This episode features expert guest Dr. Sarah Eason from the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Purdue University and parent guest Chelsea Webb, mother of two children. In this episode, Dr. Eason and Chelsea discuss the overlap between play and how play influences children's ability to learn, connect, and grow. Expert Dr. Eason discusses how important it is for parents to insert themselves into their children's play, but knowing when and how is key. When parents engage in play, their role helps foster their children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth while enhancing brain development, building on social skills, promoting emotional regulation, and strengthening the parent-child bond.

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In this episode on children's nutrition, expert Dr. Kameron Moding from the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Purdue University sits down for a conversation with two mothers, Abby Morgan mother of two children and Molly Childers mother of one. The three discuss child nutrition and discuss key points, including food availability, mealtime environment, and the social aspect of nutrition as it pertains to a young child's life. Dr. Moding discusses the importance of proper feeding, nutritional needs, and healthy habits as it pertains to the nutrition of children. Parents discuss many concerns surrounding their children's nutrition, including one of the most common struggles, which is picky eating. This episode also includes a conversation on mealtime challenges and their connection to young children's behavioral health. A key concept touched on in this episode was the discussion of parents' roles in modeling healthy eating habits and routines as their child's eating habits change as they grow. Between phases of picky eating, fluctuating appetites, sensory/texture issues, and taste preferences, Dr. Moding emphasizes the importance of parents being patient, flexible, and offering a variety of foods by reducing the pressure many children experience surrounding mealtimes.

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Family Mealtime: Much more than just a meal!

In this episode, covering children's sleep, you will hear a conversation between expert Dr. AJ Schwichtenberg, Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Purdue University, and two mothers, Kirsten Koontz, mother of two and Aubrey Strasser, mother of three. Their conversation includes discussion on essential aspects of healthy sleep for children's overall development, as well as the negative effects of poor or insufficient sleep as it pertains to children. You will hear both parent's speak to their experiences with establishing healthy sleep schedules, worries and questions surrounding struggles with consistent bedtime routines, and first-hand accounts on the effects of their children's physical, cognitive, and emotional development when getting sufficient sleep versus insufficient sleep. Expert Dr. AJ Schwichtenberg speaks to the importance of parents' roles in supporting healthy sleep through establishing consistent bedtime routines, activities, and a safe, restful sleep environment.

Please provide your feedback about this episode by completing a short evaluation. The first 50 respondents to the evaluation will be eligible for a $20 e-gift card, offer stands until June 15, 2026.

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Making a Safe Sleep Environment for an Infant

The Unlocking Childhood Podcast features expert guests belonging to the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Purdue University and parent guests from Indiana. Parents and experts talk about young children's lives and parents' common challenges when it comes to raising young children ages 0 to 5 years. Each episode over a cup of coffee, guests dive into meaningful conversations that help us better understand what young children need to flourish. Listen in on topics about childhood nutrition, sleep, play, emotion regulation, as well as parents well-being and quality of care.