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

Does your toddler fall apart when there is a sudden change of plans?

In this episode, I explore simple, conscious parenting strategies to help little ones feel safe, supported, and more adaptable during transitions and share mindful ways to guide your child through sudden changes with calm, connection, and confidence.

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September 30, 2025

Episode 279

How to Help Toddlers Navigate Unexpected Transitions

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 teach your littles self-regulation?

Lisa Danahy joins me in this episode to discuss connecting on an energetic level as a great way to start building more positive and effective emotional regulation and communication, as we peel away authority and expectations and become co-creators in our children’s spaces. We also discuss emotions as energy in motion and co-regulation through mindful movement and breathing.

Lisa Danahy (C-IAYT, YACEP, MS) is a powerful educator and entrepreneur. Her non-profit, Create Calm, has facilitated cultural shifts and deep healing for thousands of students, teachers, and families in hundreds of schools and community organizations across the country since 2016. Lisa is highly skilled at creating accessible, evidence-based, successful curricula for behavioral and emotional regulation, as well as physical and mental health.

Check out Lisa's book Create Calm in Your Classroom, available on Amazon!

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.

September 25, 2025

Episode 278

How to Teach Toddlers to Self-Regulate with Lisa Danahy

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.⁠

Is tech helping or hurting your kids?

In this episode, I unpack the toxic effects of screen time on toddlers, tweens, and teens. From AAP screen-time guidelines to real-life stories, we explore how early habits shape focus, social skills, and even addiction. Walk away with practical steps to set boundaries, foster connection, and rethink your family’s relationship with technology.

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.

September 23, 2025

Episode 277

The Toxic Effects of Technology on Toddlers, Tweens, and Teens

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 your kids to thrive long after they leave the house?

In the final episode of a very special mini-series with my 20 year old daughter Caroline, she reflects on her journey into adulthood, including the leap of faith she took moving to Japan at 18. She shares candid stories about navigating uncertainty, building independence, and finding strength in faith and communication.

This conversation offers a rare, vulnerable look at parenting coming full circle—with honesty, grace, and lots of love.

Looking for intentional language scripts you can use with your toddler?

Check out my newest 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.

September 18, 2025

Episode 276

Raising Healthy Adults From Birth - An Interview with My Daughter Part 3

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.

Feel like you're always entertaining your little one?

In this episode, I share why it is our job as parents, caregivers and educators to allow infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to experience the world, not to manufacture their experience by entertaining them at all times.

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September 16, 2025

Episode 275

Allowing Vs. Entertaining - How We Solve Problems That Don't Exist

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 kids who become healthy adults?

In episode of two of a very special mini-series with my 20 year old daughter Caroline, she reflects on her journey into adulthood, including the leap of faith she took moving to Japan at 18. She shares candid stories about navigating uncertainty, building independence, and finding strength in faith and communication.

This conversation offers a rare, vulnerable look at parenting coming full circle—with honesty, grace, and lots of love.

September 11, 2025

Episode 274

Raising Healthy Adults From Birth - An Interview with My Daughter Part 2

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 avoid power struggles with your toddler?

In this episode I talk about the 90/10 parenting principal and how it can help us set boundaries and avoid power struggles. You'll hear how to use this method and a few examples of it in action!

If you want to know more about this entire methodology, I invite you to look at 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.

September 9, 2025

Episode 273

The 90/10 Parenting Principal - How to Set Loving Boundaries and Follow Through

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 kids who become healthy adults?

In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode, I welcome my 20 year old daughter Caroline. She reflects on her journey into adulthood, including the leap of faith she took moving to Japan at 18. Together, we discuss the power of intentional parenting, resilience, and the lasting impact of early childhood experiences. Caroline shares candid stories about navigating uncertainty, building independence, and finding strength in faith and communication. This conversation offers a rare, vulnerable look at parenting coming full circle—with honesty, grace, and lots of love.

September 4, 2025

Episode 272

Raising Healthy Adults From Birth - An Interview with My Daughter Part 1

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.

Nervous system regulation and toddlers? Listen to this!

In this episode, I reflect on my summer hiatus and reground listeners into the mission of the podcast. I emphasize the importance of understanding children's behaviors through a lens of nervous system regulation, trauma, and emotional safety. I invite parents and caregivers to observe, connect, and lean into the humanity of their children during this season of transition.

Love what you hear?

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.

September 2, 2025

Episode 271

Toddlers Big Behaviors and Their Nervous System

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.

School drop off have you stressed?

In this episode, I talk about some of our kids biggest struggles: social and separation anxiety. This episode continues our back-to-school re-release series as kids begin a full-time daycare, preschool, or Kindergarten programs. Learning how to say goodbye without tears is a big transition. Help set your kids (and yourself) up for smoother mornings!

Love what you hear?

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.

August 26, 2025

Episode 270

How to Navigate School Drop Off With More Smiles and Less Tears

About Your Host:

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed is mom to three girls, a Vermont based Early Childhood Educator and the founder of Core4Parenting. She is the passionate mastermind behind the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™, a birth-to-five, soul and science based framework that empowers toddler parents and educators  to turn tantrums into teachable moments. Through keynotes, teacher training, and her top-ranking podcast, Transforming the Toddler Years, she’s teaching the 5 Executive Functioning Skills kids need to navigate our ever-changing world.

Ready to raise world-ready kids who change the world? Visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caratyrrell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to begin your Collaborative Parenting journey!

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you!

Complete the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Application form here⁠⁠.⁠