An Ultimate Checklist of Baby and Toddler Learning Essentials? Or Nah. On this episode of the Learn With Less® podcast, Ayelet discusses the ways in which early development, everyday routines, everyday materials, and simple activities (often in which we are already engaging) are powerfully interconnected. If you are a new parent or caregiver wondering what you really need to support and connect with your baby or toddler… or you’re a professional who serves new families as a developmental therapist, early childhood educator, or other professional in the perinatal space, this episode and our r ..read more

How do we provide new families with the skills they need to support their baby or toddler’s development? This episode of the Learn With Less® podcast features an interview conducted by Joanne Cazeau, a recent guest another episode of the podcast, pediatric speech-language pathologist, owner of Koze Speech Therapy, and the brains behind the Instagram handle @thespeechpathologist. The interview originally aired on her Instagram page, and we wanted to share it more broadly, here. I want to acknowledge that the sound quality isn’t perfect, but as always, the full transcript can be found here on ..read more

Bringing Together New Families to Build Community On this episode of the Learn With Less® podcast, Ayelet sits down with Lindsay Teitelbaum, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, mother, parent educator, Learn With Less® facilitator, and the owner of the inclusive community play space, Spirited Play Labs. Lindsay’s physical community play space for new families is in San Ramon, California. She supports new families with neurodiverse children, as well as parents and caregivers with children of all developmental levels, from birth to three. Lindsay has doubled down on building community by ..read more

Creating Inclusive Communities for Families Who May Hold LGBTQ Identities On this episode of the Learn With Less® podcast, we sat down with Mason Aid, an LGBTQ educator focused on inclusion and how to take the next step in becoming an ally. We discussed: Mason’s background, and how they got into the work they’re doing today A few basic definitions of useful vocabulary, such as pronouns, non-binary, cisgender, and the difference between sexual identity and gender identity Various things Mason has had to consider because of their own gender identity as a non-binary parent Mason’s suggestions ..read more

Just what is parent coaching in early intervention? On this episode of the Learn With Less® podcast, we sat down with Joanne Cazeau, of Koze Speech Therapy and @thespeechpathologist (Instagram). Joanne is a licensed pediatric speech-language pathologist and private practice owner who believes strongly in the power of parent coaching – working with caregivers directly to support their young children when providing early intervention services. We discussed: Joanne’s professional and personal background that brought her to the work she’s doing today Disparities in clinical service, culturally ..read more

What’s in a pause? Take a moment to think about it. (#punintended) It’s the simple little tricks we love the most – pausing is such a simple strategy to use with young children, and works for many different reasons. Join Ayelet in this episode of Learn With Less as she discusses the power of the pause.  Within this podcast episode, we model ways to play, talk, sing, and move in order to support learning and development, using the things you already have laying around your home. To learn more about these four pillars of the Learn With Less® curriculum, you can download my ..read more

Looking for tricks to “make” your little one communicate? There are little tools we have. We, who work with little people, have tricks of the trade. One of them is the ability to tempt your small child into communicating. On this episode of Learn With Less, Ayelet tells you all about this early communication strategy, known as “sabotage,” but also discusses why it’s a tool to tempt your child – not to “make” your child do anything. Within this podcast episode, we model ways to play, talk, sing, and move in order to support learning and development, using the things you already have layi ..read more

How do you support a bilingual child? How can you support bilingualism from day one? On this episode of the Learn With Less® podcast, we sat down with Diandra Morse, of Bilingual Playdate and Daring Hearts Counseling. Diandra is a licensed clinical social worker in New York State and a mother of two bilingual children. She supports families exploring bilingual parenting, and shares activities, resources, fun ideas, and methods for raising a bilingual child. We discussed: Diandra’s professional and personal background that brought her to the work she’s doing today The values Diandra feels sh ..read more

Bringing Joy to Early Parenthood By Supporting The Parent-Child Dyad On this episode of the Learn With Less® podcast, Ayelet sits down with early childhood educator, mother, parent educator, Learn With Less® facilitator, and the face behind Early Intervention Mama, Miranda Zoumbaris. Miranda lives in Lansing, Michigan, has two young children, and is an incredible gift to her community. She’s bringing families together and fostering positive relationships and confidence for new parents and caregivers by leading caregiver & me classes using the Learn With Less® curriculum. Miranda is an ea ..read more

How Rebecca Found the Will to Move Forward With Her Dreams, Despite Multiple Setbacks On this episode of the Learn With Less® podcast, Ayelet sits down with pediatric occupational therapist, mother, parent educator, Learn With Less® facilitator, and founder of Santosha Wellness, Rebecca Hernandez. Rebecca lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and has her own private pediatric occupational therapy clinic where she serves new families in multiple ways via developmental therapies, infant massage, and now, caregiver & me classes using the Learn With Less® curriculum, leading infant and toddler enric ..read more