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Have you ever been asked "What did you do all day?" and struggled to put it into words? Mama, you did everything. In this episode, we come alongside you with the warmth and wisdom of mothers who have been right where you are, reminding you that making a home is one of the most meaningful things you will ever do. Rooted in Titus 2 and Psalm 90, we walk through the everyday rhythms of a home built with love, from planning and decluttering to cooking, decorating, and supervising little ones, offering practical hacks and grace-filled encouragement every step of the way.
Episode Highlights 00:00 What it means to be "busy at home" from Titus 2:4-5 04:30 Planning your home, writing your family pillars, and starting with the heart (1-2) 11:30 Organizing, cleaning, and the Princess Bride method (3-5) 18:00 Decorating your home and mealtimes (6-7) 33:00 Communication, loose schedules, and supervising children (8-10) Please send us your questions if you'd like to have them discussed on the podcast: [email protected]
The Mind of a Child is an early child development podcast that exists to encourage and equip parents to raise their kids to love God and love others. If you're looking for Biblical principles, practical parenting solutions, and science-backed research, our discussions are specifically tailored for you. Our hosts are Leslie Dudley Corbell and Diane Doucet Matthews, who each have a combined 50+ years of experience in the early child parenting space.
More from The Mind of a Child
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→ Prayer Calendar → Our book recommendations Learning to read is one of the most pivotal milestones in a child’s life—and yet, it’s often clouded with pressure, comparison, and confusion. On this episode, we explore what it really means to be “reading ready” by drawing from research-backed methods, personal parenting experiences, and biblical principles. We'll help you understand how to foster early literacy in a way that honors both the child’s pace and God’s design. With insights on vocabulary development, phonics, phonemic awareness, comprehension, and even the fourth-grade slump, this conversation equips parents with practical tools and the reassurance to trust the process—while never losing sight of the joy of reading and the power of God's Word. Episode Highlights: [00:00:00] – Introduction: Why reading matters and how it shapes lifelong success [00:06:00] – Proven strategies for reading readiness: Language-rich environments and daily life learning [00:13:00] – Breaking down the components of reading: Phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension [00:18:00] – Understanding the fourth-grade slump: How vocabulary impacts academic success [00:25:00] – Tips for reluctant readers: Observing interests and introducing engaging materials 3 Takeaways: Reading is a developmental process that unfolds naturally over time - Parents are encouraged to resist comparison and pressure, instead creating rich, contextual environments where children can grow at their own pace—supported by love, conversation, and daily experiences. Vocabulary is the single greatest predictor of long-term reading comprehension and academic success - From infancy through early elementary years, exposing children to diverse, rich language—through conversation, books, songs, poetry, and storytelling—is essential. Reading readiness is not just about decoding words. True literacy includes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension - These components are best developed through daily living, joyful interaction, and exposure to meaningful content, especially scripture and high-quality literature.