Blog Archives

Why Developmental Screenings Matter

Are you wondering if your child is on track with their milestones?

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Peggy Peixoto, Program Manager for the Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). They cover what happens during a screening, why early intervention is key, and how Arizona parents can access these services.

Reading Ready Kids

Today we’re talking about early childhood literacy AKA the difference between being able to sound out words and making context connections.

In this episode of The Parenting Brief, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Cynnamon Woodberry from Make Way for Books to discuss how Arizona parents can build foundational literacy skills through simple, everyday interactions like talking, singing, and playing.

Why Toddlers Hit, Bite, and Throw

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Mirna Tomic explains why toddlers exhibit behaviors like hitting or biting and how parents can use co-regulation to help their children manage big emotions.

Understanding Primitive Reflexes

Primitive reflexes are involuntary responses that a newborn is born with to help them survive. These reflexes naturally disappear as your baby’s brain matures. In cases of injury, these reflexes can show back up and are a sign of a larger issue.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Karen Pryor, a physical therapist, to cover what parents need to know about primitive reflexes.

Live from Home Visiting Conference: Pressures of Potty Training

There’s so much pressure on parents when it comes to potty training. Listen to learn what a “potty personality” is and how it can help you design a potty training approach that will work best for your child. 

Live from the 14th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Dr. Heather Wittenberg, a Psychologist, Author, and Mom of Four.

Live from Home Visiting Conference: Raising Resilient Kids

Parents know life can be unpredictable. Teaching kids to navigate hardship, adjust and recover gives them the tools to handle life’s challenges. 

Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 14th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Dr. Tovah Klein about what it means to be resilient and how parents can raise their children to be resilient

Live from Home Visiting Conference: How Brains Work

Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 14th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez spoke with Dr. Heather Berlin to get to know how our brains work. Tune in to learn about the importance of boredom, the extinction effect, understanding appropriate child development, and more!

 

Guest: 

Dr. Heather Berlin

Cognitive Neuroscientist

Associate Clinical Professor Of Psychiatry And Neuroscience

The Icahn School Of Medicine

Mount Sinai

New York

Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education helps kids develop social, cognitive, and physical skills. Whether that learning comes from a formal child care setting or a stay at home parent, this episode covers what you need to know about early learning experiences.  

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Ruth Ray, the Program Director of Early Learning Professional Support at Candelen, about how to support your child’s growth and development.

Formula + Breastfeeding Essentials – S4E3

If you are a new parent, feeding your newborn can raise a lot of questions. But don’t worry, this episode covers everything you need to know to make sure your baby is getting all the nutrients needed, whether you’re using breast milk or formula.

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez talks to Amanda Shumway, the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program Manager for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at the Arizona Department of Health Services.

To participate in the Arizona WIC Peer Counseling Program or to work with WIC Registered Dieticians, you must be enrolled in the WIC program. Find out if you qualify here.

To find out if you are eligible to join the WIC Staff Breastfeeding Boot Camp, contact Amanda Shumway at [email protected] or Zarina Ahlstrom at [email protected]

1 Sheep 2 Sheep Getting to Sleep – S4E2

Are you a parent struggling to get your little one to fall asleep? Well, you’re not alone! Sleep is essential for a child’s healthy development and well-being, but sometimes it can be a real challenge. One safe and effective way to help children fall asleep is by giving them melatonin.

Jessica chats with Dr. Rupali Drewek, the medical director of the Sleep Disorders Program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and a board certified pediatrician. Dr. Drewek answers all important questions about melatonin and explains sleep hygiene