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

What if the key to raising successful kids in an AI-driven world isn’t more academics, but stronger imagination?

Bradley Scheel joins me to explore how creativity is a learnable skill that too often fades as children grow, especially after age five. He breaks down how brain development, cultural norms, and education systems unintentionally suppress imagination, and what parents can do to reverse that trend. We discuss the importance of intrinsic motivation, curiosity, and resilience as essential 21st-century skills. Tune in to learn how intentional, play-based experiences can help children build creative intelligence and thrive in a rapidly changing world.  

When not living in his imagination, Wylde is an award-winning children’s author and founder of The Imagination Project and Wylde Scott Entertainment. In addition to dreaming up fantastic tales for young readers, Wylde spends his time in elementary schools, bookstores, and libraries creating fun-filled events for children, parents, and teachers alike. His mission is to ignite imaginations worldwide and empower children with the mindset that anything is possible.Check out Bradley's best-selling book Raising Dreamers: Why Imagination is the Key to Preserving Humanity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence 

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

May 7, 2026
Episode 326
Raising Dreamers: Nurturing Creative Intelligence in the Age of AI with Bradley Scheel

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 new 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 your toddler’s refusal to say “thank you” isn’t defiance but a clue about how their brain actually works?

In this episode I unpack a real-life moment where prompting gratitude backfired, revealing why young children often can’t express thankfulness on command. You’ll learn how true gratitude is an internal feeling that toddlers are still developing, not a social script they can reliably perform. Instead of enforcing polite words, I share a powerful shift: modeling gratitude by thanking your child first. The result is a more authentic, emotionally grounded path to raising genuinely grateful humans.
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May 5, 2026
Episode 325
When Toddlers Refuse To Say Thank You - Do This!

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 new 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 happens when your instincts scream danger, but the reality says your child is safe?

In this episode, I share a heart-racing moment in a parking lot that became a powerful lesson in balancing fear with intentional language. You’ll hear how one caregiver managed her own emotional response while staying connected to her child’s experience. I demonstrate how reflective statements can turn chaotic moments into meaningful learning opportunities. I emphasize that staying mindful and choosing your words carefully can transform even the most triggering situations into growth for both you and your child.

Want to practice some intentional language script starters, some frameworks that give you an idea of what to say even when you are escalated?

Grab a copy of my new book Talk to Them Early and Often. It is an intentional language guide for infant, toddler caregivers, and it gives you the tools to navigate the tricky situations.

April 28, 2026
Episode 324
What to Say to Toddlers When They Run Away

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 new 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 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!