Screens in Education: Balancing Necessity and Well-Being
Conflicted about your child using screens in school? From iPads in kindergarten or digital homework apps in middle school we’ll cover how to balance the reality of tech with what your child truly needs developmentally.
I’m joined by Emily Cherkin, M.Ed., former teacher, author, and “The Screen Time Consultant,” who’s leading the charge on tech-intentional parenting and education. Together, we unpack how screens in schools have gone from occasional tools to everyday defaults and why that shift might be hurting our kids more than helping them.
We talk about:
How the pandemic accelerated a trend that was already in motion: more tech, younger kids, fewer real-life skills
What we’re giving up when screen-based learning replaces play, paper, and people
The difference between being anti-tech and tech intentional and how to advocate for your child without feeling adversarial
To learn your rights about opting out check out https://edtech.law/
To connect with Emily Cherkin follow her on Instagram @thescreentimeconsultant, check out all her resources including her newsletter at https://thescreentimeconsultant.com/. Emily also offers free monthly webinars: https://thescreentimeconsultant.com/events
We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!
00:00 – From No Phones to Full Screens: A Teacher’s Wake-Up Call
01:09 – When iPads Replaced Pencils in Kindergarten
03:13 – Meet Emily: Educator, Parent, Screen Time Consultant
06:28 – Skills Before Screens: Why Development Comes First
07:52 – Big Tech in a Sweater Vest? Yep, That’s EdTech
09:15 – Kids Know How to Copy-Paste, But Not Type
10:34 – Safety & Inappropriate Access in Schools
11:06 – Pre-Screen Childhoods vs. Today’s Reality
12:08 – Is All This Tech Really Necessary in Schools?
14:09 – If It’s So Great, Why Don’t Tech Execs Use It?
15:15 – Learning Takes Struggle, Not Just Speed
17:15 – Libraries, Labs, and What We’ve Lost
18:29 – Kids’ Data for Sale? Yes, Even in School Apps
19:15 – Turning Down Big Tech as a Pediatrician
21:13 – Less is More, Later is Better
23:58 – Bring Back the Computer Lab
26:25 – Opting Out: The Power of One (Fish)
29:18 – Parenting with Intention in a Screen World
33:02 – Why Asking for Paper is “Revolutionary” Now
35:01 – Home Habits that Protect Kids
38:24 – Final Takeaway: You’re Not Alone
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Follow-Up: What Causes Picky Eating
Most parents think picky eating starts in toddlerhood. But according to Jenny Best, founder of Solid Starts, the roots go much deeper and earlier.
In this Follow-Up episode, Jenny and I dig into the real reasons picky eating happens, what behaviors unknowingly contribute to it, and why feeding is so much more than just offering food. It’s emotional. It’s behavioral. It’s developmental. And yes—it’s totally fixable.
Together they discuss:
Why gagging isn’t always a red flag (and how it helps build skills)
The science behind chewing and why purees don’t teach it
How spoon-feeding past a certain age can delay oral development
Why how we feed is just as important as what we feed
The sneaky role anxiety and pressure play at mealtimes
What Jenny wishes more pediatricians (and parents) understood
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Early Puberty: Causes, Endocrine Disruptors, and What’s Actually True
Do you know what a bone age is? If you’ve ever found yourself spiraling over early puberty headlines or wondering if plastic cups and lavender lotion are harming your child’s hormones this episode is for you.
I’m joined by Dr. Sarah Hart Unger, a pediatric endocrinologist, mom of three, and co-host of the Best of Both Worlds and Best Laid Plans podcasts. Together, we cut through the confusion and misinformation around early puberty, endocrine disruptors, and what’s actually backed by science.
We dive into:
What early puberty actually looks like including what’s normal vs. concerning, the difference between true puberty and adrenal changes, and when to seek evaluation.
Real vs. rumored causes like the roles of body fat, genetics, and endocrine disruptors like BPA and lavender without spiraling into fear or guilt.
When medical treatment is needed, when reassurance is enough, and why chasing puberty “delays” can sometimes do more harm than good.
To connect with Sarah Hart-Unger check out all her resources at https://linktr.ee/the_shubox
And enjoy our previous episode: https://pedsdoctalk.com/podcast/i-wish-my-kid-was-a-little-bit-taller-height-and-kids/
We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!
00:00 – Intro: Why earlier puberty headlines are everywhere
01:45 – Meet Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger: Pediatric endocrinologist and mom
04:30 – What is actually considered early puberty?
06:10 – The rise in early puberty: Is it real or just more noticed?
08:00 – Are endocrine disruptors to blame?
10:45 – The role of stress, trauma, and environment
13:10 – What “normal” puberty looks like across ages and genders
15:40 – Should you be worried about lavender lotion and plastic cups?
18:30 – What parents Google vs. what pediatricians actually test for
21:00 – What’s a bone age scan, and when is it helpful?
23:00 – When to worry: True red flags for early puberty
25:40 – The problem with over-testing and over-fearing
28:10 – Why Dr. Hart-Unger prioritizes calm, not panic
30:00 – Navigating puberty in boys vs. girls
32:45 – Language for talking about puberty without shame
35:00 – Helping your child feel confident in a changing body
37:10 – Final thoughts and what Dr. Hart-Unger wants parents to remember
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Follow-Up: Kindergarten Readiness Is Not What You Think
If the phrase “kindergarten readiness” sends you into a spiral of flashcards and phonics drills, this one’s for you.
In this follow-up episode, I chat with Susie Allison (@busytoddler), former kindergarten teacher and mom of three, to reframe how we think about school prep. Spoiler: it’s not about who can write their name in cursive or recite the alphabet backwards.
We talk about:
Why academic checklists miss the bigger picture
The real skills that help kids thrive in school (like asking for help and taking turns)
Why earlier isn’t always better when it comes to reading
How to raise kind, confident kids without burning yourself out trying to be their full-time teacher
Whether your child is starting kindergarten soon or you’re just feeling the pressure to “keep up,” this episode is your permission slip to focus on what actually matters.
🎧 Download, follow, and share this episode with a friend who needs the reminder.
📌 Want the full episode? Head to pedsdoctalk.com for more!
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Problem Isn’t Just BMI: How Weight Bias Is Harming Kids in the Exam Room
If you’ve ever felt confused, judged, or overwhelmed by how weight is discussed at your child’s doctor’s visits? Whether your child is in a larger body, a smaller body, or somewhere in between this episode is for anyone who wants to raise healthy kids without harmful messaging.
I’m joined by Dr. Tommy Martin, a physician, educator, and passionate advocate for reframing weight and health conversations with compassion and clarity. Together, we explore why BMI was never meant to guide pediatric care, how weight bias shows up in medical settings, and what parents can do to protect their child’s body confidence without ignoring health.
We dive into:
Why BMI was never meant for individual kids and how outdated growth charts still shape care today
The lasting harm of weight bias in healthcare, from missed diagnoses to internalized shame as early as age 3
How to reframe conversations around health without numbers or labels and practical ways to advocate for your child
To connect with Dr. Tommy Martin follow him on Instagram @dr.tommymartin, check out all his resources at https://link.me/dr.tommymartin
We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!
00:00 – Intro: Why weight conversations in pediatrics matter
02:10 – Meet Dr. Tommy Martin and his backstory
04:50 – Growing up in a larger body and the roots of weight stigma
06:45 – Subtle messages kids absorb at the doctor’s office
09:00 – Hurtful comments from family, peers, and culture
13:45 – Dr. Mona’s story: Smaller body, different pressure
15:30 – The impossible standards of body image
17:00 – Why pediatricians weigh kids and how Dr. Mona reframes it
18:30 – Dr. Tommy’s patient-first approach to weight discussions
21:45 – What BMI gets wrong (and how it still shows up)
25:20 – The harm of casual body comments
27:00 – Genetics, hormones, and the science of food noise
30:00 – The stigma and science behind GLP-1 medications
33:00 – How Dr. Mona talks to families about elevated labs without shame
40:00 – Why she never sets weight goals for kids
43:00 – Helping kids fuel for function, not aesthetics
46:00 – Modeling healthy habits in everyday life
48:00 – Weight bias in healthcare and missed diagnoses
50:00 – Long-term harm of labels like “obese” or “underweight”
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Acerca de The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
The PedsDocTalk Podcast is your go-to parenting resource, hosted by Dr. Mona Amin, a trusted pediatrician, parenting expert, and mom of two. As a top 50 Parenting Podcast in the U.S., this show delivers expert-backed guidance on child development, health, illness, behavior, feeding, and sleep—giving parents the confidence to navigate every stage from baby to teen.
Each episode dives into real-life parenting challenges, featuring conversations with specialists in pediatrics, child psychology, nutrition, and parental well-being. From potty training and sleep training to tackling tantrums, picky eating, discipline, screen time, postpartum recovery, and developmental milestones, Dr. Mona provides practical, science-backed advice that actually works.
Tune in on Mondays and Wednesdays for actionable insights, mindset shifts, and expert interviews that empower you to raise healthy, resilient, and happy kids—while thriving as a parent yourself!
Escucha The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom, Motivación Diaria por Motiversity y muchos más podcasts de todo el mundo con la aplicación de radio.net