How To Encourage Independent Play & No, You D...

Your toddler suddenly hates the dark. They’re terrified of the vacuum, the bathtub drain, or the public washroom they used last week without a problem.What happened?In this episode, Dr. Cathryn explains why new fears are so common during the toddler and preschool years, and why t ...  Show more

If every meal feels like a negotiation over one more bite, it may be time to try something different.When parents worry their child isn’t eating enough, it’s natural to coax, bargain, bribe, or plead. But that pressure can actually make picky eating worse.In this episode, I’m sha ...  Show more

Independent play and having a vivid imagination opens up so many doors for our children. We want to see their ability to play by themselves and create a whole world for themselves while we get our adult stuff done or even sit down and feel some independence ourselves. We go in de ...  Show more

A parent hopes to encourage her 21-month old’s self-directed play by sitting with her in her play area observing, “ready to respond if she engages with me.” Lately, she says, her daughter has been asking for help with tasks she can do by herself, and also actively directing both ...  Show more

How do you find balance in raising confident and independent kids while still serving them?Teaching confidence and independence involves knowing when to step back and when to step in. It's about offering guidance and support while allowing them the space to try, fail, learn, and ...  Show more

Toddlerhood is the first big push for independence and with that often comes defiance. How do we support independence while also setting healthy boundaries? One mom asks for some guidance on dealing with her toddler's defiance, while another asks about how to deal with her toddle ...  Show more