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

Hey Friends~ 

You’ve told your child what comes next, but they’re still not moving. Then the tears start, and a simple morning routine becomes a struggle - again.  

What if your child needs more time and support to do what you’re asking?

Today’s guest was once that child, having those big meltdowns. Getting ready for school could become so overwhelming that her parents carried her to the car, and the school director helped her transition into the classroom.

Now, she she shares her story to help families understand what may be happening beneath the tears and resistance. She explains how predictable routines, simpler language, and time to process can help children move from overwhelmed to ready for the next step.

From slowing down the morning rush to adding a silly wiggle between tasks, Shraddha shares practical ways to make everyday routines feel more manageable and connected.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why moving from one activity to another can be difficult for a young child.

How predictability helps children feel secure.

Why fewer words can help when emotions are high.

How staying calm and allowing time for feelings can support your child.

Simple ways to use short scripts, familiar cues, and play during routines.

Why understanding an instruction and being able to follow through are different skills.

If you’re tired of repeating yourself or wondering why everyday tasks feel so hard, this conversation offers a fresh way to understand what your child may need.

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com

Have a QUESTION or COMMENT? Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

WEBSITE:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/

WAITLIST:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/waitlist

ABOUT THE GUEST:   Shraddha is a speech-language pathologist with 16 years of clinical experience spanning the US, UK, and India. A two-time ASHA ACE Award recipient, she currently leads in a supervisory role at a Los Angeles-based telehealth practice. She’s also the founder of Wonder Words, a platform dedicated to play-based language and executive function development for young children and their families. Shraddha is passionate about translating clinical expertise into practical, everyday tools parents can use, helping families see play not just as fun, but as the foundation for how kids learn to think, communicate, and problem-solve. 

CONTACT THE GUEST: wonderwords503@gmail.com

IG: wonderwords503

 

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

285 Why Your Child Falls Apart After School: When “Not Listening” Is Actually Overload

282 Why Are Transitions So Hard for Young Kids? And How To Create A Visual Schedule  That Works!

280 My Child KNOWS How to Do This! " So Why Won't They Listen? 3 Ways to Help Them Follow

279 Do You Want Cooperation or Compliance? What’s the Difference—and Why Does It Matter? with Katherine Sellery

 

Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

 

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

Hey Friends~ 

Would you love for your child to learn another language, but wonder how to help when you don’t speak it yourself?  You can begin learning together, and everyday moments offer a place to start.

In this episode, fellow speech-language pathologist Lindsey joins me to explore how parents can introduce another language through the things their little ones are already doing, noticing, and caring about.

Where do you begin? You might think of colors, counting, or the alphabet, but Lindsey shares a different starting point, one that follows your child’s interests and fits naturally into the rhythm of your day.

In this conversation, we explore:

How to get started without being fluent yourself.

What to focus on BEFORE colors, numbers, and letters.

How everyday interactions create opportunities for language learning.

Why these ideas are also useful for children still learning their first language.

Whether you’re introducing Spanish or supporting your toddler’s first words, this episode will help you recognize opportunities to connect, practice, and learn together.

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com

Have a QUESTION or COMMENT? Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

WEBSITE:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/

WAITLIST:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/waitlist

ABOUT THE GUEST:   Lindsey Carleton, MA, CCC-SLP, is a bilingual, licensed speech-language pathologist with over 11 years of clinical experience and the founder of Palabra Garden, a Montessori-inspired bilingual curriculum for kids ages 2–5. Not a native or heritage Spanish speaker, Lindsey learned it in college and through clinical work with bilingual families — and now helps parents raise bilingual kids without being fluent themselves. 

 

CONTACT THE GUEST:  

Company Name: Palabra Garden

Website: palabragarden.com

Email: hello@palabragarden.com

Socials: @PalabraGarden on Facebook and Instagram

We offer freebies/printables to get families started at palabragarden.com/freebie

I'd like to offer listeners a discount on our 12 month curriculum so please enter the discount code: LANGUAGEOFPLAY at checkout for 15% off

 

 IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

07 How Language is Learned in a Dual Language Home

08 Bilingual Kids and Speaking Delays in Multi-Language Households

220 What Does “A Language Rich Environment” Really Mean?

 

Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

 

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

Hey Friends~ 

How many words should your 2-year-old be saying? There are developmental norms - and those numbers matter. But words don’t come out of nowhere. There are foundational communication skills developing underneath spoken language that help those words grow.

In this episode, we’ll talk about what’s typical at age two, what actually builds vocabulary, and where to focus when words are slow to come. You’ll leave knowing what to pay attention to and some simple ways to encourage more meaningful language in everyday life.

In this episode:

How many words we expect from a 2-year-old

What builds language before and alongside spoken words

The most useful kinds of first words to focus on

Why colors, shapes, and numbers aren’t the best place to start

How pictures and books can help build spoken language

What to watch for when words are slow to come

The number matters. But so does what builds the number.

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com

Have a QUESTION or COMMENT? Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

Website:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/

 

*Parent Group WAITLIST:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/waitlist

BRINGING BACK OLD EPISODES ON THESE TOPICS! 

04 One-Year-Old Language Learning with a Book

05 Building and Understanding Language Through Our Senses

11 Building Deeper connection Through Communication using SIGNS with your Babies

144 Your 1-Year-Old Not Speaking? 3 Steps To Help Your Little Speak

 

Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

 

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

Hey Friends~ 

Does your child come home from school and suddenly seem like a different kid?

They're whining. Fighting with siblings. Ignoring directions. Melting down over something tiny. And you're thinking, “You know how to do this. Why is everything so hard?”

What if that behavior isn't just something you need to stop?

What if it's giving you information about what your child needs in order to do the next thing?

In this episode, we're going beyond “What is my child's behavior communicating?” We're talking about what you do with that information, how you decide what really needs to happen tonight, and how you can actually make tomorrow go better.

Because knowing how to do something doesn't always mean your child can access that skill right now. And sometimes, changing what happens next begins with understanding what's happening underneath.

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com

Have a QUESTION or COMMENT? Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

Website:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/

WAITLIST:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/waitlist

 

 IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

18 Do Your Kids FEEL LOVED This Valentine's Day?  Let's Find Out!

253 When Communication Is Hard: An Overview for Parents of Children with Speech or Language Struggles, part 1

261 Jan Talen: Struggling Kids, Stressed Marriage. Where Do You Start?

245 Toys That Create Calm: Helping Toddlers With Transitions and Meltdowns During the Holidays

 

Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

Hey Friends~ 

Homeschooling is a choice more families are considering, and it opens up some interesting conversations about how children learn best. In this episode of The Language of Play, we explore freedom and flexibility in learning, following a child's curiosity, and paying attention to the individual child rather than assuming one approach works for everyone.

My guest, Amanda Schenkenberger, is a homeschooling coach whose own experiences shaped how she chose to educate her children and why she believes so strongly in homeschooling. Whether your children are homeschooled, attend public or private school, or you're wondering what might work best for your family, this conversation gives you plenty to think about. Ultimately, we're asking: Is my child learning, growing, building relationships, and getting the support they need? You don't have to agree with every idea to come away with something valuable for your own family.

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com

Have a QUESTION or COMMENT? Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

Website:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/

WAITLIST:  https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/waitlist

ABOUT THE GUEST:  Amanda Schenkenberger helps busy homeschool moms calm the chaos, find their flow, and build a homeschool life they love. A second-generation homeschooler and mom of four boys, she coaches moms to create sustainable routines, strong academics, and joyful connection through her resources at ConfidentHomeschoolMoms.com

CONTACT THE GUEST:.

Coffee and Calm with Amanda  https://www.youtube.com/@ConfidentHomeschoolMoms

confidenthomeschoolmoms.com

amanda@confidenthomeschoolmoms.com

What's Blocking Your Homeschool Flow Quiz:  https://homeschoolfamilylegacy.kit.com/homeschool-q

 

Homeschool Counseling Network - HCN

https://www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com

 

 IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

169 Karen DeLoach: Worried You Are Ruining Your Children? Homeschooling and How Art May Help Your Child With ADHD!

235 Kristina Heagh-Avritt: How Homeschool Families Thrive: Flexibility, Play & Joyful Learning

216 Polina Shkadron: Language-Rich Environments That Match Your Child’s Play Skills 

 

Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play