Babylab

Over the course of this season, we’ve received an influx of questions about the topics and stories we’ve covered. So to wrap up what’s been another enlightening season, Emma is joined once again by BabyLab’s resident expert Sue Hespos, to answer the questions sent in by you. Can a co-parenting household have long term effects on socialisation? Is it worth taking my baby to a museum? Can children d...

We asked new parents what some of the top challenges they face are when starting out on their parental journey. And on today's episode, Emma will tackle some of the most popular responses. Breastfeeding, sleep and mood.  As always, Emma is joined by a host of baby experts and new parents to unpack these topics, which are at the core of a happy and healthy home. Plus, we discover how the three are...

Emma teams up once again with the experts at BabyLab to tackle one of the most common challenges that parents face when raising a child. How should we use (or not use) screens in the home? She chats with two parents who have very different approaches when it comes to screen use in their lives, and learns some of the benefits that come with both perspectives. Plus she digs into the science of how a...

In this episode, Emma explores the intriguing and varied world of infant milestones. She connects with experts from the MARCS BabyLab, who share valuable insights on the most significant milestones and offer guidance on where to seek assistance if required. Plus, she chats with two parents who approach using milestones to measure their baby's development in unique ways. CREDITS Host: Emma Watkins...

In this episode experts from the MARCS BabyLab at Western Sydney University unpack their research into babies and whether they prefer gender specific aspects of toys and clothes. Emma also speaks with parents who are breaking those gender norms and raising their children in the same way, regardless of gender. Plus, the BabyLab experts look at how brains differ (and don’t differ) between genders! C...

Music has been shown to be much more than a way to pass time and can have powerful effects on the brain. In this episode Emma chats with Dr. Sandra Garrido from the MARCS BabyLab, exploring the profound impact of music on the developing brain and uncovering how music becomes a nurturing force for infant growth. Plus, they debunk some common misconceptions surrounding the effects of music like Moza...

Did you know that babies have a social life? In this episode Emma dives headfirst into what kinds of socialisation are important in those early years and hears how parents are supercharging their littles one's social life. Plus, she chats with the experts from MARCS BabyLab to learn why socialisation matters and how it can set your baby up for life! CREDITS Host: Emma Watkins Executive Producer: T...

To kick off the brand-new season of the BabyLab podcast, hosted by children’s entertainer and science lover Emma Watkins, we’re exploring why babies are probably smarter than you give them credit for! Join Emma as she chats with experts from the MARCS BabyLab at Western Sydney University to find out what exactly is going on inside of a baby’s brain and how parents can provide an environment for th...

Babylab breaks down the questions you might have about how babies learn to communicate. Where does the first word come from? Are screens good for learning? Does music improve communication skills? Join children's entertainer Emma Watkins for Season 2 of BabyLab where she speaks with parents and experts about everything communication and babies. Babylab is produced in collaboration with Western Syd...

This season, we've looked at how babies understand language, bilingualism, the importance of play and how parents play a vital role in their children's language development. And we've received a lot of questions along the way from our listeners, so in this last episode of the series, we've set out to answer as many of them as we can. Host: Jamila Rizvi, author, presenter and political commentator...

Play is one of the best things children can do with their time. In fact, pretend play has a role in language learning, as babies develop 'theory of mind' where they learn they have opinions, thoughts, feelings and knowledge separate and distinct to their parents. In this episode, we explore what makes babies tick and how understanding your baby's brain can help you get through the next toddler tan...

It's not all about babies! Parents play an important role in infant's speech development. How does a parent's emotional wellbeing, stress levels and availability affect a baby's ability to learn to communicate and develop? Should we be taking more time off from work? We also look at the impact does post-natal depression have on your baby's speech development. Host: Jamila Rizvi, author, presenter...

Once young children learn to communicate through speech, they then have to tackle the challenges of learning to read. What is the right age to start teaching your child to read? And why is it that some kids struggle? Is there a way we can diagnose dyslexia earlier than ever? Host: Jamila Rizvi, author, presenter and political commentator Producer: Caitlin Gibson   With expert advice from: Dr Marin...

There are plenty of benefits of raising a child who learns more than one language at a time. In fact, bilingualism has an incredible effect on the brain. Bilingualism might just give your baby their best shot at being a musical child genius - and making the world a better place! We explain all ...   Host: Jamila Rizvi, author, presenter and political commentator Producer: Caitlin Gibson   With exp...

When you speak two languages at home, it makes sense to teach your baby both languages. But many parents worry that raising their baby to be bilingual will actually confuse them. Will learning two languages cause language delays? Now we bust the myths surrounding bilingualism. Host: Jamila Rizvi, author, presenter and political commentator Producer: Caitlin Gibson With expert advice from: Dr Liqua...

Anticipating baby's first words is exciting business. But understanding where those first words come from might just be the clue we need to unlock the evolution of human language itself.   Host: Jamila Rizvi, author, presenter and political commentator Producer: Caitlin Gibson   With expert advice from: Professor Denis Burnham Dr Karen Mattock Dr Marina Kalashnikova Dr Liquan Liu See omnystudio.co...

How do babies learn to talk? And why do parents naturally fall into baby talk when they're communicating with their little ones? We dig deep into the science of how babies develop language and why silly baby talk isn't silly at all. Host: Jamila Rizvi, author, presenter and political commentator Producer: Caitlin Gibson With expert advice from: Dr Marina Kalashnikova Professor Denis Burnham Dr Chr...

Babylab is a new podcast that digs through the science to answer questions you might have about how babies learn to communicate.  Where does the first word come from? Do bilingual babies think differently? What age should you start teaching your kid to read?  Join Jamila Rizvi on Babylab. A fun, informative, deep dive into the unknown science behind how babies learn to communicate. ...