Episode 9: Bilingualism & Your Baby
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Stefka Marinova-Todd, associate professor at the School of Audiology and Speech Sciences at the University of British Columbia. She shares insights from her research into bilingualism and why learning multiple languages is good...
Tips for Encouraging Your Baby’s Language Development
Your baby is born ready to acquire language. We say acquire rather than learn because language development is different from other types of knowledge learning (e.g. math, music). We don’t need to teach babies language, just expose them to it! Don’t stress! At... Episode 8: Your Baby’s Brain Loves Baby Talk, Part 2
Dr. Gordon Ramsay joins us again to dive deeper into the concept of infant-directed speech, commonly known as baby talk. Together we discuss the differences that may affect a baby’s exposure to infant-directed speech, whether that be differences between cultures &... Episode 7: Your Baby’s Brain Loves Baby Talk, Part 1
In this episode, we dive into infant-directed speech, the distinct way adults talk to babies, commonly known as baby talk. Our guest, Dr. Gordon Ramsay, tells us the unique ingredients of infant-directed speech and the amazing outcomes it has for your baby’s social... Episode 6: NICU Awareness
September is Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Awareness Month. Our guest is Deb Discenza, preemie mom, founder & CEO of PreemieWorld. Deb shares her personal experience with the NICU, as well as the amazing work she does at PreemieWorld helping parents navigate... Episode 5: Music, Language, and Your Baby
In this episode, we interview Dr. Christina Zhao, researcher of how babies process sounds. Christina shares the commonality between your baby’s processing of music and language and how this impacts their development. Dr. Tian Christina Zhao is a Research Assistant...
Two of the Best Sounds for Your Baby
The more you learn about a baby’s development, the more you will see how little they actually need in terms of toys and entertainment–how the world around them is a playground of discovery all on its own. At the same time, it will become clear how the little... Episode 4: Why Your Baby Loves Lullabies
Lullabies are found in most cultures around the world and parents naturally find themselves singing those tunes when it’s time to get their baby to sleep. But what makes a lullaby a lullaby? Clinical researcher and music therapist, Caitlin Kjeldsen shares with us the...
The Infinite Potential of Language
Have you ever stopped and pondered how animals like bees and birds can communicate through fixed repetitive patterns, but they do not have language? And how unique is it that human language is not limited to these simple communication patterns, but instead has the... Episode 3: How Your Baby Learns Language
It’s common knowledge that learning a language is easier when you’re young, but why is that? Linguist Lynn Nichols dives into the evolution of the human brain as it pertains to language and explains the differences between learning a language as a child versus an... Episode 2: Your Baby’s Amazing Brain
What does “Growing Up Brainy” actually mean? In this episode, smallTalk co-founder & physician scientist, Dr. Nathalie Maitre, talks about the concept of being brainy. It’s not about being smart, but rather about potential. All babies have potential when it... Episode 1: Introducing the Growing Up Brainy Podcast
Baby’s first year is the most important for their developing brain and amazing things are happening in that little noggin, so we’ve launched a podcast to give parents insight into their baby’s development and offer methods to make the most of this influential time in...
5 Amazing Facts About Your Baby’s Language Development
Babies are the best language learners on the planet. Their brains are primed to develop language skills right from birth in ways that adult brains are not. For instance… Your newborn baby can already distinguish the unique rhythmic patterns of the...
You Are the Key to Your Baby’s Language Development
So you just had your first baby. You’re tired. You’ve been wearing the same clothes for days. You’re longing to take a vacation to the shower. And you’re likely questioning your every move. “Am I doing this right? Am I good enough to raise this tiny little...
The Brain Benefits of a Bilingual Baby
Exposing your baby to a foreign language will, of course, help your child learn that language later in life, but there are many other benefits that come when interacting with a second language during infancy. These benefits are what scientists call “the...
How We Talk to Babies Matters
How you talk to your baby can have a big impact on their language and cognitive development. Did you know that there is a scientific, evolutionary reason you may find yourself speaking in a higher pitch, with slower and more enunciated words when you are...