When School Becomes a Struggle: Knowing When Your Child Needs Support
The school year is underway, but what happens when a child continues to struggle long after the adjustment period?
Erin Plumb talks with guest host Kathryn Collins about the signs parents should watch for when a child may need extra academic, social, or emotional support - from school avoidance and homework battles to difficulty with reading, writing, math, organization, or following instructions.
๐ฅWhat are some signs to watch for (tears, fears, avoidance etc)?
๐ฅHow can learning challenges affect a childโs confidence and behaviour?
๐ฅHow parents can start a productive conversation with their childโs teacher and questions to ask.
๐ฅ What support is available through the Learning Disabilities Association of Windsor-Essex Families donโt necessarily need a formal diagnosis to reach out. (Including academic programs, tutoring, executive-function support, social-emotional programs, and youth coaching.)
๐ฅ What to look for and what to do next.
๐ฅ What are a few practical things parents can do to support learning while protecting their relationship and their childโs confidence?
This episode is a must for a parent who is thinking, โThis sounds like my childโ and wondering what to do about it.
More Than Math Facts: Building Confident, Capable Math Learners
What happens when a child decides, โIโm not a math personโ? And how early does that belief begin?
Yvette Lehman and guest host Kathryn Colins explore what it really takes to build confident, capable math learnersโand why the answer is about much more than math facts. Yvette is an Ontario Certified Teacher with over 16 years of experience across the classroom, district leadership, and math education. She now serves as Chief Academic Officer for Make Math Moments,
๐ฅ The role teachersโ own attitudes and beliefs about mathematics play in shaping how students see themselves as learners.
๐ฅ Why games and joyful experiences can be powerful entry points to mathematical thinking.
๐ฅ How productive struggle helps students develop reasoning and resilience, and why we need to rethink how we approach fluency and math facts.
๐ฅHow do you teach a classroom full of students who are all at different levels?
๐ฅ How assessment that actually helps teachers understand how children think
๐ฅ The importance of small-group instruction, purposeful practice, repetition and automaticity, and the challenge of deciding what mathematics is truly essential when teachers are faced with an overwhelming number of curriculum expectations.
Most importantly, Yvette challenges us to look beyond โCan the student get the answer?โ and ask:
How does this child think about mathematicsโand what do they need from me next?
Because the goal isn't simply to get children through the math curriculum.lehman
It's to help them see themselves as capable mathematicians.
Teaching Reading the Right Way | What Every Parent and Educator Should Know
Learning to read is one of the most important skills a child develops and is not natural. It must be explicitly taught. Reading requires an understanding of how the brain learns to read, as well as evidence-based practices that help learners build a strong foundation.
Mary-Anne Mouawad is the Founder and Director of The Reading Clinic and a literacy educator with more than 25 years of experience supporting children, youth, and adults on their reading journeys. Mary-Anne shares her passion for the Science of Reading and explains why explicit, systematic, sequential, and multisensory instruction matters.
In this episode, youโll discover:
๐ฅ Why many educators feel unprepared to teach children how to read and why understanding the Science of Reading is essential
๐ฅ The four key components of effective reading instruction and what they mean.
๐ฅ The connection between decoding and language comprehension, and why both are necessary for reading comprehension
๐ฅ The difference between phonological awareness and phonemic awareness, and why these skills begin with listening before reading and writing
๐ฅ How young children can build early literacy skills through rhyming, songs, chants, syllable activities, and sound play
๐ฅPractical strategies for parents, including ways to support pre-reading skills with young children
๐ฅ Why older students who struggle with reading need assessment to identify specific areas for support
๐ฅ How educators can use evidence-based resources and approaches aligned with the Science of Reading
๐ฅ Why choosing a literacy tutor or support provider who understands how reading develops matters
Beyond Grades | What Kids Really Need to Succeed
๐๐ง ๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐ฅ๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ญ ๐จ๐๐ญ๐๐ง ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ, ๐ก๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐จ ๐ฐ๐ ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฉ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐?
Guest host Kathryn Collins sits down with entrepreneur and youth advocate Rob Heller, founder of the Boost Program. Rob shares how a search for life skills training for his own teenage son led him to create a program that is now being used by schools and organizations across the country.
Together, they explore why social-emotional learning matters more than ever, the impact of smartphones and social media on youth engagement, and the skills that help young people build confidence, resilience, responsibility, and self-leadership. Rob also discusses the importance of practice, the role of caring adults, and why he remains optimistic about the next generation.
Academic success alone isn't enough. Skills such as communication, responsibility, goal setting, self-awareness, and resilience can be taught and practiced.
๐ฅ Information isn't the same as learning.
๐ฅ What is the impact of Social media and phones from the eyes of our youth?
๐ฅ What action can we take to build the skills and character our children and youth need for life?
๐ฅ One caring adult can make a lasting difference. Parents, educators, coaches, and mentors all have the power to positively influence a young person's confidence, mindset, and future.
๐ฅ Confidence and resilience grow through practice.
๐ฅ There is reason for optimism!
The Prism Lighting the Table: Navigating IEPS, Neurodiversity and Relationships
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ ๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ'๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ ๐ฌ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ, "๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ค ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฒ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐๐," ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐จ ๐ฌ๐จ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ , ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ง๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ?
Lisa Richer is a neurodiversity consultant, speaker, coach, and founder of Journey2Bloom.
One of Lisa's most powerful insights is that "neurodiversity is the prism lighting the table." Rather than viewing differences as deficits, she encourages families and educators to see neurodiversity as a lens that brings new understanding, perspective, and opportunity to every conversation.
๐ฅ What an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is and how it differs from a 504 Plan in the United States
๐ฅ The biggest concerns and challenges parents often face when a school recommends an IEP
๐ฅ Practical strategies for navigating what can feel like a complex and overwhelming process
๐ฅ Why clear communication and strong partnerships between families and schools are essential
๐ฅ The importance of keeping the child at the centre of every discussion and decision
๐ฅ How Lisa helps parents prepare for meetings and feel more confident advocating for their child
๐ฅ A real-life example of how expert guidance can help families achieve better outcomes
๐ฅ No parent has to feel alone.
AI in Education: Designed to Support the Role of Educators, Parents and Professionals
Guest host Kathryn Collins sits down with Derek Crager to explore how AI is beginning to reshape learning in practical, student-centered ways. Derek is the creator of Pocket Mentor, an AI-powered platform designed to provide real-time, voice-based support for learning and reflection. Derek shares why Pocket Mentor is grounded in a โhuman-firstโ approach - where AI is designed to support, not replace, the role of educators, parents, and professionals.
For students who hesitate to speak up, it creates a private space to build confidence. For those ready to go further, it removes limits on how deeply they can learn.
Key points:
๐ฅ Students are not accessing the world wide web - only the information in the data base of the program.
๐ฅ What about accuracy?
๐ฅ What about over-reliance or the human connection?
๐ฅ How can tools like this can offer immediate support when traditional systems are limited by time, cost, or availability?
๐ฅ What does this mean for a generation of children growing up with AI: the opportunities, the risks, and the responsibility to use it with intention and clear boundaries?
Itโs a balanced, forward-looking discussion about how AI can enhance learning, support confidence, and expand whatโs possible - when we keep people at the center.
Grounded in a belief that AI should enhance human potential, Derek advocates for responsible, bounded systems that prioritize accuracy, accessibility, and human connection.
More Than Behaviour: Understanding the Mind-Body Connection in Children
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐โ๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐งโ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ?
Guest host Kathryn Collins sits down with Lisa Denahy, founder of Create Calm, to explore what it really means to support a childโs emotional and behavioural regulation. We often focus on what we seeโtantrums, defiance, big reactionsโbut beneath it all is something deeper: the connection between the mind, the body, and a childโs developing sense of self.
Lisa shares a powerful shift in perspectiveโฆ from controlling behaviour to creating the conditions where children feel safe enough to learn how to regulate themselves.
Key points:
๐ฅ Why discipline needs to be redefined
๐ฅ The role of movement, breath, and the nervous system
๐ฅ Why children need us to model the skills we expect from them
๐ฅ How โtesting limitsโ is actually a sign of trust and growth
๐ฅ Simple, practical ways to build regulation before challenging moments happen
๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฌ๐งโ๐ญ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐๐งโฆ ๐ข๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฉ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซโ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ.
With an MS in Yoga Therapy and BA in Psychology, over 30 years as a school administrator and SEL curriculum developer, and certification as an advanced educator and trainer, Lisa is highly skilled at creating accessible, evidence-based, successful curricula for behavioral and emotional regulation, as well as physical and mental health.
The Child Who Felt Invisible - and the Superpower That Changed Everything
Some children shine in obvious ways. Others quietly wonder if anyone truly sees them.
Guest Host Kathryn Colins speaks with Dr. Mark Perloe, a retired IVF specialist and grandfather, whose relationship with his two grandsons inspired him to write his first childrenโs book. One grandson is highly focused and neurodivergent. The other sometimes feels invisible -but uses humour as his superpower to connect.
๐ฅ How children who feel unseen can discover their own strengths
๐ฅ The power of humour, empathy, and kindness in building confidence
๐ฅ The unique role grandparents and adults can play in nurturing emotional well-being
๐ฅ Why noticing and valuing every child creates stronger families and communities
๐ฅ How Milo's story has helped to build a connection between siblings. How did Mark and his cousin work together to make publishing Milo's Superpower possible.
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply see a child - and help them recognize the superpowers they already have.
Star Students | Where Curiosity Drives Learning
Kimberly Gawne is an educator and founder of Star Students, a program that creates personalized learning plans driven by each childโs interests. Starting as a tutor during COVID-19 school closures, she now supports families with homeschooling, curriculum guidance, and real-world learning experiences, helping students develop critical thinking and a love of learning.
Guest host Kathryn Collins dives into the key topics with Kim:๐ฅ Why did Kim leave the public/private school systems and begin tutoring?
๐ฅ How does Star Students work to support parents who home school?
๐ฅ What are the age ranges, daily instructional time and choices for parents?
๐ฅ What are the challenges of homeschooling and some solutions?
๐ฅ Why is critical thinking so important?
๐ฅ How can parents prepare themselves to begin?
๐ฅ World Schooling - How families travelling the world are educating their children.
Holiday Magic Without the Meltdown
Laurel Crossley joins us again with guest host Kathryn Collins to explore how small, thoughtful decisions can make a huge difference for families during the holidays. From keeping little ones comfortable and predictable to helping older kids engage in meaningful ways, we cover boundaries, calm moments, and simple strategies to create lasting memories without the overwhelm.
Key Points:
๐ฅ Keeping young children settled and comfortable, even when routines are challenged.
๐ฅ Setting clear expectations with extended family to reduce tension and stress.
๐ฅ Creating calm spaces and rhythms that support babies, toddlers, and new parents.
๐ฅ Reimagining gift-giving and holiday activities to boost connection, not clutter.
๐ฅ Involving older children in planning, budgeting, and traditions that teach life skills.
๐ฅ Recognizing when itโs time to pause or step back to protect your childโs well-being.
Before Birth and Beyond: The Lasting Power of Calm Beginnings
๐๐ข๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ค๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ญ๐ก ๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐ฌ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซโ๐ฌ ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ? ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฉ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ซ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ?
Educator and wellness expert Laurel Crossley shares insights from 30 years of supporting families, and the science behind calm beginnings that lead to confident kids.Laurel Crosby shares how a motherโs emotional state, even before birth, can shape a childโs development for years to come.
๐ฅ She explains the importance of supporting maternal mental, emotional, and spiritual health
๐ฅ How early calm and connection lay the foundation for resilient, empathetic children.
๐ฅ From mindfulness in everyday life to modelling emotional regulation during tantrums
๐ฅ Practical strategies for parents and educators
๐ฅ The power of outdoor play, sensory tools, and storytelling to help children manage their emotions.
Rewiring the Brain: Neurofeedback for Kids and Teens
How can non-invasive neurofeedback can help children and adolescents struggling with ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and more?
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and neurofeedback specialist Lisa Cramer explains how brainwave patterns influence focus, behavior, and emotionsโand how neurotherapy can gently guide the brain toward healthier, more functional states.
Key topics:
๐ฅ What happens during a neurofeedback assessment
๐ฅ When it should be considered, and why itโs becoming an increasingly trusted option for families
๐ฅ Real-life success stories
๐ฅ The science of brainwaves and neuroplasticity. What does the research say?
๐ฅ How to find a qualified practitioner.
๐ฅ Safety and contraindications parents need to consider
๐ฅ Emotional regulation can be brain based
๐ฅ Neurofeedback in training, not treatment
Beyond Flashcards | Turning Everyday Moments Into Opportunities for Language Growth
Did you know that the questions we ask children should change as they develop? Asking the right questions at the right time helps childrenโs communication flourish.
Paula LaSala-Filangeri is a Speech-Language Pathologist who has been supporting children and families for over 25 years.
How can parents move beyond flashcards and start turning everyday routines, like walking in nature or baking a cake, into powerful opportunities for language growth?
Here are a few of the key insights weโll explore:
๐ฅ Parents as the Primary Language Facilitators
๐ฅ Following Your Childโs Lead & Building on Motivation
๐ฅ Creating Communicative Temptations
๐ฅ Modeling, Not Testing
๐ฅ Building Blocks of Sentences: Nouns + Verbs
๐ฅ The Power of Questions (and the Right Order)
Parenting and Teaching Through Soul Connection
What if we stopped trying to โfixโ children and started listening to their souls instead?
Michelle Harris has almost 30 years in the field of healing, well-being, and empowerment. She is the founder of the innovative Draco Dragon System of Healing & Master Healer/Teacher.
She helps us explore what it means to truly see, hear, and honour todayโs sensitive, intuitive, and highly evolved children. From conscious parenting to energy healing in schools, Michelle shares a holistic approach that helps children feel safe, empowered, and emotionally aware.
๐ฅ Why traditional systems often miss the mark
๐ฅ The impact of soul frequency and energy on a childโs well-being
๐ฅ Empowerment strategies that meet kids where they are
๐ฅ Conscious parenting through boundaries, empathy, and emotional modelling
๐ฅ Consequences instead of punishment
๐ฅ Breathing, visualization, and mindfulness tools kids actually enjoy
๐ฅ How schools can start small and still create big change
Saving Lives With Text Messaging | The SchoolPulse Approach to Teen Mental Health
After a series of tragic teen suicides in his community, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Iuri Melo knew the old ways werenโt working. So, he co-founded SchoolPulse, a text-based mental health support system now used in over 300 schools across North America.
SchoolPulse, a powerful, text-based support system now used in over 300 schools across 25+ states.No apps. No extra workload for staff. Just proactive, ongoing support, delivered right to where teens already are.
Iuri shares how SchoolPulse is:
๐ฅ Delivering real-time support to students, parents, and educators
๐ฅ Grounded in research and designed to reach teens where they are
๐ฅ Focused on growth mindset, optimism, and belonging
๐ฅ Helping shift school culture toward proactive emotional support
๐ฅ Backed by Iuriโs own insights as a father of five, therapist, author of Know Thy Selfie, and developer of Adventure-Based Therapy.
๐ฅ Involved parents right from the beginning with weekly videos and positivity.
Video Gaming Addiction | A Mother's SOS and the Mission that Followed
When Elaine Uskoski received a chilling email from her son, she knew something was deeply wrong. He had stopped attending university classes, missed deadlines, was sleeping all day, barely eating, and had been gaming for up to 16 hours a day. What began as a fearful drive to pick him up from campus became the beginning of a life-altering journey, not just for her sonโs recovery, but for Elaineโs new purpose: helping families across the world understand and address video gaming addiction.
Now an internationally recognized coach, speaker, and author of Cyber Sober, Elaine joins us to share her story of heartbreak, healing, and hope, offering insight into a modern addiction that many still donโt recognize.
Highlights:
๐ฅ The red flags of gaming addiction
๐ฅ What recovery looked like at home
๐ฅ Why "just take it away" doesnโt work
๐ฅ Whoโs most at risk (and why)
๐ฅ What parents and educators can do
๐ฅ Harm reduction strategies and prevention
๐ฅ How Jake is thriving today, and helping others
๐ฅ The modules now available for post-secondary schools and residences to raise student awareness