Hey Friends~

Boys communicate, process emotions, and navigate the world differently—but how can we support them in becoming emotionally healthy men?

Dr. Richelle Whitaker, educational psychologist and host of The Raising Sons Podcast, shares practical strategies for connecting with boys, fostering open communication, and guiding them through emotional growth. From “windshield time” to movement-based conversations, we explore what really works.

Plus, the truth about common misconceptions and why middle schoolers need more guidance, not less.

Always cheering you on!

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn: hello@thelanguageofplay.com

ABOUT THE GUEST: Dr. Richelle Whittaker is a speaker, educational psychologist, parent advisor, and host of the Raising Sons podcast.

As a heart-centered leader, she is passionate about helping families win. Her work equips and empowers parents/caregivers with tools to close learning gaps, find work-life harmony, and maintain mental wellness. She enjoys creating a space to help parents/caregivers explore tough topics and navigate solutions.

At its core, Dr. Whittaker’s work is about advocacy – being a voice and creating the space for families to thrive.

CONTACT THE GUEST: drrichelle@richellewhittaker.com

Podcast: Raising Sons podcast

Website: www.richellewhittaker.com

IG: @dr_richelle

YouTube: @drrichellewhittaker

TikTok: @drwhittaker1

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** For Speaking Engagements, Workshops, or Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at hello@thelanguageofplay.com

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

201 Leroy Slanzi: Using Free Play And Structured Play With Intention To Develop Emotional Regulation

189 Your Child Is A Gestalt Language Learner? Uses Echolalia? 4 Tips To Help Expand Interactive Skills

184 Do Your Habits Reduce Your Child’s Need To Speak? 4 Strategies To Build Opportunities For Communication Growth

183 Jeaneen Tang: Play Dumb & Sabotage! An Effective Way To Mindfully Expand Language

181 Gwen: Want Words To Replace Screaming In Your 1 Year Old? Listen To This Success Story!

Hey Friends~

Sometimes it is helpful to hear success stories! We know that raising kids is a marathon not a sprint, and that means that success stories occur millions of times while raising our kids. Sometimes- when challenges are significant, we need to dig even deeper to find wins along the way.

Today’s guest tells her story of raising a child with Cerebral Palsy. She learned to celebrate along the way, listen to the therapists, and follow the lead of her heart as well as listen to her son. In doing so, they found success! Non -verbal to verbal to even speaking on a podcast!

Remember parents, life is a journey. Always remember to celebrate! The little wins are important - and they add up! I know you will feel so encouraged and enlightened by this conversation. Grab a cup of coffee and relax if you are able.

CORRECTION!! In the show I said Marsh earned a PhD. I was wrong. She earned a DPT (Doctorate of Physical Therapy) Thank you, Marsh, for calling this mistake to my attention! And Readers, please join me in congratulating Marsh!

Always cheering you on!

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn: hello@thelanguageofplay.com

ABOUT THE GUEST: Marsh Naidoo is a physical therapist and parent to Kellan a 12 year old teen with cerebral palsy. She founded a nonprofit digital platform to empower, connect and educate parents raising children with disabilities. She hosts Raising Kellan Podcast and two self-published books.

CONTACT THE GUEST: Www.raisingkellan@gmail.com

Raising Kellan Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/1BwWELnlV4wWlsE35JBA0X

For Kellan’s episode 113 : https://open.spotify.com/show/1BwWELnlV4wWlsE35JBA0X

Episode 2 on the Raising Kellan Podcast: What parents need to know when language and speech development is delayed! Angie Brasher , SLP https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-2-what-parents-need-to-know-when-language-and/id1480164076?i=1000458440281

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IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

160 Michael Hingston: Develop Your Child’s Gifts! Whether Or Not A Disability Is Present

197 Michelle Choiary: Our Speech Therapist Became Family. Help for Complex Kids

199 Krista Melanson: Do I Wait or Get Help? My child’s speech is “different.”

Hey Friends~

Do you Ever feel like your child understands everything but can’t quite put their thoughts into words?

In this episode, I’m breaking down expressive vs. receptive language— what each one is, how it develops and of course, this knowledge will be paired with ways YOU can support the growth of BOTH receptive and expressive language skills in your kiddos.

So, whether you're a parent of a toddler or a talkative kindergartener with no signs of delay, this episode is packed with insight for curious parents longing to nurture strong, confident communication.

Always cheering you on!

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn: hello@thelanguageofplay.com

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For Workshops, Speaking Events, or Partnerships: https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

** For Speaking Engagements, Workshops, or Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at hello@thelanguageofplay.com

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

198 Is Your Child Part of the 40% Who Struggle? The State Of Speech Pathology In The USA

199 Krista Melanson: Do I Wait or Get Help? My child’s speech is “different.”

209 What Is The Difference Between SPEECH and LANGUAGE?

Hey Friends~

Kids with neurological differences often APPEAR typical until the invisible becomes visible. Today’s episode showcases a journey of one mom - a mom I call a very successful parent! If you know any Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences, this episode will be particularly helpful and intriguing for you. I am glad you are here. You will enjoy this raw conversation of vulnerable situations and real life experiences in any KIND Family.

KIND = Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences.

Always cheering you on!

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn: hello@thelanguageofplay.com

ABOUT THE GUEST: Kari A. Baker is a former financial services executive and business owner turned author, speaker, and podcaster. She is the founder of KIND Families, a community of people who love Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences and is the host of The KIND Families Podcast. Kari became a KIND mom in 2014 when her son Brady was diagnosed with autism at age three. She started KIND Families to encourage, support, and inspire others to find purpose and promise in KIND-ness.

CONTACT THE GUEST: The KIND Families Podcast @kariabaker (IG, FB & LI) kariabaker.com, kindfamilies.com kari@kariabaker.com free intro to book: https://kindfamilies.com/#8371f6f9-af3f-4d01-8a04-72b28b4bbe66

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IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

142 Are You Doing Extreme Caregiving Jessica Patay Tells About Being Brave Together

188 Susanna Peace Lovell: Is Your True Self Enough? Lessons Learned In Parenting A Child With Autism

197 Michelle Choiary: Our Speech Therapist Became Family. Help for Complex Kids

199 Krista Melanson: Do I Wait or Get Help? My child’s speech is “different.”

RESOURCES to support you!

BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don’t want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel: https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3

Hey Friends~

What is the difference between speech and language? This common question is today’s topic. Understanding the difference helps you more accurately describe what is going on with your child when you seek guidance!

Please Share, Like, Subscribe, & Follow!

Also - Sign up for the Newsletter & Freebies below to stay connected to The Language Of Play!

Always cheering you on!

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host with a thought or question: hello@thelanguageofplay.com

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MANY EARLY EPISODES GIVE STRATEGIES ON SPEECH & LANGUAGE EXPANSION. HERE ARE A FEW:

05 Building and Understanding Language Through Our Senses

27 What Good is Mother Goose and Dr. Seuss? 6 Key Reasons to Indulge in These Classics.

40 Helping Your Child Talk About Shared Past Experiences

56 Do You Want Your Child To Speak More Clearly, but Don’t Know How to Teach it? Learn This, and You Can Teach Anything!

Hey Friends~

Today’s guest is a mother of a child who had a language delay at age 3, and then was diagnosed with autism later. She worked in special education as a special education advocate. And then she had her own child so now she has the dual role of being BOTH the parent and an educator in the special education system.

We talk about the role of language acquisition for her little one and how language delay was the FIRST indicator that something else was going on.

Always cheering you on!

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn: hello@thelanguageofplay.com

ABOUT THE GUEST: Experienced educator, and autism mama, passionate about my mission to empower parents to become fierce advocates for their children with disabilities. By drawing on my own journey and extensive professional experience, I aspire to guide and inspire others to navigate the challenges of special education with resilience, empathy, and unwavering advocacy.

CONTACT THE GUEST: https://www.instagram.com/disabilityedpros/

youtube.com/@disabilityedpros

Disability EdPros: https://www.disabilityedpros.com

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Information about Costa Rica Retreat: https://www.speakfeedlead.org/family-talks-retreat.html Enter Coupon Code LANGUAGEOFPLAY to get 20% OFF!!

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Send Dinalynn a thought or question! hello@thelanguageofplay.com

**For Speaking Engagements, Workshops, or Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at hello@thelanguageofplay.com

If You Liked This Episode, You Will Want To Listen To These Episodes:

57 Does Your 3-Year-Old Say Sounds Wrong? Here is How to Help Your Preschooler Talk More Clearly!

68 Do You Know How to Practice Early Reading Skills? Shannon Ali Shares How to Easily Incorporate Play and Practice

128 From Diagnosis To Celebration - Ngoma Shares Triumphs And Struggles of Raising A Child With Autism

188 Susanna Peace Lovell: Is Your True Self Enough? Lessons Learned In Parenting A Child With Autism

Hey Friends~

Although it’s true that our children do better when they nap, there is a transition out of naps. And it's usually not a smooth ride.

Today we will talk about when your 3 & 4 year-old does not nap.

Always cheering you on!

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn: hello@thelanguageofplay.com

Information about Costa Rica retreat: https://www.speakfeedlead.org/family-talks-retreat.html

Enter Coupon Code LANGUAGEOFPLAY to get 20% off your cost!

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Send Dinalynn a thought or question! hello@thelanguageofplay.com

**For Speaking Engagements, Workshops, or Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at hello@thelanguageofplay.com

If You Liked This Episode, You Will Want To Listen To These Episodes:

173 Alicia Mazari: Your Child is Constipated? How Poop impacts sleep, behavior, and learning

107 How Your Internal Dialog Confuses Simple Communication With Your Child

204 A Simple Direction Made Your Child Burst Into Tears? Let’s Look At How The Brain Processed That!

196 I’m always giving in! How do I stop? 2 Examples to support the process