Episode 1: The science behind behaviour with Kate Silverton
Nov 28, 2023
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Leading broadcaster and child therapist, Kate Silverton, joins Alistair Bryce-Clegg to discuss the science behind behavior in children. They explore the importance of understanding emotional development, coping with stress contagion, and practical strategies for helping children during challenging moments.
Children's behavior is a reflection of their emotional and cognitive development, not naughtiness.
Practitioners should prioritize authentic emotional responses and create safe environments to support children's emotional regulation and mental health.
Deep dives
Understanding Children's Behavior
In this podcast episode, Kate Silverton, a child trauma specialist and former BBC journalist, discusses the science behind children's behavior. She emphasizes the importance of understanding that children's behaviors, such as tantrums, are not naughty but rather expressions of their emotional and cognitive development. Silverton highlights the role of emotional regulation in children's mental health and the significance of supporting children in managing their stress responses. She encourages adults, including parents and practitioners, to approach children's behavior from a scientific perspective and empowers them with practical strategies, such as the "stop, snot, observe, and think" framework, to create safe and supportive environments.
Challenging Myths around Children's Behavior
Silverton challenges the myth of control in managing children's behavior, urging practitioners and educators to prioritize authentic emotional responses over compliance. She highlights the importance of allowing children, especially neurodivergent individuals, to express their emotions authentically and process situations in ways that suit their understanding. Silverton emphasizes the need for practitioners to control their own stress responses, recognize signs of stress contagion among children, and create environments that promote safety and emotional security for both the children and the adults. She suggests practical strategies such as bonding benches and allowing children to explore their environment to foster a sense of security and engagement.
Supporting Children's Emotional Development
In this episode, Silverton underscores the significance of equipping adults with effective strategies to support children's emotional development. She highlights the challenges faced by practitioners and parents in understanding and responding to children's thoughts and interpretations of the world. Silverton emphasizes the importance of recognizing early signs of strong emotions in children and discusses the next episode's focus on supporting children to manage these emotions. She encourages listeners to subscribe for future episodes and access exclusive resources and ideas for their educational settings.
For the first episode of series 4, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by guest Kate Silverton, a leading broadcaster, child therapist, and author. Kate sits down to share her journey back to academic roots and discuss understanding children's behaviour.
Over the next 4 episodes, Kate emphasises the importance of understanding the science behind children's behaviour, debunking misconceptions, and providing practical strategies for both parents and practitioners to support children through emotional regulation and developmental challenges.
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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)
Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited.
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