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March 4, 2025 16 mins

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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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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

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