Parenting Understood Erin O'Connor and Michelle Tangeman

In this episode, we speak with Renne Reina, psychologist and host of the renowned podcast, The Mom Room.  Renne delves into the fascinating world of parenting fears, drawing from her extensive social media and podcast presence. She provides insights, empathy, and practical advice around parenting, and discusses the importance of authenticity on social media. Renne emphasizes the importance of finding one’s true voice amidst digital noise and cultivating a genuine online presence. We end by highlighting the power of seeking multiple viewpoints and embracing diverse perspectives to foster a well-rounded understanding of oneself as a parent.
 
You can learn more about Renne Reina by listening to her podcast, The Mom Room, and following her on Instagram @thereneereina 

In this episode, we are joined by Drs Douglas Clements and Julie Sarama to discuss early math learning. Douglas H. Clements is Distinguished University Professor, Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning, and Executive Director of the Marsico Institute for Early Learning at the University of Denver. Previously a kindergarten teacher for five years and a preschool teacher for one, he has conducted research and published widely in the areas of the learning and teaching of early mathematics and computer applications in mathematics education. His most recent interests are in creating, using, and evaluating a research-based curriculum and in taking successful curricula to scale using technologies and learning trajectories.He has served on the U.S. President's National Mathematics Advisory Panel, the Common Core State Standards committee, and the National Research Council’s Committee on Early Mathematics, and is and co-author each of their reports. 
 
Julie Sarama is the Kennedy Endowed Chair in Innovative Learning Technologies and Professor at the University of Denver. She conducts research on young children's development of mathematical concepts and competencies, implementation and scale-up of educational reform, professional development models and their influence on student learning, and implementation and effects of software environments in mathematics classrooms. She has taught secondary mathematics and computer science, gifted math at the middle school level, preschool and kindergarten mathematics enrichment classes, and mathematics methods and content courses for elementary to secondary teachers.She designed and programmed over 50 published computer programs, including her version of Logo and Logo-based software activities, including Turtle Math™, which was awarded the Technology & Learning Software of the Year award.
 
In this episode, we delve into what constitutes early math knowledge, and how to support it at home. As we discuss, caregivers often engage in numeracy talk and behavior with children without consciously doing so. As Douglas and Julie point out, there are also many additional opportunities in early childhood (and beyond) to incorporate math into fun activities (such as Candyland). 
 
To learn more about how to incorporate math into everyday interactions with your children please visit the following websites:
 
https://www.learningtrajectories.org/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Douglas_Clements
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Julie-Sarama
 

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Holly Gover, a board-certified behavior analyst with extensive experience working with children with developmental disabilities. Dr. Gover, currently a faculty member in pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, joins us to tackle a common concern for parents: picky eaters.
Dr. Gover shares valuable insights on how to encourage children to try new foods in a relaxed and enjoyable manner, empowering them to feel in control of their eating choices. We also explore the warning signs that may indicate the presence of an eating disorder and discuss the pressures faced by parents when preparing meals for their children and families.
Delving deeper, we uncover three essential techniques: creating a culture of trying, increasing exposure to diverse foods, and avoiding mealtime battles. These strategies serve as powerful tools for parents seeking to overcome the challenges of picky eating and to foster healthier eating habits in their children.
Join us for this discussion that empowers parents with practical advice and effective approaches to navigate the world of picky eaters, ultimately creating a positive mealtime experience for the entire family.
 
To learn more about Michelle’s Q&A membership, please visit https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/offers/u9UQ2BgG
You can reach out to Dr. Gover by contacting her at holly.gover@vumc.org or by visiting her webpage at https://pediatrics.vumc.org/person/holly-c-gover-phd-bcba-d

In this week's episode, we interview psychiatrist Dr. Joshua Siegel about his research on the impacts of psychedelics, such as ketamine, on depression. We delve into the growing interest in mental health and wellness and explore emerging treatment methods. Dr. Siegel shares how his research has influenced his parenting and sheds light on his perspective on his children's emotions. Tune in to gain insights into the fascinating connection between psychedelics, mental health, and parenting.
 
To learn more about Dr. Siegel’s research, please visit:
https://sites.wustl.edu/psychedelics/welcome-to-piper/
 
For more information on Michelle’s Q&A Membership, please visit:
https://www.thrivingtoddler.com/offers/u9UQ2BgG

In this episode, we speak with Melissa Finkelstein, a lawyer, author, and mother of three. Melissa discusses her latest book, Bobby the Snake and the Broken TV, which is  part of her book series, Big Feelings Friends. She shares how her own children inspired her to write these books and the importance of children's books as both a mirror and a window for our children's stories. By sharing her personal experiences, Melissa hopes to show how her books can provide a relatable and empathetic perspective for children dealing with big emotions. Tune in to this episode to learn more about the power of children's books in helping children navigate their emotions and challenges!
You can learn more about Melissa by following her Instagram page @melissafinkelsteinbook and her books are available in several bookstores throughout the Northeast and they're also available on Amazon. 
For more information on Parent Pocket Membership please visit Thriving Toddler.com 

In today’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Jessica (“Jessi”) Gold. Dr Gold, MD, MS, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, specializing in college mental health, medical education, and physician wellness. In this episode, we discuss with Dr. Gold her work supporting the mental health needs of those on the college campus, as well as her efforts to de-stigmatize mental health and psychiatry. She further discusses how COVID exacerbated pre-existing stressors, as well as added new ones, for the population at large but especially for groups including college students and health care workers. More specifically, Dr Gold speaks about the effects of the social isolation associated with COVID on college students’ mental health, as well as how on-line learning, for many, exacerbated existing attention problems. We further discuss how the lack of a schedule during COVID contributed to college student’s motivation and interest, as well as what we can learn from the pandemic in terms of supporting college students. We conclude with a discussion of the current research on the neurological effects of COVID, and how to better support growing the work force in mental health services, especially psychiatry. 
 
For more information on Dr. Gold and her work please visit her webpage, https://www.drjessigold.com/ as well as her instagram (@drjessigold) and twitter https://twitter.com/drjessigold. 
 
For more information on Parent Pocket Membership please visit Thriving Toddler.com