Talking Toddlers
Erin Hyer
Erin Hyer
Calm, developmentally grounded guidance for moms of babies and toddlers. As a mom of a baby or toddler, it can feel like everyone has an opinion - and very few answers that actually make things clearer. The noise is loud. The pressure is real. And the uncertainty can be exhausting. Talking Toddlers is a podcast for moms who want calm, trustworthy, developmentally grounded guidance - without fear, guilt, or unrealistic expectations. I’m Erin Hyer , a licensed speech-language pathologist with nearly 35 years of experience supporting young children and their families. I’ve spent my career on the floor with toddlers, partnering with parents, consulting with early educators, and training graduate students to understand how children truly grow, learn, and communicate - through relationships, everyday routines, and meaningful language experiences. This podcast breaks down how the young brain learns , why certain behaviors or challenges show up, and how parents can gently support development before small concerns become bigger ones . I believe parents are in a powerful position — not to do more, but to understand more. Each episode offers: Practical, real-life strategies you can use during everyday routines Gentle explanations of the why behind toddler behavior and development Supportive conversations that help you feel less alone and more confident My goal is simple: to help moms feel empowered and toddlers feel supported - so learning, communication, and connection can grow naturally at home. New episodes of Talking Toddlers are released weekly. This is a space for clarity, connection, and courage - where moms come to slow down, trust themselves, and support their child’s development with confidence.
3d ago
Send us a text Christmas can feel heavy for moms of babies and toddlers - full of pressure, expectations, and the fear of getting it wrong. In this episode of Talking Toddlers, we talk about why a simpler, calmer Christmas is often exactly what young children need - and how choosing less can create more connection, regulation, and meaning for your family. You don’t need more information - you need clarity, support, and a simple way forward. Talking Toddlers is here to help you slow down, understand what’s developmentally normal, and focus your energy where it truly matters. If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations designed to support both you and your child. You’re doing more right than you realize. If you’re looking for more personalized support, you’ll find details about Erin’s email community, free resources, and Discovery Calls in the description below. ===== Discovery Call — for parents of babies & toddlers If you’re wondering whether you’re overthinking something — or missing something — this short Discovery Call is a place to pause and get oriented. 👉 Start here to request a Discovery Call ========= 🌟 Join the Inside Talking Toddlers community for exclusive deep dives and get Erin’s free guide: Top 10 ESSENTIAL Skills For Talking. CLICK HERE FOR: Building Vocabulary: Single Words to 2-Word Phrases Because the little years are the big years. ===== Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com 🌐 www.HyerLearning.com
Dec 9
Send us a text If you want your child to talk well — not just say more words — this episode will change the way you think about early communication. Because here’s the truth: Talking doesn’t just “show up” one day. It grows from the daily experiences underneath it — connection, play, movement, interaction, modeling, as well as sleep, nutrition, and healthy routines. Whether your baby is 6 months old and you want to stay ahead… or your toddler is already showing signs of delay… understanding what’s happening underneath the words is one of the best gifts you can give your child. You’ve probably heard the common lines: “Boys talk later.” “Late talking runs in families.” “Give it time. She’ll talk when she’s ready.” But in 2025, it’s much more nuanced than that — and simply assuming “it’ll all work out” can keep kids stuck longer than they need to be. After 35 years in early intervention, Erin has seen hundreds of so-called “late talkers,” and here’s what most parents (and many professionals) miss: 👉 Not all late talkers are the same. Some children are on a simple language-delay path. Others are showing early signs of a broader 'communication' difference. Those two paths need different kinds of support. In this episode, Erin helps you “look more closely” and get curious, as she explains in clear, practical terms: what to notice before the first birthday the difference between a language delay and a communication disorder why focusing only on “more words” can miss the real issue how play, sensory needs, emotions, and movement all shape speech subtle signs parents overlook in the toddler years questions to ask instead of just “waiting and seeing” what you can start doing today to support your child, at any age If you’re a parent who doesn’t want to rely on assumptions or old myths, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to ask better questions, seek the right kind of help, and support your child’s development from the very beginning. === 🌟 Join the Inside Talking Toddlers community for exclusive deep dives and get Erin’s free guide: Top 10 ESSENTIAL Skills For Talking. CLICK HERE FOR: Building Vocabulary: Single Words to 2-Word Phrases Because the little years are the big years. === Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com 🌐 www.HyerLearning.com
Dec 2
Send us a text If you want your baby or toddler to talk well — not just say more words — this episode is your starting point. Because IMITATION is the skill that comes before gestures, babbling, understanding, and eventually… real talking. Most parents overlook imitation. Many professionals gloss over it. But after 35 years helping babies and toddlers communicate, I can tell you this with absolute certainty: Toddlers learn to imitate long before they learn to talk — and imitation is one of the strongest predictors of early speech. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the real building blocks beneath talking and how imitation shapes attention, connection, and communication. You’ll learn: • what imitation actually is (it’s not just copying words!) • the layers of imitation your child moves through • the connection between imitation, gestures, and early language • the simple mistake many parents make without even realizing it • playful, natural ways to spark imitation at home — starting today Whether your little one is 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, or closer to 2, this episode will help you see communication in a whole new way — long before the words appear. ====== ✨ LIVE WORKSHOP — Dec 6 How to Get Your Baby Talking: 3 Daily Routines That Build Real Words On Friday, December 6, I’m hosting a LIVE 90-minute workshop where I’ll pull back the curtain and show you exactly how to use three everyday routines to grow your baby’s communication from infancy through 24 months. 👉 Click here to see all the details + save your seat. If you want clarity, confidence, and a practical plan to support your child’s communication from infancy through 24 months… you’ll want to be there. ===== DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com 🌐 www.HyerLearning.com
Nov 25
Send us a text The Hidden Step Before First Words (Every Parent Misses This One) If your toddler isn’t using many words yet, this episode will change the way you see early communication. Most parents—and honestly, many professionals—focus on the number of words. But talking doesn’t begin with words. It begins with the body, with connection, and with one crucial developmental step that predicts everything that comes next. In today’s episode, Erin pulls back the curtain on the hidden foundations of communication—what really happens before first words—and why this matters for every child from 6 months to 2½ years and beyond. In this episode, you’ll learn: • the overlooked skill that shows up months before talking • why gestures are symbolic communication (just like words!) • how noisy babies, motor movement, and early imitation shape language • surprising predictors of later vocabulary growth • what the CDC’s “30-month” update got dangerously wrong • how parents can spot healthy communication patterns early on • simple ways to support your baby or toddler today Whether you have a baby just finding their voice, a toddler who’s slow to talk, or you’re simply a parent who wants to understand your child’s development with confidence—this episode will give you clarity, direction, and peace of mind. Because talking isn’t a milestone… it’s a process. And once you see the path, you’ll never look at communication the same way again. 👉 Learn the simple routines that help words emerge naturally — save your spot here: GET YOUR BABY TALKING WORKSHOP FREE Guide: Is My Child On Track? Top 10 Essential Skills For Talking === DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com 🌐 www.HyerLearning.com
Nov 18
Send us a text Are you tired of feeling embarrassed when your toddler won’t share? In this episode of Talking Toddlers , Erin Hyer, speech-language pathologist and early development specialist, breaks down what’s really happening inside your child’s brain when they say “mine!” You’ll learn why true sharing isn’t developmentally possible before age 4, how playdates often set toddlers up for stress (and shame), and simple ways to build calm, language-rich moments of connection at home. Erin also reveals how early turn-taking builds the foundation for real cooperation — without guilt, begging, or over-coaching. === 🌟 Join the Inside Talking Toddlers community for exclusive deep dives and get Erin’s free guide: Top 10 ESSENTIAL Skills For Talking. CLICK HERE FOR: Building Vocabulary: Single Words to 2-Word Phrases Because the little years are the big years. === Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com 🌐 www.HyerLearning.com
Nov 11
Send us a text If your toddler is constantly climbing, dumping, crawling, pulling things out of cabinets, or wandering from one “project” to another… this episode will make everything click. Between 12 and 18 months, the brain is wiring the foundations for attention, curiosity, emotional regulation, and — yes — first words. And it all happens through play. Not apps. Not fancy toys. Not early lessons. Movement. Repetition. Real-life exploration. In this episode, Erin Hyer, SLP and toddler specialist for 35+ years, breaks down: • Why play is the real work • How modern life gets in the way • The four “play jobs” toddlers must practice • What progress vs plateau vs regression really looks like • How LESS toys = MORE brain development • The simple daily rhythm that builds confidence, attention, and communication You’ll walk away knowing exactly what your toddler needs — and why you’re already doing more good than you realize. Something special is coming in early December… stay tuned. ===== ✨ Join the Inside Talking Toddlers community and get your free guide: Top 10 ESSENTIAL SKILLS for Talking ===== Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com 🌐 www.HyerLearning.com
Nov 4
Send us a text You already know the #1 habit that helps toddlers learn to talk — pulling them into your world and engaging them, out loud, through the rhythm of your day. But staying present isn’t always easy. In this episode, Erin Hyer, speech-language pathologist and toddler specialist, gets personal about what gets in the way — the five barriers that quietly pull parents off course — and how to find your way back with small, meaningful shifts that bring more calm, confidence, and connection. If you’re ready for real-life encouragement (not perfection), this episode will remind you that it’s never too late to reconnect. Because the little years are the big years — and every small, simple moment counts. --------- ✨ Join the Inside Talking Toddlers community and get your free guide: Top 10 ESSENTIAL SKILLS for Talking ===== Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com 🌐 www.HyerLearning.com
Oct 28
Send us a text What if the best way to help your toddler talk isn’t about doing more — but noticing more? If you’ve ever wondered how to build your child’s language without feeling like you’re teaching a class, this episode will give you the clarity and calm you’ve been craving. You’ll discover: • Why connection—not correction—drives true communication • How everyday routines (yes, even laundry and grocery runs) become language lessons • A simple daily rhythm that builds confidence, calm, and conversation Forget flashcards and “talk time.” Real language growth happens in the small, shared moments of real life — the ones you’re already living. ✨ Join the Inside Talking Toddlers community and get your free guide: Top 5 Daily Habits That Build Your Child’s Connection & Confidence → [link] Because the little years are the big years — and every small, simple moment counts. 👉 Join Erin’s free private Inside Talking Toddlers community on Thursdays to get weekly quick-win audios and your Top 10 ESSENTIAL SKILLS for Talking ===== Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com 🌐 www.HyerLearning.com
