Transforming The Toddler Years- Parents and Educators Raising Calm, Connected, Capable Kids

What if calming your child actually starts with calming yourself?

MJ Murray Vanchon, creator of the Inner Challenge mental wellness program, joins me to explore practical ways parents can build inner calm for themselves and their kids. MJ shares simple, effective mindfulness tools like grounding and intentional breathing, as children rely on co-regulation and adults must regulate first.

MJ is a licensed clinical social worker with over 40 years of experience and more than 50,000 hours of clinical sessions, many focused on parenting and family life. She developed Inner Challenge, a skills-based mental wellness program used in schools for over 21 years, incorporated into HealthWorks!—a children’s health museum. MJ is also the host of the Creating Midlife Calm podcast, where she translates psychology into practical, doable tools for everyday life. Check it out now!

Want to take your parenting journey to another level?⁠ ⁠Book your complimentary connection call now!⁠⁠⁠⁠

April 23, 2026
Episode 323
Accessing Mental Wellness as a Toddler Parent with M.J. Murray Vachon, LCSW

About Your Host:
Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book ⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠

What if a simple shift in how you speak could transform a child’s confidence and development?

In this episode, I wrap up the Little Linguists series by introducing a powerful strategy: turning “are you” questions into “you are” statements to reduce stress and improve communication with young children. I demonstrate how everyday interactions can be reframed to support understanding and autonomy. Caregivers are reminded that they are a child’s first teacher, and that intentional word choices play a critical role in early development.

Be the First to Know When Talk to Them Early and Often is Available For Preorder. Get on the list⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠

April 21, 2026
Episode 323
Why Questions are Stressful for Kids & What to Say Instead (Little Linguists Part 12)

About Your Host:
Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book ⁠⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

What if giving children permission instead of control could completely transform their behavior?

In this episode I celebrate the Week of the Young Child, a joyful initiative highlighting the importance of early learning and the communities that support it. I share how honoring children’s choices creates a sense of safety and trust. Tune in to explore how shifting from control to collaboration can strengthen relationships and foster more meaningful learning experiences.
 Ready to take the next step to start being on the same team as your kids and watch their behavior and their choices change?

I would love for you to go check out my Transforming the Toddler Years Course. Six modules, one massive transformation rooted in the psychology of human connection and the science of early language and behavior management. Learn more about it here!
April 14, 2026
Episode 322
What to Say When Kids Refuse - Expectation vs. Permission Based Statements

About Your Host:
Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book ⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠

What if giving children more choice is actually the key to better behavior and deeper connection?

In this episode I celebrate the Week of the Young Child, highlighting the importance of early learning and the communities that support it. Through real-life moments, I demonstrate how offering children permission, rather than control, can transform their willingness to participate and feel safe. I offer a powerful reminder that when we shift our responses, children naturally begin to engage, connect, and thriveReady to take the next step to start being on the same team as your kids and watch their behavior and their choices change?

I would love for you to go check out my Transforming   the Toddler Years Course. Six modules, one massive transformation rooted in the psychology of human connection and the science of early language and behavior management. Learn more about it here!

April 14, 2026
Episode 322
What to Say When Kids Refuse - Expectation vs. Permission Based Statements

About Your Host:
Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book ⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

What if giving children permission instead of control could completely transform their behavior?

In this episode I celebrate the Week of the Young Child, a joyful initiative highlighting the importance of early learning and the communities that support it. I share how honoring children’s choices creates a sense of safety and trust. Rather than enforcing compliance, the power of “permission-based” responses invites children to engage on their own terms, often leading to deeper connection and participation. Tune in to explore how shifting from control to collaboration can strengthen relationships and foster more meaningful learning experiences.
Ready to take the next step to start being on the same team as your kids and watch their behavior and their choices change?

I would love for you to go check out my Transforming the Toddler Years Course. Six modules, one massive transformation rooted in the psychology of human connection and the science of early language and behavior management. Learn more about it here.

April 14, 2026
Episode 322
What to Say When Kids Refuse - Expectation vs. Permission Based Statements

About Your Host:
Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Core4Parenting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠ A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book ⁠⁠⁠T⁠alk to Them Early and Often⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to book Cara for your next speaking event? Find all the details ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠