Nurturing the Heart of a Child

Understanding child development at each stage is crucial in having appropriate expectations of our children.  It also helps us to help them more effectively.  In this episode Dr. Barbara Sorrels and her daughter Krista Macias discuss the milestones and challenges  of 3-5 year olds as well as how to come alongside and teach kids in this precious stage!

Discussing development of children ages 18 months through two years old.  We talk about everything from tantrums, potty training, and autonomy in toddlers.  This age is so fun and can also be challenging!  Learn what to expect and how to come alongside these curious little guys!

Having an understanding of child development is crucial in developing appropriate expectations of our children in each stage. In this first episode of our Ages and Stages series we will be discussing the ins and outs of the first 18 months of a child's life!

This is a challenging season for most of us, but difficult family times are not unique to Covid-19.  Hopefully this episode will offer some encouragement to any season of life that is hard with children in tow.  

In Raising Daughters, we explore the minds and emotional lives of girls.  From little girls to teenagers, this episode will offer insight into how to raise healthy, resilient girls!

Understanding paternal nurturance and male emotional intelligence can help us tremendously in raising healthy, thriving, boys.  Boys and girls are innately very different and in this episode we explore some of those differences in order to raise sweet little boys into amazing men.  

Shame is feeling remorse for who I am while guilt is a feeling of remorse for what I have done.  In this episode we look at how to hold children accountable in a way that is not shaming but creates a healthy sense of remorse and guilt.  Understanding child development gives us empathy for our children!

In this episode we got to interview Ricky Chelette from Living Hope Ministries in Arlington, Texas about how healthy gender identity develops in children and what parents need to do to support that.  We also discuss when and how to talk to your kids about sexuality. 

Sibling rivalry and conflict is inevitable, but there are things that we as parents can do to set our kids up for a lifetime of friendship.  In this episode Dr. Barbara Sorrels and her daughter, Krista Macias share strategies to help siblings with new babies as well as how to help with sibling conflict both in the moment and prior to the struggle.  

When kids go back to school it becomes so important that parents are intentional with the time they have after school and on weekends with their kids.  In this episode we hear from a talented therapist- Kara Burr who offers some insight along with Dr. Sorrels on how to connect intentionally with your kids during the school year!  There are so many practical and meaningful ideas!

Homework can be challenging for families to learn to handle well!  How much is too much?  How can we motivate children? How do teachers, parents, and children view homework and is it truly valuable?  In this episode we want to challenge typical views of homework and offer encouragement on how to support your child to be successful in this life skill.  

In this episode we wrap up our first series on helping children of trauma.  We discuss the four core fears that lie within children and how trauma plays into those core fears.  Children's difficult behavior is usually their way of trying to tell us something.  It's important that we take a good look at why we do what we do as well as why they do what they do!  Dr. Barbara Sorrels offers hope and encouragement as to how to help children of trauma both at home and at school.

Learn more about what trauma is, why it is such a hot topic today, and resources for helping children who have experienced trauma.  Dr. Barbara Sorrels shares her expertise on the effects of trauma on children and the hope that lies within them.  With perspective for both teachers and parents, this series will begin to equip you with the understanding you need to nurture and help children of trauma heal.  

Many children have had to or will have to experience medical procedures whether unforeseen or routine that can leave children feeling scared and helpless.  Depending on how the child perceived the event, it could have been processed as trauma.  In this episode Dr. Barbara Sorrels shares what parents can do to prepare their child for a medical procedure as well as what to do if a parent suspects that a child has been traumatized one.  There is hope!

Our kids are a blessing to us and we can expect that they will be a blessing to other people!  In this episode Dr. Barbara Sorrels and her daughter Krista Macias share how children develop socially and give practical tips on how parents can teach their children how to handle social conflict.  

What is sensory processing and how does it relate to self regulation?  How do I know if my kid has sensory processing issues and what can I do about it?  Dr. Barbara Sorrels answers these questions through her own personal experiences and study.  Also, listen to find out three additional senses to the main five that you may not know about!

One of the times in which children are most prone to becoming dis-regulated is when we have to say "no."  In this episode we explore strategies to help ourselves and our children prior to a no, in the middle of a no and after a no.  

Self regulation is the capacity to control your emotions, behavior, and thinking.  It is a crucial skill for children to function in a classroom, get along with others, and thrive in life.  But how is it developed and what can impede it's development?  Check out this episode with Dr. Barbara Sorrels and her daughter Krista Macias as they delve into this important topic of self regulation!

Traditions and rituals are an important part of communicating to our children that they have a place and a people to belong to.  It takes initiative and planning but is so worth it for our kids.  In this episode we share ideas and encourage listeners to be purposeful in choosing traditions for their families.  

Attachment begins while a mother is still pregnant.  The feelings that she develops toward her baby and has about the pregnancy predict the quality of the parent/infant interaction and therefore the attachment.  The quality of the prenatal period can have a lasting impact on your child in many aspects.  Want to know what parents should consider before even getting pregnant?  Want to hear what parents should know during pregnancy?  This episode answers these crucial questions!