The Mind of a Child – Details, episodes & analysis

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What does it actually mean to “train up a child in the way he or she should go”? In this episode, we unpack Proverbs 22:6 in a deeply practical and spiritually rich conversation. We outline a 5-part framework—demonstrate, instruct, apply, practice, and communicate—that equips Christian parents to train their children according to God’s Word.

From Scripture-based parenting moments at the dinner table to practicing respectful behavior in public, this episode offers biblical guidance and real-world examples to help you nurture your child’s heart, habits, and faith.

1 - Demonstration
2 - Instruction
3 - Application
4 - Practice
5 - Communication
*Bonus - PRAYER*

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] – Introduction: Proverbs 22:6 and the foundation of biblical parenting
[00:01:00] – Step 1: Demonstration—Why living out your faith is the starting point
[00:03:00] – Step 2: Instruction—Teaching children scripture and leading them to wisdom
[00:13:00] – Step 3: Application—Bringing scripture into specific behaviors and choices
[00:18:00] – Step 4: Practice—Why repetition, joy, and connection deepen learning
[00:24:00] – Step 5: Communication—Clear expectations and behavior modeling
[00:28:00] – Prayer: The heart of it all—trusting God to change hearts, not just habits

3 Takeaways:

1. Biblical parenting begins with demonstrating authentic faith - Children are watching our daily lives more than they are listening to our words. Modeling godly character is the foundation for training them in truth.
2. Effective teaching includes instruction, application, and joyful practice - From quoting scripture during teachable moments to role-playing expected behaviors, parents can disciple their children through consistency and connection.
3. Prayer is central to parenting - Only God can transform hearts. While we are called to train and teach, it is the Holy Spirit who ultimately brings about lasting change in our children’s lives.

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast: themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.

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Learning to read is one of the most pivotal milestones in a child’s life—and yet, it’s often clouded with pressure, comparison, and confusion. On this episode, we explore what it really means to be “reading ready” by drawing from research-backed methods, personal parenting experiences, and biblical principles. We'll help you understand how to foster early literacy in a way that honors both the child’s pace and God’s design. 

With insights on vocabulary development, phonics, phonemic awareness, comprehension, and even the fourth-grade slump, this conversation equips parents with practical tools and the reassurance to trust the process—while never losing sight of the joy of reading and the power of God's Word.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] – Introduction: Why reading matters and how it shapes lifelong success
[00:06:00] – Proven strategies for reading readiness: Language-rich environments and daily life learning
[00:13:00] – Breaking down the components of reading: Phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension
[00:18:00] – Understanding the fourth-grade slump: How vocabulary impacts academic success
[00:25:00] – Tips for reluctant readers: Observing interests and introducing engaging materials

3 Takeaways:

1. Reading is a developmental process that unfolds naturally over time - Parents are encouraged to resist comparison and pressure, instead creating rich, contextual environments where children can grow at their own pace—supported by love, conversation, and daily experiences.
2. Vocabulary is the single greatest predictor of long-term reading comprehension and academic success - From infancy through early elementary years, exposing children to diverse, rich language—through conversation, books, songs, poetry, and storytelling—is essential.
   Reading readiness is not just about decoding words. 
3. True literacy includes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension - These components are best developed through daily living, joyful interaction, and exposure to meaningful content, especially scripture and high-quality literature.

Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast: themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.

Here's a short segment from our most recent episode:

We are joined by artist, author, and mother Tabitha Paige to hear how saying "yes" to God's vision for her life and her family's life has led to blessings beyond her wildest imaginations. You've probably seen her children's books all over social media, and we're so excited to share her story with you all. This interview blessed us so much! And we can't wait for it to do the same for you. Enjoy!

Support Tabitha's work by purchasing one of her best-selling children's books today on Amazon or on her website.

The Mind of a Child explores early child development on a social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level to equip parents to parent well. Information is tailored for children 8 and under BUT is relevant for all ages.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS at themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @themindofachildpod for reels, stories, and pictures.

This podcast is produced by Rockwell ---> www.rockwell-productions.com

> Capture your child's precious moments with Duncan and Stone's keepsake journals

We are joined by artist, author, and mother Tabitha Paige to hear how saying "yes" to God's vision for her life and her family's life has led to blessings beyond her wildest imaginations. You've probably seen her children's books all over social media, and we're so excited to share her story with you all. This interview blessed us so much! And we can't wait for it to do the same for you. Enjoy!

Support Tabitha's work by purchasing one of her best-selling children's books today on Amazon or on her website.

The Mind of a Child explores early child development on a social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level to equip parents to parent well. Information is tailored for children 8 and under BUT is relevant for all ages.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS at themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @themindofachildpod for reels, stories, and pictures.

This podcast is produced by Rockwell ---> www.rockwell-productions.com

> Capture your child's precious moments with Duncan and Stone's keepsake journals

Play is pivotal to a child's development; however, children nowadays are doing it less and less than ever before. On this episode, we define what is meant by play, how to incorporate more of it into your child's routine, and the developmental consequences of not having enough of it. Enjoy!

The Mind of a Child explores early child development on a social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level to equip parents to parent well. Information is tailored for children 8 and under BUT is relevant for all ages.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS at themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @themindofachildpod for reels, stories, and pictures.

This podcast is produced by Rockwell ---> www.rockwell-productions.com

> Capture your child's precious moments with Duncan and Stone's keepsake journals

Parenting is overwhelming enough without the pressure of having to capture all of your child's most precious moments. We're joined on this episode by two moms who built a company to solve that exact problem: Sarah Autry and Stephanie Peters, owners / operators of Duncan and Stone Paper Company to hear their origin story and how God has truly blessed them more than they could've ever imagined. Enjoy!

The Well Summit - Camp Well Fall 2024

The Mind of a Child explores early child development on a social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level to equip parents to parent well. Information is tailored for children 8 and under BUT is relevant for all ages.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS at themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @themindofachildpod for reels, stories, and pictures.

This podcast is produced by Rockwell ---> www.rockwell-productions.com

 > Capture your child's precious moments with Duncan and Stone's keepsake journals

Prayer is such a pivotal part of parenting, especially when it comes to teaching your children how to have a heart for God. On today's episode, we'll walk through some of our favorite methods and encourage you to consider making prayer a focal point of your life. Enjoy!

Scripture:
Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord's Prayer)
1 Samuel 2:1-10
2 Chronicles 1:18
Judges 6:31-40
Matthew 14:22-33

The Mind of a Child explores early child development on a social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level to equip parents to parent well. Information is tailored for children 8 and under BUT is relevant for all ages.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS at themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @themindofachildpod for reels, stories, and pictures.

This podcast is produced by Rockwell ---> www.rockwell-productions.com

> Capture your child's precious moments with Duncan and Stone's keepsake journals

It can be overwhelming when your child has a tantrum, melt down, or frustration fit. How can we remain calm and meet them in the moment instead of escalating it even further? On today's episode we dive precisely into that. Thank you to the listener who sent in this question! Enjoy.

The Mind of a Child explores early child development on a social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level to equip parents to parent well. Information is tailored for children 8 and under BUT is relevant for all ages.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS at themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @themindofachildpod for reels, stories, and pictures.

This podcast is produced by Rockwell ---> www.rockwell-productions.com

> Capture your child's precious moments with Duncan and Stone's keepsake journals

This is one of the most asked about topics: potty training, toilet learning, or whatever else it can be referred to, and for many reasons it can be a "messy" learning situation for parents with young children. On today's episode, we discuss the basics every parent should know going into potty training and how to avoid having a power struggle. We also dive into a controversial topic...pull-ups or underwear?? Enjoy!

The Mind of a Child explores early child development on a social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level to equip parents to parent well. Information is tailored for children 8 and under BUT is relevant for all ages.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS at themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @themindofachildpod for reels, stories, and pictures.

This podcast is produced by Rockwell ---> www.rockwell-productions.com

> Document your favorite memories with Duncan and Stone's keepsake journals

God created language (Genesis 1, 11) and it's such a pivotal way to not only interact with our children but to help them develop and grow. On this episode we discuss major milestones for children 0-12 months and also give some How-to's for developing your baby's language skills. Enjoy!

The Mind of a Child explores early child development on a social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level to equip parents to parent well. Information is tailored for children 8 and under BUT is relevant for all ages.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS at themindofachildpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @themindofachildpod for reels, stories, and pictures.

This podcast is produced by Rockwell ---> www.rockwell-productions.com