Podcast · Kids & Family

Words Grow Minds Parent Podcast

by Words Grow Minds · English · Kids & Family

Did you know your child’s brain grows faster in the first 3 years than at any other time? Hosts Kate Ellis and Amelia Mulcahy chat with Australian and international experts breaking down brain science into easy everyday things you can do to help nurture your child’s development in the early years. N

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 37 min
Latest: 13 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026 · 41 minNew

What keeps children turning the page?

What makes a great children’s book? And how do you know which ones are right for your baby, toddler or preschooler? In this episode, Kate and Amelia are joined by two very special guests from Raising Literacy Australia - our very own Alyson O’Brien and Bec Hughes - to get the inside word on books, stories and early literacy. Aly is the Publishing Director of Little Book Press, the not-for-profit publishing arm of Raising Literacy Australia, while Bec is an early childhood literacy expert who leads professional learning at RLA. They talk about what makes a book memorable, why babies benefit…

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Earlier episodes 19 most recent

S2 · E17 · 23 Jun 2026 · 38 min
Modern parenting: connection not perfection
Connection, connection, connection. If there’s one thing that parent educator Genevieve Muir wants us to take from her, it’s that it all comes back to connecting with our child. With her trademark good humour and keeping it real, Gen talks to Kate and Amelia about surviving and thriving in today’s parenting world of information overload. Gen shares practical tips for cutting through the noise, the advice you can ignore, setting loving boundaries... and why watching more cat videos might just help! Gen is the founder of Connected Parenting, an obstetric social worker, author and the co-host…
S2 · E18 · 16 Jun 2026 · 35 min
When you're not okay: Postnatal anxiety and depression
New parenthood is joyful, but it can also be overwhelming in ways you never saw coming. For some parents, that overwhelm can tip into something more serious. In this deeply personal episode, Kate and Amelia are joined by Gia Hogarth, a former journalist and host of Mum Mind Unpacked podcast. Gia speaks openly about her own experience with perinatal anxiety and depression, the signs that something wasn't right, what she wishes she’d known then and how she finally found the help she needed. Gia wants you to know you’re not alone, and there are many supports available to help you come through…
S2 · E16 · 9 Jun 2026 · 27 min
What it’s like to be a young mum
With the age of first-time parenthood rising in Australia, what’s it really like for teens and young people becoming parents? In this episode, Kate and Amelia speak with teen mum Katelyn and her Brave Foundation mentor Brooke Whitehead about the realities of young parenthood. Katelyn shares her story, the challenges and joys of becoming a parent at a young age and how support from Brave made all the difference to her family. They explore how we can all help break down stigma and barriers and support young parents and their children to thrive. Brave was established by a young mum who saw a…
S2 · E15 · 2 Jun 2026 · 32 min
The early years for Aussie dads
From the first days of fatherhood, dads have an incredible opportunity to shape their child’s development – but how do they navigate the challenges and make the most of those early moments? And what programs, supports and strategies exist to build confidence and connection? In this episode, Kate and Amelia explore the experiences of new fathers with community leader and social entrepreneur, Thomas Docking. Thomas is former President of the Childbirth and Parenting Educators Association (CAPEA) in Queensland, Chief Executive Officer of Dads Group and Founder of Man with a Pram – an initiative…
S2 · E14 · 26 May 2026 · 37 min
Childcare in the news for all the wrong reasons
There’s no denying it’s been a really difficult year for parents of children in childcare. In this thoughtful and timely episode, CEO of The Parenthood, Georgie Dent, joins Kate Ellis and guest co-host Daniela Ritorto to unpack the complex emotions many families are facing after recent revelations about poor quality care and alarming allegations of abuse. With honesty and care, Georgie explores how to navigate very real feelings of fear and uncertainty, what to look for in a safe and supportive childcare centre - the red flags to watch for and the green flags that signal quality care - and…
S2 · E13 · 19 May 2026 · 23 min
Raising a reader
In a world full of screens and endless entertainment options, books remain crucial to the human experience, sparking imagination, curiosity and connection. So how do we ensure we are raising the next generation of readers? Kate and Amelia sit down with Ali Durham, children’s picture book author, illustrator and early childhood educator. Ali shares her passion for nurturing early literacy and the magic of storytelling, showing how reading aloud can boost communication, cognitive skills, and even strengthen parent–child bonds. Ali has plenty of practical tips for making reading fun for…
S2 · E12 · 12 May 2026 · 37 min
Understanding attachment
It’s one of the biggest buzzwords in early childhood, but what does attachment really mean? In this powerful episode, Kate and Amelia are joined by clinical psychologist Rachel Samson to unpack why parent-child attachment matters so much in the early years and how it shapes a child’s emotional and psychological development. Rachel shares achievable ways to foster secure attachment, gently reassuring parents that connection doesn’t have to be perfect, and that everyday moments offer meaningful opportunities to build strong, lasting bonds. Rachel is a clinical psychologist with more than a…
S2 · E11 · 5 May 2026 · 37 min
How music powers early learning
Music matters, especially for growing brains. In this episode Kate and Amelia chat with Dr Anita Collins, a neuroscientist, award-winning music educator and author of The Music Advantage. With a PhD in neuroscience and music education, Anita shares the extraordinary ways music supports language, cognitive development and emotional growth in young children, priming the brain for learning. From practical tips for parents who think they can’t sing to exploring how music can be woven into everyday life, Anita explains why music isn’t just fun, it builds brains. Follow Dr Collins on Facebook…
S2 · E10 · 28 Apr 2026 · 37 min
Toddler nutrition made easy
Is your toddler stuck in the notorious ‘beige phase’? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! In this episode, Kate and Amelia are joined by Anna Ritan, an accredited pediatric dietitian and nutritionist with over a decade of experience, to chat all things food, nutrition and child development. Together they explore why nutrition in early childhood is so crucial and how a balanced diet supports cognitive growth, oral health and even language skills. Anna explains what really counts as a fussy eater, why the ‘beige phase’ happens and when it’s time to seek professional guidance. Anna also shares her…
S1 · E9 · 13 May 2025 · 34 min
Who's in your parenting village?
Parenting babies is a universal experience, but every country and culture does it a little differently. What can we learn from different ways of raising children, especially when it comes to creating the supportive ‘village’ many of us crave? Global early childhood policy powerhouse Ana Nieto takes Kate and Amelia on a trip around the world, exploring some of the incredible ideas other countries are implementing, what we do well here and what more is needed to help parents and children thrive. Ana has 20 years’ experience working at the highest global policy levels for children’s agencies…
S1 · E8 · 6 May 2025 · 37 min
Baby talk: Lessons from a speechie
Do dummies affect speech development? Exactly how much should we be talking and reading to our babies? Which speech issues will resolve themselves and when should we be concerned? Kate and Amelia get a wealth of practical advice from Helen Smith, Senior Speech Pathologist at Children’s Health Queensland. Helen has over two decades of experience as a speech pathologist working in both health and educational settings. She has published research on supportive environments for language development and sharing universal messages with families. And she speaks from personal experience as a mother…
S1 · E7 · 29 Apr 2025 · 35 min
Why risky play?
Play is the work of childhood, as the saying goes. But are we denying our children opportunities to learn valuable life skills by making modern-day play not just safe, but ‘too safe’? That’s the view of Dr Justin Coulson, who believes risky play is vital to raising confident and resilient children. In a conversation that definitely challenged Kate and Amelia, Dr Coulson explains what risky play is, and what it isn’t and how to lovingly let our children go a little. Dr Justin Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel 9's "Parental Guidance", the founder of happyfamilies.com.au…
S1 · E6 · 22 Apr 2025 · 34 min
It's Emma Memma!
As one of Australia's most loved children’s performers, ⁠Dr Emma Watkins⁠ has made an extraordinary contribution to early childhood development. Emma shares with Kate and Amelia how her years performing live as the Yellow Wiggle inspired her to do more to support deaf and non-verbal children. She explains how she created ⁠Emma Memma⁠ for children of all abilities while completing her PhD, and assures us that daggy dancing and made-up songs are always okay! Emma is the author of several children’s books and has completed her Diploma of Auslan (Australian Sign Language), along with interpreter…
S1 · E5 · 15 Apr 2025 · 29 min
The magic of infant interactions
Who doesn’t love a cute baby video! But do you know what’s happening in your baby’s brain every time you make them laugh or they mimic a sound? Early childhood expert Dr Dan Wuori shares videos of loving interactions between babies and parents with his hundreds of thousands social media followers to explain the developmental and attachment neuroscience behind these everyday moments. Dr Dan Wuori has also just released a book about reframing early childhood education in the US called The Daycare Myth and shares his tips for choosing childcare that supports early development. You can watch Dr…
S1 · E4 · 8 Apr 2025 · 38 min
Noticing early differences
Our babies have a remarkable ability to communicate from birth but not every baby will do so in the same way or at the same time. If parents have a feeling or an instinct about their child’s development, how can they best respond? Kate and Amelia put the question to one of Australia’s leading researchers Professor Andrew Whitehouse, who was instrumental in the development of the Inklings program. Inklings is a new program for babies aged 6-18 months showing early differences in their social interaction and communication development, giving parents the confidence to better understand and…
S1 · E3 · 1 Apr 2025 · 39 min
Small children, big feelings
Kate and Amelia are diving straight into the tumultuous world of infant emotional regulation – in other words, tantrums! Guiding us is an expert on coaching kids and parents through the tough stuff, ⁠Madhavi Nawana Parker⁠. Madhavi teaches us what to do in that meltdown moment, what's going on, why, and how finding connection helps us as much as our toddlers. Madhavi is a behaviour consultant, counsellor, and Director of Positive Minds Australia who’s written many books on social and emotional wellbeing. Get in touch with Madhavi via positivemindsaustralia.com.au Raising Children Network has…
S1 · E2 · 1 Apr 2025 · 37 min
Screen time - help!
Screen time – it’s the battle of our parenting age, especially when guidelines recommend zero screens for children under two. How much is ok, if any? Is zero screen time realistic? What’s the harm of storytelling cartoons like Bluey? What about the educational apps that teach literacy and numeracy? Dr Mary Brushe led a groundbreaking study on how screen time can interfere with children's language development. She joins Kate and Amelia to unpack their findings and give us the tools to set up healthy habits for our kids and ourselves. Mary is a Senior Research Officer at The Kids Research…
S1 · E1 · 1 Apr 2025 · 31 min
Building your baby's brain
From the moment they’re conceived, babies’ brains are building the foundations for lifelong learning. But what exactly do they need to grow strong, healthy brains? In this episode, Kate and Amelia dive into developmental neuroscience with Dr Sally Stanton, breaking down the latest research on how babies learn and what we can do to support them. Dr Staton is a Senior Research Fellow in the Science of Learning Research Centre at the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland. You can read all about the research behind the Words Grow Minds program on our website. Thanks for…
E4 · 26 Mar 2025 · 5 min
Welcome to the Words Grow Minds Parent Podcast!
Welcome to Words Grow Minds Parent Podcast - LAUNCHING APRIL 2! We are so excited to be bringing you this series on early childhood development for parents, presented by Kate Ellis and Amelia Mulcahy. Did you know your child’s brain grows faster in the first 3 years than at any other time? Kate and Amelia chat with Australian and international experts, breaking down brain science into easy everyday things you can do to help nurture your child’s development in the early years. No pressure, no judgement, just tips and fun conversations to give your child the best start in life. Words Grow…

About Words Grow Minds Parent Podcast

Words Grow Minds Parent Podcast is a English kids & family podcast from Words Grow Minds. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Words Grow Minds
Language: English
Category: Kids & Family
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 37 min
Latest episode: 13 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1804730174

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