North Shore Speech Therapy

13/08/2026

“Children don’t engage with ideas because they’re simple. They engage with ideas because they care what happens next.”

Last week I had the privilege of presenting Get ’em Young at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology at UNSW. The session explored what researchers can learn from some of the world’s most successful children’s brands, from Bluey and Pokémon to the stories, games and experiences that keep children coming back for more.

One of the biggest misconceptions I see, whether in education, health, science communication or parenting, is that complex ideas need to be heavily simplified for children.

In reality, children are capable of engaging with remarkably sophisticated concepts when they are emotionally invested in the outcome. Curiosity, connection, problem-solving and purpose are often far more important than reducing the complexity of the content itself.

One of the highlights for me was working with the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology to explore how cutting-edge scientific concepts can be translated into resources that genuinely capture children’s imagination. Their willingness to seek feedback, test ideas and refine their approach speaks volumes about their commitment to meaningful outreach.

I left the conference reflecting on how similar our challenges are across professions. Whether you’re a researcher, teacher, therapist, marketer or parent, we’re all asking the same question:

How do we help children become curious enough to want to learn more?

Thank you to the organisers, attendees and sponsors for the thoughtful discussions, generosity and warm welcome. It was a fascinating opportunity to contribute to conversations about the future of science communication and education.

🗣️💬 As part of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centres of Excellence Professional Staff Forum last week, we sponsored a session with Lauren Reinhardt of North Shore Speech Therapy.

Lauren gave us an in-depth review of the efficacy of our outreach products, including a children's book on synthetic biology we're working on, and Remediate!, our bespoke synthetic biology card game.

We also got a masterclass in storytelling and what really captures kids' engagement (tip: it's all about the emotional reward 🏆).

Thank you, Lauren, for a fun and informative session! We can't wait to put the learnings into practice.

12/08/2026

Some of the best opportunities happen in everyday life.

🚗 In the car: “Look! A big red truck.”
🥣 At breakfast: “You’re eating banana. Yum, it’s sweet!”
🌳 At the park: “The boy is climbing. Up, up, up!”

These little moments add up.

When children hear words connected to things they’re already interested in, they’re more likely to understand, learn, and eventually use those words themselves.

The goal isn’t to get your child talking all day.

The goal is to fill their day with meaningful language.

And remember, talking with your child is more powerful than talking at them. Follow their lead, notice what they’re looking at, and put words to their world.

Small changes. Everyday moments. Big opportunities for communication. 💛

Save this for later and send it to a parent who needs the reminder.

10/08/2026

Just don’t ask me where my bottle is 😂 Any fellow ADHDers here? 👋 Tell me in the comments:
✨ How has your ADHD fuelled your life, career, business, hobbies or relationships?
I’d love to hear your story.

30/07/2026

Staff appreciation post 👏 Today we’re celebrating our quarterly champion, Rebecca! Thank you for your passion, creativity and dedication to helping children and families thrive. Your ability to turn meaningful learning into fun, while building lasting confidence and skills, makes such a difference every day. We’re so grateful to have you on our team!