Talking About Kids – Details, episodes & analysis

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I am devoting these mini Holiday Break episodes of Talking About Kids to poetry about the holiday season and issues related to kids. In this second mini episode, I will read “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In it, Longfellow struggles to reconcile the feelings of peace and goodwill associated with the Holiday season with the American Civil War, which was waging at that time. That struggle seems relevant today. A link to the poem is at talkingaboutkids.com.

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In her 1985 essay, "Poetry Is Not a Luxury," Audre Lorde argues that poetry gives form to ideas that are "formless" but none-the-less "felt," ideas that precede "understanding." I have always believed that Lorde is describing, among other things, historic and childhood trauma. In honor of this, I am devoting these mini Holiday Break episodes of Talking About Kids to poetry about the holiday season and issues related to kids. In this first episode, I will read Edgar Guest's poem, "A Friend's Greeting," which, as the name implies, is about a friendship. A link to the poem is at talkingaboutkids.com.

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This is the second part of my episode on the cognitive health of deaf children. My guest is Donna Jo Napoli, Professor of Linguistics and Social Justice at Swarthmore College, author of fiction and science books, and co-director of Rise Videobooks. The first part focused on early language and cognitive development. This second part focusses on what Donna Jo and her colleagues are doing to improve the reading skills of deaf students. More information about Donna Jo, her books, the research we discussed, and RISE Videobooks is at talkingaboutkids.com.

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Tim Cavell approached me at the World Anti-Bullying Forum and claimed that his book on parenting and my book on parenting have some things in common. He was being generous. Tim is the co-author of Good Enough Parenting: A Six-Point Plan for a Stronger Relationship with Your Child published by the American Psychological Association. It is a great book, and I am very happy that he agreed to share some of the insights from it here. More information about Tim and his work is at talkingaboutkids.com. 

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Toilet issues are not uncommon in kids. Despite this, there is a growing body of evidence that these conditions are often misunderstood and mistreated. My guest today, Dr. Steve Hodges, is a Professor of Pediatric Urology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. A leading authority childhood toileting, Steve’s work is debunking many of the myths about it. If a kid in your life has toilet issues, you will want to pay close attention. More information about Steve and his work is at talkingaboutkids.com. 

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Suicides and suicide attempts peak in spring and early summer, but research shows that the ideation and mental health issues that precede the acts are at their worst now, in the winter. My guest to discuss what you can do help kids who may be having suicidal thoughts is Carla Allan. Carla is the Chief of the Division of Psychology at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Her insights on this topic are both professional and deeply personal. This episode was intentionally produced to support the formation and coordination of adolescent-centered care and services, so you also will hear from Beheir Thompson and Vinny Chulani of the Arizona Alliance for Adolescent Health. It was recorded live using a webinar platform to encourage questions from alliance members and other listeners. More information about Carla and about the Arizona Alliance for Adolescent Health is at talkingaboutkids.com.

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In this third mini Holiday Break episode, I share David Reidman's (K-12 School Shooting Database) analysis of one of the first school shootings of 2024. Links to the research I cite are at talkingaboutkids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return later in this new year.

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In this second mini Holiday Break episode, I revisit the science of why New Year's resolutions fail or succeed, and why, if your resolution is to improve your mental health, you should keep it for the sake of your kid. Links to the research I cite are at talkingaboutkids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return later in this new year.

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In this first mini Holiday Break episode, I explore A Christmas Carol's central idea, which I argue is empathy. Links to the research I cite are at talkingaboutkids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes will return in the new year.

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