Self-paced parent class · Ages 1–3
When the meltdowns, the "no," and the new words all hit at once.
Toddlerhood is intense. Language is exploding, autonomy is showing up in every transition, and big feelings can take over a whole afternoon. This self-paced class translates the developmental research into a clear mental model — and a few responses you can actually use this week.
Asynchronous · ~2.5 hours of short lessons · Watch anytime · Lifetime access
Who this is for
If any of this sounds familiar, you're in the right place.
- You have a toddler somewhere between 12 and 36 months and the "easy baby" days feel like a different planet.
- Tantrums, transitions, and "no" are taking up most of your day and you want a calmer way to read what's happening.
- You want to support your toddler's language without flashcards, screens, or lesson plans at home.
- You're tired of parenting content that's either rigid scripts or vague slogans.
- You want research-based ideas you can fit into a normal weekday — not a graduate seminar.
Why this class is different
Research, translated for the way your day actually goes.
Built from peer-reviewed developmental science
Not a single personal philosophy or trend. The class draws on research about toddler brain development, language, executive function, and emotion regulation.
Plain language, no jargon walls
The science is translated for parents — concise, readable, and honest about what the research can and can't tell us.
Realistic for a normal day
Every recommendation is filtered through the actual conditions of family life: tired adults, multiple kids, work, daycare pickups, and dinner.
Calm and non-shaming
No scripts you have to memorize. No suggestion that one slip ruins your child. The tone is the way you'd want a thoughtful friend to talk to you.
What you'll learn
By the end of the class, you'll have a clearer picture of what your toddler is doing — and why.
- Why toddler "behavior" is mostly a brain still under construction, and how that should change your expectations.
- How to read a meltdown for what it actually is, and what kinds of responses the research supports.
- Simple language for transitions, limits, and the word "no" — without scripts.
- How to support language development through ordinary conversation, not flashcards.
- How autonomy ("I do it!") shows up — and why it's developmental, not defiance.
- What helps repair after a hard moment, for the toddler and for the adult.
Module breakdown
Six short modules, designed to be watched in any order.
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01
The toddler brain, briefly
What's developing between 12 and 36 months — and what that means for your expectations.
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02
Language: the everyday version
How vocabulary actually grows, why "serve and return" matters, and what to do (and skip) at home.
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03
Autonomy and "no"
Reading the developmental task underneath the resistance — and how to hold limits without escalation.
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04
Big feelings and meltdowns
What the nervous system is actually doing in a tantrum, and what research-supported responses look like.
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05
Transitions and routines
Why transitions are hard for toddlers and a few practical patterns that make ordinary moments smoother.
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06
Repair, and the long game
What to do after the hard moments — for your toddler and for you.
Format
Self-paced, asynchronous, and built for short windows.
- Total runtime: ~2.5 hours, in short lessons
- Format: video lessons + downloadable PDFs
- Pace: watch anytime; re-watch anytime
- Devices: phone, tablet, or laptop
- Access: lifetime access once enrolled
What's included
Everything in one place.
- Six short video modules (above)
- A downloadable parent workbook with reflection prompts
- A one-page "what's underneath the meltdown" reference PDF
- A short reading list for parents who want to go deeper
About the instructor
Matthew McArthur
Matthew's background includes developmental science, direct work with infants, children, and families, and translating research into parent education that can be used in ordinary family life.
His research background includes cognitive development, language development, environmental influences on skill development, and parenting behaviors. He teaches an Infant and Toddler Socialization class in Los Angeles and works as a Child Development Specialist and parent coach.
- UCLA — B.A. in Psychology
- SDSU — M.A. in Developmental Psychology
- Boston University — Doctor of Law
FAQ
Common questions.
Is this class live or self-paced?
Fully self-paced and asynchronous. There are no live class times to attend. You watch on your schedule and move at your own pace.
Will there be a live Q&A?
Live Q&A or office hours may be added in the future. The core class is designed to stand on its own without them.
How long does the class take?
About 2.5 hours of total runtime, broken into short lessons. Most parents watch in 10–20 minute pieces over a couple of weeks.
What ages is it for?
Children roughly 12–36 months. The ideas extend on either side, but the examples and language target this window.
Is this medical or psychological advice?
No. The class is parent education only and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or developmental advice from your child's clinicians.
When does the class open?
The toddler class is launching first. Join the waitlist below and you'll be notified the moment enrollment opens.
Waitlist
Be first to know when the toddler class opens.
One short email when enrollment is ready. Occasional parent-friendly insights and writing at the intersection of development, family life, and policy.