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Have you ever considered that gut health and language ability are two key factors shaping infants’ and toddlers’ development? 

On 11 April 2026, the Department of Early Childhood Education at The Education University of Hong Kong successfully held its second seminar in its 0–3 Infants and Toddlers Series — “Unlocking the Secrets of the Gut, Listening to the Codes of Language: Experts on Early Childhood Development”. The event attracted parents and early childhood educators and was met with an enthusiastic response. 

The seminar was honored to feature Professor Francis Chan Ka-leung, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Ms. Shong Yuk Ling Susanna, Founder of Susanna Shong Speech Therapy Centre, as keynote speakers. Drawing on their respective expertise in medicine and language development, the two speakers presented insights in a clear and accessible manner, exploring how gut health and language ability influence the holistic development of infants and young children. 

Professor Chan shared key research findings on infant gut health and the role of probiotics, explaining how a healthy gut environment can enhance immunity and support overall physical development. Ms. Shong, from a speech therapy perspective, highlighted practical strategies for parents, including how to promote children’s language comprehension and expression through appropriate toy selection and everyday interactions. Their presentations successfully integrated theory with real-life examples and provided parents with practical, actionable child-rearing advice. 

Through this seminar, participants gained a more comprehensive understanding of the close relationship between health and language development in early childhood. The Department looks forward to continuing to organize professional exchange activities and to partnering with parents in supporting children’s growth, to create healthier environments that are more conducive to learning and development throughout their early years. 

 

Professor Chan explaining the impact of gut probiotics on infants and young children.

Ms. Shong sharing practical tips on selecting appropriate toys.