The Parent Empowerance Podcast

Amara Bradetich
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Welcome to the Parent Empowerance Podcast, where we make early childhood research relatable and actionable for parents. Your host, Amara Bradetich of Parent Empowerance, has her Master’s and PhD in human development and family science (specializing in child development and behavior), is a former preschool teacher and early childhood intervention specialist, and, most importantly, mom to two littles (a 2 and a half year old daughter Natalie and an 8 month old son Liam). Our mission at Parent Empowerance is to help parents of young children, specifically birth to five, feel informed, empowered, and deeply supported. We do this by translating early childhood research into real-life tools for parents of little ones, while grounding our suggestions, action steps, and advice in both relatable lived experience and proven science. Each episode of this podcast will focus on a different topic within child development and most will have 3 main aspects: Summarizing what research says about that topic, Providing real-life examples, experiences, or applications, and Suggesting action steps you can take to apply the research with your own kids. I center my strategies around the idea that parents are the experts of their own children, and I keep the episodes short (15-20 minutes) so you can actually fit listening to them into your week! I know what it’s like to only have a few precious moments to yourself, and I’m glad to be a part of that.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 20: Children’s early speech, feeding, and becoming a mother with Speech Pathologist and Lactation Consultant, Tori Helfrich, SLP, IBCLC

    This week on the podcast I welcomed my next guest - Tori Helfrich, a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist and Lactation Consultant. We talk all things lactation/weaning and supporting your child’s language. This included discussing: Common issues Tori sees working with families as a lactation consultant What it means to be a pediatric SLP and lactation consultant The difference between receptive and expressive language The importance of the quality of interaction between parent and child for speech Most common issues Tori works on with children and families for speech Tori’s top 3 tips for families to boost language development in babies and toddlers The importance of connection and play for language development Connect with Tori on Instagram @tori.slp.ibclc Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Connect with me on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast! If you want more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development: Book a 1-time 60-minute Parent Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parentstrategysession Inquire about ongoing parent coaching support: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuUgpYqqBbQTM4TWXOI89Cw4p19k7JqUk8E3tXZNL4RyxCkg/viewform?usp=header Book a 1-time Right Fit Childcare Consult: https://calendly.com/amarabradetich/parent-empowerance-right-fit-childcare-consult Download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide

  2. Jul 15

    Episode 19: The importance (and impact) of the prenatal environment & prenatal stress for child development

    The prenatal environment is SO important not only for the main reasons most people are aware of - physical growth and health of the baby - but it is one of the earliest developmental environments children experience. It has long-term impacts on your child’s birth outcomes and development, especially their behavior, stress response, nervous system, health, and cognitive ability. This episode focused on the importance and impact of the prenatal environment, specifically experiences of stress, on children’s behavior and regulatory systems. This included: Reviewing research on: The grandmother-mother-child connection The impacts of stress during pregnancy Acute stress vs. chronic stress effects How the prenatal environment affects later development The benefits of mirrors/art/photos at child level Ways to organize your space/toys in a way to support development Describing strategies to use in your own parenting: Focus on reducing chronic stress, not every stressful moment Prioritize social support Take mental health seriously - Talk with healthcare provider, seek counseling, try treatments or practices that help reduce anxiety/depression Build small daily regulation practices - Think less about eliminating stress and more about creating opportunities for recovery walking prenatal yoga mindfulness practices breathing exercises spending time outdoors engaging in enjoyable hobbies Protect sleep when possible Nourish relationships Suggesting resources: “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk “Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers” by Robert M. Sapolsky “The Whole-Brain Child” by Daniel Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson The Child Psych Podcast The Huberman Lab Podcast Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! If you need more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide Connect with us on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

  3. Jul 8

    Episode 18: The physical environment around young children at home: How to optimize your toys and play space

    Despite what we see online, rotating toys every 2 weeks is not actually as important as social media makes us think it is. BUT the physical environment in your home DOES matter for your child’s development. Research has consistently found that how a child’s physical environment is arranged influences attention, play quality, self-regulation, independence, language development, and physical activity. This episode focused on ways to shape your child’s physical home environment to support their development. This included: Reviewing research on: Why having fewer toys available is beneficial What is actually known about rotating toys The benefits of mirrors/art/photos at child level Ways to organize your space/toys in a way to support development Describing strategies to use in your own parenting: Limit the number of toys visible at one time (6-10 toys) Prioritize open-ended toys over more toys Create accessible, child-height storage and play areas Ensure plenty of open space for movement and play Rotate toys whenever your kids clearly lose interest Add child-level mirrors, art, and family photographs Suggesting books: “Not a Box” and “Not a Stick” by Antoinette Portis “The Listening Walk” by Paul Showers “Outside In” by Cindy Derby “Jabari Tries” by Gaia Cornwall “Saturday” by Oge Mora Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! If you need more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide Connect with me on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

  4. Jul 2

    Episode 17: Sensory integration in young children with Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Maddie Garcia, OT

    This week on the podcast I welcomed my next guest - Maddie Garcia, a pediatric Occupational Therapist. We talk all things sensory integration, pediatric OT, and how to support your child’s regulatory abilities and sensory needs. This included discussing: What it means to be a pediatric OT (who, where, what, how) The 8 senses and what sensory processing is The differences between sensory seeking, under-responsive, and over-responsive The overlap between sensory processing and self-regulation/behavior in young children (of course!) Maddie’s top tips and resources for supporting your child’s sensory system Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Connect with me on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

  5. Jun 24

    Episode 16: The reality of sharing in early childhood: Societal expectations vs. developmental ability

    Parents (and society!) often expect toddlers or preschoolers to share, but that’s actually not developmentally appropriate until closer to 5 or 6! And expecting them to do it too early can create bigger power struggles and tantrums because their brains just aren’t ready for sharing toys/snacks/activities yet. This episode focused on what IS developmentally appropriate, and how to build the skills that prepare young children to share. This included: Reviewing research on: When sharing actually becomes possible What is developmentally appropriate by age Why self-regulation matters so much for sharing Providing examples on: How to help your children practice turn taking or parallel play Describing strategies to use in your own parenting: First practice parallel play! Respecting ownership ("You're using that right now.") Teaching turn-taking Providing duplicates when possible Practice with PLAY Narrating others' feelings Help them process what happened when another child didn’t share or when they didn’t get a turn Modeling generosity or turn taking Supporting children in finding solutions Stop telling your children they “need to share” - use language that supports the skills required to share Suggesting books: “That’s My Truck!” by Dr. Becky Kennedy “Liama llama time to share” by Anna Dewdney “Should I Share My Ice Cream?” by Mo Willems “The Mine-O-Saur” by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen “The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister “The Berenstain Bears Learn to Share” by Stan and Jan Berenstain Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! If you need more support with handling your child’s behaviors, emotions, or development, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide Connect with us on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

  6. Jun 10

    Episode 15: Sibling relationships in early childhood: Navigating conflict and supporting the bond

    Sibling relationships are the longest relationship your children will have across their lives. But these often come with a lot of conflict, especially in early childhood. This episode focuses on understanding the benefit (and risks) of sibling relationships for development, the importance of supporting the bond, and how to navigate conflict between your children. This included: Reviewing research on: The importance of sibling relationships for child development Why and how to support the bond and navigate conflict between siblings Providing examples on: My own experiences navigating my children’s sibling relationships Describing strategies to use in your own parenting: Encourage taking turns - don’t focus on sharing in early childhood Try “I’m here to help keep you both safe” Sit and play with your kids when you can Encourage empathy by asking “How can you help them feel better?” Encourage and model repairing after conflict Build an emotionally safe home environment Intentionally create opportunities for: cooperative play, shared routines, family teamwork, joint problem-solving, positive shared memories Protect and encourage opportunities for positive interaction Suggesting books: “Julius, the Baby of the World” by Kevin Henkes “The New Small Person” by Lauren Child “The Pain and the Great One” by Judy Blume “Big Red Lollipop” by Rukhsana Khan “That’s My Truck!” by Dr. Becky Kennedy Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! If you need more support, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide Connect with us on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

  7. Jun 3

    Episode 14: The importance of empathy in young children: How to support it without just telling them to “say sorry”

    Parents are usually quick to say “say sorry” or “give them a hug” when their kid hits/bites/throws/doesn’t share with another child, but these often become ingenuine actions for your child to get out of trouble. This is where empathy comes in! In order to encourage your child’s empathy development, you want to get them thinking! This episode focuses on the importance of empathy for young children and how to support your child’s development of it. This included: Reviewing research on: The components of empathy The importance of empathy in young children How empathy develops in early childhood Providing examples on: How to support empathy in the moment with young children Describing strategies to use in your own parenting: Focusing on warm, responsive caregiving Modeling empathy as an adult Labeling any and all emotions and validating your child’s emotions Asking perspective-taking questions Storytelling and books that support empathy/compassion Practicing with pretend play and cooperative play Coregulation! Encouraging and modeling repair Specific encouragement around empathy/compassion Suggesting books: “Today I Feel Silly” by Jamie Lee Curtis “The Feelings Book” by Todd Parr “My Many Colored Days” by Dr. Seuss “The Rabbit Listened” by Cori Doerrfeld “I am Human” by Susan Verde “Be Kind” by Pat Zietlow Miller “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña “How to Raise an Antiracist” by Ibram X Kendi Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! If you need more support, download my parent coaching service guide to learn more about how I can help you and your family: https://parentempowerance.myflodesk.com/serviceguide Connect with us on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

  8. May 27

    Episode 13: Getting out the door: Understanding and combatting power struggles during transitions and daily routines with young children

    Getting your young children (especially toddlers) out of the house can feel like a monumental task some days. Frustration and impatience are completely normal with the frequent delay tactics or power struggles that come with getting your kids dressed (and getting them to keep their clothes on), doing their hair, eating breakfast, getting shoes on, all the daily tasks. This episode focuses on understanding why power struggles and difficulties during transitions are a normal part of development, as well as on how to prevent or combat them in the moment. This included: Reviewing research on: Why power struggles are a normal part of development in early childhood How parents can exacerbate transition struggles When transitions may be more difficult Providing examples on: How to prevent power struggles Describing strategies to use in your own parenting: Give advanced warnings Have predictable routines Make it visual as much as you can Try to give yourself extra time when you can Make it fun or playful as much as you can Provide options during your morning routine and make sure they are acceptable to you either way Connect first! Get on their level, talk calmly and connect with them first before directing them Practice/act out transitions during calm moments Talk to your preschoolers and older toddlers about expectations and what it tells you when they don’t get ready Stay as calm and regulated as YOU can Suggesting books: “No, David!” by David Shannon “I do it!” by Brian Biggs “Mine!” by Candace Fleming “When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry” by Molly Bang “Froggy Gets Dressed” by Frank Remkiewicz “Time to Go, Maisy!” by Lucy Cousins Support my show! I’d love it if you would subscribe, rate, and review my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to show your support of the show. Share to your stories and tag me so I can see you tuning in! Connect with us on Instagram: @parentempowerance for tips, tools & real-life parenting @parentempowerancepodcast for the podcast!

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About

Welcome to the Parent Empowerance Podcast, where we make early childhood research relatable and actionable for parents. Your host, Amara Bradetich of Parent Empowerance, has her Master’s and PhD in human development and family science (specializing in child development and behavior), is a former preschool teacher and early childhood intervention specialist, and, most importantly, mom to two littles (a 2 and a half year old daughter Natalie and an 8 month old son Liam). Our mission at Parent Empowerance is to help parents of young children, specifically birth to five, feel informed, empowered, and deeply supported. We do this by translating early childhood research into real-life tools for parents of little ones, while grounding our suggestions, action steps, and advice in both relatable lived experience and proven science. Each episode of this podcast will focus on a different topic within child development and most will have 3 main aspects: Summarizing what research says about that topic, Providing real-life examples, experiences, or applications, and Suggesting action steps you can take to apply the research with your own kids. I center my strategies around the idea that parents are the experts of their own children, and I keep the episodes short (15-20 minutes) so you can actually fit listening to them into your week! I know what it’s like to only have a few precious moments to yourself, and I’m glad to be a part of that.

Information

  • Creator
    Amara Bradetich
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Parent Empowerance Podcast