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Welcome back to The Little Harmonies Podcast! In Part 1 of this mini-series, we explored the power of language exposure, the 30-million-word gap and how quality interactions shape a child’s cognitive, emotional and academic growth. (If you haven’t listened yet, check it out here!)

Now, in Part 2, we’re turning knowledge into action. We'll share practical, everyday strategies to create a language-rich environment for the children in your care—without adding more to your already busy day. From open-ended questions to music’s role in language development, this episode is packed with easy-to-implement tips that will make a lasting impact.

🔹 Haven’t listened to Ep 8: Caught, Not Taught yet? That episode lays the foundation for today’s discussion—find it here!

🎧 Tune in now and start fostering stronger language skills through simple daily interactions.

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Website: www.littleharmonies.com.au

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Did you know that by the age of three, some children have heard 30 million more words than others? This word gap can impact everything from school performance to career success—and even how society is shaped. Every conversation, every lullaby and every moment of shared speech plays a critical role in shaping your child's future.

In this first episode of our two-part series on how speech can change your child’s life, we’re diving into:

🗣️ The science behind the ‘30 million word gap’ and its impact on brain development
🎶 How early music education before age seven can boost IQ and even long-term earning potential
👶 Why quality interactions matter just as much as quantity—and how to make them count

In the next episode, we'll share real-life strategies you can use every day to make the most of your child’s critical early years. If you're a parent, educator or simply fascinated by child development, this series is packed with eye-opening insights just for you.

So, hit play and join us as we explore how the words we speak today can shape a child’s tomorrow. 🎧✨

Be sure to listen to the previous episode—Ep 8: Caught, Not Taught—for the background insights that set the stage for this discussion. 🎧

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Follow us on socials for more bite-sized inspiration and ideas:

Instagram: @littleharmonies_

Facebook: @littleharmonies

TikTok: @littleharmonies_

Website: www.littleharmonies.com.au

Contact us: www.littleharmonies.com.au/contact

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Further reading and references:

1. Hart, B., & Risley, T. R. (2003). The Early Catastrophe: The 30 Million Word Gap by Age 3. American Educator, Spring 2003. Retrieved from: aft.org
2. Weisleder, A., & Fernald, A. (2013). Talking to Children Matters: Early Language Experience Strengthens Processing and Builds Vocabulary. Psychological Science, 24(11), 2143-2152. Retrieved from: journals.sagepub.com

Send us a text

Ever wondered how toddlers seem to magically pick up words, songs and even little habits—without anyone actually teaching them? They’re not memorising flashcards or sitting through lessons, yet their brains are working overtime, soaking up everything around them.

In this episode of The Little Harmonies Podcast, we’re diving into the fascinating world of early childhood learning, where knowledge isn’t taught—it’s caught. We’ll explore:

🎶 Why music and speech share the same pathways in the brain (and how to use that to your advantage!)
🗣️ How everyday conversations shape your child’s vocabulary (way more than structured lessons!)
🤲 The power of gestures—why pointing, clapping and waving can supercharge language development
💡 Easy, practical ways to help little ones absorb language and music naturally—without extra effort!

If you’re a parent, educator or just someone fascinated by how children learn, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Grab your drink of choice and let’s get into it! 🎧✨

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Follow us on socials for more bite-sized inspiration and ideas:

Instagram: @littleharmonies_

Facebook: @littleharmonies

TikTok: @littleharmonies_

Website: www.littleharmonies.com.au

Contact us: www.littleharmonies.com.au/contact

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Further reading and references:

1. Kuhl, P. K. (2004). Early language acquisition: Cracking the speech code. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 5(11), 831-843.
2. Brandt, A., Gebrian, M., & Slevc, L. R. (2012). Music and early language acquisition. Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 327.
3. Iverson, J. M., & Goldin-Meadow, S. (2005). Gesture paves the way for language development. Psychological Science, 16(5), 367-371.
4. Weisleder, A., & Fernald, A. (2013). Talking to children matters: Early language experience strengthens processing and vocabulary development. Psychological Science, 24(11), 2143-2152.
5. Harvard University, Center on the Developing Child. (n.d.). Serve and Return Interaction Shapes Brain Architecture. Retrieved from developingchild.harvard.edu.