The Language of Play - Kids that Listen, Speech Therapy, Language Development, Early Intervention

Hey Friends~ 

Have you ever thought, “I understand my child just fine… so maybe their speech isn’t really a problem” ?
Or wondered, “Maybe they’ll just grow out of their listening struggles as they grow,”  but the waiting is really hard! 

You’re not alone. And you’re not wrong for wondering!

Some of the most common beliefs—ones that make complete sense to caring parents—can quietly delay the support kids need for speech, listening, and learning. In this episode, we’re busting a few of those myths.  Not with judgment. Just  clear, compassionate, and practical insight you can use right away.

If you’ve ever wondered whether something really matters for your toddler, preschooler, or young elementary-age child, and asked yourself, “Is this just a phase they’ll grow out of?”  Then, this episode is for you.

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]

COMMENT? QUESTION?  Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

 

YOUR NEXT STEPS:

5 Ways To Get Your Kids To Listen Better: https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/7ca5ce43-d436ea91

“Play is…” 

Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin

21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup

To discuss working together:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/strategy-session

For Workshops, Speaking Events, or Partnerships:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

** For Speaking Engagements, Workshops, or Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]

 

APPROVED RESOURCE AND OPPORTUNITY: 
Sign up for a family trip to Costa Rica!!  

2026 is a year for deeper connection at Family Talks Retreat in Costa Rica 🌿
✔ Meaningful conversations
✔ Nature-based experiences
✔ Build courage + confidence
✔ Create your Signature Talk (pro filmed)

Learn more from Jackie:  https://charity.pledgeit.org/familytalksretreat

Use checkout code for your savings investment:
PLAY26ME – $500 savings for an Individual Ticket
PLAY26FAMILY – $1,000 savings for a Family of Four
  Valid thru Feb 28, 2026
Listen to Jackie on The Language Of Play:  205 Jackie Bailey: Your Vacation Is An Education - Let’s Maximize it in Costa Rica!

 

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL ENJOY THESE EPISODES:

189 Your Child Is A Gestalt Language Learner? Uses Echolalia? 4 Tips To Help Expand Interactive Skills

204 A Simple Direction Made Your Child Burst Into Tears? Let’s Look At How The Brain Processed That!

245 Toys That Create Calm: Helping Toddlers With Transitions and Meltdowns During the Holidays

250 What I Have Learned After 250 Episodes!

 

TO REVIEW, FOLLOW, SUBSCRIBE, DONATE, SPONSOR: 

LOVE THIS PODCAST?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

Hey Friends~ 

This episode is about the journey of podcasting and coaching and what I have learned after 250 episodes.  

I invite you to email “congratulations” to me to share in this milestone celebration.  And, when you do, I will email you back with a fun pdf that will bring a smile to your face as well as offer support and encouragement. 

I think you may be surprised and get a laugh along the way today! 

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]

 

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!  

Cindy Howard  Lightening Admin VA   [email protected]

2026 Family Talks Retreat in Costa Rica 🌿 for a deeper family connection
✔ Meaningful conversations
✔ Nature-based experiences
✔ Build courage + confidence
✔ Create your Signature Talk (pro filmed)

Learn more:
https://charity.pledgeit.org/familytalksretreat

Use checkout code for your savings investment:
PLAY26ME – $500 savings for an Individual Ticket

PLAY26FAMILY – $1,000 savings for a Family of Four
  Valid thru Feb 28, 2026

 

YOUR NEXT STEPS:

5 Ways To Get Your Kids To Listen Better: https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/7ca5ce43-d436ea91

Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin

21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup

To discuss working together:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/strategy-session

For Workshops, Speaking Events, or Partnerships:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

** For Speaking Engagements, Workshops, or Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]

 

YOU MAY WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

204 A Simple Direction Made Your Child Burst Into Tears? Let’s Look At How The Brain Processed That!

205 Jackie Bailey: Your Vacation Is An Education - Let’s Maximize it in Costa Rica!

223 Too Many Parenting Voices Talking? Critique the “7-7-7 Rule”

 

WE’VE MADE IT EASY FOR YOU! 

Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

Hey Friends~ 

Today’s conversation is unusual for this podcast, but an important one. Over half of marriages end in divorce, and about 30% of those become high-conflict - deeply impacting children.

This week, I’m joined by Lisa Johnson, a high-conflict divorce coach, to unpack the often-misunderstood topic of coercive control. We talk about what it is, the red flags within relationships, how it shows up during divorce and custody battles.

We also explore Jennifers' Law. We discuss how it recognizes the many non-physical forms of abuse. Lisa shares how children are victims, used as weapons in adult conflict, along with ways parents can begin rebuilding secure bonds after trauma.

⚠️ Listener Advisory: This episode covers sensitive material and is intended for a mature audience. Parents should use discretion with younger listeners. 

I still hope you TUNE IN!  Because understanding coercive control could make a life-changing difference for you or someone you love.

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]

 

ABOUT THE GUEST:   Lisa Johnson is the co-founder of Been There Got Out, a high conflict divorce strategist and certified domestic violence advocate who has successfully represented herself through scores of court appearances. Her case, published in the Connecticut Law Journal, is being used as legal precedent. Her live testimony helped pass Jennifers’ Law in Connecticut, the third state in America to expand its legal definition of domestic violence to include “coercive control.” She and her partner, Chris coach people in high-conflict relationships, divorce, custody battles, and co-parenting hell so they have the chance of the best outcome in family court and beyond. They also offer a weekly Legal Abuse Support Group for those dealing with narcissistic opponents in legal matters. Their book, "Been There Got Out: Toxic Relationships, High-Conflict Divorce, and How to Stay Sane Under Insane Circumstances'' was released in March 2023. Their first course, “How to Communicate with Your Ex Without Destroying Your Case or Losing Your Mind” is out now!

CONTACT THE GUEST:   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/been_there_got_out/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeenThereGotOut

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeenThereGotOut

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@been_there_got_out

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/been-there-got-out/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeenThereGotOut

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Been_There_Got_Out/

Podcast: https://beentheregotout.buzzsprout.com/

 

 YOUR NEXT STEPS:

5 Ways To Get Your Kids To Listen Better: https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/7ca5ce43-d436ea91

Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin

21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup

To discuss working together:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/strategy-session

For Workshops, Speaking Events, or Partnerships:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

** For Speaking Engagements, Workshops, or Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]

 

IF THIS EPISODE WAS HELPFUL, HERE ARE RELATED TOPICS: 

246 Dr. Marcus: Are you a soothing presence for your child?

226 Constance Lewis: Using Colors To Get Through Big Feelings

188 Susanna Peace Lovell: Is Your True Self Enough? Lessons Learned In Parenting A Child With Autism

185 Anastasia Arauz Unraveling the Magic of Play Therapy in Child Development

 

Love this podcast?  Leave a Review: https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

 

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

 

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!  

Cindy Howard  Lightening Admin VA   [email protected]

 

2026 Family Talks Retreat in Costa Rica 🌿 for a deeper family connection
✔ Meaningful conversations
✔ Nature-based experiences
✔ Build courage + confidence
✔ Create your Signature Talk (pro filmed)

Learn more:
https://charity.pledgeit.org/familytalksretreat

Use checkout code for your savings investment:
PLAY26ME – $500 savings for an Individual Ticket

PLAY26FAMILY – $1,000 savings for a Family of Four
  Valid thru Feb 28, 2026

Hey Friends~ 

What’s really happening when kids struggle in school?  

“Trying harder” just doesn’t work!  Many kids benefit from a multi-sensory approach to learn reading.  It works because this actually matches how the young  brain works. 

If your child is bright but frustrated, resistant, or falling behind despite everyone’s best efforts, this episode with Dr. Emily Levy, will help you see those struggles through a new lens.  You will come away with clarity, compassion, and hope that you can share with other parents and educators of young readers.  

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]

Have a question? Topic you want addressed?  Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

 

ABOUT THE GUEST:   Dr. Emily Levy is the founder and director of EBL Coaching, a specialized tutoring program that offers individualized one-on-one home, virtual, and on-site instruction using research-based, multi-sensory techniques. She is also the author of Strategies for Study Success, a 22-part student workbook series that teaches students strategies for test taking, note taking, reading comprehension, writing, summarizing, and executive functioning, along with the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student workbook series, which helps students develop their fundamental decoding and spelling skills. Additionally, she is the author of Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math, a multi-sensory math program that helps students develop a stronger understanding of core math concepts.

Dr. Levy graduated from Brown University and received her Master's Degree in Special Education from Nova University in Florida.

CONTACT THE GUEST:   www.eblcoaching.com

https://www.facebook.com/EBLCoaching

https://www.instagram.com/ebl_coaching/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-emily-levy-79b1728/

 

 

 YOUR NEXT STEPS:

5 Ways To Get Your Kids To Listen Better: https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/7ca5ce43-d436ea91

To discuss working together:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/strategy-session

Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin

21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup

For Workshops, Speaking Events, or Partnerships:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

** For Speaking Engagements, Workshops, or Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

238 Dr. Bibi Pirayesh: How an Educational Therapist Helps Kids with Learning Differences Succeed 

239 Marsha Familaro Enright: Montessori? Learn how A Curiosity-Led System Works!

231 Dr. Candace Holmes: NeuroFeedback: An ADHD Brain Re-Organized!

230 Daniela Feldhausen: Speech Sounds and Reading Are Linked. Fun Ways Parents and Educators Can Help

Love this podcast?  Leave a Review here: https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

 

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!  

Cindy Howard  Lightening Admin VA   [email protected]

 

2026 Family Talks Retreat in Costa Rica 🌿 for a deeper family connection
✔ Meaningful conversations
✔ Nature-based experiences
✔ Build courage + confidence
✔ Create your Signature Talk (pro filmed)

Learn more:
https://charity.pledgeit.org/familytalksretreat

Use checkout code for your savings investment:
PLAY26ME – $500 savings for an Individual Ticket

PLAY26FAMILY – $1,000 savings for a Family of Four
  Valid thru Feb 28, 2026

Hey Friends~ 

The kitchen isn’t just about food. It’s about connection. 

Some of the most meaningful conversations happen while hands are busy - pulling grapes off stems, chopping, stirring. That’s often when kids open up about friendships, worries, or their day. The kitchen becomes the heart of the home.  

In this episode,  Misa,  helps families navigate the kitchen in a way that builds skills and relationships, especially when picky eating is part of the story!  We talk about how to move beyond power struggles, how to invite kids into the kitchen without pressure, and how to grow communication, confidence, and nutrition together.

And even if picky eating isn’t your main concern, this conversation will help you see how the kitchen can become a place of connection for every member of your family.

Always cheering you on! 

Dinalynn

CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  [email protected]

Have a question? Topic you want addressed?  Leave a voice message!  https://castfeedback.com/play

 

ABOUT THE GUEST:   Misa is a Certified Health Coach, Culinary Nutritionist, and the founder of Misa’s Clean Kitchen. After navigating her own journey with a picky eater, who was diagnosed with Failure to Thrive, she became passionate about helping parents raise adventurous eaters without the mealtime battles. With 10 years of teaching experience, she shares practical tips, easy recipes, and real-life strategies to help you cook one meal the whole family will enjoy.

CONTACT THE GUEST:    [email protected]

IG: https://www.instagram.com/misascleankitchen/

Website:  https://www.misascleankitchen.com

Get the Taste-O-Meter here:  https://misascleankitchen.myflodesk.com/tasteometer

 

YOUR NEXT STEPS:

5 Ways To Get Your Kids To Listen Better: https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/7ca5ce43-d436ea91

Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin

21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup

To discuss working together:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/strategy-session

For Workshops, Speaking Events, or Partnerships:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

** For Speaking Engagements, Workshops, or Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at [email protected]

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES:

95 Do You Have A Picky Eater? Have a Holiday Plan! Join For A Success Story with Everyday Parent, Kristi!

115 - 3 Ways To Ensure Travel With Kids Is Enjoyable!

118 Diann Alexander: Does The Chaos Of Your Home Life Feel Like “A Theater Of Little People”?

122 Is Your Spouse Your Best Parenting Partner? Tips For Getting The Support You Need

 

Love this podcast?  Let us know!  https://lovethepodcast.com/play

Follow & subscribe in 1-click!  https://followthepodcast.com/play

To SPONSOR The Language Of Play, schedule your call here:  https://calendly.com/hello-play/discovery-session

To DONATE to The Language Of Play, Use this secure payment link: https://app.autobooks.co/pay/the-language-of-play

 

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!  

Cindy Howard  Lightening Admin VA   [email protected]