You’re tired of the fights at mealtime. And you don’t feel good about serving plain pasta with butter again. But you also don’t want to argue every time you sit down to eat. Why is it so hard to get children to eat nutritious meals?

In today’s episode, Dr. Vieira dives into your preschooler’s eating behaviors and the many tricky decisions parents have to make at mealtimes. Like whether you should force your child to sit at the table until they’ve finished, and whether or not bribing or rewarding with food is okay.

And toward the end of each episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you. Today’s questions cover topics like food refusal and fixations on sweets.

Tune in and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Did you know that it’s normal for little kids to tell outlandish lies?

And that working on a shared goal is actually a form of play?

In today’s episode, Dr. Vieira dives into your preschooler’s behaviors – how they play, learn, and act so you know what’s considered “normal” four-year-old behavior.

And toward the end of each episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you. Today’s questions cover topics like being potty trained but too shy to use the toilet at school, what to do when you’ve got a mini tyrant on your hands, and how to handle lying and playground aggression.

Tune in and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

If you have a preschooler, chances are you’re unbelievably familiar with the question, “Why?”

In today’s episode, Dr. Vieira dives into your preschooler’s cognitive development, and just why they’re so obsessed with knowing everything about everything.

And toward the end of each episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you. Today’s questions cover topics like what to do when your child talks non-stop, how much is too much screen time, and what it means when your preschooler is obsessed with talking about death. (Hint: It’s not as morbid as you think!)

Tune in and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Poop and pee may not be your favorite topic of polite discussion. But explaining bodily functions to your toddler in plain terms sure does help with potty training.

In today’s episode, Dr. Vieira covers the basics of potty training – including how to tell when your child is ready – and explains the popular 3-Day potty training method in detail.

If you’re unsure of where to start on your toddler’s potty training journey, you don’t want to miss this episode!

And toward the end of the episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you. Today we cover what to do if you can’t take off work to potty train your child, how to coordinate with daycare so the training continues, and what to do if your child refuses to go pantless – or has accidents long after training is over.

Tune in and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Are you dismayed because your once angelic sleeper is now up at all hours of the night crying for you?

Or is your toddler cranky during the day but refusing naps?

In today’s episode, Dr. Vieira explores what changes to make in your toddler’s bedroom so they sleep safely, how to create a bedtime routine that works, and when to transition your toddler from a crib to a bed. Research about how cribs can support your toddler’s sleep quality and how toddler sleep varies by culture are explored in this episode. Ultimately, you will find a routine that works well for your family, and this episode is full of suggestions to get your child sleeping soundly.

And toward the end of the episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you. Today’s questions cover topics like ideal toddler nap length and what to do if your child shouts in the night or stays awake during nap time. Tune in and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Does your toddler love apples one day and hate them the next? Are you tired of your toddler rejecting foods at mealtime? Then don’t miss this episode!

In today’s episode, Dr. Vieira explores various toddler eating behaviors like refusing fruits and veggies and being resistant to try new foods. Research about food texture, messy play, and the appearance of fruit are all explored in this episode in the hopes that you’ll understand tricky (yet normal) toddler eating behaviors a bit better!

And toward the end of the episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you. Today’s questions cover topics like what to do when your child refuses dinner, makes demands about food preparation, or is a super messy eater. Tune in and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Got a toddler who’d rather play with a potato than other children? Fear not!

In this episode, Dr. Vieira dives into the 6 stages of early childhood play, odd toddler behaviors that are actually play schemas, and the value of play for children – hint: it’s so important it’s been deemed a basic human right. In this episode learn more about why your toddler loves to spin around in circles or carry rocks from one part of the garden to another, and get some ideas for how to encourage fun, safe, and educational play for your toddler.

And toward the end of episode, Dr. Viera answers questions from parents just like you. Today’s questions cover topics like the refusal to play outside, less wasteful sensory play, and social withdrawal from peers. Tune in for all this and more!

Toddlers and their wild behavior!

In this episode, Dr. Vieira dives into common tricky toddler behaviors such as hitting, biting, refusing to share and being afraid to interact with new people or in new situations. Tune in to learn why toddlers bite, whether your parenting style is contributing to childhood anxiety, and how to parent so your toddler feels confident enough to explore on her own.

And toward the end of each episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you. Today’s questions cover topics like how to stop toddler hitting, what to do if your two-year-old won’t get dressed, and how to get your toddler to sit still long enough for you to read a book together.

If you have a toddler, you know for certain they keep you on your toes! With a toddler, every day is different, and this is in part due to their rapidly developing brains.

In this episode, Dr. Vieira dives into the amazing cognitive changes your child goes through in toddlerhood. Tune in to learn why your toddler seems — or is — so self-centered. Understand the value of imaginary friends and why sharing is harder for two-year-olds than older children.

And toward the end of each episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you. Today’s questions cover topics like appropriate amounts of screen time for toddlers, how you can narrate your day when you have twins without driving yourself insane, and whether or not you should praise your child.

In this episode, Dr. Vieira explores the many ways you can feed your infant! There is no one-size-fits-all approach to feeding, so tune in to learn about exclusive breastfeeding, exclusive formula feeding, or supplemented feeding, which may include both. When and how to introduce solid foods is also covered, as well as bottle refusal, common hunger cues and tips for how to spot them.

And toward the end of each episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you. Today’s questions cover topics like struggles with breastfeeding and inducing lactation.

It’s no secret that infants need a lot of sleep. But how much is enough? And is the adage ‘never wake a sleeping baby’ really true?

In this episode, Dr. Vieira dives into the infant sleep — the cycles, safe sleeping arrangements, common issues by age, and what to do to encourage self-soothing. Tune in to learn about appropriate nap times, baby vs. adult sleep rhythms, and cultural differences in approaches to sleep.

And toward the end of each episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you. Today’s questions cover topics like whether infants should cry themselves back to sleep, co-sleeping vs. room-sharing, and whether pacifiers are appropriate sleep aids.

Did you know even infants have mental health concerns? It’s true! Despite their seemingly uncomplicated lives, even newborns and babies have mental health needs to be attended to.

In this episode, Dr. Vieira dives into the mental health and brain development of infants from the time they’re born to their first birthday. Tune in to learn about risks associated with maternal stress, signs your infant’s mental health is struggling, and learn about the dangers of toxic stress. Learn too about Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development – who knew that peek-a-boo actually had a purpose?

And toward the end of each episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you. Today’s questions cover topics like whether parental anxiety is automatically passed on, and whether “baby talk” is appropriate or should be avoided altogether.

What is attachment theory and how does it impact your child growing up? How do you form a secure attachment with your infant so they believe the world is a safe place?

In this episode, Dr. Vieira explains the four attachment styles, what they look like, and why they matter. Learn five ways to promote secure attachment with your infant (including whether or not you should take some space!). And toward the end of each episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you. Today’s questions cover topics like whether breastfeeding and vaginal birth are necessary to form a secure attachment, and how to navigate attachment with multiple caretakers.

Does your child seem to fight you on every little request? Yes means no and up means down and put that away means leave it out?

In this episode, Dr. Vieira dives into Oppositional Defiant Disorder or ODD. Tune in to learn about this complex behavioral disorder, potential causes, risk factors, and its treatment options. Learn about the surprising disorder 50% of kids with ODD also have. And toward the end of each episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents just like you whose children might be struggling with ODD.

Does your child like arranging their stuffed animals in a certain way? Do they have a hard time making friends? Are they sensitive to loud noises or bright lights? And are you trying to figure out why? In this episode of Genius Little Minds, Dr. Vieira clarifies a lot of the confusion that surrounds autism. Learn all about autism in children, including how it’s diagnosed, how young children with autism experience the world around them, and how to support your child. She also answers questions from parents just like you.

Does your child refuse to do what they’re told? Not listen? And have a tendency to overreact?

Is their teacher calling home about behavioral issues or struggles with peers?

In this episode, Dr. Vieira dives into ADHD and how it presents in children and teens. Tune in to learn about behavioral challenges, risk factors, causes, and treatment options. And toward the end of each episode, Dr. Vieira answers questions from parents.

Does your child frequently complain of being “bored”? Is it hard to get them to engage with you or the rest of the family? Do they seem to not want to do much of anything these days? The pandemic has been tough on all of us, and our children’s mental health has suffered. You may have noticed your child isn’t enthusiastic about doing the things they used to love anymore. They might be uncharacteristically gloomy, pessimistic, or irritable. Maybe you have this nagging feeling… even though it seems hard to believe children can feel this way… that they’re depressed. In this episode, Dr. Vieira dives into depression and how it presents in children and teens. Because, you guessed it, even children can get depression. You’ll learn the signs, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options. And hear from parents just like you whose children are struggling. By the end of the episode, you’ll be armed with information to help your child tackle this mental illness head on and get them on the road to health and wellness.

Trigger Warnings: 8:57-9:01, 14:13-14:24, 20:13-20:18, 21:04-21:24

Does your kid have very specific (sometimes inconvenient) fears that they can’t quite explain? (Think swimming pools. Or spills. Or the seam of their socks.) Do they clam up when strangers talk to them, despite their boisterous personality at home? And are you wondering what to do when your child wants to stay home from school yet again? In this episode, Dr. Vieira dives into her specialty, anxiety disorders, and how they present in children. Learn what behaviors to watch out for and understand your treatment options so you know what type of therapist to look for. In the last part of the episode, hear questions from real parents, just like you, whose children are struggling with fear and anxiety.

Raise your hand if your kid cries when you shut the door to your home office and leave them with the nanny. Or when they go to grandma’s house. Or meet new kids on the playground. In this episode, Dr. Vieira dives into her specialty, anxiety disorders, and how they present in children. From separation anxiety (which you’re probably already familiar with,) to social phobia, Dr. Vieira explains 4 anxiety disorders and the brain science behind why our children feel afraid even when there’s no real danger present. She also answers real questions from parents, just like you, whose children are struggling with fear and anxiety.

In this episode, Dr. Madeleine Vieira debunks the myth that only adults struggle with mental health issues. You’ll get an introduction to the world of childhood mental health—what it means, why it matters, and an overview of four commonly diagnosed mental health disorders in children—ADHD, anxiety, depression, and ASD—and the various modalities that may be effective in treating them.