Mission Statement
Even before birth, babies have already started learning about the world they will soon enter. Once in the world, what is learned in the first five years of life forms the foundations for a lifetime.
From infant and toddler care and safety, to understanding developmental benchmarks, to exploring factors that contribute to cognitive development, Baby Talk is committed to forming a dialogue with parents and educators about the importance of these early years. Using an evidence-based approach and rooting our discussions in local context and culture, we seek to provide knowledge and tools that can help caregivers make the best decisions for their little ones.
Our Team
Dr. Lauren R. Franklin — Director
Dr. Lauren Franklin is the founder and director of Baby Talk Lab. She holds a SciM (2017) and PhD (2021) in Cognitive Science from Brown University (Providence, RI, USA). Her research has included topics of child language development, particularly early word learning and recognition in toddlers. She also holds teaching certifications from Brown University’s Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning, where she served as a workshop facilitator and teaching consultant.
Lauren moved to Pakistan in 2021. She served as an Assistant Professor of Linguistics at Air University (Islamabad) for two years, where she founded the AU Writing Lab and further honed her teaching skills. However, her passion remained in the field of early childhood cognitive development. As Lauren learned more about Pakistan and its people, she observed a lack of resources for parents and educators of babies and young children. Baby Talk was formed as a way to bring her expertise and knowledge to caregivers and to help build the best future possible for Pakistan’s children.
Mehwish Haider — Education Specialist
Mehwish Haider is an Education Specialist at Baby Talk Child Development Lab and an Assistant Professor at Air University. She is currently pursuing her PhD in English Linguistics at NUML, Islamabad, and holds an MPhil focused on early learning and the role of scaffolding by parents and teachers. Mehwish has contributed to the field with a published book chapter on education with an international publisher and several papers in both national and international journals, including those with high-impact factors.
With extensive experience, Mehwish has conducted numerous training sessions at both national and international levels, sharing her expertise with educators and parents. She also provides counseling to university students, offering guidance on both academic and personal matters. Her close interactions with students have made her realize the profound significance of the early years and the crucial role that parents and teachers play in shaping a child's development.
As a mother with a deep passion for child development, Mehwish believes that nurturing early cognitive growth is key to a child’s future success. Her academic background, teaching experience, and personal insights make her an invaluable member of the Baby Talk team.
Anosha Islam — Researcher
Anosha Islam has a Bachelor of Science in English Language and Literature (National University of Modern Languages, 2023) and is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Linguistics at Air University Islamabad. Her work as a research scholar at Air University has focused on child language development, early childhood education, and the influence of parenting on child development. Through her work and research, Anosha strives to bring more attention to the importance of early childhood and empower parents, caregivers, and educators with knowledge to best support children in their foundational years.