The Vital Role of DEI in a Child's Education
Little Feet Community
Diversity Equity & Inclusion is under attack, so we spoke to about why it is important, in early childhood education, especially in predominantly white communities. If your classroom is mostly white, we talked about how to raise children who will be allies. Iruka also addresses the challenges faced by white teachers in diverse classrooms and suggests strategies for building relationships and fostering empathy. She highlights the significance of Head Start, which supports children and families holistically, and advocates for inclusive curricula and materials. Dr. Iruka is a...
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An Episode for Immigrant Parents
Little Feet Community
Immigrant families live under a tremendous amount of stress in the United States of America, especially right now. In this episode, we speak with Bolivian American licensed professional counselor Yesseinia Arias and Dominican American Ana Victoria Morales, both daughters of immigrant parents. Morales shares her history with ICE and offers advice for families currently at risk of separation and deportation. Together, Arias and Morales make a case for stress management and open communication within the family unit. Our podcast featuring advice for helping kids navigate...
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Un Episodio Para Padres Inmigrantes
Little Feet Community
Las familias inmigrantes viven bajo un estrés tremendo en Estados Unidos, especialmente en estos momentos. En este episodio, hablamos con la consejera profesional boliviano-estadounidense Yesseinia Arias y la dominicana-estadounidense Ana Victoria Morales, ambas hijas de padres inmigrantes. Morales comparte su experiencia con ICE y ofrece consejos para familias que actualmente corren el riesgo de separación y deportación. Juntas, Arias y Morales defienden el manejo del estrés y la comunicación abierta dentro de la familia.
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Yikes, My Friend's a Yeller! : Parenting Styles
Little Feet Community
There are many ways to parent a child. What do you do if your style is at odds with others? In this episode we speak with Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Perinatal Mental Health Counselor (PMH-C) . Kripke has worked supporting mothers and families for more than 20 years in various organizations and settings, most recently as the founding director of the Postpartum Wellness Center in Boulder, Colorado. Kate Kripke is author of and is the host of , a weekly unscripted podcast where she candidly explores all facets of motherhood. In this episode, we have a...
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Is It Their Personality or a Phase?
Little Feet Community
Have you ever referred to your kid as the shy one, what about the bossy one? In this episode of Little Feet Community podcast, we will discuss personality types with psychotherapist, best-selling author and national media commentator . We discuss personality tendencies present at birth and how experiences, as well as nurturing, influences how a personality evolves. Niro is the author of the TODAY.com column “Is This Normal?” as well as . Her second book, will be released for the 2025 holiday season. Takeaways: While some personality traits are present at birth,...
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How to Raise a Confident Child
Little Feet Community
In this episode of Little Feet Community podcast, we speak with author and clinical physchologist about critical areas of child development that impact self confidence. We discuss Dr. Edlynn's publication , a user friendly guide that offers easy to implement action items and techniques that will help support strengthened confidence and autonomy for your child (and your students). Her book is a must read for all those working with children. She is also one of the hosts of , a podcast about the science and practice of living well. Takeaways: So, research shows that it’s important to...
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Talking About Mental Health with Kids
Little Feet Community
Mental health challenges are common and chances are, you or someone you care about lives with this challenge. In this episode, we spoke to Leslie Cohen-Rubury, a psychotherapist, LCSW and podcast host of, “”, about how to support your child and educate them about mental health as well as address mental health concerns in the family. Cohen-Rubury discusses strategies for parents to support their children when exposed to unhealthy mental health episodes, the significance of teaching emotional intelligence, modeling healthy behavior, and fostering connection and how to have...
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Self Care for Kids & Why It's Important
Little Feet Community
Kids who practice self care have fewer meltdowns, more giggles and are more likely to grow up to be emotionally intelligent adults. Self-care practices can be taught and modeled to young children. Nora Painten, Director of the Abigail Lundquist Botstein Nursery School at Bard College in New York’s Hudson Valley, speaks with host Patty O’Connor about ways to teach self-care at home. Little Feet Community is an online resource for parents, caregivers, and educators seeking to support healthy growth in young children. Takeaways: It is vital to intentionally care for...
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Tough Topics: Talking to Kids about Current Events
Little Feet Community
How do you talk to kids about difficult current events, like the LA Wildfires? How do you field questions about news children may hear discussed around them? How can a parent or caregiver offer appropriate levels of reassurance using words a child can understand? In this week’s episode of Little Feet Community, , Clinical Psychologist at , discusses strategies to address complex current events with their children aged three through adolescence. Dr. Button advises simple, factual explanations and reassurance for young children (3-5 years). She suggests soothing routines and...
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Tough Topics: Talking to Kids about Death
Little Feet Community
How do we talk to kids about death? Unfortunately death is inevitable and when a pet or a grandparent dies your child will have questions. To answer these questions Patty O’Connor spoke to , MD, FAAP. Schonfeld established and directs the , located at For over 30 years, Dr. Schonfeld has provided consultation and training to schools on supporting students and staff at times of crisis and loss in the aftermath of numerous school crisis events and disasters within the United States and abroad. Schonfeld is also a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Keck School of Medicine. Key...
info_outlineThere are many ways to parent a child. What do you do if your style is at odds with others? In this episode we speak with Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Perinatal Mental Health Counselor (PMH-C) Kate Kripke. Kripke has worked supporting mothers and families for more than 20 years in various organizations and settings, most recently as the founding director of the Postpartum Wellness Center in Boulder, Colorado. Kate Kripke is author of Reinventing Supermom:Support and Strategies for New Mothers Who Feel Lost and is the host of Motherhood Uncut, a weekly unscripted podcast where she candidly explores all facets of motherhood.
In this episode, we have a conversation about different parenting styles, acknowledging that there is overlap between styles and that parental stress can lead you away from the style you may prefer to fall into. Kripke also offers some advice for what to do when your family dynamics vary greatly from others in your life.
Takeaways:
- There are four basic parenting styles: authoritarian, permissive, neglectful and authoritative.
- Authoritative is widely considered the most healthy parenting style, featuring a combination of warmth, boundaries and flexibility while still making it clear that the parents are in charge. Children of authoritative parents know what is expected of them. Their parents explain reasons for the rules and consequences for breaking them. Parents also listen to their child’s opinions, but the parent remains the ultimate decision maker.
- If parents are not taking care of themselves, they will be easily triggered in hard parenting moments. Periods (or even days) where you find yourself stressed and depleted can lead to a more authoritarian or neglectful parenting style. Self care is essential to ensure you are showing up as the best parent you can be for your children.
- Authoritarian parenting can come from a place of fear or perceived threat. It is oftentimes not a conscious choice of style.
- Speak openly with your children about experiences where a different parenting approach may have led to your child feeling uncomfortable or uncertain. Open communication can help them work through those feelings and experiences.
- It’s a good idea to have a conversation with the other parent in your life if you feel truly uncomfortable with the choice they have made. For example, “Hey, I just have noticed that we parent our kids differently, and I want to make sure you know that these are the choices I'm going to be making with my kiddo, and it may be different than yours. Do you have any questions?”
- The more comfortable and accepting we are of the decisions that we're making for our children and our families, the less likely we are to judge other parents for their choices or practices.
- The kids that do the best in life are children who are raised by parents and families where there's A focus on values rather than rules. So saying, “Our family really values kindness. So when we're talking to people, we say please and thank you, and we look them in the eye.”