Transforming The Toddler Years- Parents and Educators Raising Calm, Connected, Capable Kids

What if the most important thing you can teach your child is who they are, not what they can do?

In this episode, I continue the Raising Smart Kids in a Digital World series by exploring how self-awareness and identity form the foundation of emotional intelligence and lifelong learning. I explain why children are born with unique temperaments, strengths, and character traits, and how parents can nurture these qualities through observation and intentional language. Tune in to discover how recognizing and affirming your child's natural gifts can strengthen relationships, build character, and support their long-term success.

Want to take your parenting journey to another level?⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your complimentary connection call now!

June 16, 2026

Episode 333

Raising Smart Kids in a Digital World - Part 2 - Cultivating Their Character

About Your Host:

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the new book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠

What if the key to raising resilient, capable kids isn't academic achievement, but emotional intelligence?

In this first episode of the Raising Smart Kids in a Digital World, I explore why emotional awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence and ultimately learning itself. Through relatable parenting examples and real-life observations, I explain the difference between reacting to emotions and recognizing, naming, and managing them. You'll learn why toddlers can't develop emotional skills during meltdowns and how calm, connected moments create the best opportunities for teaching emotional awareness. Tune in to discover practical ways to observe, support, and strengthen your child's emotional intelligence from the inside out!

Your task for the week: Check out your kids. Watch them in action. Watch them in play. Listen to them as they communicate with you. Have moments where your only goal is to assess their energy and to see where they are on this scale.

June 9, 2026

Episode 332

Raising Smart Kids in a Digital World - Part 1 - Emotional Intelligence

About Your Host:

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the new book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠

Is the education system preparing our children for the future—or failing them before they even begin?

In this episode, we explore the growing challenges facing families, from soaring childcare costs and declining school enrollment to the rapid transformation of education in the age of AI. Discover why character, self-management, and human-centered skills may be the most important tools children need to thrive in a world where learning, work, and opportunity are being redefined.

This week, start an honest conversation with your partner and your child about what education should look like in a rapidly changing world—and whether their current learning experience is helping them become the person they want to be.

June 2, 2026

Episode 331

AI in Education - What This Means For Your Family

About Your Host:

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the new book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠

What does it feel like when the independent, world-ready child you raised begins building a life far beyond what you imagined?

In this deeply personal episode, I share the emotional journey of supporting my daughter’s upcoming wedding in Japan while navigating the heartbreak of not being able to attend in person. I reflect on the powerful parenting lesson of separating our expectations from our children’s unique life paths and embracing perspective shifts rooted in love and trust. This heartfelt conversation is a reminder that raising confident, autonomous children is both beautiful and bittersweet—and that sometimes the greatest act of parenting is learning to cheer them on from afar.

If this episode touched your heart or helped you feel a little less alone in your parenting journey, would you take a moment to rate and review the show?

Your support helps more parents find this space to feel seen, encouraged, and empowered as they raise incredible humans.

May 26, 2026

Episode 330

A Vunerable Story: My Daughter, Her Wedding & Letting Go of Expectations

About Your Host:

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the new book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠

What if the secret to raising resilient, emotionally healthy kids starts with intentionally creating your family’s culture?

In this heartfelt conversation, educators Nancy and Steven Shapiro share how families can move from parenting by default to parenting by design through simple daily practices rooted in shared values and connection. Drawing from nearly a century of combined experience in education, the discussion explores how modeling behaviors like kindness, self-regulation, and empathy helps children build strong identities and meaningful relationships. The episode also dives into the realities of blended families, mental health, and the power of creating a home where children always feel they belong.

Steven Shapiro and Nancy Shapiro Rapport are a brother-sister team with a combined 68 years of experience in public education. Their work as educators gave them a front row seat to the youth mental health crisis and the enormous challenges of modern parenting. Steven and Nancy are committed to helping parents raise emotionally healthy kids in close knit, connected families through the creation of intentional family cultures rooted in parents’ deepest-held values.

Check out the groundbreaking mobile app, Our Family Culture. A one-of-a-kind, time-tested system that produces profound results for parents and kids alike. Nancy and Steven are currently offering a low cost Our Family Culture subscription as a welcome offer to new families. No code is needed! Parents can access the app and offer through the app store on their cell phone.

Want to take your parenting journey to another level?⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Book your complimentary connection call now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

May 21, 2026

Episode 329

Building Your Family Culture - Parenting On Purpose with Nancy and Steven Shapiro

About Your Host:

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the new book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

What if one heartfelt compliment could completely change another parent’s day?

In this episode, I explore how quick we can be to notice parenting struggles in public while often overlooking the moments of patience, connection, and love happening all around us. The conversation highlights the importance of remembering that every family has a story we cannot see and that one difficult moment never defines a parent or child. This episode will inspire you to shift your focus toward compassion, community, and celebrating the everyday wins of parenting.

Interested in a Toddler Tribe Community full of resources and connection?

⁠DM ⁠me "Community" on ⁠Instagram ⁠so we can connect!

May 19, 2026

Episode 328

The Power of Complimenting Parents in Public

About Your Host:

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the new book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠

What if the most powerful learning moments happen not in classrooms, but during everyday adventures with your child?

In this episode, I explore the concept of child-led learning and challenge the traditional belief that learning is simply the accumulation of knowledge. Instead, learning is reframed as a child’s natural process of exploring, connecting, experimenting, and making sense of the world around them. The episode highlights the importance of emotional safety, connection, and allowing children the space to guide their own discoveries in everyday moments. I share a fresh perspective on how to support curiosity, nurture development naturally, and recognize the powerful learning opportunities already happening all around them.Interested in a Toddler Tribe Community full of resources and connection?

DM me "Community" on Instagram so we can connect!

May 12, 2026

Episode 327

Child Led Learning - What it Really Means

About Your Host:

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the new book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

What if the key to raising successful kids in an AI-driven world isn’t more academics, but stronger imagination?

Bradley Scheel joins me to explore how creativity is a learnable skill that too often fades as children grow, especially after age five. He breaks down how brain development, cultural norms, and education systems unintentionally suppress imagination, and what parents can do to reverse that trend. We discuss the importance of intrinsic motivation, curiosity, and resilience as essential 21st-century skills. Tune in to learn how intentional, play-based experiences can help children build creative intelligence and thrive in a rapidly changing world.  

When not living in his imagination, Wylde is an award-winning children’s author and founder of The Imagination Project and Wylde Scott Entertainment. In addition to dreaming up fantastic tales for young readers, Wylde spends his time in elementary schools, bookstores, and libraries creating fun-filled events for children, parents, and teachers alike. His mission is to ignite imaginations worldwide and empower children with the mindset that anything is possible.Check out Bradley's best-selling book Raising Dreamers: Why Imagination is the Key to Preserving Humanity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence 

Want to take your parenting journey to another level?⁠ ⁠⁠Book your complimentary connection call now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

May 7, 2026

Episode 326

Raising Dreamers: Nurturing Creative Intelligence in the Age of AI with Bradley Scheel

About Your Host:

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the new book ⁠⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠

What if your toddler’s refusal to say “thank you” isn’t defiance but a clue about how their brain actually works?

In this episode I unpack a real-life moment where prompting gratitude backfired, revealing why young children often can’t express thankfulness on command. You’ll learn how true gratitude is an internal feeling that toddlers are still developing, not a social script they can reliably perform. Instead of enforcing polite words, I share a powerful shift: modeling gratitude by thanking your child first. The result is a more authentic, emotionally grounded path to raising genuinely grateful humans.

If you’re enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate and review! Your support helps us reach more listeners, grow the podcast, and continue bringing you valuable conversations each week. Thank you for being here!

May 5, 2026

Episode 325

When Toddlers Refuse To Say Thank You - Do This!

About Your Host:

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the new book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠

What happens when your instincts scream danger, but the reality says your child is safe?

In this episode, I share a heart-racing moment in a parking lot that became a powerful lesson in balancing fear with intentional language. You’ll hear how one caregiver managed her own emotional response while staying connected to her child’s experience. I demonstrate how reflective statements can turn chaotic moments into meaningful learning opportunities. I emphasize that staying mindful and choosing your words carefully can transform even the most triggering situations into growth for both you and your child.

Want to practice some intentional language script starters, some frameworks that give you an idea of what to say even when you are escalated?

Grab a copy of my new book Talk to Them Early and Often. It is an intentional language guide for infant, toddler caregivers, and it gives you the tools to navigate the tricky situations.

April 28, 2026

Episode 324

What to Say to Toddlers When They Run Away

About Your Host:

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the new book ⁠⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠