope
 Bereaved Children: Guidelines for Parents
 Helping Children Through Separation and Divorce
 Helping Children Cope with Terminal Illness
 How to Help Grieving Children
 Helping Children After the Suicide of a Loved One

Learn more about Liberty Post here: https://liberty-post.com/

Learn more about Liberty Resources here: https://liberty-resources.org/ 

Local to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class? Visit our website to register here: https://play2learntot.com/

Let's connect! Follow us on Instagram @play2learntot

REGISTER for your FREE Demo class here! 

Interested in learning more about Franchising Opportunities? Email us at [email protected]

Meet Jackie Clark, an experienced educator with a passion for nurturing joy and growth in children. We discuss the evolution of kindergarten, the shift to full-day programs, the impact of universal pre-kindergarten, and the essential skills children need to thrive in their early education. 

Jackie emphasizes the importance of social skills, emotional readiness, and fostering independence in young learners, while also addressing the balance between academic and social development. In this conversation, we dive into the importance of fostering independent life skills in children, the decision-making process for parents regarding school readiness, and the impact of homeschooling on socialization. We also address separation anxiety in young children, strategies for promoting fine motor skills in the classroom, and the significance of quality time and natural learning experiences in child development.

Learn more about Liberty Post here: https://liberty-post.com/

Learn more about Liberty Resources here: https://liberty-resources.org/ 

Local to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class? Visit our website to register here: https://play2learntot.com/

Let's connect! Follow us on Instagram @play2learntot

REGISTER for your FREE Demo class here! 

Interested in learning more about Franchising Opportunities? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of the Play to Learn Podcast we discuss our experiences and insights on traveling with children. We share nostalgic childhood travel memories, compare recent family trips to Disney and Atlantis, and emphasize the importance of planning, space, and sleep schedules for a successful family vacation. 

The conversation also covers essential packing tips for traveling with kids, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for the whole family. We discuss the intricacies of family travel, focusing on packing strategies, managing screen time, and creating core memories. We also share personal experiences and practical tips for making vacations enjoyable for both kids AND parents, emphasizing the importance of quality time and the need to adapt to unexpected challenges during trips. 

Traveling doesn't need to be a far away place or cost a fortune! This episode highlights the value of family bonding through travel, regardless of budget constraints. So if you're planning your next family trip...tune in for some great tips and tricks for traveling before you go!

Learn more about Liberty Post here: https://liberty-post.com/

Learn more about Liberty Resources here: https://liberty-resources.org/ 

Local to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class? Visit our website to register here: https://play2learntot.com/

Let's connect! Follow us on Instagram @play2learntot

REGISTER for your FREE Demo class here! 

Interested in learning more about Franchising Opportunities? Email us at [email protected]

In this episode, we interview Laura Vincent, a regional program director for Liberty Post and licensed speech language pathologist. We discuss Laura's journey in the field of speech language pathology, the common concerns parents have regarding their children's communication development, and the differences between late talkers and those with language disorders. Laura emphasizes the importance of intelligibility in speech, the role of pediatricians in evaluating speech and language development, and offers practical advice for parents on how to support their children's communication skills at home. 

In this conversation, we discuss essential strategies for parents and caregivers to support children's development, focusing on screen time management, the importance of reading and storytelling, empowering children through choice, the role of music in learning, effective communication techniques, the significance of repetition in skill acquisition, and how to support children receiving therapy services. We emphasize the need for a nurturing environment that fosters autonomy and creativity while providing practical tips for everyday interactions.

Regional Program Director
Laura Vincent, MS CCC/SLP
[email protected]

Contact
6723 Towpath Road
E. Syracuse, NY 13057
Phone: 315-425-1004
Audiology Phone: 315-701-5710
Fax: 315-235-3411

Learn more about Liberty Post here!

Learn more about Liberty Post here: https://liberty-post.com/

Learn more about Liberty Resources here: https://liberty-resources.org/ 

Local to Central New York and interested in joining a Play2Learn class? Visit our website to register here: https://play2learntot.com/

Let's connect! Follow us on Instagram @play2learntot

REGISTER for your FREE Demo class here! 

Interested in learning more about Franchising Opportunities? Email us at [email protected]