Raising kind, confident, emotionally healthy kids isn’t about grand gestures—it’s often about the small, everyday moments we sometimes miss, especially in the early years.

I recently joined a conversation on a podcast episode where I had the chance to share what I’ve learned from years working with children, parents, and educators. We talked about what kids truly need in those early stages of development—and how those needs evolve as they grow into young adults.

Some of the things we covered:

• Why the early years matter more than most people realize
• How parents and teachers can work together instead of working at odds
• When not to fix things for your child, and what to try instead
• How to start building emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills early (yes, even at home!)
• What raising emotionally resilient kids really looks like
• Reflections from both of us as former teachers and now as moms

If you’re in the thick of the preschool years—or just thinking about how to support your child’s emotional growth at any stage—I hope this conversation brings some fresh perspective: