Kia ora, Hello! I’m Ruth Vercoe, a teacher-turned-mum, here on a mission to demystify Child’s Play through understanding play schemas. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, 'Why is my child doing that?'—whether it’s throwing their soft toys, hiding stones around the house, or lining up their crayons —then you’re in the right place, and certainly not alone. Here, we’ll explore the magic of play through the lens of play schemas—those hidden repeated patterns in your child’s behaviour that hold ...
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Ruth Vercoe Podcasts
The complete toolkit for understanding toddler behavior (e.g. hitting, throwing, biting, pushing), navigating tantrums and meltdowns, fostering healthy sibling relationships and dynamics so your kids can get along and raising skilled resilient self-regulated toddlers. If you have toddlers that are close in age or multiple kids then this podcast is made for you! Heather helps parents transform their aggressive toddlers behavior into a calm, kind and caring toddler with a more peaceful and joy ...
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030 Play, Not Pressure: How Everyday Play Builds Your Child’s Literacy Foundation with Alex Weehuizen
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33:23Worried your toddler isn’t “school ready”? Feel like you should be doing flashcards, worksheets, or alphabet drills — but it just doesn’t sit right? This episode is your deep breath and warm reassurance. We’re busting the myth that early literacy needs to look like formal learning and showing you how play, movement, and everyday conversations are a…
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029 Why Play Builds Connection With Your Child
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12:07Connecting with Your Child Through Play — Why It Matters More Than You Think Is your toddler constantly throwing toys, lining them up, or wrapping things in blankets and you’re not quite sure why? What if these repetitive behaviours are actually your child’s way of connecting with you? In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we dive deep into…
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Helping Toddlers with Big Emotions in Public
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9:57Handling Toddler Meltdowns: What Pancakes Taught Me About Emotions Heather Schalk shares insights and strategies on managing toddler meltdowns using a relatable pancake breakfast scenario that was a true story! She discusses the importance of modeling calm behavior, recognizing frustration tolerance, and teaching toddlers self-regulation techniques…
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028 Unlock Your Child's Learning Through Play: Join 'The Play Schemas Collective' BETA
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7:09Apply to Join the BETA Test Group – Spaces Are Limited! Applications close 26 June 2025. Only 5 spots available. For more information and to apply now, head to https://playschemas.com/beta Or flick me a DM on Instagram: @Play_Schemas Get FREE access during the BETA round Enjoy a FREE first month once we officially launch Book a personalised 1:1 coa…
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027 Why I Still Say “Be Careful” Even Though I Love Risky Play
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14:12Do you ever catch yourself saying, “Be careful!” — even when you’re trying to let your child take healthy risks? You’re not alone, and you’re not doing it wrong. In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we unpack one of the biggest tensions many parents face: wanting to support our children confidence and independence, while still keeping them…
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026 Why Imperfection Matters in Parenting - with Sophie Moskowitz
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23:58Ever feel like you’re the only one dropping the ball as a parent? Spoiler alert: you’re not, you're not alone in feeling this... and this episode might just be the breath of fresh air you didn’t know you needed. In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play | Play Schemas, we’re joined by Sophie Moskowitz from Imperfect Parents, who brings a powerfu…
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025 Parenting Hacks: Master ‘When’ & ‘Then’ Magic!
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9:25The Two Words That Will Transform Your Parenting — “When” and “Then” Are you tired of endless toddler negotiations, meltdowns during transitions, or repeating yourself a hundred times a day? You’re not alone — and there is a gentle, effective way forward. In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, Ruth Vercoe introduces two simple, yet powerful …
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024 Part 1 - Self Care through the Schemas with Hannah Sadlier
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17:58Part 1 of 2 In this episode, we’re flipping the script on self-care. Instead of waiting for naptime or feeling guilty for needing a break, we’re inviting you to see the magic already happening in your everyday parenting life — through play schemas. Parenting young children can be exhausting, joyful, overwhelming, and deeply meaningful — often all i…
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024 Part 2 - Self Care through the Schemas with Hannah Sadlier
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20:02Part 2 of 2 In this episode, we’re flipping the script on self-care. Instead of waiting for naptime or feeling guilty for needing a break, we’re inviting you to see the magic already happening in your everyday parenting life — through play schemas. Parenting young children can be exhausting, joyful, overwhelming, and deeply meaningful — often all i…
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From Throwing to Lining Up: What Your Child’s Play Is Really Telling You with Ruth Vercoe
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55:35There may just be a method to the madness after all! Our toddlers are constantly learning about the world around them. And the main way in which they learn is through play and play schemas. From throwing things and ripping pages out of books to tossing all their toys out of the bin and lining their cars up in a certain way, our toddlers are natural…
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023 Why Your Toddler Isn’t Listening — And What to Do About It with Heather Schalk
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35:44Ever feel like your toddler is just ignoring you on purpose? You’ve asked nicely (three times), tried raising your voice, or even taken a toy away — and still, they won’t listen. Before you start second-guessing yourself or wondering if it’s just your child, take a deep breath. You are not alone — and there’s a powerful reason behind this common to…
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Two Secrets to Enjoying the Toddler Years
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28:07Two Secrets to Enjoying the Toddler Years In this episode, we reveal the two key factors that can help parents actually enjoy the toddler years: 1. addressing shame and 2. letting go of perfectionism. We discuss how these issues often go unnoticed but heavily impact our parenting experience. There's also an exciting announcement about the upcoming …
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022 Growing Curiosity: How Gardening Supports Play Schemas & Child Development
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22:02What if your toddler’s obsession with mud, watering cans, or hauling carrots isn’t just play—but a window into how they learn best? In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we take you into the garden—yes, dirt and all—to uncover how vegetable gardening can reveal powerful insights about your child’s development. Whether your little one is dig…
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Understanding Toddler Tantrums: Real-Life Stories + What Helped
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25:08Understanding Toddler Tantrums: Real Life Stories + What Helped Welcome to the Toddler Toolkit podcast! In this episode, we delve deep into the world of toddler tantrums, exploring not just the outward emotional outbursts but the deeper unmet needs and expectations behind them. Host Heather shares real-life tantrum stories from her own family to il…
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021 Easter Play Ideas for Toddlers that Support Play Schemas
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14:20Free download available! Grab your free Easter Play Ideas PDF with all 10 schema-based activities, family-friendly versions, and our go-to oaty pancake recipe at playschemas.com/free Feeling overwhelmed by all the Easter hype—and wondering how to make it meaningful for your toddler? In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we’re diving into ho…
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Breast Milk, Bottles & Burnout: Surviving Baby Feeding Overwhelm with Roxie Alsruhe
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39:07Whether you're a brand new parent or a veteran, keeping track of a baby's feeding schedule is not easy! Roxie Alsruhe discovered this first-hand while caring for her newborn son. When their baby started losing weight instead of gaining, Roxie and her wife did everything they could to help him get the nourishment he needed. Through the many sleeples…
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020 Keeping Kids Safe: Practical Tips for Parents with Victoria Barendsen
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29:10Looking for the discount code? use playschemas10 at the checkout! ww.thesafekidsproject.com As parents, we want to protect our children. But when it comes to body safety, it can feel overwhelming—where do we start? How do we talk about it in a way that’s age-appropriate and empowering? And how do we navigate such an important conversation without f…
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This One Thing Shapes Your Toddler’s Behavior and Self-Esteem
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25:05The One Thing That Shapes Toddler Behavior and Self-Esteem In this episode, we explore the key factor that shapes your toddler's behavior and self-esteem - your language and reactions. We'll discuss the concept of the toddler reactivity loop, how to set the stage for better behaviors, and why the attention you give is the attention you get back. Le…
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019 Understanding Play Schemas & Love Languages in Parenting
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11:49Wrapping Up the Love Languages Series: How Play Can Deepen Your Connection with Your Child Do you ever wonder what’s really behind your child’s play? Or why they behave a certain way when they’re feeling disconnected? Understanding play schemas and love languages can completely transform the way you interact with your little one—making parenting mo…
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The Toddler Discipline Script That Backfires & What to Do Instead
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22:24The Toddler Discipline Script That Backfires & What to Do Instead In this episode, we're diving into the shortcomings of widely shared toddler discipline advice, particularly the 'validation boundary method.' Learn why popular scripts like 'It's okay to be mad, but we don't hit' can backfire, reinforcing unwanted behaviors and leading to parental b…
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Unlock the Secrets of Your Child’s Play: Play Schemas & Acts of Service in Parenting! Have you ever wondered why your child insists on lining up their toys, spinning in circles, or moving objects from place to place? It might seem random (or even frustrating!), but these repetitive behaviours are actually part of their natural learning process. The…
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Finding a Good Fit Babysitter for your Toddler
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23:14How to Find the Perfect Babysitter for Your Toddler In this episode, Heather shares valuable insights on finding a babysitter that suits your toddler's temperament and aligns with your parenting style. She discusses emotional fit, parenting style alignment, and offers tips on managing time duration and transitions. Heather shares personal experienc…
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017 Loving your child through gifts and play
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16:02Send us a text The Play Schemas Collective is now in BETA — and I'm inviting you to join for free. This is your chance to test-drive a brand new membership designed to help you confidently support your toddler’s development through schema-based play. Applications close June 26th, so don’t wait! Head to playschemas.com/beta to apply. Want to hear al…
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From Books to Breakthroughs: The Parenting Advice That Changed My Life with Taylor Greenberg
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31:05Do you feel as though you've read every parenting book out there and tried all the advice without seeing any of the results? When we're looking for help for battling difficult behaviors, it seems that every parent "expert" out there has the solution to our struggles. But when we try to implement their advice, it either doesn't quite work out like w…
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Separation Anxiety in Toddlers: What to Do When Mom Leaves
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16:38Overcoming Toddler Separation Anxiety: Tips and Strategies In this episode of the Toddler Toolkit Podcast, Heather tackles the challenging issue of separation anxiety in toddlers. Drawing from her personal experiences as a mother of twins, she provides practical advice on how to help toddlers feel secure when parents leave. You'll discover why sepa…
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016 Make Memories: Play & Quality Time Tips!
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19:10Ever feel like your child is constantly throwing, spinning, or building the same thing over and over—and you’re not quite sure why? Or maybe you’re wondering how to give your child the quality time they crave without adding more to your already packed schedule? You’re not alone! In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we’re unlocking the magi…
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015 Why Your Words Matter: Affirmation in Play
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15:18In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of child play through the lens of play schemas and the powerful impact of words of affirmation. Understanding why children engage in particular play patterns allows us to connect with them on a deeper level and support their growth more effectively. These schemas are not simply repetitive behavio…
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014 Play Schemas & The Love Language of Physical Touch | Understanding Your Child’s Needs
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22:49🎁 WIN A FREE BOOK! Love The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman? I’m giving away a FREE copy to one lucky listener! ✅ How to enter: Join my mailing list before March 31, 2025, at 👉 playschemas.com Did you know that something as simple as a hug, a high-five, or a game of tag could be the key to your child feeling deeply loved and secure? In…
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013 Play Schemas and Love Languages - a Match Made in Heaven
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14:53LOVE to a Child is Spelt TIME: Understanding the 5 Love Languages of Children 💡 Want a chance to win ‘The 5 Love Languages of Children’ book? Join my mailing list at playschemas.com—you’ll be in the draw to win, no matter where in the world you are! 💛 Do you ever wonder if your child truly feels loved? You tell them “I love you” a hundred times a d…
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012 Engage your little helpers at home through Play!
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14:49Play Schemas at Home: Turning Play Into Productivity How to Encourage Your Child to Help Around the House—Through Play! FREE list of play and helping around the home ideas - head to playschemas.com/free! Does it feel like you’re constantly cleaning up after your little one while they seem more interested in making a mess? What if, instead of workin…
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011 Playing Together – How Adults Can Join the Fun Without Taking Over
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11:30Playing Together – How to Join the Fun Without Taking Over Have you ever found yourself ‘playing’ with your child, only to realise that you’re the one in charge? One moment you’re happily stacking blocks, and the next, you’re directing the entire build like an overzealous project manager. Sound familiar? You’re not alone! In this episode of Demysti…
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010 Play Schemas and Siblings – How to Make Schemas Work for (Not Against!) You
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13:46🎙️ Play Schemas and Siblings – How to Make Schemas Work for (Not Against!) You! 👧👦 Do your kids constantly clash over toys, fight over space, or seem to have completely different play styles? You’re not alone! Sibling play can be tricky—one child wants to build, while the other wants to knock things down. One loves to throw, while the other careful…
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009 The Power of Independent Play – Nurturing Confident and Creative Kids
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15:12Episode 9: The Power of Independent Play – Nurturing Confident and Creative Kids Do you dream of guilt-free moments to enjoy a hot drink while it’s still hot—without hearing a desperate “Muuum!” every two minutes? What if those moments didn’t just give you a breather but also helped your child grow into a confident, creative problem solver? In this…
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5 Common Pitfalls of Toddler Boundaries and How to Avoid Them
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11:01We hear from all the parenting advice how important it is to set boundaries and limits with our children to keep them from doing the things we don't want them to do. But what if they don't work? Boundaries are a great tool to have in your parenting toolkit, and you should use them when appropriate, but they aren't the only parenting tool or strateg…
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008 Kickstart 2025 with Play: Unlock Joyful Parenting Through Play Schemas!
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15:37Ready to make 2025 the best year yet for your family? Dive into this exciting episode of Demystifying Child’s Play as we explore how understanding and embracing play schemas can transform your parenting journey. Whether you’re a returning listener or new to the podcast, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable tips to help you connect…
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The KEY to Parenting Your Toddler with LESS STRESS in 2025
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14:07Are you ready to set new parenting goals for the new year that don't cause more tension, burnout, and frustration for your family?! Make 2025 the year of calmer parenting, fewer tantrums, and a happier home with a simple strategy that actually works! Listen in to learn the KEY to parenting your toddler with less stress this year, and join Heather i…
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The 7 Best Tips for a Tantrum-Free Holiday with Your Toddler
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44:02Feeling stressed about navigating the holidays with your toddler? From new routines (or lack thereof), family gatherings, fun outings, travel, and, of course, all the fun new gadgets and toys, the holidays can be a major meltdown generator for your toddler. However, you don't have to figure it all out on your own or convince yourself that you just …
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007 Christmas Play Schemas: Tips & Scenarios
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14:48Is your child tossing baubles, spinning ornaments, or carrying presents across the room? Before you wonder if they’re being “naughty,” take a deep breath—they’re not being difficult; they’re being explorers! In this episode, we’ll decode these behaviours through the lens of play schemas, helping you see the magic in your child’s play this Christmas…
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What Every Mom Needs to Know About Food Allergies with Corinna Meckelborg
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40:22Does your child have food allergies or sensitivities and you're worried about keeping them safe, especially during the holiday season? The holidays usually mean lots of gatherings, which usually means lots of food, and it can be a major source of anxiety and overwhelm for parents when their little ones can't have certain foods. Instead of skipping …
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006 Experience the magic of nature with Play Schemas
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19:10Unlock the Secret to Your Child’s Play: Why Nature Play and Play Schemas Matter! 🌱 Ever wondered why your toddler spends hours collecting sticks, throwing pebbles, or carefully lining up leaves? What if these seemingly random behaviours were actually the building blocks of their development? In this episode of Demystifying Child's Play, we explore …
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Unlock the Secrets Behind Your Child’s Play: The Origins of Play Schemas Ever wondered why your little one loves to spin wheels, drop toys, or line up blocks over and over again? Those seemingly simple actions aren’t just random—they’re part of something much bigger: play schemas. In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we’re diving deep into…
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004 Unlocking Your Toddler’s World: A Deep Dive into the 10 Most Common Play Schemas
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27:20🎙️ Welcome to Demystifying Child's Play 🌟 Do you ever wonder why your child insists on lining up toys or endlessly pouring water? Are you curious about how these playful quirks unlock their learning and development? You're in the right place! 🎉 In this episode, we’re diving into 10 play schemas—the building blocks of children’s play—and how underst…
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003 Reducing Frustration through understanding Play Schemas
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16:17Ever wonder why your toddler insists on throwing toys, spinning in circles, or hiding your kitchen towels? Believe it or not, there’s a method to the madness—it’s called play schemas. These are natural, repeated behaviours that children use to explore and understand their world. In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play, we’re uncovering how rec…
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Handling the "No" Phase: How to Get Your Toddler to Listen Without a Battle
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10:55Check out the brand new mini-course, Transform Tantrums: A Listening Toddler in 7 Days! If you're ready to stop the meltdowns and finally enjoy more peaceful days with your toddler, then this is a course you don't want to miss! Take advantage of the pre-sale price now before it's gone and the price goes up! Do you feel like you're going to lose you…
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002 Unlocking Play Schemas: Understand & Support Playful Learning
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20:28Unlocking Play Schemas: Understand & Support Playful Learning | Episode 002 🎙️ Hey there! 👋 Ever wondered why your child keeps repeating the same actions, like throwing toys, moving objects around, or spinning in circles? Believe it or not, there's a fascinating reason behind these repetitive behaviours. They’re called play schemas—patterns of play…
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You may think you know the cause behind your toddler's meltdowns, but do you really? In this episode, Heather discusses the real reasons behind your toddler's tantrums and they may not be what you think! Is your toddler really upset that he got the blue cup instead of the green one or is he frustrated that he just can't seem to communicate what he …
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001 Play Schemas: Demystifying Childs Play
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16:06Understanding Play Schemas: Demystifying Child's Play | Episode 1 🎙️ Welcome to the first episode of "Demystifying Child’s Play"! I’m Ruth Vercoe, and today we’re diving into the fascinating world of play schemas—the patterns that shape how children learn and grow through play. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or caregiver of children aged 0-7…
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4 Misconceptions About Helping Toddlers Listen More & Tantrum Less
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10:39You might be surprised to find that there are some pretty common misconceptions about what it means to help toddlers listen more and tantrum less. Even though we may all want our toddlers to be better listeners and throw fewer tantrums, our beliefs around how to do that and why affect our approach and the methods we use. Whether you believe that ki…
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Healing Your Body After Baby with Clare Samol and Heather Thompson
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40:14No matter how old your baby is, it's never too late to heal your postpartum body. Through the many physical and hormonal changes that occur throughout pregnancy, our bodies can easily become depleted and distressed during the postpartum period. Even years later, our bodies can still feel the effects of pregnancy and the stress it creates. Join Heat…
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Competing for attention and affection is not uncommon among twin toddlers or even toddlers that are just close in age. When one toddler wants hugs and kisses from mom, the other one is usually not too far behind. And when one toddler gets hurt during playtime or even when bickering with their sibling, you have to manage comforting one while navigat…
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