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Parents of babies and toddlers—you’re exhausted.

But here’s the good news: one small evening habit can change that, starting tonight.

Learn the science of how light affects melatonin, why it matters for your toddler’s brain development, and how to create a bedtime environment that works for the whole family.

Discover how one simple change—dimming your lights an hour before bedtime—can help your baby, toddler, and you fall asleep faster and sleep deeper.

In this episode, Erin Hyer, speech-language pathologist with 35+ years of early intervention experience, shares:

• Why warm, dim light triggers melatonin for natural sleep
• How blue light disrupts your child’s rest (and yours)
• Simple, affordable ways to set the right nighttime mood

Try tonight’s challenge: Dim your lights 1 hour before bed and watch the difference tomorrow.

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The #1 Sleep Mistake Parents Don’t Know They’re Making

YouTube CLICK HERE FOR THIS EPISODE

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Here are three citations mentioned in this episode:

1. Warm Light and Sleep Efficiency in Children
   Smith, A. L., Johnson, M. K., & Ramirez, Y. (2023). Effects of Evening Warm-Tone Lighting on Sleep Onset and Efficiency in Preschool-Aged Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Pediatric Sleep Health, 12(4), 245–256.
   
   
2. Screen Use, Reward Circuits, and Sleep Procrastination
   Chen, H., Patel, R., & Gupta, S. (2024). Evening Screen Use, Dopaminergic Activation, and Sleep Procrastination: Behavioral and Neurobiological Correlates in Adults. Behavioral Neuroscience Reviews, 29(1), 1–18.
   
   
3. Parental Sleep Disruption and Toddler Emotional Regulation
   Martinez, E. J., Li, P., & Anders, T. F. (2023). Maternal Sleep Quality Predicts Toddler Emotional Reactivity and Regulatory Behaviors: A Longitudinal Analysis. Journal of Child Development & Parenting, 18(2), 112–130.

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❤️ Ready for personal, purposeful progress?

CLICK HERE NOW - Tiny Challenge for Moms

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a mama who needs a reset.

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CLICK HERE NOW - Screen-Free Fun Activities

Building Vocabulary Guide - get it NOW!

CONNECT WITH ERIN
contact@HyerLearning.com

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Podcast Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique—please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child.

Send us a text

Has gentle parenting gone too far?

Many well-meaning moms are finding themselves burned out, confused, and constantly negotiating with toddlers who seem to need more structure—not less.

In this episode, Erin Hyer, speech-language pathologist and toddler development specialist, breaks down what toddlers actually need—and why a firmer, more faithful approach is gaining traction among modern parents. (Yippeeee)

Drawing from the viral Wall Street Journal article “Goodbye Gentle Parenting, Hello F-Around and Find Out,” Erin offers a grounded, faith-anchored response to today’s parenting confusion.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why toddlers don’t really understand “no” the way we think

✅ The difference between gentle guidance and permissiveness

✅ Why natural consequences build character better than explanations

✅ How to raise confident, connected kids—with loving limits

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🎙️ Listen to Erin’s 2-part February series on Gentle Parenting for more insight!

Ep 97 Gentle Parenting vs Reality: What Actually Works For Toddlers

Ep 98 Why Milestones Matter More Than 'Gentle' Parenting

❤️ Ready for personal, purposeful progress?
Join Erin’s Tiny Challenge — 1:1 support. 1 challenge. 1 week.
Momentum begins the moment you say YES.

CLICK HERE NOW - Tiny Challenge for Moms

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a mama who needs a reset.

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Download the free handout so you can enjoy summer screen-free—and see what’s actually possible when we parent with intention.

CLICK HERE NOW - Screen-Free Fun Activities

Building Vocabulary Guide - get it NOW!

CONNECT WITH ERIN
contact@HyerLearning.com

===============================

Podcast Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique—please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child.

Send us a text

Explore how speech develops after the first words — and what to do if your toddler can’t express themselves clearly.

Erin explains how to recognize delays in expression and speech sounds and gives practical, empowering strategies to support your child at home.

🎙 Part 2 of 2 in the “Building Blocks” Mini-Series

In Part 1, we covered the first two foundational 'pillars' of speech development:
1️⃣ Social Interaction – how connection fuels communication

2️⃣ Understanding Language – why comprehension must come before expression

Today in Part 2, we’re diving into:
3️⃣ Expressive Language Skills – why pointing, babbling, and even grunting matter

4️⃣ Speech Sound Development – what to expect, when to worry, and how to help

You’ll learn:

• What real expressive progress looks like (and the red flags to know)
• Why gestures are often the secret sauce to early talking
• How to build clarity and confidence in your toddler’s speech — at home
• When “he has his own language” is more than just a cute phase

This episode will equip you with practical tips, developmental insight, and encouragement to support your toddler right where they are — even if words aren’t flowing yet.

If you're a mom, dad, or caregiver wondering “Should my child be talking more?” — this is the conversation you need.

👉 Tune in now — and don’t forget to share with a friend who’s walking the same parenting path.

❤️ Ready for personal, purposeful progress?
Join Erin’s Tiny Challenge — 1:1 support. 1 challenge. 1 week.
Momentum begins the moment you say YES.

CLICK HERE NOW - Tiny Challenge for Moms

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a mama who needs a reset.

========

Download the free handout so you can enjoy summer screen-free—and see what’s actually possible when we parent with intention.

🎁 Free handout

CLICK HERE NOW - Screen-Free Fun Activities

Building Vocabulary Guide - get it NOW!

CONNECT WITH ERIN
contact@HyerLearning.com

===============================

Podcast Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique—please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child.

Send us a text

The 4 Building Blocks of Speech Development – Part 1

Long before your toddler says their first real word, two powerful foundations (milestones) must already be in place: interaction and understanding.

These aren’t “nice to have” skills — they are non-negotiable building blocks for speech, language, connection, and future learning.

Yet so many parents are told to wait and see, when in fact, there’s so much YOU can do now.

In this episode, Erin shares:

• The first two building blocks of speech development
• Why interaction (shared attention) is the starting line
• How understanding language comes before using it
• How development is dynamic (not linear!)
• The red flags parents often miss
• What to change at home right now if you’re noticing signs of delay (or just want to keep him on track)
• And how to recognize real progress — even before words appear

You’ll leave feeling more empowered, more aware, and ready to take action — not out of fear, but from a place of clarity and confidence.

❤️ Ready for personal, purposeful progress?
Join Erin’s Tiny Challenge — 1:1 support. 1 challenge. 1 week.
Momentum begins the moment you say yes.

CLICK HERE NOW - Tiny Challenge for Moms

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a mama who needs a reset.

========

Download the free handout so you can enjoy summer screen-free—and see what’s actually possible when we parent with intention.

🎁 Free handout

CLICK HERE NOW - Screen-Free Fun Activities

Building Vocabulary Guide - get it NOW!

CONNECT WITH ERIN
contact@HyerLearning.com

===============================

Podcast Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique—please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child.

Send us a text

Why does your toddler seem to completely ignore you when you say “no”?

Are they just testing limits—or is something deeper going on?

In this episode of Talking Toddlers, Erin breaks down what “no” actually means to children under three—and why their response is less about defiance and more about development.

You’ll learn how to guide your toddler through this critical stage with firm but loving strategies that really work.

Inside this episode:

• What toddlers truly understand about “no”
• The developmental stages of autonomy and initiative (and why they matter)
• Why overprotection can backfire—even when it’s well-meaning
• How to reduce power struggles without giving in
• 10 practical tools to help toddlers listen, cooperate, and grow with confidence

You’ll walk away with a new perspective and feel more equipped to handle those “I said no!” moments with calm, clarity, and consistency.

🍼 Ready to go deeper with 1:1 support? Sign up for the Tiny Challenge and solve one parenting challenge in just one week.

Join Erin’s Tiny Challenge — a personal, fast-track solution for tackling your biggest toddler struggle.

CLICK HERE NOW - Tiny Challenge for Moms

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a mama who needs a reset.

========

Download the free handout so you can enjoy summer screen-free—and see what’s actually possible when we parent with intention.

🎁 Free handout

CLICK HERE NOW - Screen-Free Fun Activities

==========

Building Vocabulary Guide - get it NOW!

CONNECT WITH ERIN
contact@HyerLearning.com

===============================

Podcast Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique—please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child.

Send us a text

Is your toddler always pushing back, melting down, or refusing to help?

From messy playtime to getting out the door, you’ll learn how to:

– Encourage turn-taking, even with babies

– Turn cleanup into connection

– Use routines and rules to reduce drama

– Make transitions smoother

– And raise a child who wants to help — without bribes, yelling, or power struggles

In this episode of Talking Toddlers, Erin Hyer — speech-language pathologist with over 35 years of real-life experience — shares 7 simple, science-backed ways to TEACH cooperation in everyday moments.

These are prevention-first tools every parent needs.

👶 Ready for smoother days and more confident parenting?

Hit play — then share with a friend.

🎯 Want more 1:1 support?

Join Erin’s Tiny Challenge — a personal, fast-track solution for tackling your biggest toddler struggle.

CLICK HERE NOW - Tiny Challenge for Moms

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a mama who needs a reset.

=====

Download the free handout so you can enjoy summer screen-free—and see what’s actually possible when we parent with intention.

🎁 Free handout

CLICK HERE NOW - Screen-Free Fun Activities

==========

Building Vocabulary Guide - get it NOW!

CONNECT WITH ERIN
contact@HyerLearning.com

Website:
www.HyerLearning.com

==========

Podcast Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting.

Send us a text

What do toddlers really need?

It’s not more toys, more stimulation, or more screen time.

It’s something simple, powerful, and often overlooked: a predictable daily routine.

In this episode of Talking Toddlers, Erin—SLP, early intervention expert, and prevention-first parent coach—explains why consistent routines are the foundation for calm, cooperation, and healthy brain development.

You’ll learn:

• Why routines reduce tantrums and improve sleep
  
  
  
• The brain science behind rhythm and regulation
  
  
  
• How predictability helps toddlers feel safe, confident, and ready to learn
  
  
  
• A sample daily routine that you can adapt to your family
  
  
  
• What to do when life throws off your routine (because it will!)
  
  
  

Whether you’re struggling with chaos or just looking to smooth your day, this episode will give you clarity—and a calm starting point.

🎧 Bonus: Learn how to take the Tiny Challenge—Erin’s 1:1 coaching experience designed to help you tackle ONE key area (sleep, eating, behavior, etc.) with intention and confidence.

CLICK HERE NOW - Tiny Challenge for Moms

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a mama who needs a reset.

=====

Download the free handout so you can enjoy summer screen-free—and see what’s actually possible when we parent with intention.

🎁 Free handout

CLICK HERE NOW - Screen-Free Fun Activities

==========

Building Vocabulary Guide - get it NOW!

CONNECT WITH ERIN
contact@HyerLearning.com

Website:
www.HyerLearning.com

Send us a text

Is your toddler bouncing between toys with little focus?

Wondering what kind of play actually matters in these early years?

In this episode, Erin Hyer, a seasoned speech-language pathologist and early intervention expert, breaks down the importance of open-ended play—and WHY it’s a game-changer for your child's brain, body, and emotional development.

You'll learn what types of toys to prioritize, why less is more, and how play sets the foundation for true success.

Instead of handing over a screen or buying more toys, try open-ended play setups that teach your toddler how to think, imagine, and stay engaged—on their own.

✨ Don't miss the simple, science-backed magic of open-ended play—and why it’s the natural antidote to toddler screen time overload, boredom, and neediness.

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Download the free handout so you can enjoy summer screen-free—and see what’s actually possible when we parent with intention.

🎁 Free handout + bonus invite inside!

CLICK HERE NOW - Screen-Free Fun Activities

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Tiny Challenge—a short, focused 1:1 experience where together, we zoom in on one key challenge or desire in your parenting journey.

We’ll uncover what’s working, what’s not, and map out simple next steps so you can feel more confident and connected—right away.

This is the kind of support I used to give every day in private practice—tailored, real, and rooted in 35 years of experience.

CLICK HERE NOW - Tiny Challenge for Moms

==========

Building Vocabulary Guide - get it NOW!

CONNECT WITH ERIN
contact@HyerLearning.com

www.HyerLearning.com