A Parent's Guide to Child Development

Annamarie von Firley
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  • Parenting
  • Updated twice weekly

Let's face it—nobody ever went to college to learn how to raise a baby. Everyone is just making it up as they go along. "A Parent's Guide to Child Development" is your lifeline to expert wisdom. Learn about the most important information that you didn't know existed. Hosted by Annamarie von Firley from Fledglings' Flight, this podcast gathers insights from experts in child development such as pediatric OTs, speech language pathologists, child psychologists, lactation consultants, & more, delivering practical tips & actionable advice to help optimize your child's development.

  1. 1 day ago

    How Fear Paralysis & Moro Reflex Shape Your Child's Cognitive Functions | A Parent's Guide to Child Development

    In this episode, Emily Roper explains the roles and development of the fear paralysis reflexes and Moro reflexes as well as its implications. Roper discusses how pregnancy, birth, and early infancy influence the stress response, sensory processing, attention, and emotional regulation. Emily also covers signs of retained primitive reflexes, their links to anxiety and ADHD symptoms, and ways parents can support healthy neurological development.Time Stamps 02:02 What is the fear paralysis reflex?04:11 How do fear paralysis & Moro reflexes develop in our body 06:00 How do primitive reflexes help human neurodevelopment09:19 Can maternal health influence primitive reflex integration12:40 Early signs of the retained fear paralysis for the preemie14:44 How can so many symptoms be different expressions of one nervous system response?19:00 How do Moro reflexes kick in during the moment of birth & why is it important for the brain & body functions24:59 How can retained reflexes trigger many psychological issues in early development27:48 How can early stress responses shape ADHD Behaviors29:10 Why is the retained Moro reflex a cause of many stress responses & how it shape kids' personalities30:29 How do Moro & fear-paralysis patterns look together32:59 How does stress regulation change over time in kids and adultsContact Emily Roperinstagram.com/earlyrootsfacebook.com/earlyrootsAbout Emily Roper Emily Roper is a Neurodevelopmental Delay Therapist, the founder of Early Roots, and a certified midwife’s assistant. Roper supports children with developmental delays. She has over a decade of experience with neurodivergent children and has attended more than 600 births. Through her work and podcast, she teaches how early experiences shape cognitive and nervous system development.About Annamarie von Firley:After 20 years of owning and running her own fashion house, reVamp, Annamarie von Firley returned to her toy design roots. With a BA in Wooden Toy Design and Construction and a BFA in Furniture Design, she took her knowledge of child development and expertise in play to found Adventuretown Toy Emporium in 2016. About Fledglings' Flight:At Fledglings Flight, we understand that every child is unique and deserves the best opportunities for growth and learning. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of play-based exercises specifically designed for children from birth to 3 years of age. These exercises are carefully curated to stimulate their cognitive, motor, and social-emotional development.With our user-friendly app, parents and caregivers have access to a library of engaging exercises that change monthly. You can customize your daily routine by selecting exercises that align with your child's developmental needs. As a Basic Member, you can track your child's milestones and receive insights into their progress. For even more personalized guidance, our Premium Members gain access to a developmental profile.Follow us:Fledglings’ Flight: https://www.FledglingsFlight.comApp: https://app.FledglingsFlight.comInstagram://fledglingsflight TikTok://fledglings.flight Facebook://fledglingsflight LinkedIn://fledglings-flight Pinterest://fledglingsflight Music: Purple Planet Music

    40 min

  2. 27 Jun ·  Bonus

    Did your OB give you a mental health check when you were pregnant? | A Parent's Guide to Child Development

    In this episode, Lynn Ingram McFarland discusses how early screening helps identify mental health concerns, encourages honest conversations with providers, and how it can support parents throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journey. Time Stamps 00:50 Why is screening so important throughout the pregnancy and postpartum journey? 01:09 How does the process of perinatal mental screening look? 02:22 Why does communication with your providers matter in creating a safe space for moms before screening? Contact Lynn Ingram McFarland: Email: ingramscreeningpmads@gmail.com Text: 503-888-6489 Website: https://ingramscreening.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnmcfarland/ Follow us: Fledglings’ Flight: www.FledglingsFlight.com App: app.FledglingsFlight.com Instagram: / fledglingsflight TikTok: / fledglings.flight Facebook: / fledglingsflight LinkedIn: / fledglings-flight Pinterest: / fledglingsflight Music: Purple Planet Music

    3 min

  3. 26 Jun ·  Bonus

    Why understanding your child’s behavior supports their emotional growth| A Parent's Guide to Child Development

    In this episode, Gabreile Nicolet explains” intermittent reinforcement in children and how inconsistency encourages persistence. Nicolet also emphasizes that understanding the emotional needs behind a child's actions can improve communication and self-regulation. Time Stamps 00:02 Why children ask the same question over and over even after you have told them ‘no‘? 01:15 What happens when a parent dismisses their child’s needs? 02:10 How being dismissive to your child affects their self-esteem and mental health? Contact Gabreile Nicolet https://www.instagram.com/gabriele_nicolet https://www.facebook.com/gabriele.nicolet https://www.gabrielenicolet.com https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/complicated-kids/id1674232166Follow us:Fledglings’ Flight: https://www.FledglingsFlight.com App: https://app.FledglingsFlight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fledglingsflight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@Fledglings.Flight Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FledglingsFlight LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/fledglings-flight Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fledglingsflight/ Music: Purple Planet Music

    3 min

  4. 20 Jun

    The Benefits of Montessori Education for Early Childhood Development | A Parent's Guide to Child Development

    In this episode, Marsha Familaro Enright discusses a science-based study on how Montessori classrooms foster growth and the philosophy behind them, including the impact from early childhood through young adulthood. She highlights how Montessori's focus on sensitive periods, intrinsic motivation, mixed-age classrooms, and real-world learning promotes resilience, confidence, and independence rather than relying on a rewards or grading system approach. Time Stamps 02:16 What is the educational method of Montessori & its benefits 06:00 Why does Montessori school offer a better learning experience 10:00 Misconceptions about the Montessori educational structure 11:26 What are Montessori sensitive periods & why do they matter 13:21 What study materials does the Montessori math class for 3-year-olds use 17:31 How Montessori’s classroom creates the best learning environment 20:22 How Montessori classroom activities provide practical lessons helps in learning 23:57 What Montessori practices help children develop executive function 26:00 What is MIT's Greek study method that helps kids for future success 27:32 What replaces grades & rewards in a Montessori school 30:03 Important skills young adults gain from Montessori that modern schools often miss About Marsha Familaro Enright Marsha Familaro Enright is a Montessori educator, international speaker, and author with decades of experience in innovative education. She founded Council Oak Montessori School and works to expand Montessori principles through The Reliance College Fund. Contact Marsha Familaro Enright : Hello@reliancecollege.org Great connections Summer Seminar applicants can receive the discounted early rate by mentioning A Parent’s Guide to Child Development Podcasts in their Application Link Here  Interested in Reliance College’s AI Proof UTM course & to get a steep discount for the Fall? Contact admin@reliancecollege.org About Annamarie von Firley: After 20 years of owning and running her own fashion house, reVamp, Annamarie von Firley returned to her toy design roots. With a BA in Wooden Toy Design and Construction and a BFA in Furniture Design, she took her knowledge of child development and expertise in play to found Adventuretown Toy Emporium in 2016. About Fledglings' Flight: At Fledglings Flight, we understand that every child is unique and deserves the best opportunities for growth and learning. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of play-based exercises specifically designed for children from birth to 3 years of age. These exercises are carefully curated to stimulate their cognitive, motor, and social-emotional development.With our user-friendly app, parents and caregivers have access to a library of engaging exercises that change monthly. You can customize your daily routine by selecting exercises that align with your child's developmental needs. As a Basic Member, you can track your child's milestones and receive insights into their progress. For even more personalized guidance, our Premium Members gain access to a developmental profile. Follow us: Fledglings’ Flight: https://www.FledglingsFlight.com App: https://app.FledglingsFlight.com Instagram://fledglingsflight TikTok://fledglings.flight Facebook://fledglingsflight LinkedIn://fledglings-flight Pinterest://fledglingsflight Music: Purple Planet Music

    40 min

  5. 14 Jun ·  Bonus

    Early Signs Parents Should Recognize About ADHD| A Parent's Guide to Child Development

    In this episode, we dive into a real-life ADHD diagnosis success story. Our podcast guest, Dominique Padurano, discusses the importance of early symptom identification and the challenges in the classroom and family dynamics. Padurano uses a real-life example to emphasize how proper diagnosis, treatment, and support can help children unlock their full potential and build confidence for the future. Time stamps 0:05 Why parents should listen to educators' concerns about their kids 00:37 Why it is important to test your kids to determine whether they have ADHD 01:25 Real-life example of ADHD in kids and why early intervention can support them? 02:00 How undiagnosed ADHD affects kids' self-esteem and learning abilities Contact Dr. Dominique PaduranoWebsite https://www.crimsoncoaching.com/contactCoupons for the listeners - 10% off services - Promo code: PLAY2026 - Expires: June 30, 2026 Follow us : Fledglings’ Flight: https://www.FledglingsFlight.com App: https://app.FledglingsFlight.com Instagram: / fledglingsflight TikTok: / fledglings.flight Facebook: / fledglingsflight LinkedIn: / fledglings-flight Pinterest: / fledglingsflight Music: Purple Planet Music

    3 min

  6. 11 Jun ·  Bonus

    Why Primitive Reflexes Matter in Early Childhood | A Parent's Guide to Child Development

    In this episode, Emily Roper explains why primitive reflexes play a crucial role in early childhood development, their correlation with brain and body coordination skills from feeding to breathing, and how they lay the foundation for motor skills such as crawling and walking, as well as for sensory processing, such as reading or learning, which are important for future growth milestones in toddlers. Timestamps : 0:03 What are primitive reflexes, and their goal in early child development? 01:08 Types of primitive reflexes and their functions? 01:47 Why do primitive reflexes, such as the startle/ Moro reflexes, help with survival? 02:08 Why do some primitive reflexes play a key role in early cognitive and body coordination development? Contact Emily Roper Instagram.com/earlyrootsFacebook.com/earlyroots Follow us: Fledglings’ Flight: https://www.FledglingsFlight.com App: https://app.FledglingsFlight.com Instagram://fledglingsflight TikTok://fledglings.flight Facebook://fledglingsflight LinkedIn://fledglings-flight Pinterest://fledglingsflight Music: Purple Planet Music

    3 min

  7. 6 Jun ·  Bonus

    How Gestalt & Analytics Processing supports kids’ language skills | A Parent's Guide to Child Development

    In this episode, Sholeh Shahinfar explains two concepts in children's language processing, analytic and gestalt language processing, and why they matter for language and speech development. She also explains how simple daily routines, natural conversations, and narration help children build vocabulary and communication skills. Time Stamps 00:28 What is the difference between Gestalt and analytic language learning for children? 01:29 Tips for parents to build simple language strategies at home? 02:36 How daily narration can help neurodivergent children who may not have been diagnosed? Contact Sholeh Shahinfar Website: www.valuedvoices.com Instagram & Facebook: @valuedvoices Email: sholeh@valuedvoices.com Phone: 949-929-9248 Shop & Resources: www.valuedvoices.com/shop Follow us: Fledglings’ Flight: https://www.FledglingsFlight.com App: https://app.FledglingsFlight.com Instagram:// fledglingsflight TikTok://fledglings.flight Facebook:// fledglingsflight LinkedIn:// fledglings-flight Pinterest://fledglingsflight Music: Purple Planet Music

    3 min

  8. 4 Jun ·  Bonus

    Why Auditory Processing Development Matters in Toddlers? | A Parent's Guide to Child Development

    In this episode, Lois Kam Heymann discusses the signs of auditory processing disorder in toddlers. Heyman highlights the drawbacks of giving children screens instead of engaging in real conversations with them, outlines key developmental milestones and other warning signs parents should watch for during infancy and toddlerhood, and emphasizes the importance of play in language and speech development. Time stamps: 00:45 Signs a baby may not be connecting words with objects 01:38 Auditory processing & language developmental milestones 02:08 How do children learn to recognize and discriminate sounds? Contact Lois Kam Heyman www.listenlovelearn.comLois@listenlovelearn.vom Instagram @listen_love_learn Use Code: PLAYfor 10% off orders over $10 on the website, listenlovelearn.com Follow us: Fledglings’ Flight: https://www.FledglingsFlight.com App: https://app.FledglingsFlight.com Instagram:// fledglingsflight TikTok://fledglings.flight Facebook:// fledglingsflight LinkedIn:// fledglings-flight Pinterest://fledglingsflight Music: Purple Planet Music

    3 min
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About

Let's face it—nobody ever went to college to learn how to raise a baby. Everyone is just making it up as they go along. "A Parent's Guide to Child Development" is your lifeline to expert wisdom. Learn about the most important information that you didn't know existed. Hosted by Annamarie von Firley from Fledglings' Flight, this podcast gathers insights from experts in child development such as pediatric OTs, speech language pathologists, child psychologists, lactation consultants, & more, delivering practical tips & actionable advice to help optimize your child's development.

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