In this episode of Talking Together, we welcome a very special guest - George’s mum and experienced teacher, Jo! With over 30 years of teaching experience, Jo shares her passion for reading and reveals why it’s the single most powerful thing parents can do to set their kids up for success in school and life.

From boosting vocabulary and comprehension to developing empathy and emotional intelligence, Jo explains how even 15 minutes of reading a day can transform a child’s brain and future. Plus, we discuss:
• The 30-million-word gap and why it matters
• How shared reading builds lifelong social and critical thinking skills
• The surprising connection between book reading and empathy
• How to spark kids’ love for reading without forcing it
• Why screen time is stealing more than just attention spans

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply want to understand how to help kids thrive, this episode is packed with practical advice and classroom insights.

*Note: Unfortunately we had a technical error with Hermione's camera towards the end of the episode.