Talking Toddlers
Calm, developmentally grounded guidance for moms of babies and toddlers.
As a mom of a baby or toddler, it can feel like everyone has an opinion - and very few answers that actually make things clearer. The noise is loud. The pressure is real. And the uncertainty can be exhausting.
Talking Toddlers is a podcast for moms who want calm, trustworthy, developmentally grounded guidance - without fear, guilt, or unrealistic expectations.
I’m Erin Hyer, a licensed speech-language pathologist with nearly 35 years of experience supporting young children and their families. I’ve spent my career on the floor with toddlers, partnering with parents, consulting with early educators, and training graduate students to understand how children truly grow, learn, and communicate - through relationships, everyday routines, and meaningful language experiences.
This podcast breaks down how the young brain learns, why certain behaviors or challenges show up, and how parents can gently support development before small concerns become bigger ones. I believe parents are in a powerful position — not to do more, but to understand more.
Each episode offers:
- Practical, real-life strategies you can use during everyday routines
- Gentle explanations of the why behind toddler behavior and development
- Supportive conversations that help you feel less alone and more confident
My goal is simple: to help moms feel empowered and toddlers feel supported - so learning, communication, and connection can grow naturally at home.
New episodes of Talking Toddlers are released weekly.
This is a space for clarity, connection, and courage - where moms come to slow down, trust themselves, and support their child’s development with confidence.
Episodes
134 episodes
Your Toddler Doesn’t Need a Bigger Christmas - They Need a Calmer One Ep 134
Christmas can feel heavy for moms of babies and toddlers - full of pressure, expectations, and the fear of getting it wrong.In this episode of Talking Toddlers, we talk about why a simpler, calmer Christmas is often exactly what young...
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Season 4
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Episode 134
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20:05
I’ve Seen Hundreds of “Late Talkers.” Here’s What All Parents Miss. Ep 133
If you want your child to talk well — not just say more words — this episode will change the way you think about early communication.Because here’s the truth:Talking doesn’t just “show up” one day.It grows from the da...
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Season 4
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Episode 133
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44:03
I’ve Helped Toddlers Talk for 35 Years. If You Want Your Baby to Talk Well, Watch This. Ep 132
If you want your baby or toddler to talk well — not just say more words — this episode is your starting point.Because IMITATION is the skill that comes before gestures, babbling, understanding, and ...
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Season 4
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Episode 132
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44:35
This ALWAYS Happens Before Babies Say Their First Word (Every Parent Misses This One) Ep 131
The Hidden Step Before First Words (Every Parent Misses This One)If your toddler isn’t using many words yet, this episode will change the way you see early communication. Most parents—and honestly, many professionals—f...
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Season 4
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Episode 131
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49:36
Why Toddlers Won’t Share (And Why You Can Stop Worrying) Ep 130
Are you tired of feeling embarrassed when your toddler won’t share?In this episode of Talking Toddlers, Erin Hyer, speech-language pathologist and early development specialist, breaks down what’s really happening inside your chi...
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Season 4
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Episode 130
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48:43
Why Your Toddler Does That: The Real Learning Behind Climbing, Dumping & Exploring Ep 129
If your toddler is constantly climbing, dumping, crawling, pulling things out of cabinets, or wandering from one “project” to another… this episode will make everything click.Between 12 and 18 months, the brain is wiring the foundations ...
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Season 4
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Episode 129
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1:10:27
What Gets in the Way of Helping Toddlers Talk: Simple Shifts, Big Change Ep 128
You already know the #1 habit that helps toddlers learn to talk — pulling them into your world and engaging them, out loud, through the rhythm of your day.But staying present isn’t always easy.In this episode, Erin Hyer, speech-la...
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Season 4
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Episode 128
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41:48
What Really Teaches Toddlers to Talk (It’s Not What You Think) Ep 127
What if the best way to help your toddler talk isn’t about doing more — but noticing more?If you’ve ever wondered how to build your child’s language without feeling like you’re teaching a class, this episode will give you...
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Season 4
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Episode 127
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41:17
They Got It WRONG: The Hidden Link Between Eating and Speech Development Ep 126
Everyone talks about “speech milestones,” but few realize that clear talking starts long before the first word. It begins with sucking, swallowing, mouthing, and chewing real food.In this episode, Erin Hyer — pediatric speech-language pa...
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Season 4
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Episode 126
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45:38
STOP Talking When Your Toddler Melts Down: Do This Instead Ep 125
You’re in the grocery store. Your toddler is whining, tugging, then screaming, and finally — full-body flop in the aisle. People are watching. Your chest tightens. You start explaining, reasoning, pleading… and it just gets worse.Why?
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Season 4
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Episode 125
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39:21
Don't Repeat Yourself: 4 Keys to Get Your Toddler to Listen the First Time Ep 124
Does your toddler ignore you when you’ve asked the same thing six times? Or do you feel that sting of embarrassment when they melt down in the store or refuse to listen at the park?Here’s the truth: your child isn’t being “ba...
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Season 4
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Episode 124
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27:01
10 Essentials to Help Your Baby Thrive — Skip the Gear, Build Connection Ep 123
Want to raise a healthy, thriving baby — without all the gadgets and overwhelm? In this episode, I’m sharing 10 powerful essentials that help your baby thrive by focusing on what truly matters: connection, rhythm, and presence.D...
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Season 4
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Episode 123
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37:24
Reading Starts at Birth: 10 Foundations Only Parents Can Give Ep 122
Most parents think reading starts with letters and phonics. But the truth is — literacy is a man-made skill, layered on top of speech and language. If your child doesn’t get the right foundations at home, they may struggle ...
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Season 4
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Episode 122
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1:07:06
Is Daycare Really Helping Your Child? What Parents Need To Know Ep 121
Should you homeschool through kindergarten or send your child to preschool? You’ll discover the truth about “socialization,” what’s actually happening in many early childhood programs, and how to confide...
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Season 4
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Episode 121
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33:51
The 7 Stages of Play: Building Your Child’s Brain from Birth to Age 3 Ep 120
Most parents think play begins with dolls and pretend kitchens — but the earliest stages of play start long before that… and missing them could mean missing crucial communication growth.From nibbling on their fists, to peekaboo and prete...
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Season 4
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Episode 120
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31:15
Why Your Toddler’s Brain Needs THIS: The First Years Explained Ep 119
Your child’s brain isn’t finished at birth — it’s built day by day, through you.Whether you have a baby or a toddler, this episode will help you understand the “why” behind sleep struggles, sensitivities, and attention challenges — and r...
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Season 4
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Episode 119
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24:48
The Truth About Childhood — And Why Moms Are Leaving the Workforce Ep 118
Why are so many mothers leaving the workforce — and what does it mean for our children?The Washington Post calls it “erasing pandemic gains.” But after 35+ years as a speech-language pathologist working with hundreds o...
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Season 4
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Episode 118
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21:25
The Hidden Power of Play: How Toddlers Build Focus, Memory & Thinking Skills Ep 117
Did you know your toddler’s playtime is more than just fun? Between 12 and 18 months, play is the engine driving their memory, focus, and problem-solving skills. In this episode, Erin Hyer — speech-language pathologist w...
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Season 4
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Episode 117
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58:52
The #1 Sleep Mistake Parents Don’t Know They’re Making - And How To Easily Fix It Ep 116
Parents of babies and toddlers—you’re exhausted. But here’s the good news: one small evening habit can change that, starting tonight.Learn the science of how light affects melatonin, why it matters for your toddler’s brain de...
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Season 4
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Episode 116
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34:57
Why Gentle Parenting Isn’t Working for Toddlers Ep 115
Has gentle parenting gone too far? Many well-meaning moms are finding themselves burned out, confused, and constantly negotiating with toddlers who seem to need more structure—not less.In this episode, Erin Hyer, speech-langu...
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Season 4
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Episode 115
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21:46
What Your Toddler Needs to Express Themselves Clearly (Part 2) Ep 114
Explore how speech develops after the first words — and what to do if your toddler can’t express themselves clearly. Erin explains how to recognize delays in expression and speech sounds and gives practical, empowering strategies to...
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Season 4
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Episode 114
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1:01:20
Is My Baby’s Development Normal? Understanding Milestones & Red Flags: Part 1 Ep 113
The 4 Building Blocks of Speech Development – Part 1Long before your toddler says their first real word, two powerful foundations (milestones) must already be in place: interaction and understanding.These ar...
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Season 4
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Episode 113
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45:40
Why Toddlers Ignore "No" -- and What to Do Instead Ep 112
Why does your toddler seem to completely ignore you when you say “no”? Are they just testing limits—or is something deeper going on?In this episode of Talking Toddlers, Erin breaks down what “no” actually means to ch...
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Season 4
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Episode 112
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45:30
How to Get Your Toddler to Listen Without Yelling: 7 Everyday Strategies Ep 111
Is your toddler always pushing back, melting down, or refusing to help? From messy playtime to getting out the door, you’ll learn how to: – Encourage turn-taking, even with babies – Turn cleanup into connecti...
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Season 4
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Episode 111
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41:10