Send us a text Amanda Woodward, Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, joins us this episode to discuss and explain social behavior in children younger than school age. During this episode, we discuss: Differentiating typical social behavior between age groupsKey findings in recent research about early childhood social behaviorActivities that foster greater social-emotional developmentSocial exclusion and tools families may use to avoid antisocial pa...

Send us a text When it comes to your children's picture books, do you find yourself wondering about the story behind the story? Children's book authors Megan Maynor, Lauren Gillman, Tracy Hyde and Camila Gadotti join our host Cara Johnson-Bader to go over their own journey to creating engaging picture books. Book & Author links: 'A House for Every Bird' by Megan Maynor (Insta: @megan_maynor) https://wildrumpusbooks.com/book/9781984896483 'Tolita: The Best Bad Dog' by Lauren ...

Send us a text This month, NHA's child mental health specialist, Amanda Mason, joins us to talk about the positive effects that therapeutic reading can have on children. This episode we'll tackle subjects such as: The benefits of bibliotherapyThe obstacles for parents to use bibliotherapy with their childAppropriate books for therapeutic readingHow bibliotherapy can help with grief and illness Signs that you should get a mental health specialist involvedCommunity resources for famili...

Send us a text Today's episode features three-time guest MiaLisa Millares, and it's one you're not going to want to miss. MiaLisa is the executive director at Doing Good Together, a non-profit organization that aims to connect families to different volunteer and donation opportunities. Over the course of the episode, MiaLisa will provide families with several tools to foster deeper connection with their kiddos, in regard to the serious topics that everyday life confronts us with. The topics i...

Send us a text Sifting through different information to find reliable health advice for your children can be a complicated and overwhelming process for a lot of parents. That's why we reached out to Kelly Lemieux, the head of pediatrics at Ridgeview Medical Center. Kelly has been voted by Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine as one of the top doctors in the Twin Cities and has been a board-certified pediatrician for 29 years. This experience has given her a unique, informed and reflective per...

Send us a text Research continues to conclude that children’s academic successes later in life can be attributed to the amount of talk and reading they experience from birth to age 3. They also statistically prove to be better readers later in life. We are thrilled to have Sara Reichstadt, a renowned Social and Emotional learning expert, and the Education Coordinator for Kinderberry Hill Child Development Centers back for an episode on early childhood literacy. These days, in ev...

Send us a text Nowadays, it is impossible to get away from a screen since everyone has a phone, restaurants have TVs mounted everywhere, and children are on tablets at school, so it's more important than ever that we make sure that what they are watching is appropriate content. To give us some guidance, Momo Hayakawa joins us to discuss what that looks like. She is the Director and Development Researcher at Twin Cities PBS and TPT, and has had shows play on PBS Kids! Today she'll expla...

Send us a text Welcome to a new season of Parenting Pickup! Today's episode features Dianne Haulcy, the host of Minnesota Public Radio's Early Riser's podcast, and CEO of The Family Partnership, a non-profit organization that provides holistic structures and resources for families and children within cycles of poverty. Dianne explores ways in which early childhood is an essential period of life to educate our young ones about racism, bias, culture, diversity and inclusion. We go over:...

Send us a text On this episode of Parenting Pickup, we are grateful to talk to our partner at MacPhail Center for Music, Dianna Babcock, Director of Sing Play Learn, to learn why music is essential in a child's life. Dianna talks about the program's mission for each child's specific stage of development. With each class, children are encouraged to explore musical concepts and experiment with new instruments, which helps develop school-readiness skills in an active learning environment ...

Send us a text In this insightful podcast episode, we are all treated to a wealth of knowledge on pediatric oral health with an engaging conversation with Dr. Matt Scribbins from Maple Grove Pediatric Dentistry, a seasoned dentist with a passion for children's dental care. Dr. Scribbins shares his expertise on age-appropriate oral hygiene practices, the importance of regular dental check-ups, and common challenges faced in pediatric dental care. Followers can expect to gain valuable in...

Send us a text We brought back a special guest, Kate Wessinger, to share her wealth of knowledge and expertise on the importance of open and honest communication with grieving children. Throughout the episode, she offers practical tips on creating a safe space for children to express their emotions, understand the concept of death, and navigate the stages of grief. She also discusses age-appropriate ways to help children memorialize and remember their loved ones, fostering resilience a...

Send us a text Potty training can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be! In this podcast episode, we discuss potty training your child with Steph Schmidt, a New Horizon Academy District Curriculum Coordinator. We'll cover everything from introducing the potty to dealing with accidents. Whether you're just starting the training process or feeling stuck, we've got you covered. Join us on this journey and learn how to master potty training with ease! Conscious Discipline Podcast Episode: http...

Send us a text In this episode, we talk to Theresa Gunderson, owner and language learning expert at O'Neill Language Academy, about the importance of early learning of a second language. Theresa discusses the many benefits of bilingualism, including improved cognitive function, academic success, and career opportunities. She also shares tips on best supporting your child's language learning journey. Theresa Gunderson is a language learning expert with over 20 years of experience. Theresa is p...

Send us a text Most families are unaware that unstructured play is significant for children. Play fosters cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. More specifically, it helps creativity, imagination, problem-solving, and social skills! Sara Reichstadt from Kinderberry Hill discusses why children must explore, create and discover without predetermined rules or guidelines. Read Why Play is Important: https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/why-unstructured-play-is-important-to-child-d...

Send us a text Being distracted while your child is talking to you can be a big problem when communicating. We have all been there, listening while holding a phone or not making eye contact. MiaLisa from Doing Good Together is a special guest on this episode to talk about how and why it is critical to be listening fully. Doing Good Together: https://www.doinggoodtogether.org/ Doing Good Together - Power of Listening: https://www.doinggoodtogether.org/dgt-newsletter/listen-with-heart Doing G...

Send us a text Getting hit by your child or having your child hit others can be embarrassing and infuriating. Many families worry that their child's aggression toward them and others is a bad sign and reflects on their parenting. But, what Amanda Mason explains, it's all about how you react to the hitting and what you do moving forward that makes the difference. Contact New Horizon Academy Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Tik Tok Email us at parentingpickup@nhacademy.net Chec...

Send us a text In this episode of the Parenting Pickup Podcast, Anna Paulson, current Program Coordinator for Help Me Grow, a licensed teacher in the areas of Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Elementary Education, and a certified Early Childhood Education advocate, talks about helpful information and practical steps to take for families to understand and support your child's early childhood development. Help Me Grow: https://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/index.htm Learn the Signs - Act Early: https://www.cdc...

Send us a text Thuba Nguyen is an early childhood education advocate and teacher who is passionate about celebrating cultural diversity and multiculturism and is the author of the book My Daddy Tells Me. Her children's book is about a life-changing love between fathers and daughters, immigration, self-esteem, and positive affirmations. With over twelve years of experience in the field, Thuba talks about how vital it is to have multiracial representation in all creative markets and education....

Send us a text You want to ensure your children are ready for kindergarten regarding academic, social, and emotional skills. We chatted with Bev Bauman, New Horizon Academy's Vice President of Staff Development and Education, about the different skill sets children should or are expected to have before they start kindergarten. More Information: https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/ Contact New Horizon Academy Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Tik Tok Email us at parentingp...

Send us a text It happens in every family. Your child bites, has been bitten, or both! So, what do you do? Kate Wessinger, our Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, dives into why biting is happening, how to prevent it, and what to do. Contact New Horizon Academy Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Tik Tok Email us at parentingpickup@nhacademy.net Check out our website to learn more! Thanks for listening!