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

Nervous about travelling with kids this holiday season?

In this special replay episode I discuss the challenges of traveling with kids during the holiday season. I explain the cognitive process that children go through and how travel tests their executive functioning skills. I also emphasize the importance of seeing it through your child's perspective and making it about the journey, not the destination.

Ready to nurture your relationship while raising strong, self-aware kids who feel truly seen, heard, and safe to tell you anything? 

Check out my free gift to you:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠5 Things Your Toddler Needs to Hear You Say Everyday⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch and listen as your child starts to respond differently to you.

December 16, 2025

Episode 298

How to Travel with Kids: 3 Ways to Make it Easier

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 forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.

Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to raise a child that is truly grateful and generous?

In this episode, I explore how giving and receiving are the two sides of the coin of gratitude and thankfulness. I share a recent example of teaching kids to give and how the lesson does not settle in our kids' souls unless we tap into their feelings and the emotions around it.

Ready to take the next step?

Check out my short video training, where I guide you through the process of writing your personalized mission statement for raising and to teaching extraordinary human beings. Find all the details⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠

December 9, 2025

Episode 297

Teaching Toddlers How to Give and Receive

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 forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.

Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

How can we inspire true gratitude to come from within our toddlers?

Join me in this episode as I talk all about inspiring gratitude from our children, even in the middle of struggle.  I share ways to use language, motivation and inspiration to use with your kids.

Teachers and ECE Professionals- what type of professional development would you benefit most from?

I do⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠early childhood education trainings, pre-service, in-service⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠and everything in between and would love to connect with you on a 1:1 call to see how I can be of service to you and the littles you work with.

December 4, 2025

Episode 296

The 4 A's of Gratitude - Teaching Toddlers How to Show Thankfulness

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 forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.

Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠! ⁠⁠⁠

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠

It's that time of year when buying can be excessive and kids want everything!

Join me in this episode as I discuss the valuable lesson of teaching our children the difference between a need and a want. I share examples and give some simple tips on how to practice teaching this skill!

Ready to take the next step?

Check out my short video training, where I guide you through the process of writing your personalized mission statement for raising and to teaching extraordinary human beings. Find all the details⁠⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.⁠⁠

December 2, 2025

Episode 295

Teaching Toddlers the Difference Between Needs vs. Wants

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 forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.

Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Worried about your child's risky play?

Dr. Joanna Spotts joins me in this conversation to talk about the benefits of risky play and why it is essential for development. We also discuss ways to safely provide opportunities for risky play.

Joanna Spotts, EdD has been an educator for over 20 years. Dr. Joanna discovered her passion for risky play during her doctoral journey and seeks to use her voice to help others find the joy of risky play. Join her monthly newsletter to stay up to date!

Ready to Adopt the 4 C’s of Collaborative Discipline?⁠⁠⁠⁠

Grab your free download and embrace connection before correction! Get it ⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

November 27, 2025

Episode 294

The Power of Risky Play (Why Your Child Needs It) with Dr. Joanna Spotts

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 forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.

Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

How can we help little ones feel genuine gratitude?

In this Thanksgiving episode, I explore how to nurture the inner core of a child so they can receive with grace, kindness, and confidence. This episode shows parents how to model thankfulness and guide little ones toward a lifelong habit of heartfelt appreciation.

Parenting is hard – support shouldn’t be. Get my weekly dose of encouragement & strategies. Sign up⁠ here!⁠

November 25, 2025

Episode 293

What Are Toddler's Grateful For? A Thanksgiving Episode

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 forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.

Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

Feeling like you're struggling as a working parent?

In this special episode, I share my guest interview on the Mindful Mama Mentor podcast with Hunter Clarke-Fields.

We discuss mindfulness, parenting as leadership, and the impact of language on a child's identity. I also share practical strategies for emotional awareness, connection, screen time management, and reframing parental guilt.

Ready to take the next step?

Check out my short video training, where I guide you through the process of writing your personalized mission statement for raising and to teaching extraordinary human beings. Find all the details⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.⁠

November 20, 2025

Episode 292

Being a Better Working Parent with Hunter-Clarke Fields

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 forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.

Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ever feel like your child is judging you?

In this episode I share a story of a family interaction I recently witnessed and break it down. I also share a simple trick you can use when you feel like your child says something that triggers you.

Please take a minute to rate and review the show, suggest a topic, and leave a comment so we can get the word out to as many conscious parents as possible.

November 18, 2025

Episode 299

It Feels Like My Toddler is Judging Me! What Do I Say?

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 forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.

Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠! ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

Curious about the importance of music for your child?

In this episode, Esther Bertram joins me to discuss Mini Maestros' mission of nurturing young minds through musical learning. We talk all about how music enriches your child's brain, setting them up for a lifetime of success.

Esther Bertram has served as Chief Marketing Officer at Mini Maestros for over 10 years. As a professional singer/songwriter, she brings a unique understanding of the powerful role music plays in young children's brain development.

Learn more about Mini Maestros programs, courses and offerings. You can also check out all the work they do on Instagram.

⁠Ready to Adopt the 4 C’s of Collaborative Discipline?⁠⁠⁠

Grab your free download and embrace connection before correction! Get it ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠

November 13, 2025

Episode 290

How Music Builds Your Child's Brain for a Lifetime of Success with Esther Bertram from MiniMaestros

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 forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.

Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 What happens when kids go into the real world outside our home and eventually face people who say no directly to their faces?

In this episode I answer a very important question bout preparing our kids for situations and hardships they encounter in the real world, where they face different kinds of people and circumstances.

Let's turn the daily tantrums into teachable moments that align with your core values as you raise whole kids in my ⁠Transforming the Toddler Years Course⁠.

The course is six modules and it dives deep. It gives you many resources to team up with your kids to get to the promised lands that you want to get to without all the typical parenting drama that is very popularized on the internet and social media. Check it out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

November 11, 2025

Episode 289

How Will My Child Handle "NO" From Others If I Never Say It?

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 forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.

Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠