The Language of Play - Kids that Listen, Speech Therapy, Language Development, Early Intervention

Hey Friends~  Have you ever thought, “I understand my child just fine… so maybe their speech isn’t really a problem” ? Or wondered, “Maybe they’ll just grow out of their listening struggles as they grow,”  but the waiting is really hard!  You’re not alone. And you’re not wrong for wondering! Some of the most common beliefs—ones that make complete sense to caring parents—can quietly delay the support kids need for speech, listening, and learning. In this episode, we’re busting a few of those myths.  Not with judgment. Just  clear, compa...

Hey Friends~  This episode is about the journey of podcasting and coaching and what I have learned after 250 episodes.   I invite you to email “congratulations” to me to share in this milestone celebration.  And, when you do, I will email you back with a fun pdf that will bring a smile to your face as well as offer support and encouragement.  I think you may be surprised and get a laugh along the way today!  Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com   ...

Hey Friends~  Today’s conversation is unusual for this podcast, but an important one. Over half of marriages end in divorce, and about 30% of those become high-conflict - deeply impacting children. This week, I’m joined by Lisa Johnson, a high-conflict divorce coach, to unpack the often-misunderstood topic of coercive control. We talk about what it is, the red flags within relationships, how it shows up during divorce and custody battles. We also explore Jennifers' Law. We discuss how it recognizes the many non-physical forms of abuse. Lisa shares how children are victims, used...

Hey Friends~  What’s really happening when kids struggle in school?   “Trying harder” just doesn’t work!  Many kids benefit from a multi-sensory approach to learn reading.  It works because this actually matches how the young  brain works.  If your child is bright but frustrated, resistant, or falling behind despite everyone’s best efforts, this episode with Dr. Emily Levy, will help you see those struggles through a new lens.  You will come away with clarity, compassion, and hope that you can share with other parents and educators of young readers.   Always cheering you...

Hey Friends~  The kitchen isn’t just about food. It’s about connection.  Some of the most meaningful conversations happen while hands are busy - pulling grapes off stems, chopping, stirring. That’s often when kids open up about friendships, worries, or their day. The kitchen becomes the heart of the home.   In this episode,  Misa,  helps families navigate the kitchen in a way that builds skills and relationships, especially when picky eating is part of the story!  We talk about how to move beyond power struggles, how to invite kids into the kitchen witho...

Hey Friends~  Are you a soothing presence for your kids?  According to today’s guest, a soothing presence is someone who is okay when you are not okay.   Usually these are specific people. You can probably know who your person  is.  Who will be okay when you are not?   As parents we want to be a soothing presence for our children.  Fortunately, it is simply a skill to learn.  So, if you did not have that from your parents growing up, you can learn it now!   Our natural instincts are to want to make our kids...

Hey Friends~  The holidays can be exciting, but for many kids they are overwhelming. Travel, loud gatherings, new routines, and unfamiliar people can push children into meltdown mode, especially when language shuts down under stress. In this episode, we talk about how to use simple toys to prepare kids for upcoming changes, help them calm during holiday chaos, and create a sense of safety when words don’t work. If your child struggles with transitions or language delays, or is very young, this episode will help you understand why play communicates when language doesn’t, and how t...

Hey Friends~   If you’ve been leaning on screens to help your little one talk, you’re not alone. It often feels like the easiest option — and with all the advertising, it can even seem like the smartest choice when you’re worried.   But real language grows through real play.   With Christmas coming up, I’m sharing ten toys and games that you can suggest to gift-giving friends and family - so you get gifts that provide powerful, communication-building opportunities. These ideas are fun, practical, and designed to work with how your child’s brain naturally learns...

Hey Friends~  When your children start telling you stories, have you ever wondered how to keep that creativity going?  How about when what they tell is outlandish, imaginative, and there is no logic at all, have you been concerned you should stop it?  It’s easy to shut them down in our fast-paced analytical, task-oriented mind.    How do you engage your children in a way that expands their ideas and expression when you can’t really relate to WHAT they are saying but you want to relate to THEM!    Today’s guest does a fabulous job...

Hey Friends~   What if mouth breathing isn’t just a habit… but a symptom? In today’s episode, I’m joined by a guest who revealed something I hadn’t fully understood in all my years in this field: crooked teeth, small jaws, restless behavior, trouble with focus, even lingering speech sound errors can ALL be connected to how well a child is BREATHING. You’ll hear how an under-developed airway affects far more than speech and behavior. When a child is mouth breathing, they don’t get  the deep, restorative sleep their growing brain desperately...

Hey Friends~  Recently, I got a written message from a listener who wrote, ‘My husband is Serbian and speaks Serbian to our son. I speak English, but I don’t speak Serbian well. Our little one is just 17 months and very vocal — but in my expat group, parents worry their bilingual kids might be confused. How young is too young for two languages? And how old is too old for 2 languages?”  It’s such a good question — and one that so many families wonder about. In this episode, we’ll look at how babies process two languages, t...

Hey Friends~  Today is the next in the SERIES: Speech & Language Delays, and  we’re diving into therapy and intervention options for parents - and looking closely at two main groups of kids. 1) The first group includes children who have been tested and qualify for speech therapy, but the help available just doesn’t feel like enough. and 2) The second group is often the largest - and sometimes the most frustrated. Maybe your child was tested but didn’t score low enough to qualify, or maybe you’ve never pursued testing, yet you know they’re st...

Hey Friends~ Have you ever wondered what Montessori is and how it is different from traditional education? In this episode, we dive deep into a description of what Montessori is, where this educational model came from,  how language and communication is naturally promoted within the structure, and the benefits of Montessori with  Marsha Familaro Enright, a Montessori expert. So if you have ever been curious about Montessori, this is just the episode for you!  Always cheering you on!  ~ Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com   ABOUT THE GU...

Hey Friends~  Have you ever felt like your child is struggling, but not “enough” to qualify for help? They’re bright, they’re trying, but school still feels like a battle… What if the problem isn’t your child… but the system?  For decades, schools have measured every kid against one “ideal learner” or “the norm.”   But what happens when your child’s amazing brain learns differently? When your child struggles in school, the first instinct is often tutoring.  What if the issue isn’t the lesson - it’s the learning process itself? ...

Hey Friends~  Welcome back to this SERIES: Speech & Language Delays.  In this series, I am answering some commonly asked questions and you, dear listeners, are encouraged to send your questions!  Remember if you wonder, hundreds of others wonder the same thing!  This episode revolves around the question,  “My Child Did Not “Qualify” for Speech Therapy. What Does That Mean?” Special Education and qualification is complicated. Today, you will understand what is meant by “qualifying,” what the criteria is, and what you can do if your child does not get services even though they need help with speech...

Hey Friends~  “What caused this language delay?”   That’s a deeply important question, and one that parents ask often, sometimes with worry or guilt. The truth is, speech and language delays are common, and they have many possible causes, not just one.  Most experts today agree that it’s rarely a single factor, but rather a combination of influences that shape how communication develops. Today we will unpack some causes and more importantly, how you can make a difference in the lives of those who need the gift of communication.  Always cheering you on!  D...

Hey Friends~  Have you ever wondered what it takes for a homeschooling family to thrive? Today we’re diving into  it—flexibility, intentionality, and the courage to learn differently. Research shows homeschooling is growing across America, and more parents are discovering that when learning fits the child, confidence blooms.   In this episode, we talk about the parent who feels not qualified, flexibility that brings freedom, blending academics into everyday life, and how learning together builds connection. We’ll also dig into the role of play—what it can look like in a homeschool...

Hey Friends~  Do you struggle to get your kids to sleep?  How about when it is still daylight at bedtime?   What about when your child has ADHD?  Sleep can be particularly difficult for kids due to the environment as well as their own body!    If you have needed help with sleep,  you are in luck!  Today we have a sleep expert in the house!  Join in for strategies to get your kids to sleep better so YOU can sleep better!!    Share  this episode with anyone who needs to sleep better.   Always cheerin...

Hey Friends~  There is a long held belief that boys lag behind girls, but researchers now say there’s no real difference.  Do boys actually lag behind girls?  In this episode, we unpack both ideas, explain why the confusion exists, and give practical strategies for boys, girls, and all children.    If you’ve ever asked this question, you’re not alone. This episode is the SECOND IN A SERIES as we talk about speech and language delays in young children, focusing on ages 1-5.  Parents all over the world,  every single day - search Google  with questions...

Hey Friends~  “Is my child behind in speech? When should my toddler be talking? Should I wait and see, or do I need to worry right now? If you’ve ever asked yourself those questions, you’re not alone. Parents all over the world type those exact words into Google every single day — because watching your child struggle to talk, or not knowing if they’re on track, can feel overwhelming. This is the FIRST EPISODE IN THIS SERIES as we talk about speech and language delays in young children, focusing on ages 1-5.   <...