Episode #31: Quiet Time: How to Make It Work (and Why It's Worth It)
When naps fade, quiet time can become a calm, valuable part of your toddler's day. Katie and Carly, pediatric SLPs and moms of 6 kids, share how to make it work—plus simple ideas for toys, activities, and rhythms that keep quiet time screen-free, independent, and enjoyable for everyone. In this episode, we cover: Why quiet time matters—even after naps are gone How to start small and build up consistency over time How to use timers or toddler clocks to make quiet time easier Simple screen-free quiet time ideas that actually keep kids engaged How independent play supports attention and emotional regulation Why audio players like the Toniebox or Yoto Player can make quiet time feel fun and calm A reminder that quiet time doesn't have to be perfect to be worth it Resources Mentioned Yoto vs. Toniebox — Which Is Best for Toddlers and Preschoolers? weetalkers.com/blog Songs+Stories Membership Like library story time, except led by SLPs (us!) and you can press play whenever it's convenient for your family. weetalkers.com/songandstories Free Trial: Songs+Stories — Try it out and see what your little one thinks! You'll get a taste of the storytime videos + podcast episodes for toddlers and preschoolers weetalkers.com/trial Here's the Hatch clock we love to help them have more independence and understanding with time If this episode was helpful, please take a moment to give it a 5-star rating on your podcast app. Your support helps other families find us!
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Episode #30: Temperament in Little Kids--Why One Size Doesn't Fit All with Jess VanderWier of Nurtured First
If you've ever wondered why some kids seem to kind of go with the flow while others melt down over seemingly small things and things feel harder? Parenting advice can feel confusing when what "works" for one child totally backfires with another. This is something we wish we knew more about when our kids were little, so we are thrilled to share this episode with you. In this episode, we're joined by Jess VanderWier, Registered Psychotherapist and founder of Nurtured First, to talk all about temperament—what it really means, why it matters, and how understanding your child's unique traits can bring more calm and confidence to daily life. Here's what we're covering: What temperament actually is and why it's such a key piece of early development Real-life examples of how temperament shows up in things like sleep, transitions, and everyday interactions Why advice that helps one child might not work for another When to gently push kids outside their comfort zone and when to pull back and honor who they are The power of adjusting expectations and avoiding comparisons between siblings or peers Practical ways to lean into your child's strengths while still supporting growth We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. We hope it helps you feel more confident in recognizing and supporting your child's unique temperament. We think you'll love Jess! Follow her on Instagram @nurturedfirst and at nurturedfirst.com You can find Jess' podcast "Robot Unicorn" here: Apple Podcast | Spotify
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Episode #29: Toddler Toys That Stand the Test of Time (and Why Less Really Is More)
Overwhelmed by the toy aisle (or your living room floor)? You're not alone. In this episode, Katie and Carly (pediatric speech language pathologists and moms of six) share how to choose toys that truly stand the test of time. They'll walk you through what really matters when it comes to toys for babies, toddlers and preschoolers: choosing open-ended toys that encourage imagination, quality over quantity, and picking toys that meet your child where they are developmentally. You'll also hear their favorite tried-and-true toys that spark language, connection, and creativity (and the ones that tend to just gather dust). Whether you're shopping for the holidays or just ready to simplify playtime, this episode will help you feel confident choosing toys that actually support your child's language development. 💡 Mentioned in this episode: Wee Talkers' 2025 Holiday Gift Guide at https://www.weetalkers.com/blog/gift-guide 15% off tubby todd tubbytodd.com/weetalkers Movement toys: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/2709002 Toys that help communication development: https://www.weetalkers.com/blog/toys-for-encouraging-communication-development Our favorite bubbles
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Episode #28: How to Choose the Best Library Books for Babies and Toddlers
We absolutely love the library, but we know it can be overwhelming. Families often wonder: Should you pick the educational books? The fun, silly ones? Are some books "better" than others? What if they want to read the same book over and over? In this episode, we're sharing simple tips to take the stress out of library trips and help you make the most of this incredible resource. Here's what we're covering: Why regular library visits are one of the easiest ways to support your child's language and literacy skills Four simple things to look for when choosing books What we think about reading the same books over and over Practical library hacks to save you time (and keep things fresh for you and your child) A free resource to help you skip the guesswork and head to the library our booklist As pediatric speech-language pathologists and moms, we know firsthand how powerful regular, joyful reading can be (and how overwhelming the library can feel without a plan). We hope this episode leaves you feeling confident, equipped, and excited to make your next library trip a fun, stress-free part of your routine. Thank you for listening! If you find this episode helpful, share it with a friend or leave a review. We'd love to reach more families who want to support their little one's communication and love of books. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Free Toddler Booklist: https://www.weetalkers.com/books-download Songs+ Stories Membership: Screen time you can feel really good about it. Try it free https://www.weetalkers.com/trial
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Episode #27: Help! My Toddler Says a Lot of Sounds Wrong — Should I Be Worried?
It's typical for toddlers and preschoolers not to be able to say all speech sounds correctly. It's a learning process. Maybe your child says "tar" for star or "nana" for banana. But how do you know if it's just a normal stage or something more? In this episode, we're digging into the question: Should I be worried if my toddler says sounds "wrong"? Here's what we're covering: Why speech errors happen How much of your toddler's speech you should be able to understand at different ages The most common sound mistakes toddlers make and when they typically go away Four simple, low pressure ways you can help your child at home Sound-specific strategies for tricky ones like /s/ blends (think star or snake) When to consider checking hearing or connecting with a speech-language pathologist As pediatric speech therapists and moms, we want you to know: most of the time, these mistakes are a completely normal part of learning to talk. We hope this episode helps you you walk away with reassurance, a few simple ideas to try, and the confidence to trust your instincts if you feel something more is going on. If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend or leave a review. It's SO appreciated. Thanks for listening! Resources mentioned in this episode: Ep. 10: What to Do When You Don't Understand Your Toddler Our blog: Common Speech Sound Patterns in Toddlers Looking for screen time you can feel good about? Try Songs+Stories free for 10 days www.weetalkers.com/trial Free Toddler Communication Checklist – weetalkers.com/toddler More free resources + programs at weetalkers.com
Helping you nurture your child's speech and language development with confidence! Hosted by Carly and Katie, pediatric speech therapists and moms, this podcast is packed with practical tips, expert insights, and encouragement to help your child thrive in speech and language development. Whether you're wondering about milestones, curious about how to best support your child, or choosing the best books and toys, we're here to help—without the overwhelm. Tune in for answers to your biggest questions, relatable stories, and plenty of encouragement along the way!
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