The Parenting Brief

Strong Families AZ
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Bimonthly

Useful tips and advice for moms of children ages 0-5, delivered every other Wednesday by a mom who loves her job raising her own kids, Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez, an expert in early childhood development.

  1. Why Developmental Screenings Matter

    2d ago

    Why Developmental Screenings Matter

    Are you wondering if your child is on track with their milestones?  In this episode, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Peggy Peixoto, Program Manager for the Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). They cover what happens during a screening, why early intervention is key, and how Arizona parents can access these services. Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links:  Guest: Peggy Peixoto CDC Milestone Tracker App ASQ: Ages and Stages Questionnaire Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) AZ Strong Families Community Services

    11 min
  2. Reading Ready Kids

    Apr 15

    Reading Ready Kids

    Today we’re talking about early childhood literacy AKA the difference between being able to sound out words and making context connections.  In this episode of The Parenting Brief, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Cynnamon Woodberry from Make Way for Books to discuss how Arizona parents can build foundational literacy skills through simple, everyday interactions like talking, singing, and playing.  Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links:  Guest: Cynnamon Woodberry Make Way for Books Harvard Center on the Developing Child Zero to Three The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) First Things First

    12 min
  3. Parent Shaming

    Mar 18

    Parent Shaming

    Ever feel judged for your parenting choices? We're talking with Dr. Charissa Chamorro about where parent shaming comes from and how to navigate the cultural shift toward "perfect parenting" in our hyper connected world.  Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links:  Guest: Charissa Chamorro, PhD

    10 min
  4. Cavity Free Kids Start With Mom

    Feb 11

    Cavity Free Kids Start With Mom

    Find out how pregnancy hormones affect oral health, what to watch out for if your gums look unhealthy, and why taking care of your teeth while pregnant is important for your baby's future oral health. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Laurie Clark, a Registered Dental Hygienist with the Dignity Health Early Childhood Oral Health Program, to answer all your questions about oral health and going to the dentist while pregnant.  Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links:  Guest: Laurie Clark, BADH, RDH, AP Healthychildren.org Arizona Sliding Fee Scale Providers - Dental Reduced Fee and Community Dental Clinics in Arizona

    9 min
  5. Why Toddlers Hit, Bite, and Throw

    Jan 28

    Why Toddlers Hit, Bite, and Throw

    Toddlers have big feelings but haven't learned how to talk about them yet. Hitting, biting, and throwing are normal for their age and usually stop as they get older and better at communicating. Parents play a huge role in teaching their children how to handle their emotions.   Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Mirna Tomic, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a child therapist at Arizona Child Psychology, to discuss these behaviors, how working together (co-regulation) can teach kids to manage their own feelings (self-regulate), and more! Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links:  Strong Families AZ   Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez   Guest: Mirna Tomic, MAS-IFP, MSW, LCSW   Circle of Security International Blog and other parent resources   Birth to Five Helpline - resources, referrals   Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) - developmental screenings and evaluations   Book: “Emotional Life of the Toddler” by Alicia Lieberman   Book: "The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel Siegel    Book: "No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel Siegel    Book: “Parenting from the Inside Out: How A Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive” by Daniel Siegel (the title says it all)   Book: “Raising a Secure Child” (Circle of Security) by Hoffman, Cooper, & Powell

    10 min
  6. Understanding Primitive Reflexes

    12/17/2025

    Understanding Primitive Reflexes

    Primitive reflexes are involuntary responses that a newborn is born with to help them survive. These reflexes naturally disappear as your baby’s brain matures. In cases of injury, these reflexes can show back up and are a sign of a larger issue. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Karen Pryor, a physical therapist, to cover what parents need to know about primitive reflexes. Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links:  Strong Families AZ Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez   Guest: Dr. Karen Pryor   List of Primitive Reflexes

    6 min
  7. Do you know Group B Strep?

    11/12/2025

    Do you know Group B Strep?

    Strep is more than just a sore throat. Today we’re talking about Group B Strep (GBS), which usually isn’t serious for adults, but it can hurt newborns. Learn what it is, how to test for it, and the importance of treatment. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Sarah Sams, a family physician and American Academy of Family Physicians board member, for a comprehensive guide to prepare moms for the safest possible delivery. Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links: Strong Families AZ Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez Guest: Dr. Sarah Sams Familydoctor.org The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

    8 min
  8. Brain Injury: What Every Parent Needs to Know

    10/08/2025

    Brain Injury: What Every Parent Needs to Know

    Infants and children can experience brain injuries in many ways. What signs can parents keep an eye out for and what can you do to prevent traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)?  Tune in to hear Jessica talk about childhood brain injuries with Dr. Sue Wolf, an Educational Psychologist with Empowerment Research. Learn about causes, signs, prevention, and recovery.  Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions. Links:  Strong Families AZ Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez Guest: Dr. Sue Wolf Empowerment Research Encircle Families Brain Injury Association of Arizona AZ Department of Education: TBI Training

    10 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Useful tips and advice for moms of children ages 0-5, delivered every other Wednesday by a mom who loves her job raising her own kids, Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez, an expert in early childhood development.

Information

  • Creator
    Strong Families AZ
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020 Strong Families AZ
  • Show Website
    The Parenting Brief