Teach. Play. Love. Parenting Advice for the Early Years

Teach. Play. Love. Parenting Advice for the Early Years

Confused by all the parenting resources? Looking for the definitive voice? Let our experts cut through the noise. Subscribe to the Bright Horizons® podcast, "Teach. Play. Love. Parenting Advice for the Early Years." Listen as parents and early childhood educators come together to cull the competing advice, separate fact from fiction, and focus on what does – and doesn't – matter during these early years. Be more confident, have less worry…and let Bright Horizons help make parenting the joy it was meant to be.

Episodes

Ep. 85 | Picky Eating—Why It Happens and What Helps | TPL

January 27, 2026 • 24 mins
Struggling with picky eating at home? You're not alone! In this episode, Rachel and Claire explain why picky eating is a typical occurrence with young kids and share practical, research-backed tips to make mealtimes less stressful. Learn how to introduce new foods without pressure, create a positive mealtime routine, and keep nutrition on track without turning your kitchen into a short-order diner. Streaming now on Spotify, Apple P...
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Ep. 84 | Inspiring a Lifetime of Reading | TPL

December 23, 2025 • 38 mins
Join us live from the NAEYC Annual Conference as we celebrate 25 years of Bright Horizons' Growing Readers program and explore how to spark a lifelong love of reading. ___________ Hosts Claire and Rachel share research on nationwide declining reading habits, why early literacy matters, and practical tips for families – from creating cozy reading spaces and choosing high-quality books to making reading fun with props, voices, and ro...
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Ep. 83 | Helping Kids Feel Capable: The Power of Agency | TPL

November 25, 2025 • 28 mins
Ever heard your child's teacher mention "agency" and wondered what it actually means? In this episode, Claire and Rachel unpack this buzzword and explore how agency—your child's ability to make choices, take initiative, and persist through challenges—can shape everything from friendships to future careers. With relatable stories, expert-backed insights, and practical strategies you can use at home (yes, even with toddlers!), we'll ...
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Ep. 82 | Parenting Tips for Managing Big Emotions | TPL

October 28, 2025 • 28 mins
Meltdowns, tantrums, and emotional overloads—young children feel big, and sometimes it all spills out. In this episode, Claire and Rachel share practical strategies for helping children navigate overwhelming moments, whether it's a new routine, a big life change, or just a tough day. With relatable stories and expert-backed tips, you'll learn how to support your child's emotional regulation while staying grounded yourself. Streamin...
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Ep. 81 | You Ask, We Answer: Tantrums, Parenting Styles & More | TPL

September 23, 2025 • 24 mins
In this special episode, Claire and Rachel settle into a fresh new studio to tackle some of the parenting questions that matter most—straight from the parents in the Bright Horizons community. From tantrums and bedtime meltdowns to navigating mismatched parenting styles and anxiety about school drop-offs, our hosts break down the why behind kids' behavior and offer grounded, expert-backed strategies you can use today. *** Streaming...
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Managing Separation Anxiety in Young Children - Episode 80

August 26, 2025 • 19 mins
While separation anxiety can be tough for both parents and children, it's reassuring to know it happens because we love each other so very much. Establishing daily routines and rituals – paired with patience and grace -- will help your child trust the process. And YOU can find comfort in knowing that your child is in good hands, even on the most difficult days.
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Discussing Stressful Current Events with Children | Teach. Play. Love. Episode 79

July 22, 2025 • 23 mins
In this repeat episode, we explore effective strategies and resources for helping children navigate current world events and manage their emotions. Learn how to discuss stressful topics with your child and provide emotional support for both them and yourself.
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Having Fun Playing with Your Kids | Teach. Play. Love. Episode 78 (REPLAY S6:E57)

June 23, 2025 • 26 mins
Join us for a replay of one of our classic episodes! "Having Fun Playing with Your Kids" Listen to this episode of Teach. Play. Love. To learn why play is one of the most important things a child can do each day and get advice on how to have fun playing with your kids. Play allows children to experiment with concepts and ideas to make sense of the world around them. Setting aside time each day to play with your child can foster the...
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Ep 77: Parenting Styles and Child Outcomes

May 29, 2025 • 36 mins
It's not just nature vs. nurture — it's nature AND nurture. Join Rachel and Claire as they dive into the research and explore various parenting styles, including which one best serves children as they grow and thrive.
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Ep 76: Raising a Kind Child

April 29, 2025 • 30 mins
The nurturing relationships and interactions that children have in their first 5 yrs are instrumental to developing true kindness later on. Join Claire and Rachel as they discuss strategies to foster and encourage kindness in your child. Modeling behavior, labeling your emotions, establishing values and more, all help your child grow up with the type of real empathy that will be valuable throughout childhood, adolescence and beyond...
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Why Children Need Pretend Play

April 3, 2025 • 41 mins
Pretend play is fun and a fundamental aspect of healthy child development! Join Rachel and Claire as they discuss the stages of imaginary play, why this type of play is so critical for a growing brain and body, and ways to encourage more pretend pay at home.
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Ep 74: What Happened to My World REPLAY

February 25, 2025 • 18 mins
Join us for a replay of one of our classic episodes! "What happened to my world?" "Am I going to be okay — will everyone be okay?" When stress and trauma disrupt your child's life, what can you say and do to help them feel safe and secure? Early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss say the four pillars of security — people, places, routines, and rituals — can guide your child through difficult times. On this episode, ...
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Ep 73: Building Confidence in Young Children

January 28, 2025 • 36 mins
Join early education experts Rachel Robinson and Claire Boss at the NHSA Parent and Family Engagement Conference as they delve into the essential role of confidence in children's development. Discover practical strategies and insights to help parents and educators foster resilience and self-belief in young minds.
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Ep 72: Encouraging Sharing & Taking Turns REPLAY

January 7, 2025 • 20 mins
At what age should a child understand the concept of sharing, and how can we equip them with the tools to develop this important life skill? In this replay of a past episode, join our early childhood experts Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss as they discuss developmentally appropriate expectations around taking turns and sharing, how to practice and model sharing with your child, and when it's actually okay not to share.
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Ep 71: Encouraging Independence and Self-Help Skills

November 26, 2024 • 22 mins
Discover why teaching independence and self-help skills makes a big impact on child development. Early education experts Rachel Robertson & Claire Goss share practical tips to help your child gain confidence and self-reliance.
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Ep 70: Teaching Your Children to Write

October 30, 2024 • 27 mins
In this episode, we explore the importance of writing in child development. Child development experts, Rachel Robertson & Claire Goss, discuss how to foster writing skills in young children, the cognitive benefits of writing, and how writing can be integrated into various learning activities.
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Ep 69: Parenting Tips for the First Days of Child Care

September 30, 2024 • 41 mins
In this episode, child development experts Rachel Robertson & Claire Goss share essential parenting tips to ease the transition and help your child adjust smoothly to their new education environment. They talk about how to handle emotions for both you and your child, how to approach the logistics of your new situation, and other practical parenting tips as your child begins their early child care education.
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Ep 68: Discussing Stressful Current Events With Children

August 30, 2024 • 24 mins
In this episode, we explore effective strategies and resources for helping children navigate current world events and manage their emotions. Learn how to discuss stressful topics with your child and provide emotional support for both them and yourself.
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Ep 67: Healthy Screen Time for Young Kids

July 31, 2024 • 29 mins
This episode dives into the presence of screens in our daily lives and how they influence child development. Child development experts, Rachel Robertson & Claire Goss, discuss how to navigate screens in everyday life, recommended screen time for young children, how parental screen habits affect children, and the advantages of establishing healthy screen time practices at home.
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Ep 66: Reimagining School Readiness

June 26, 2024 • 38 mins
In today's episode of Teach, Play, Love, our hosts & education experts, Rachel Robertson and Claire Goss, redefine school readiness and what you can do at home to support your child's school readiness skills.
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