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PODCAST

The Art of Playful Parenting

Ever wish you had access to a play and parenting coach who could help you feel less overwhelmed and burnt out and more empowered as a parent? That"s what you experience once a week by listening to The Art of Playful Parenting Podcast hosted by Jill Lerman. With 15 years of experience working with young children and their families, Jill brings an informed perspective and wealth of simple strategies and ideas to support you on your parenting journey. You"ll leave listening to each episode inspired to

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

01:22:49

Ep. 108: Cracking the Sensory Code: What Your Child's...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/10/09

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill sits down with pediatric occupational therapist, author, keynote speaker, and The OT Butterfly, Laura Petix, to unpack sensory processing and what it can tell us about children's behavior, emotions, and learning. Laura breaks down the sensory systems, what sensory processing differences can look like in everyday life, and how parents can recognize when a child may be overwhelmed, seeking more sensory input, or struggling to regulate. Whether or

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24:54

Ep. 107: How to Stop Taking on Your Child's Emotions

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/10/02

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores a surprisingly tricky part of parenting: learning to separate a child's feelings from our own. She talks about the difference between being deeply connected to our children and becoming emotionally merged with them and how our own childhood experiences can get mixed into our reactions to our children and offers a simple question parents can use in the moment: "What's mine here, and what's theirs?" Want to work with Jill privately? Book a

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23:17

Ep. 106: Is This the Same Kid? Why Your Child Acts So...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/09/25

Why does your child seem like a completely different kid at school than they do at home? In this episode, Jill breaks down what these differences can tell us about regulation, safety, expectations, and your child's unique needs, and why "Is this the same kid?" might actually be a really important question to ask. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate

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54:31

Ep. 105: Could Your Baby Be Ready for the Potty?...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/09/18

In this episode, Jill chats with Andrea Olson, author of Go Diaper Free, about elimination communication (EC) and what it can look like to tune into your baby's natural cues around toileting from the very beginning. They talk about what EC actually is, how parents can approach it without pressure or perfection, and how paying attention to something as simple as when your baby needs to go can become another way of building connection and understanding. Andrea also shares what she learned practicing

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27:36

Ep. 104: When Kids Get in Trouble at School:...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/09/11

The start of a new school year can bring big emotions, challenging behavior, and lots of adjustment for both children and parents. In this episode, Jill responds to a real-life question from a parent whose kindergartener got in trouble at school, offering a different way to think about behavior, consequences, and supporting children as they adjust to new expectations and routines. In this episode, she explores what may be underneath those after-school meltdowns, explains restraint collapse, and

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27:36

Ep. 103: What I Teach Early Childhood Educators and...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/09/04

In this episode, Jill reflects on some of her biggest takeaways from recent professional development work she led with early childhood educators. From rethinking materials and invitations to play to slowing down, observing more closely, and staying curious, Jill shares simple ways parents can bring the same principles used in early childhood classrooms into everyday life at home. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll

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28:34

Ep. 102: Kindergarten Readiness: What Your Child...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/08/21

What does it actually mean for a child to be ready for kindergarten? In this episode, Jil explores why kindergarten readiness is about so much more than knowing letters, numbers, and how to write your name. As both an early childhood educator and a parent preparing her own daughter for kindergarten, Jill shares what she is actually focusing on to prepare her daughter for this big shift. Because children are going to learn kindergarten academics in kindergarten. Our job isn't to get them ahead. It's

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48:59

Ep. 101: How to Help Children With Fear & Anxiety...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/08/14

What if our job as parents isn't to make our children's fear disappear, but to help them feel safe enough to move through it? In this episode, Jill is joined by Dr. Randolph B. Schiffer, a former Marine, physician, psychotherapist, professor, and lifelong student of the human mind.. He is the author of Bedtime Stories to Terrify Children and founder of the #ReadTogether movement. Jill and Dr. Schiffer talk about children's fears, the power of storytelling, and how stories, play, and connection can

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23:09

Ep. 100: What 100 Episodes Have Taught Me About Play,...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/08/07

In this special 100th episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill reflects on the incredible conversations, stories, and lessons that have shaped the podcast over the years. After 100 episodes, countless conversations with experts, and so many shared stories, Jill reflects on what she knows to be true about playful parenting and what she hopes every parent takes with them on their own journey. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership

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19:03

Ep. 99: The Parenting Tool You're Probably...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/07/31

In this solo episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores why play isn't just something children do, but one of the most powerful parenting tools we have. Through a relatable story about helping her daughter navigate a difficult transition, Jill shares how a simple playful moment transformed a potential power struggle into connection. Drawing on child development research and lessons we can all learn from Bluey, she explains why play helps children regulate, cooperate, and feel secure

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21:38

Ep. 98: Why Your Child Isn't Listening: Understanding...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/07/24

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores one of the biggest questions parents ask: Is this misbehavior, or is my child trying to communicate a need? Through real-life examples, she unpacks what may be underneath common behaviors. Jill discusses why behavior is communication, why children don't always have access to the skills they know, and how shifting from frustration to curiosity can transform the way parents respond. Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call

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22:58

Ep. 97: What Teaching Preschool Taught Me About...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/07/17

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill shares the lessons that followed her home from her days as a preschool teacher and shaped the way she approaches parenting today. She discusses: Why children's behavior is communication How play supports learning and development Seeing children as capable and curious Why connection comes before correction The importance of having a plan while staying flexible What motherhood has taught her about letting go of perfection A reflection on child

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51:46

Ep. 96: The Modern Dad: Balancing Ambition, Presence,...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/07/10

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill welcomes her first dad guest, Jeff Hittner, executive coach, founder of Ambitious Dads, and father of two boys. Together, they explore what it means to redefine fatherhood, balance ambition with presence, and build meaningful connections through play. Jeff shares his personal journey to fatherhood, the lessons he's learned about leadership at home, and why showing up with intention matters more than striving for perfection. They discuss practical

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27:26

Ep. 95: Simple Summer Rhythms for Kids

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/07/03

Looking for simple summer play ideas that don't require hours of planning? In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores how to create flexible summer rhythms that help children feel calm, connected, and ready to play. Whether your kids are home for the summer or coming home from camp each day, you'll learn how to use play as a tool for regulation, discover easy low-prep play ideas, and build after-camp reset routines that support your child's nervous system. We also talk about the

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24:56

Ep. 94: What to Do When You're Not at Your Best as a...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/06/26

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill explores what it really looks like to parent when you are not at your best. She breaks down why so many parents feel pressure to show up fully resourced, and why real-life parenting often happens in moments of exhaustion, overwhelm, and depletion. Jill shares practical, low-lift strategies for those harder days, including how to lower the "activation energy" for play, simplify daily expectations, and use independent play as a valid and valuable

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27:12

Ep. 93: The Truth About Uneven Giftedness

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/06/19

In this episode, Jill explores what it means to be unevenly gifted and why some children can appear remarkably advanced in one area while struggling significantly in another. She breaks down the concept of asynchronous development, explains why giftedness often coexists with challenges in emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory processing, and social skills, and discusses why these developmental differences can be so confusing for parents and educators. Want to work with Jill privately

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52:04

Ep. 92: Simplifying Playful Parenting with Beth...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/06/12

In this episode, Jill welcomes Beth Rosenbleeth. Beth, creator of the popular blog and Instagram account Days with Grey, simplifies routines and promotes play-based learning for young children. She's a former teacher and a mom of three whose strategies and activity ideas resonate with her 275,000+ Instagram followers. Jill and Beth explore the connection between quality time and independent play, easy ways to encourage creativity using everyday materials, and the value of open-ended toys that grow

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25:45

Ep. 91: "Because I Said So" and Other Parenting...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/06/05

In this episode, Jill takes a look at some of the parenting advice many of us grew up hearing and why it may not hold up when viewed through a modern understanding of child development. She unpacks the assumptions behind these common phrases and offers a more nuanced, connection-based perspective. This conversation invites parents to move beyond rigid rules and toward curiosity, helping them better understand what may be driving their child's behavior and respond with greater confidence and

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22:31

Ep. 90: When Your Child Feels Like Too Much for You

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/05/29

In this episode, Jill explores the deeply tender question many parents quietly carry: "Am I really cut out for this?" She unpacks a conversation with a client whose highly energetic, sensory-seeking son feels like the opposite of her own nervous system, and how that mismatch can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure of themselves. This episode is a must-listen for parents navigating similar dynamics, reminding listeners that difference is not dysfunction, and that connection is built through

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25:43

Ep. 89: Struggling With the Kindergarten Transition:...

The Art of Playful Parenting ·

2026/05/22

In this episode, Jill shares a personal reflection on her daughter's upcoming transition into kindergarten and the complex emotions that come with it. She explores what it feels like to navigate modern public school systems as a parent today, including the shifting landscape of early education, the role of play, and the quiet tension many parents feel between excitement and grief during this milestone. It's an honest conversation about what childhood looks like now and what we hope to preserve as

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108 results

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