Join Host Yasmeen Mehboob with Dr. Christine ParkerIn this engaging episode of the Aanchal ECD Podcast, How do children learn to speak, think, and make sense of the world, long before formal teaching begins? Join Host Yasmeen Mehboob in a thoughtful conversation with Dr. Christin as they explore early language development and the powerful role of a child’s mother tongue in learning other languages. Dr. Christine Parker, affiliated with the Pen Green Centre in Corby, has worked in early childhood, primary, and teacher education for over 45 years. Her research explores multilingual early childhoods in early years settings across different countries, including Pakistan.

By Aanchal ECD Podcast, Sep 03, 2025

In this episode of the Aanchal podcast, our ECED faculty member Ms Yasmeen Mehboob speaks with Dr Aliyyah Datoo, Academic Director at the Ismaili Tariqa and Religious Education Board, UK, and affiliated with various international universities. Dr Datoo discusses key indicators of neurodiversity and offers practical strategies to support the unique strengths and challenges faced by neurodiverse children.

In the latest episode of the Aanchal ECD Podcast, AKU-IED faculty: Yasmeen Mehboob and Silpa Aziz from AKU's Centre for Early Child Development, share insights about the need for daycare services and how a quality daycare centre can contribute positively to children’s holistic development.  They strongly advocate that parents are the children's best caregivers and there is no substitute for the unique role they play. However, given the current economic situation, more and more people find the need for daycare services.

In this episode of the Aanchal podcast, our ECED faculty, Ms Yasmeen Mehboob speaks with Dr Salman Kirmani, Associate Professor and Chair of the Division of Women and Child Health at Aga Khan University. Dr Kirmani highlights the crucial role fathers play in emergencies involving their children, and shares practical ideas to prepare for and reduce the risk of accidents in the home.

In this episode of the Aanchal podcast, Ms Yasmeen Mehboob speaks with Dr Shairose Jessani, Area Manager at ITREB, and a graduate of AKU-IED's PhD in Education programme. Dr Jessani shares she suggests practical suggestions on how parents and caregivers can create an environment that nurtures scientific exploration and inquiry in young children. From simple activities that stimulate observation and critical thinking to fostering a love for experimentation and analysis, she offers actionable tips for incorporating scientific skills into everyday interactions.

In this episode, our ECED faculty, Ms. Yasmeen Mehboob speaks with Ms. Sabina Khatri, Founder and Chairperson, Kiran Foundation; and Honorary Senior Teaching Fellow, AKU-IED. Ms Khatri shares her rich insights about how past childhood events shape children's personality, and suggests ideas and strategies for parents, caregivers and teachers to provide a positive nurturing environment to children in their care. Happy listening! 

In this episode Yasmeen Mehboob speaks with AKU-IED alumna Aniqa Bano who co-founded the 'Narjis Khatoon Hearing Impairment School' with her husband, Afzal Rasool and also currently serves as an Instructor at the Government College of Education for Women, in Skardu. She provides valuable ideas for parents and caregivers to use in their daily caregiving to support children in reaching their full potential; growing up healthy, educated, protected from harm; and living a prosperous life.

In this episode Dr Almina Pardhan and Yasmeen Mehboob speak with musician and distinguished lecturer, Afraaz Adam Mulji. He highlights the powerful role of music for young children’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development.

In today's podcast Dr Almina Pardhan speaks with Ms. Beverly Bicaldo, ECD Regional Advisor for Asia at Aga Khan Foundation. Beverly shares her rich insights about temperament in the early years and suggests ideas for parents and caregivers to understand children's temperament to be able to approach parenting that best supports their child.