A Dad’s Path
A Dad's Path Podcast
#68 - Unlocking the Invisible:
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#68 - Unlocking the Invisible:

Navigating Mental States in Early Childhood with Professor Virginia Tompkins

In this episode of A Dad's Path Podcast, host Will Braunstein sits down with Virginia Tompkins, a professor of psychology at The Ohio State University, to discuss the importance of social cognitive development in early childhood.

They discuss the progression of mental states that children can understand over the years and how it's difficult for young children because those mental states are often invisible or unseen. They also touch on the importance of parental involvement in theory of mind development and how asking more questions can help children grow and develop.

Finally, they explore the impact of parental stress on children's development, including the importance of self-care for parents and the effects of household stress on children.

Highlights of our conversation include:

  1. Difficulties with invisible or unseen mental states

  2. The relationship between language skills, story comprehension skills, and theory of mind skills

  3. Capitalizing on your child's interests to keep them motivated

  4. The difference between modeling and teaching

  5. Impact of parental or household stress on children's development

  6. Parenting as a united front

Discussion about this podcast

A Dad’s Path
A Dad's Path Podcast
Every day is filled with opportunities for you to be the best dad you can be. We help you recognize these moments and make them count. Fatherhood is the most challenging and most important job you will ever have. We help you stay confident, in control, and recover quickly when things go wrong (which they will, and that's fine). Understand life from the perspective of your little ones, know how to show up for them without losing your identity, and balance life's many demands with parenting - all while being among a tribe of other dads who are figuring it out, just like you. We're real dads solving everyday problems together so that you never have to be alone in the most important journey of your life.
Will Braunstein, CEO of A Dad's Path, hosts this show. He started A Dad's Path to learn what it takes to be a good father, and in this podcast, he shares everything he's learning along the way. Subscribe to the show to access his latest breakthroughs and tons of insights from his guests.
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