The Language of Play - Kids that Listen, Speech Therapy, Language Development, Early Intervention
*** WINNER of the 2026 Lifestyle Podcast Award! ***
***Top 1.5% Parenting Podcast Worldwide***
Getting Kids to Listen | Speech Therapy | Child Communication | Parenting Strategies
Are you tired of repeating yourself, dealing with meltdowns, or wondering why your child still isn’t listening? Are you worried about speech delays, language development, behavior challenges, or communication struggles?
Welcome to The Language of Play podcast—where speech therapy meets real-life parenting.
I’m Dinalynn Rosenbush—mom, grandma, Speech-Language Pathologist, parent coach, and host of a top-ranked parenting podcast helping overwhelmed parents build calmer homes, stronger relationships, and better communication with their children.
This podcast helps parents understand behavior as communication so they can support listening, emotional regulation, speech, and connection in everyday life.
In each episode, you’ll learn practical, brain-based strategies to:
• Help kids listen without constant power struggles
• Support speech and language development naturally
• Reduce tantrums, whining, and communication frustration
• Build connection, emotional safety, and confidence
• Understand speech delays, language processing, and child behavior
• Use simple communication tools that work in everyday moments
These strategies support typically developing children, late talkers, dual-language learners, neurodivergent children, and kids with speech or language delays.
Each episode is filled with simple, playful tools you can start using right away—because communication growth happens best through connection, play, and everyday interaction.
If you’re longing for calmer parenting, deeper connection, more listening, and a home filled with confidence, curiosity, and communication, you’re in the right place.
So grab a cup of coffee, bring your real-life parenting questions, and come explore The Language of Play with me.
Contact: hello@thelanguageofplay.com
https://www.thelanguageofplay.com/
Listen on:
Episodes
Monday May 15, 2023
Monday May 15, 2023
Hello Friends,
When we tell our children to do something, does it happen that they disappear? Either they do what was asked but never return OR they head off do the thing, but get distracted along the way and they forget! It’s gone from their thoughts! Today’s episode is to help you have a plan, a strategy to help your kids learn to return and to follow through until all tasks are completed. I have given you one full strategy I used with my own children as well as speech therapy students that is very effective in helping kids see a larger picture.
Be empowered, parents! Thank you for listening today! You will be glad you did!
Instruction + “RETURN”
Kids return and say “I DID IT.” You ask “What did you do?”
The Answer …
The 1-second celebration or re-do ..
** Using objects to help kids mark time & tasks
** When all objects are moved, it’s earned break time! Enjoy that time!
Email “Mother’s Day” to: hello@thelanguageofplay.com for the Mother’s Day Special: 1-hour Power coaching with 75% off! Good until Tuesday at Midnight.
Lovingly Cheering you on!
Dinalynn
Contact Dinalynn: hello@thelanguageofplay.com
Friday May 12, 2023
Friday May 12, 2023
Hey Friends!
Does it feel weird to tell your kids, "We are celebrating Mother's Day!" if you are only talking about yourself? We moms often feel like we can celebrate another mom, but ourselves, "well, we don't need to do that." This isn't healthy thinking, but it is REAL!
This episode will explain how Celebrating YOU is really good for your kids. And, I hope you feel loved and cared for along the way, even as we need to teach our children how to do it.
This episode is extra supportive for the single mom. I was her. I remember. I love you, moms. Happy Mother's Day.
With love this Mother's Day,
Dinalynn
Mother's Day Flash SALE! ONE-HOUR POWER COACHING SESSION!
Email "Mother's Day" TO: hello@thelanguageofplay.com to get 75% off!!!
Contact Me: hello@thelanguageofplay.com
Related or Mentioned Episode:
43 Teaching Listening Using Sounds of Nature. Enjoy!
Monday May 08, 2023
Monday May 08, 2023
Good Morning to you!
Up very early today, I listened to the birds after a rain. So beautiful! How do you use these amazing, beautiful experiences in nature to build your child's listening skills, - or even Your own? Join today to learn how! Plus You will experience a time to relax into the practice, by yourself or shared with another, even your child!
Enjoying the calm and peace that comes being in nature,
Dinalynn
How we can work together -
Email me: hello@thelanguageofplay.com
Schedule a 15 min consult: https://calendly.com/hello-play/let-s-meet-session
For More on teaching listening,
See Episode Series: "Why Won't the Kids Listen?!!"
28 ”Why Won’t The Kids Listen!??” part 1: ATTENTION: 4 factors to watch for!
29 Series: ”Why Won’t the Kids Listen!??” part 2: Processing Information: 4 Strategies to Get Your Kids to Notice What They Hear
30 Series: “Why Won’t the Kids Listen!?” part3: Tools For When Language Processing is Difficult
31 Series: “Why Won’t the Kids Listen!?” part4: Strategies for Building Listening SKILL
32 Series: “Why Won’t the Kids Listen!?” part 5: Are You Making Their Listening Worse? 4 strategies to change that.
33 Series: “Why Won’t the Kids Listen!?” part 6: BiG EMoTioNS! 4 things to ask yourself before you respond
Friday May 05, 2023
Friday May 05, 2023
Hello Listeners,
Potty Training can be a very frustrating experience! But today, you will hear how Gwen used a method called Elimination Communication to teach her child, starting at 6 months! She tells the steps she used to get her child to understand and communicate back, before he could talk, that he was ready to poop! Get ready to have all your current ideas flush down the toilet as you laugh your way thought this episode!
ps.. this guest is a very special guest for me. Listen in to see why!!
Cheering you on in your parenting journey!
Dinalynn
CONTACT: hello@thelanguageofplay.com
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Hey Friends,
How do you listen to what your child is NOT saying? The tantrums give us something to listen to! But that is NOT what WE want! Is there a way to look at that tantrum or frustration and SEE what your child's body is saying?
Good practice for this comes when you have BIG, positive adjustments in your household. Maybe it is a new baby. Maybe a big trip. Maybe you are moving homes. Whatever the adventure, your child will experience it differently than you, and it might not be a fun welcome - - at first! It just takes a little adjustment. Today, we discuss 4 strategies to help you help your kiddos adjust!
Let's look at how we can read our littlest ones for clues to understand them better.
Ever learning along with you and cheering you on,
Dinalynn
CONTACT: hello@thelanguageofplay.com
Calendar Link to meet: https://calendly.com/hello-play/let-s-meet-session
Related or Mentioned Episodes:
36 Tantrum vs Meltdown. Know the Difference and Respond Effectively
33 Series: "Why Won't the Kids Listen?!!" part 6: BiG EMoTioNS! 4 Things To Ask Yourself Before You Respond.
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
Hello Friends,
Helping our children tell their experiences is an important task! It's HOW we build connection. Today's episode answers the question, "How do I get my child to talk about the past?" The father that asked this question has a 2 year old, but this strategy is good for any age, including when a child has a delay or is learning a second or dual language!
Enjoy this one strategy, simple as it is, it takes practice to implement!
Dinalynn
Contact: hello@thelanguageofplay.com
For Parent Coaching Packages contact Dinalynn at hello@thelanguageofplay.com
05 Building and Understanding Language Through Our Senses
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Hey Friend,
Thank you for joining to continue the conversation in this part 2, with Cheyanne Cleyman.
When kids learn language in a dual-language environment, there are some unique challenges. Today's guest shares some of her fun, funny, and of course, very rewarding experiences in having a complex family. Cheyanne Cleyman lives with her husband in his home country of Belgium. In today's episode you will learn how she built connection by being flexible in her plan. How she includes the children on the playground to help her child build connection with other kids. How she uses connection to combat fears and the process of identifying her own fears and helping others with their fears. ...And so much more!
You will be encouraged while you hear the stories of flexibility and courage!! I am glad you are here!
Get ready to laugh and see how you can apply these strategies in your home, because everybody needs help in communication! I encourage to come to this episode thinking, "How does this apply to me?" You will find useful nuggets if you have language learning at any stage going on!
Be sure to go back and listen to the first part of this fun conversation!
38 Cheyanne Cleyman: Dual-Language Living Across Cultures in a Step Family, part 1
Thank you for joining today!
~Dinalynn Rosenbush
CONTACT Guest:Cheyanne Cleyman's podcast: The Energized Mama and Cheyanne’s Facebook Community
CONTACT Host:
Dinalynn: hello@thelanguageofplay.com
RELATED OR MENTIONED EPISODES:
38 Cheyanne Cleyman: Dual-Language Living Across Cultures in a Step Family, part 1
07 How Language is Learned in a Dual Language Home
08 Bilingual Kids and Speaking Delays in Multi-Language Households
11 Building Deeper connection Through Communication using SIGNS with your Babies
10. 3 Ways to Figure Out What Your Child is Saying When They are Hard to Understand
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Hey Friend,
When kids learn language in a dual-language environment, there are some unique challenges. Today's guest shares some of her fun, funny, and rewarding experiences in having a complex family. Cheyanne Cleyman lives with her husband in his home country of Belgium. In today's episode you will learn about how she built connection with a teenage step-daughter that spoke only Dutch while Cheyanne spoke only English. You will learn strategies she uses to build communication when there is dual-language confusion with her 3-year-old, her teen step-daughter, and her husband! You will enjoy the first half of the conversation today and want to return next time for the conclusion!
Get ready to laugh and see how you can apply these strategies in your home, because everybody needs help in communication! I encourage to come to this episode thinking, "How does this apply to me?" You will find useful nuggets if you have language learning at any stage going on!
Be sure to join next time to hear the conclusion of this fun conversation!
Thank you for joining today!
~Dinalynn Rosenbush
CONTACT Guest:Cheyanne's podcast: The Energized Mama and Cheyanne’s Facebook Community
CONTACT Host:
Dinalynn: hello@thelanguageofplay.com
RELATED OR MENTIONED EPISODES:
07 How Language is Learned in a Dual Language Home
08 Bilingual Kids and Speaking Delays in Multi-Language Households
11 Building Deeper connection Through Communication using SIGNS with your Babies
10. 3 Ways to Figure Out What Your Child is Saying When They are Hard to Understand
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Hello Parents! In the last episode, we talked about tantrums and meltdowns. Sometimes sharing leads us right to an immediate tantrum or meltdown! Why don't our kids what to share!?? What if I said you can change that change when you change your language?
Listen in to find a remarkable tool in understanding how to break apart the concept of Sharing into smaller chunks and teaching those chunks first! You will be glad you listened!
Sincerely,
Dinalynn
For Parent Consult or Coaching AND for podcast topic suggestions: EMAIL: hello@thelanguageofplay.com
Other Episodes Linked or Referenced:
36 Tantrum Vs Meltdown. Know the Difference and Respond Effectively
22 Do You Know How to Expand Your Child’s Language Skills? Here’s a Picture Book Example
26 Four Strategies to Create Frustration Tolerance in Children
24 “No!” Six Possible Responses To Get Cooperation
Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
Hey Friends,
Today, we are talking about the dreaded Tantrums and Meltdowns. Did you know they are NOT the same thing? When you identify what is actually going on for your kiddo, you respond differently. No matter your child’s age, when we really understand what is happening, we can be more helpful. Join today to learn the difference between tantrums and meltdowns, how to know, and ways you can more effectively help your child communicate.
Of course, there is always more conversation on topics like these. And, if your child is struggling to communicate, you likely have extra outbursts. If you are struggling with tantrums or meltdowns and you want to discuss ways to improve those behaviors in your home, email me and we will schedule a conversation.
On Your Side,
Dinalynn
Contact: hello@thelanguageofplay.com
Related Episodes:
26. 4 Strategies To Create Frustration Tolerance
33 Series: “Why Won’t The Kids Listen!??” part 6 of 6 BiG EMoTiONs!
24 “No!” 6 Possible Responses to Get Cooperation