Growing Up Brainy

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 for you--both for your brain and for your soul.

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 & languages, or differences in circumstances at birth.

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 and language development.

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 the NICU and their babies' continued development.

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.

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 defining characteristics of lullabies and why they are so important to babies (and parents) everywhere.

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 adult.

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.

A short introduction on what to expect from the Growing Up Brainy podcast.