The Critical Window: Brain Building in the First Three Years
By Build a Brain, Build a Life, Build a Community®
TCW With Chris Hall, TEAM DAD!
The Critical Window: Brain Building in the First Three Years. How to Build a Supportive Community for Fathers: 5 Key TakeawaysIn today's fast-paced world, fatherhood can often feel isolating. Many dads struggle with their roles, and the lack of supportive networks can exacerbate these challenges. In this blog post, we'll explore insights from a recent conversation with a dedicated fatherhood advocate about the importance of community, mental health, and actionable strategies for creating supportive environments for fathers. Understanding the Need for ConnectionIn our discussion, it became clear that one of the most significant challenges fathers face is the feeling of isolation. Many fathers operate in one-on-one settings, which can limit their interactions with other dads. This isolation can lead to feelings of inadequacy and stress. Key Takeaways Prioritize men's mental health to support engaged fathers. Create opportunities for fathers to connect and share experiences. Understand fathers holistically to provide tailored support. Address barriers to accessing essential services. Leverage community resources to build strong networks for fathers.
TCW: Empowering Play and Sensory Development: A Conversation with Marika Henderson
Empowering Play and Sensory Development: A Conversation with Marika Henderson
In this episode, we explore the transformative work of Texture Lab, a mobile sensory and fine motor experience designed for children of all abilities. Marika Henderson shares her inspiring journey from public school occupational therapy to creating an inclusive space that fosters independence, resilience, and early developmental skills. Main topics include:
- Marika’s background and pathway into sensory play
- The foundational role of fine motor skills in childhood development
- How Texture Lab integrates multisensory activities like pouring, scooping, and tactile exploration
- The significance of play, autonomy, and messy learning for both children and parents
- Strategies for home activities: Making homemade Play-Doh and encouraging independence
- The importance of inclusivity and adapting environments for children with diverse needs
- Practical ideas for pop-up sensory experiences at events, schools, and community centers
- Building resilience and critical thinking through sensory and social play
Timestamps:00:00 - Intro and what listeners will learn about Texture Lab
01:04 - Marika’s personal journey and purpose-driven shift into sensory work
02:45 - The connection between purpose, childhood development, and public school work
03:37 - Explanation of occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) in schools
04:31 - Origin of the name “Texture Lab” and its focus on fine motor skills
05:45 - The significance of touch, fine motor, and everyday life skills in early learning
06:43 - The critical role of sensory activities over screen time for muscle memory
07:46 - Play’s role in early childhood development and social skills
09:20 - The integration of Montessori principles into Texture Lab activities
10:20 - How sensory activities foster independence, problem-solving, and co-regulation
12:17 - The current mobile format of Texture Lab and community engagement efforts
14:40 - The importance of parent involvement and modeling during sensory play
15:19 - Cultivating curiosity and resilience through experiential learning
16:38 - Strategies for conflict resolution and social skills in sensory environments
17:55 - Techniques for encouraging sharing, asking for help, and handling failure
18:29 - Popular pop-up events, partnerships, and opportunities to experience Texture Lab
19:35 - The age range served, from preschool to early elementary, and inclusion of all abilities
20:02 - Adapting sensory activities for children with different needs and sensitivities
21:03 - Possible virtual connections and ways to bring Texture Lab into homes or remote settings
22:11 - Simple at-home activities: Making and playing with Play-Doh, pouring, and mess cleanup
24:03 - The significance of allowing children to make a mess and learn problem-solving
26:36 - The value of autonomy and choice in sensory play, aligned with Montessori principles
27:03 - Supporting children with sensory sensitivities and nonverbal communication
28:09 - The importance of creating inclusive environments that nurture every child
29:07 - Marika’s vision for future growth, franchising, and connection beyond Pensacola. Resources & Links: Connect with Marika Henderson: Parting Words: Marika emphasizes that Texture Lab is a purpose-driven initiative aimed at serving children of all abilities, promoting community inclusion, and fostering resilience through sensory-rich play. Her dedication reflects a deep belief that all children deserve a space to learn, grow, and experience joy through exploration and autonomy.
TCW Season 2: One Mom's Experience: Tiffini Fleck
In this episode of TCW Season 2, we sit down with Tiffini Fleck as she shares her personal journey through navigating triplets! From the unexpected challenges to the moments of pure joy, Tiffini offers a raw and honest look at what her experience has truly been like. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, growth, and the unique path of a mother.
TCW Season 2: Building a Stronger Community in Childcare
In this episode of The Critical Window, Dr. Stephanie Montgomery and Michelle Gilbert explore the vital role of community in early childhood education. Drawing on their extensive backgrounds in the field, they discuss how building a stronger, more equitable support system for childcare providers directly impacts a child's brain development and long-term success.
Why Music Matters for Every Child
Here's something extraordinary to celebrate: helping your child's brain develop for reading, language, and learning success doesn't require expensive programs or special talents. According to Dr. Anita Collins, an award-winning educator, researcher, and author of The Music Advantage, who specializes in brain development and music learning, simple musical activities like singing, clapping, and keeping a beat are powerful tools for building your child's developing brain.Dr. Collins' research reveals something remarkable: when young children engage with music, they're not just having fun (though that's important too!). They're building the exact same brain pathways needed for reading, language development, and learning. In fact, the brain processes speech sounds using its "music processing network" in those crucial early years.
Here's the key connection: If a child can't hear it, they can't speak it. If they can't speak it, they can't read it. Music activities help children develop the ability to distinguish between different sounds, which directly impacts their ability to learn language and eventually read.The Music Advantage: https://www.anitacollinsmusic.com.au/books
Simple Ways to Support Early Speech and Language (Ages 0–3) with Stephanie Cohen, SLP (VIDEO)
In this episode of The Critical Window, we sit down with Stephanie Cohen, SLP, a nationally respected pediatric speech language pathologist, educator, and founder of Learn to Talk With Me, a social community followed by hundreds of thousands of parents looking for research supported guidance on helping their babies and toddlers communicate.
Stephanie has more than 22 years of experience supporting infants, toddlers, and families through early intervention, private practice, and developmental coaching. She is the author of the My First Learn to Talk book series, which helps little ones build language through playful reading and connection. Stephanie is also a member of ASHA, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which sets the national standards for speech language pathologists and supports evidence based practices in communication development.
Her work aligns perfectly with our mission at The Critical Window, where we focus on early brain development from ages zero to three. Stephanie provides simple, effective, evidence based strategies that help parents support communication during the most important years of brain growth.
In this episode, we explore:
✔️ How babies learn to communicate
✔️ Early speech and language milestones
✔️ What parents can do at home
✔️ Red flags for speech delay
✔️ Gesture development and why faces matter
✔️ Toys and books that truly help
✔️ Multilingual homes and common myths
✔️ The importance of checking concerns early instead of waiting
✔️ Why early support matters for brain development
This conversation is perfect for parents, caregivers, educators, and early childhood professionals who want to understand early communication in a simple and empowering way.
⭐ Connect with Stephanie Cohen, M.A., CCC-SLP, CLC
Learn to Talk With Me
Website: https://www.learntotalkwithme.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learntotalkwithme
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learntotalkwithme
Books: Search “Stephanie Cohen SLP” on Amazon to explore her full infant and toddler communication series.
ASHA: https://www.asha.org/
⸻
📬 Subscribe to our FREE research-based newsletters for even more support:
https://buildabrainnow.com/contact/
(Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up)
Choose from:
1. Parents & Caregivers Newsletter – Tips to boost your baby’s language, curated pediatric research, and expert milestone guidance.
2. Research Recap from the Podcast – Bite-sized episode summaries and science-backed info on infant bonding, brain growth, and mental health.
⸻
🌐 Learn more about our mission:
https://buildabrainnow.com/
📩 Contact us:
https://buildabrainnow.com/contact/
⸻
📲 Follow us on social media for more early childhood education and brain-building content:
🔗 Instagram: Instagram.com/buildabrain.now
🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@buildabrain.now
🔗 Facebook: Facebook.com/buildabrain.now
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/build-a-brain-build-a-life-build-a-community/
Simple Ways to Support Early Speech and Language (Ages 0–3) with Stephanie Cohen, SLP
In this episode of The Critical Window, we sit down with Stephanie Cohen, SLP, a nationally respected pediatric speech language pathologist, educator, and founder of Learn to Talk With Me, a social community followed by hundreds of thousands of parents looking for research supported guidance on helping their babies and toddlers communicate.
Stephanie has more than 22 years of experience supporting infants, toddlers, and families through early intervention, private practice, and developmental coaching. She is the author of the My First Learn to Talk book series, which helps little ones build language through playful reading and connection. Stephanie is also a member of ASHA, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which sets the national standards for speech language pathologists and supports evidence based practices in communication development.
Her work aligns perfectly with our mission at The Critical Window, where we focus on early brain development from ages zero to three. Stephanie provides simple, effective, evidence based strategies that help parents support communication during the most important years of brain growth.
In this episode, we explore:
✔️ How babies learn to communicate
✔️ Early speech and language milestones
✔️ What parents can do at home
✔️ Red flags for speech delay
✔️ Gesture development and why faces matter
✔️ Toys and books that truly help
✔️ Multilingual homes and common myths
✔️ The importance of checking concerns early instead of waiting
✔️ Why early support matters for brain development
This conversation is perfect for parents, caregivers, educators, and early childhood professionals who want to understand early communication in a simple and empowering way.
⭐ Connect with Stephanie Cohen, M.A., CCC-SLP, CLC
Learn to Talk With Me
Website: https://www.learntotalkwithme.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learntotalkwithme
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learntotalkwithme
Books: Search “Stephanie Cohen SLP” on Amazon to explore her full infant and toddler communication series.
ASHA: https://www.asha.org/
⸻
📬 Subscribe to our FREE research-based newsletters for even more support:
https://buildabrainnow.com/contact/
(Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up)
Choose from:
1. Parents & Caregivers Newsletter – Tips to boost your baby’s language, curated pediatric research, and expert milestone guidance.
2. Research Recap from the Podcast – Bite-sized episode summaries and science-backed info on infant bonding, brain growth, and mental health.
⸻
🌐 Learn more about our mission:
https://buildabrainnow.com/
📩 Contact us:
https://buildabrainnow.com/contact/
⸻
📲 Follow us on social media for more early childhood education and brain-building content:
🔗 Instagram: Instagram.com/buildabrain.now
🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@buildabrain.now
🔗 Facebook: Facebook.com/buildabrain.now
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/build-a-brain-build-a-life-build-a-community/
Parenting Chatbot Built on Research: How “Buddy” Is Changing Support for New Parents
In this episode of The Critical Window, Carlton Ulmer, host and co-founder of Build a Brain, Build a Life, Build a Community®, talks with Jim Hoskins, President of CogAbility, and Vernon Niven, COO of CogAbility, about how Buddy, the parenting chatbot trained with information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is being integrated into Build a Brain partner communities to support families with research-based guidance during their child’s most critical years.Buddy was created to provide parents with trusted, evidence-based answers when pediatricians are not immediately available. Every response is grounded in pediatric research, helping families feel confident as they navigate early development.Through Build a Brain, Build a Life, Build a Community® partnerships with hospitals, health systems, and community organizations, families will have direct access to Buddy as part of their early childhood education and support programs. The goal is to make credible, science-based parenting information accessible to every family—especially during the first three years of life when 80–85% of brain development occurs.🧠 You’ll hear:• How CogAbility developed Buddy using pediatric research• Why Build a Brain is integrating Buddy into its community partnerships• How technology like Buddy supports families beyond the clinic visit• What makes Buddy different from general-purpose AI tools⸻📬 Subscribe to our FREE research-based newsletters for even more support:https://buildabrainnow.com/contact/(Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up)Choose from:1. Parents & Caregivers Newsletter – Tips to boost your baby’s language, curated pediatric research, and expert milestone guidance.2. Research Recap from the Podcast – Bite-sized episode summaries and science-backed info on infant bonding, brain growth, and mental health.⸻🌐 Learn more about our mission:https://buildabrainnow.com/📩 Contact us:https://buildabrainnow.com/contact/⸻📲 Follow us on social media for more early childhood education and brain-building content:🔗 Instagram: Instagram.com/buildabrain.now 🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@buildabrain.now 🔗 Facebook: Facebook.com/buildabrain.now🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/build-a-brain-build-a-life-build-a-community/
Early Intervention Explained: Free Resources for Early Brain Development with Help Me Grow Escambia
In this episode of The Critical Window: Brain Building in the First Three Years, we sit down with MaryAnn Bickerstaff and Teresa Zwierzchowski from The Arc Gateway in Pensacola. They lead Help Me Grow Escambia, a free early intervention program funded by the Escambia Children’s Trust and powered through a partnership with Help Me Grow Florida.Help Me Grow Escambia provides free developmental, behavioral, and educational screenings for children, along with personalized care coordination and referrals to trusted local services. Families can also access free autism evaluations through the Pearl Nelson Center using the gold-standard ADOS tool.With support from programs like Help Me Grow Escambia, more children are getting the early support they need to thrive. It’s a natural extension of our mission at Build a Brain, Build a Life, Build a Community. We inform, support and equip parents at birth, offering tools to begin brain-building from day one. Help Me Grow continues that journey by guiding families through early development, connecting them with the right support at the right time.🧠 In this episode, you’ll hear:• Why early intervention in the first three years leads to stronger school readiness• How Infant Toddler Developmental Specialists support families through developmental challenges• How partnerships and funding in Escambia County are helping families access care• How Help Me Grow Escambia is creating a model of support for early childhood development⤵ Learn more about Help Me Grow below:🔗 Help Me Grow Escambia: https://arc-gateway.org/help-me-grow/🔗 Help Me Grow Florida: https://helpmegrowfl.org/getconnected/⸻📬 Subscribe to our FREE research-based newsletters for even more support:https://buildabrainnow.com/contact/(Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up)Choose from:1. Parents & Caregivers Newsletter – Tips to boost your baby’s language, curated pediatric research, and expert milestone guidance.2. Research Recap from the Podcast – Bite-sized episode summaries and science-backed info on infant bonding, brain growth, and mental health.⸻🌐 Learn more about our mission:https://buildabrainnow.com/📩 Contact us:https://buildabrainnow.com/contact/⸻📲 Follow us on social media for more early childhood education & brain-building content:🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildabrainnow🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@buildabrain.now🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buildabrain.now/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/build-a-brain-build-a-life-build-a-community
Trilingual Babies, Trusted Doctors: Building Language and Finding the Right Pediatrician
In this episode of The Critical Window, we sit down with Emily and Christoph Zeller, parents of three boys under four, to talk about what it really means to raise young children with intention, curiosity, and connection. Their home is full of movement, trilingual language, and a whole lot of learning, but one thing they say has made all the difference?
Their pediatrician: Dr. Amy Foland.
Dr. Foland has guided them not only through medical decisions, but through the emotional and developmental complexities of early parenting. Her support has shaped their entire experience, giving them the confidence to focus on what really matters in the earliest years of their children’s lives.
She joins this episode to share the essential things she wishes every parent knew before leaving the hospital, and how the pediatric relationship can be one of the most powerful forms of support during this “critical window.”
🧠 You’ll hear:
• What it's like navigating parenthood for the first time as adults who've worked with children professionally
• What makes a great pediatrician (and how to find one you trust)
• What raising trilingual toddlers actually looks like
👩⚕️ About Dr. Amy Foland
Dr. Amy Foland is a board-certified pediatrician and partner at Pensacola Pediatrics, where she’s been caring for families along the Gulf Coast for over 20 years. Known for her compassionate, hands-on approach, she’s helped shape the parenting journey for countless families—including the Zellers.
She earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean and completed her pediatric residency at Case Western Reserve University. Before joining Pensacola Pediatrics, she taught at Emory University School of Medicine.
Dr. Foland’s special interests include pediatric dermatology and childhood asthma, and she’s been widely recognized for her service, including multiple Best Pediatrician awards and honors for breastfeeding advocacy.
⸻
📬 Subscribe to our FREE research-based newsletters for even more support:
https://buildabrainnow.com/contact/
(Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up)
Choose from:
1. Parents & Caregivers Newsletter – Tips to boost your baby’s language, curated pediatric research, and expert milestone guidance.
2. Research Recap from the Podcast – Bite-sized episode summaries and science-backed info on infant bonding, brain growth, and mental health.
⸻
🌐 Learn more about our mission:
https://buildabrainnow.com/
📩 Contact us:
https://buildabrainnow.com/contact/
⸻
📲 Follow us on social media for more early childhood education & brain-building content:
🔗 Instagram: / buildabrainnow
🔗 TikTok: / buildabrain.now
🔗 Facebook: / buildabrain.now
🔗 LinkedIn: / build-a-brain-build-a-life-build-a-community
Newborn Life for First-Time Dads: Joel Byars on Sleep, Marriage & the Science of Fatherhood
This one is for the dads! The perfect episode to listen to if you have a baby on the way or if you’re in the thick of it with your precious newborn.Welcome to the second episode of The Critical Window—we’re joined by Joel Byars to talk about what it’s really like to become a new dad.Joel is a clean comedian, podcast host, and first-time father who’s doing it all—balancing a thriving comedy career, life on the road, marriage, and the chaos (and beauty) of raising a newborn.We meet Joel with the research around early childhood development, as he shares his real experiences with sleep deprivation, relationship changes, non-stop crying, the challenges of balancing travel and family, and the big question:“Why didn’t anyone teach us how critical the first three years are, especially before leaving the hospital?”This episode is part survival guide, part love letter to new dads, and a reminder that showing up in these first three years matters more than you know.Find more of Joel below!🎤 Book Joel for clean comedy here: https://www.joelbyarscomedy.com/ 🎙 Listen to Hot Breath! Comedy Network on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HotBreathPod/videos 📱 Find all your dad content on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/joelbyarscomedy/ 🧠 Want to dig deeper into the research from this episode? Here are the sources we mention:• Testosterone drops post-birth – “The postnatal testosterone rebound in first-time fathers” (Timestamp: 0:35)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33274434/ • The science behind dads and oxytocin (Timestamp: 0:45)https://www.nct.org.uk/information/baby-toddler/caring-for-your-baby-or-toddler/science-behind-dads • Oxytocin peaks at 6 months in fathers https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3943240/ • Emotional regulation in early childhood (Timestamp: 16:29)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534819/ • Why we can’t remember infancy (Timestamp: 9:41)https://kids.uconn.edu/2022/04/15/why-we-cant-remember-events-from-infancy/
Your Go-To Podcast on Early Childhood Development
Welcome to The Critical Window, the podcast that brings support, science and guidance together to help parents and caregivers support their child’s brain development during the most important years: the first three years of life.
Hosted by Dr. Stephanie Montgomery, an early brain development specialist and former classroom teacher, and Carlton Ulmer, a hospital CEO and advocate for early childhood and technology, each monthly episode features:
● Real-life parenting stories
● Research-backed strategies you can actually use
● Interviews with pediatricians, child development experts, and fellow caregivers
Whether you’re wondering how much to talk to your baby, looking for early milestone guidance, or just trying to make sense of the science—this show breaks it down in a relatable, real-world way.
⸻
📬 Subscribe to our FREE research-based newsletters for even more support:
https://buildabrainnow.com/contact/
(Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up)
Choose from:
1. Parents & Caregivers Newsletter – Tips to boost your baby’s language, curated pediatric research, and expert milestone guidance.
2. Research Recap from the Podcast – Bite-sized episode summaries and science-backed info on infant bonding, brain growth, and mental health.
⸻
🌐 Learn more about our mission:
https://buildabrainnow.com/
📩 Contact us:
https://buildabrainnow.com/contact/
⸻
📲 Follow us on social media for more early childhood education & brain-building content:
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildabrainnow
🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@buildabrain.now
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buildabrain.now/
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/build-a-brain-build-a-life-build-a-community