This week on Raising Joy, Wini King and Kristen Pyrc, M.D., analyze the positive effects of giving your child independence from an early age with Kim Mangham, M.D., a pediatrician from Cook Children’s Pediatrics - Keller Parkway.

Dr. Mangham details the strengths your child will develop if you let them make their own mistakes starting as early as the toddler years. Discover how these mistakes, with parent oversight, will better prepare your teen and college student to advocate for themselves as they navigate early adulthood.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to empower your child with supervision from an early age
• Ways in which your child can contribute to the family to build adult skills
• Taking care of yourself so your child learns to take care of their self as well
• Ways in which your child can become a leader instead of being influenced
• Allowing your child to grow from their mistakes with your help

This episode is filled with parent and caregiver advice to best empower and prepare your child for the independence of adulthood from an early age.

This week on Raising Joy, Wini King and Dr. Kristen Pyrc dive deep into the fascinating world of neuropsychological testing with special guest Tahnae Allen, Ph.D., a pediatric neuropsychologist from Cook Children's Medical Center - Prosper.

Dr. Allen breaks down neuropsychological testing and dispels common misconceptions. Discover that it's not about electrodes and blinking lights, but rather a comprehensive and often fun assessment that helps understand how a child's brain functions in areas like attention, memory, language and social-emotional development.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What neuropsychological testing entails and why a child might need it.
• The difference between psychological and neuropsychological testing.
• The referral process for neuropsychological testing and what parents can expect from the comprehensive reports.
• The hope and tools that neuropsychological testing provides to help children thrive and access the support they need.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for any parent or caregiver looking to better understand and support their child's neurodevelopmental journey.

On this episode of Raising Joy, Dr. Kristen Pyrc sits down with Brian Miller, President and CEO of Camp Fire First Texas to explore the transformative power of camps for kids.

We learn why unplugging from technology and spending time outdoors is so good for young brains, especially when it comes to skills like teamwork and communication. And Dr. Pyrc shares the long-lasting impact camp has had on her own life.

Whether you’re weighing the decision to send your child to camp, wondering which age is right or looking for simple ways to bring “camp life” into your everyday summer routine, this episode will inspire you.

If you’d like to learn more about Camp Fire First Texas, visit their website at https://www.campfirefw.org/.