Welcome to the home of The Balanced Parent Podcast!

Parenting is often lived in the extremes. It's either Great Joy or chaotic overwhelmed. In one moment you’re nailing it and the next you're losing your cool I want to help you find your way to the messy middle, to a place of balance. You see, balance is a verb not a state of being. it is a thing you do not a thing you are. it is an action a process a series of micro-corrections each and every day to keep ourselves feeling centered. We are never truly balanced. We are engaged in the process of balancing.

Hello, I’m Dr. Laura Froyen and this is the Balanced Parent podcast, where overwhelmed stressed out and disconnected parents go to find tools, mindset shifts and practices to help them stop yelling at the people they love and start connecting on a deeper level, all delivered with heaping doses of grace and compassion. Join me in conversations that will help you get clear on your goals and values and start showing up in your parenting, your relationships, YOUR LIFE, with open-hearted authenticity and balance. Let’s go!

Early child developmental theorists used to believe that children are blank slates and it is our job as parents to "fill them in". Luckily the field has moved on from this and modern research has demonstrated repeatedly how untrue this really is. Children are curious beings who love to explore and discover new things. And thus, they are capable of initiating & directing their own learning process. And we can play an active role in this process by giving them the right activities and materials to activate their curiosity...

And I know many of you are thinking right now:

"Ok, Laura, BUT HOW??"

Don't worry, I've got you! In this episode, we are going to learn about one model of early childhood education, Reggio Emilia, where children are viewed as individuals who have the potential to learn on their own. I'm bringing in Toni Herbert, who is a Reggio-inspired Early Years Specialist, to guide us in learning to apply the Reggio approach to our everyday interactions with our kids.

She'll be discussing with us:

What is the Reggio Emilia Approach (And how does this translates into parenting)
How can we find Reggio-inspired provocations/activities for our children (without getting overwhelmed)
What does the daily rhythm of a Reggio-inspired parent look like

You can learn more about this learning approach through www.thereggioparent.com. Follow Toni on her social media as well. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.

Laura Froyen, PhD

Laura Froyen, PhD

Balanced Parent Podcast

Laura Froyen, PhD

Welcome to the home of The Balanced Parent Podcast!

Episode 39: Deepening Learning & Connection with The Reggio Approach with Toni Herbert