What Your Toddler Really Needs in the Early Years | Beyond the Bump

Added: 2026-05-10

[00:00:00]Hi everyone and welcome back to Beyond the Bump, the podcast where we dive into the real stories of life, parenting and everything that comes after the bump.

[00:00:09]I'm your host Marci and today I'm so thrilled to bring you a conversation with someone who wears many hats beautifully. She is a passionate mentor, an early childhood educator and above all a passionate mother to do. She wanted to create a space where mothers could gain confidence in their ability to raise healthy and happy children.

[00:00:32]This vision led her to establish the Freedom Park, a space for mothers in Pune and beyond. Through her mother toddler program, Mina provides guidance to mothers with children aged 4 months to two years. With over 15 years of experience in early childhood education, Mina has a deep understanding of how critical these ears are in a child's development. So, let's jump right in and welcome today's guest.

[00:01:09]Welcome to the show. It's such a joy to have you here.

[00:01:12]>> Yes, of course. Very exciting. This is something new for me and uh I would be so happy if what I have done for the last 15 years and from that any any snippets of um you know knowledge that I can give to the new mothers this would really make me very happy.

[00:01:29]>> That is so insane to the thought of this show and I'm so glad you're at the same place.

[00:01:34]>> Yes. Yeah. So uh to start off could you tell us a bit about your journey and what drew you into the early childhood education and mentoring and how being a mom influenced this.

[00:01:47]>> Okay. So to answer this question being a mom is the only you know reason why I could start my work.

[00:01:56]>> So my background my like my education is nowhere connected to what I'm doing today. So I was into engineering and yeah I mean so but you know when you become a mother and when I was looking at that 6 month and something is missing you know there is something that she needs from me and I have to give it to her. So because of prior knowledge that I had about social media like Google I knew how to do research on Google.

[00:02:26]That's what was taught to me in my first job. So I used that skill to research about early development, early brain development or early years what you have to do for the kids and I was amazed because at that time there was nothing like this in Pune. There was nobody to guide this and I was amazed that the capacity of the brain and is so massive and what more we can do you know you have to create a atmosphere around her I started doing that and I literally Mahi was my guinea pig and I started doing that with her and I could see the change I could see it is responding like whatever I'm trying to do it's I'm getting back the response so that made me do this and of course I started with a family and And then when I got a positive feedback every new mom is lost like this >> and it really worked you know and I don't I don't even know how it you know started happening so the numbers increased and all that and this is my calling after >> wow that's a thoughtful and such a like personal journey >> very personal journey yeah definitely so you often to talk about creating safe and nurturing spaces for children. So, uh for parents listening right now, what do you think are the most important foundations to focus on during those early years? So, most important connection, you know, early years development, this that do stimulation, but you have to first connect with them. So, how will you do this? How do you connect? By being, you know, squat down, sit down, eye to eye and do something with them. It could be anything. It could be just cuddling time 6 to 8 months by default. Why? Because the kid cannot he cannot or she cannot you know respond whatever tell you what she wants. But I would say after this doing this matters even more correct once the child once a small baby of say 12 months 15 months you are important and you matter to me you know you can you can move mountains you can do anything extraordinary No, they don't want that.

[00:05:19]So they all they want is you sit down with them and just play something just play ball >> you know just do anything but be with them eye to eye connect with them like for example 12 to 15 months okay and suddenly the child clinging to you nudging you mama mama mama what do you We tell him like you know wait for a minute or we go off maybe call >> right correct whether you move out you tell somebody to take care of the kid or you tell the kid wait >> right >> minute typical response for parents >> I am saying I always say this >> that the person on the call is an adult why don't tell that adult What are you telling the kid? You are important for me. You know this is not important. You go down on your knees and you tell the child I know that I know a lot of parents and we start getting back to our normal lives and that is when you know the damage control can be done and once your kid is in your understanding are very important Right. Right.

[00:07:16]I' seen this video.

[00:07:18]you know there was this child and mother the mother wasn't listening to the child when he was small and when we see kids are not listening it's a big problem I feel like really needs to take you know what is the rush are we listening to them >> and what is the rush what is the rush to get back to normal slow down >> they are definite what a nice Yeah, they're definitely here to slow us down and bringing the child into this world was your choice.

[00:07:56]>> It was not the baby's choice. Correct.

[00:07:59]>> So once the baby is here, it is your moral responsibility to do what is right by the baby.

[00:08:05]>> Yes. Totally.

[00:08:08]You cannot withdraw. So >> you know it's really a choice you and it's a 21 year project. It's a 218y old mom shifted to a um old home to help her um what was that 85y old kid >> she shifted to his old age so that she can take care of her 85y old >> so 21 year project but it can be more >> so think about it >> think about it don't c >> don't c for household things >> and I' thought you know that we have given birth to them so we are responsible for you cannot forget that >> yeah that is >> it's not fair you can't you can't complain when you you know months months.

[00:09:16]So instead of getting anxious, >> I would say instead of reading the things that will make you anxious, >> read the things that will keep you informed as a mother, a new mom and not just mother, I would say dad also.

[00:09:30]>> Be be an informed decision to be more ready for all kinds of things. So you don't have to go over bound. You don't have to start thinking negative.

[00:09:44]I think this is so important for today's parents and I'm sure the viewers like watching us right now you have a lot to take from this sincerely problem I don't understand not even problem I think people get lost here why not Connect connect first with the first three to five I mean 5 years give 5 years to it first two years full time >> and then maybe you can slow down and in a day like say 15 minutes of dedicated I to non-gadget time that's the mantra >> so a 1 hour quality time in a day >> divided into 15 minutes after every 3 hours or 4 hours is what I'm asking you to do >> that's what is needed trust me it will work >> right like I actually feel like I can share a story or story. So my twin boys, they were playing football the other day and was playing with them. So yeah, he was teaching them how to, you know, like kick the ball. They're too tiny to go.

[00:10:52]>> Yeah.

[00:10:54]>> So and just kick the ball and exactly into the hole. He turned and looked at his dad just to see you know that and is my father watching me there. I did what he taught me.

[00:11:08]>> Yeah.

[00:11:09]>> Wow.

[00:11:10]>> I feel that connection and you know me I was just sitting there crying and looking at it feeling towards dad.

[00:11:18]>> Imagine when he grows up and on the field he's playing against somebody some team and this is he will always remember these moments >> for him it will be together.

[00:11:29]>> So connection everything will fall in place. The other differenceing differences. Every stage of the child know has a different challenge. It is never ending. It's not easy.

[00:11:45]>> Parenting is a task. It is a lot of work that you need to do.

[00:11:49]>> But let's do it right. No. Let's be mindful. No.

[00:11:53]>> Instead of like doing something, making it wrong, going back and then cribbing, >> start only with informed decisions and some kind of basic knowledge.

[00:12:04]>> Yeah. Yeah. I think the basic education is very important.

[00:12:08]>> Yeah.

[00:12:09]>> And as you're talking about play, I know this is something you really are passionate about.

[00:12:14]>> So sometimes as parents we see play as fun time, but what do you think like how do you see it as a part of learning?

[00:12:25]If a 25y old kid also know if I have to give them some work to do >> and if I make it sound like I think they will be more interested to do >> correct.

[00:12:35]>> So for me uh what I've done what my idea of play is I make the visuals so you know captivating and attractive.

[00:12:47]Um obviously we can get a lot of things done through the idea of play you know why why we play with kids why we play with kids important thing to think about everyday morning we get up in the morning as adults and we have a set of things to do right whatever We have a set routine. Okay.

[00:13:21]>> Now for a kid, for a toddler or for any small kid, even 5year-old when they wake up, what is their agenda, they need you around because they don't know what is to be done. So either either you tell them previous nights now.

[00:13:51]they will us right. So we think it is aation sometimes whatever kid is also happy I'm also happy >> right >> that is the idea of play for me >> what I am trying to do with my work at freedom path is I want to put literally the classes for the mother or the parent who's coming ideas with is lying around.

[00:14:24]>> Yeah.

[00:14:24]>> Now what happens is when you engage them, >> they are happy, >> you're happy.

[00:14:28]>> Yeah.

[00:14:29]It's impossible to take the kid the whole time.

[00:14:38]So we since we are in this setup that we are that the kid is over in the house, we need to engage them in play >> and play is nothing but anything that will interest the child to do. A little bit challenge is there >> and fun is there.

[00:14:54]>> A little bit challenge. If it's too easy, they'll give up. Right.

[00:14:57]>> They run somewhere else.

[00:15:01]>> That's play for me.

[00:15:02]>> It's not just a down time to see it like as a development a thing that helps in development.

[00:15:09]>> 100%. Their brain capacity is so massive.

[00:15:18]I should have done this. It is doable.

[00:15:20]I'm not asking you to put any pressure.

[00:15:22]>> Yeah.

[00:15:23]>> It can be fun, >> right?

[00:15:24]>> What will you do with their 20s? They need to do something right. So just give them a paper for example we are sitting 15 moms are sitting newspaper we tearing the newspaper that voice is coming and it's literally one rupee 2 rupee newspaper they are so happy >> the happiness is topnot >> tear the paper then just then suddenly some colorful baskets or buckets are tied up. Now come on, let's toss the ball into the bucket.

[00:16:03]>> Yeah.

[00:16:04]>> And wow, now like the bucket is full of balls. Let's stand another bucket and let's throw it on the like shove it on the body.

[00:16:11]>> It's just plain, >> right?

[00:16:12]>> Now the same thing you can do at home.

[00:16:14]>> Yeah.

[00:16:18]>> And see the happiness.

[00:16:20]>> See the happiness on their face. But what did they learn? What happened?

[00:16:25]So what is the learning in this?

[00:16:27]They are using their pencil muscle.

[00:16:30]They're using the pencil muscle to tear.

[00:16:32]Okay. Because of the sound, they want to do it more.

[00:16:34]>> Correct?

[00:16:35]>> Now, when I'm making a ball, I'm using my entire fine motors here.

[00:16:39]>> When I'm tossing the ball, I'm using coordination, >> right?

[00:16:42]>> Okay. So, >> so it is partal.

[00:16:47]So education cognitive manipulative skills fine motors gross motors but I feel the what you need to do is very basic >> correct >> and work you don't have a board you don't need a fisher price >> you can do this with simple things around >> right so as a mother of two you are balancing so many roles educator mentor and being a mom so what does the balance look like for you because obviously the world does not know that. So we want to know your story behind it and have been challenges where you had to pause and rethink and reenter yourself. So this is a very common question that has been asked to me many times by my students.

[00:17:35]How do you do it all? Uh because obviously new moms just they're starting get back getting back to work.

[00:17:42]>> It seems very overwhelming to them, >> right? So yeah this journey has been the same for me and it is still great this >> so even today when I have to come here I have to put some things on hold >> that I can accommodate this particular thing in so it's I think uh balance is not just those three roles balance is also daughter daughter-in-law wife balance is all about choice you I was very clear when my kids were going to school that as I started my work when Ammon was two I started my work my younger one >> so I was very clear they come home at 5 >> at any cost I have to be home at 4:30 >> come work me >> and I literally have followed that for like 12 to 13 years >> wow >> I have never ever been never >> I've never been away when they come home I want to see their places and so that I'll be ready for the bomb.

[00:18:57]>> So literally till a lot of years my kids didn't know I work.

[00:19:06]>> Oh >> yeah.

[00:19:08]>> Because then they never see you.

[00:19:10]>> Yeah. They were they were going to I school so they used to leave at 9:00 they used to come at 5 >> and they never knew that I work so till they go as soon as they go finish the responsibility so that nobody has any kind of you know I have done my part and then full head go into the work that I'm doing >> right >> whatever come and you know this happens with a technique call it say and do.

[00:19:41]Whatever I do, I first say it.

[00:19:44]>> Okay, >> that's my literally that my go-to thing.

[00:19:48]>> It works for my I do it with my husband.

[00:19:50]I do it with my kids, with my colleagues, >> with everybody.

[00:19:54]>> Okay.

[00:19:54]>> So, I'm already going to tell you if you're working with me that I have to leave at this time.

[00:19:59]>> Correct?

[00:20:00]>> Whatever you want from me before that I can do it.

[00:20:03]>> Right?

[00:20:03]>> Because come what agree once you make it a set thing. No.

[00:20:07]>> Correct. they will also respect.

[00:20:15]>> So it was it beautifully balances because it's about choices, >> right?

[00:20:18]>> And there was a time when I was wanted by my friends. So I I there was a fixed time I used to put kids to sleep >> 9:30 max whatever happens 10:00 full party. So a bit here but yeah it's >> so balance is about choice.

[00:20:43]>> Correct.

[00:20:44]>> You want to balance it is really you have to make the right choices. You cannot cannot waste your energy in the wrong things in the wrong people.

[00:20:53]>> You cannot change people.

[00:20:55]>> You can only change yourself.

[00:20:59]Right.

[00:21:04]And do you have a favorite memory maybe funny or just heart moment from raising your kids that connects back to work?

[00:21:13]>> So, uh I really don't have a very good memory but out of the blue if I have to think there's one thing which I recently actually I saw my own video >> and that's why I remember this that when Mahi was 18 months.

[00:21:27]>> Yeah. So she one fine day she just was like set.

[00:21:34]>> So it was a water activity. It was a fun activity. We did it. Yeah. And then my mother-in-law at that point in 2007 on that and my used to do this together. It was their thing in the house.

[00:22:03]>> Mahi has been seeing this all that 18 months. Yeah.

[00:22:06]>> So when she cleaned her side, she took a nice she put all those things there and she sat there and she was humming the nursery rhymes and twinkle twinkle what I what I learned here my observation was kids are amazing you know >> imagine I would have never thought this will happen >> and I had to capture it, you know, because literally what my mother-in-law was doing every day, >> she was learning.

[00:22:41]>> That's why again I'll tell you that back to work.

[00:22:53]You never know what they're teaching them.

[00:23:02]Grandpa can read a story.

[00:23:05]I have also observed that kids are very smart >> when they are with grandparents no their energies are very different >> they will sit in one place with them >> and when it's mama know they will make it I don't know why they're so smart they understand everybody's energy >> so if you could leave our visitors with one piece of advice maybe something simple but powerful for new parents navigating these early years of what would it be?

[00:23:37]>> So this mani has been my mantra >> not just as a new parent but it has been there forever. I started it as a new parent but I'm using it for all my relationships >> not just with my kids with all of the people I'm around.

[00:23:52]>> Uh it's called say and do >> right >> I say before I do it.

[00:23:58]>> I don't just if I have to go to a marriage with a 6-month old baby. If I travel and I have to go to a marriage, I'm not going to what is done.

[00:24:22]Correct.

[00:24:23]>> But then what happens is when you make them wear those clothes >> which might not be comfortable or they very different and they into a completely new place, new people, new wife, >> they're going to cranky, right?

[00:24:34]>> How can you expect the kid?

[00:24:36]>> Yeah.

[00:24:37]>> So my request is that you tell the kid the day you decide the dress >> decide I'm talking about decide >> the day you buy the fabric or whatever start telling it. Wow. I'm sure there's a lot to take from all of this like all the experiences you have, all of this conversation for the viewers.

[00:24:58]>> So, moving ahead.

[00:25:00]>> So, we'll do the rapid fire now. Yeah.

[00:25:03]>> So, we wrap up.

[00:25:05]>> There's a little rapid fire round.

[00:25:07]>> I say a word and we'll share the first >> or feeling or a tip that comes to the mind with that word. Ready?

[00:25:16]>> Yeah. Play. Play is the best bonding tool that a parent can have you know till the last for example my mom I play with her till date she's 65 >> we play board games together so it is the best bonding time for me and my mom >> for me play is the best bonding tool >> correct >> as a parent >> patience It's I think it's a virtue which is very difficult >> but if you can if you can you know have it in you it's a great lesson >> sleep >> okay since we are in the context of parents sleep it's very unfair that the person who doesn't want to sleep is being put to sleep by a person who wants to sleep >> correct I think that's okay >> yeah because this is something I hear every day so I was Let me just say this, >> right? Learning >> learning is something that keeps you alive.

[00:26:26]>> Correct.

[00:26:26]>> So if I like for me, I'm a person who loves to learn that. I'm sure I'm going to be a lifelong learner.

[00:26:34]>> And for example, I learned embroidery and I learned crochet. It keeps you alive. It suddenly changes everything like you don't the pattern thinking pattern changes.

[00:26:44]>> Correct. So learning is something that keeps you alive and it will be the same for me till my last breath. Joy. Joy is a choice.

[00:26:52]>> At any given moment I only can decide whether I'm happy or I'm not happy.

[00:26:58]Whether it brings me whether this particular thing brings me joy or not.

[00:27:02]>> It's a choice.

[00:27:04]>> To everyone listening, thank you for spending this time with Beyond the B.

[00:27:09]Remember parenting isn't about perfection. It's about connection. If you enjoyed today's conversation, please hit subscribe, leave us a review, and share this with a friend who might need a little encouragement today. Until next time, take care and enjoy this journey, bumps and