Tara's Take - Parenting, Education & Life With Kids Tara Gratto M.S.Ed, MA, OCT

To transform your parenting approach and boost your child's emotional intelligence, picture books are your secret weapon. 

As parents, it's easy to overestimate our emotional vocabulary, as well as your child's. This can pose challenges when you aspire to parent differently from how you were raised. Conversations alone fall short in teaching your children about their feelings, but picture books can change the game. Using them as a tool in calm and connection can help children learn to identify their feelings and develop strategies to handle them.

In this episode, we highlight the power of picture books in shaping a feelings vocabulary - transforming the learning process into a relatable, enjoyable experience. We'll discuss a few of my favourite books to support you in teaching your child about their feelings outside of tense situations. Tune in and discover how picture books can be instrumental in nurturing your child's emotional development and well-being.
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE

You can submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or heading to the podcast website HERE

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The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba

Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.

The back-to-school season is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Whether it's the unknowns of starting KG, the big jump  to grade one, or the tumultuous leap into high school, each transition carries its own set of expectations, anxieties, and adjustments.

Together with my insightful guest Amy Yeung, we peel back the layers of these transitions, offering you a fresh perspective to better understand and navigate these changes not just for yourself as a parent, but for your children as well.

Let's break away from the stereotypical  narratives and focus on what really matters — our children's well-being. How can we equip them with the skills to identify good peers? How do we alleviate pressure of transitions with realistic expectations?

Prepare yourself for an episode brimming with practical advice, empathetic discussions, and a fresh perspective on school transitions and friendships. This is not just about surviving the back-to-school season; it's about turning these transitions into opportunities for growth and resilience. Join us for this episode that promises to transform the way you perceive and handle school transitions.

This episode offers a glimpse into the Raising Resilient Children membership community - a resource dedicated to fostering resilience in our children. This conversation with Amy Young is not just about transitions and friendships, but also a wealth of knowledge on raising resilient children. Don’t miss out!



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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE

You can submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or heading to the podcast website HERE

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The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba

Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.

What if your sharing about your child online could negatively impact their mental health later in life? In this episode we'll look at some of the possible implications of sharing your child's photos and personal information online.

We'll discuss the complexities of parents sharing childhood memories on the digital stage while acknowledging why it happens. Parenthood can be a lonely journey, and social media feels like it provides an avenue for connection, but at what cost?

Drawing from my early career interactions with teens worried about their online image, I'm reflecting on the ability of young children to provide consent for online sharing contrasted with a parent's desire to be connected to a community.

Join me in navigating the digital dilemmas of sharing about children in the online space.

Are you looking for a community of parents to support you with the challenges of parenting in the digital age. Check out the Raising Resilient Children Resource Centre and Community HERE


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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE

You can submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or heading to the podcast website HERE

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The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba

Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.

Ever wondered how the simple task of unloading a dishwasher could equip your children with essential life skills? We'll unveil how transforming chores into responsibilities can empower your little ones and pave their way to becoming competent adults. 

We'll explore the power of language in molding mindsets, shifting from 'chore' to 'responsibility', and creating a sense of accomplishment in children. This episode is a treasure trove, offering practical tips to help parents navigate the challenging task of inculcating responsibility in kids, all while tackling the dishwasher!

Our conversation brings to light the art of breaking down overwhelming tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. Remember, it's not just about getting the dishes done; it's about instilling a sense of responsibility and independence. 

We'll share insights on setting realistic expectations, handling pushback from older kids, and the subtle impact of our words. Be ready to turn your everyday household tasks into a learning playground for your children.  Parents, let's roll up our sleeves, get those dishes out, and start building responsibility, one plate at a time!
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE

You can submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or heading to the podcast website HERE

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The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba

Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.

Are  kids starting extracurricular activities too early? As a society, are we over-prioritizing structured activities in place of downtown and other essential life skills? 

I'm Tara, and in today's episode, I'll be turning these questions on their heads to navigate the often complicated world of extracurricular activities for children under 7. Together, we'll explore the pressures parents face and delve into the potential unintended consequences of over-scheduling our kids' lives.

We'll go beyond the usual discussions about daycare and school, and question the societal norms around what we think our children really need. Brace yourself as we challenge mass group thinking and its impact on our children. 

We'll also talk about the importance of creating space for them to learn essential life skills and consider the possibility of reducing their extracurricular programming. So join me as we rethink extracurriculars and reevaluate children's developmental needs. 

It's going to be a thought-provoking journey that promises to help us make better parenting choices for our children's future.
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE

You can submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or heading to the podcast website HERE

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The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba

Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.

Struggle with your child's constant complaints of boredom or felt the pressure to constantly entertain them? Feeling guilty about screen time and want to strike a better balance?

In today's episode, I discuss how to approach boredom with intention and provide suggestions to help your children learn to manage this feeling on their own.

I also tackle the challenge of helping children navigate boredom in our fast-paced, on-demand world and share insights on reframing boredom as independent play, creative thinking, or other forms of self-guided exploration. By doing so, you can take a step back and give your child the space they need to handle their own feelings of frustration, without constantly intervening. 
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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE

You can submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or heading to the podcast website HERE

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The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba

Note: This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.