In this episode of the Discerning Parenting Podcast, Dr. Victoria and Teacher Tasha Mendoza address a common worry for parents: “What if my preschooler doesn’t like reading or writing?” They explore why children resist school tasks, how developmental milestones play a role, and why early academic pressure can harm long-term learning attitudes.

Key Topics:

• Understanding why your preschooler resists reading and writing.
• The importance of observing your child’s behavior and stress levels.
• Why forcing worksheets too early can backfire.
• Balancing school expectations with age-appropriate learning.
• Why parent-child connection matters more than academics at this stage.

Key Takeaways:

1. Observe your child: Look for stress signals and adjust expectations.
2. Check developmental milestones: Preschoolers need play, movement, and exploration—not worksheets.
3. Avoid early pressure: It can create a lifelong aversion to learning.
4. Connection first: Your relationship with your child is the foundation for future learning.

Connect with Us:

• Learn more in the book: Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read Stress-Free.
• Check out our blog article and related podcast episode: Helping Your Child Learn to Read and How Kids Learn to Read
• Follow the Discerning Parenting Podcast for more tips.

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

In this episode of The Discerning Parenting Podcast, Dr. Victoria Ang Nolasco is joined by special guest and co-author, Teacher Tasha Reyes Mendoza, to discuss their new book, Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read Stress-Free. They address the concerns and anxieties that many parents feel about helping their children learn to read in a world that often pushes academic skills at an early age. Together, they provide insights into a more natural, developmental approach to literacy that builds foundational skills and respects the child’s readiness.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode

• Why today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world creates new pressures around early reading.
• How to focus on your relationship with your child to support their reading journey.
• Understanding the "science of reading" and how to apply it in a stress-free way.
• The importance of foundational skills and developmental readiness before formal reading instruction.
• Practical, science-backed advice on fostering a love for reading through play and bonding.

About Our Guest

Teacher Tasha Reyes Mendoza, a reading intervention specialist and mother of four, brings over a decade of experience in teaching children of all abilities to read. She has coached families, teachers, and schools on literacy strategies and shares her expertise and passion for nurturing lifelong readers in this episode.

Key Takeaways

The Role of Developmental Readiness: Learn why pushing early reading may be counterproductive and how to recognize signs of reading readiness.
The Power of Parent-Child Connection: Discover how a strong relationship with your child lays the groundwork for successful reading and lifelong learning.
Realistic Expectations in a Digital Age: Dr. Victoria and Teacher Tasha explore how digital media and early academic pressure impact young children’s development and how parents can find a balanced approach.

Resources Mentioned
Book: Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read Stress-Free – Order on Amazon or visit our website.

Quotes to Remember
“Our relationship with our kids is the foundation of everything—including their learning journey.” - Dr. Victoria Ang Nolasco

“Reading readiness cannot be rushed. It’s about building foundational skills and waiting for developmental signs.” - Teacher Tasha Reyes Mendoza

Enjoy this heartwarming and insightful conversation that brings a fresh, compassionate approach to supporting your child’s reading journey—without the stress.

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Many parents may feel caught between cultures at some point. It may be with previous generations such as parenting conflicts with your own parents or in-laws. Or feeling caught between the "traditional" parenting methods we experienced and the gentle parenting we see on the internet and social media.

Often, we don't realize how much cultural differences influence the way we see the world, that it's difficult to see any other way.

In this second of two episodes with Dr. James Grubman, we dive into how cultural differences affect parenting. Dr. Jim Grubman is an internationally recognized consultant to families of wealth, family enterprises, and the wealth advisory industry. Dr. Grubman has been honored with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Family Wealth Report and the 2024 Richard Beckhard Practice Award
from the Family Firm Institute.

He is the author of the renowned book, Strangers in Paradise: How Families Adapt to Wealth Across Generations, and co-author of Wealth 3.0: The Future of Family Wealth Advising (with Dennis Jaffe and Kristin Keffeler) and Cross Cultures: How Global Families Navigate Change Across Generations (with Dennis
Jaffe) along with multiple other publications. Dr. Grubman is a leader in The UHNW Institute, an industry think tank, and holds Fellow status in the Family Firm Institute and the Purposeful Planning Institute as well as membership in STEP, an international trusts-and-estates organization. His practice, Family Wealth Consulting, is based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Here's just some of what you'll discover in this episode:

• The three cultures based on research (Yes, there are three and not just two!)
• How these cultural differences can result in conflicts among generations (and other surprising sources of conflicts!), in various issues including parenting
• What we can do if we feel caught between cultures

Learn more about Dr. James Grubman at https://jamesgrubman.com/

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.