TTS Educators' Podcast

In this episode, Adam Marycz - Early Childhood Educationalist at TTS and host of this podcast - is joined by Dr William Zoppellini, a researcher, educator, and founder of Coffee & Theory, whose work focuses on understanding how children learn and develop. Adam and William explore the critical role of play-based learning in education, emphasizing its importance in developing essential skills for the future. They also highlight the necessity of adapting teaching methods to prepare children for a rapidly changing world, where collaboration and resilience are key. TTS is proud to be the Strategic Partner of the Play is Learning Campaign. Get involved today by visiting https://mmtplay.com/pages/play-is-learning-campaign If you enjoyed this episode or learned something new, be sure to comment, leave us a review and keep up to date with our social media channels for future activities. (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.

In this episode, Adam Marycz - Early Childhood Educationalist at TTS and host of this podcast - is joined by Tina Farr, Headteacher of St. Ebbe's Primary School in Oxford, and a strong advocate for play in education.  Tina shares her journey of embedding play-based learning into Key Stage 1 and discusses the impact of play on children's learning and wellbeing. Discover how a focus on play enhances children's development, confidence, and attainment, and learn practical strategies for implementing play in the classroom. TTS is proud to be the Strategic Partner of the Play is Learning Campaign. Get involved today by visiting https://mmtplay.com/pages/play-is-learning-campaign If you enjoyed this episode or learned something new, be sure to comment, leave us a review and keep up to date with our social media channels for future activities. (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.

In this episode, Adam Marycz - Early Childhood Educationalist at TTS and host of this podcast - is joined by Professor Julie Fisher, an independent Early Years Adviser and Visiting Professor of Early Childhood Education at Oxford Brookes University. They discuss the vital role of play in early childhood and Key Stage 1 education and explore research evidence, practical strategies, and policy implications for embedding play-based learning to enhance children's development and educational outcomes. TTS is proud to be the Strategic Partner of the Play is Learning Campaign. Get involved today by visiting https://mmtplay.com/pages/play-is-learning-campaign If you enjoyed this episode or learned something new, be sure to comment, leave us a review and keep up to date with our social media channels for future activities. (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.

In this episode, Adam Marycz - Early Childhood Educationalist at TTS and host of this podcast - is joined by Ruth Lue-Quee to discuss the Play is Learning Campaign and the broader role of play in education.  Ruth heads up the Play is Learning campaign and talks in depth about its origins and overall aim to make play and continuous provision statutory in England’s Key Stage 1 curriculum. Adam and Ruth talk about addressing developmental gaps in education and look at international perspectives on play in education.  The conversation goes on to look at the impact of play-based learning and Ruth’s campaigning journey - from what inspired her to start, to her petition being debated in Westminster, and what is coming next.  TTS is proud to be the Strategic Partner of the Play is Learning Campaign. Get involved today by visiting https://mmtplay.com/pages/play-is-learning-campaign   If you enjoyed this episode or learned something new, be sure to comment, leave us a review and keep up to date with our social media channels for future activities. (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.

Louisa Reeves, a speech and language therapist and Director at Speech and Language UK, shares her expertise on integrating communication skills into the curriculum. She emphasizes the pivotal role of teachers in adapting lessons to meet diverse student needs. Louisa discusses creating a communication-focused school culture and the importance of advocating for policy change to support language development. She also expresses hope for future progress and encourages educators to get involved in campaigns that bolster the voices of families and children with communication challenges.

Louisa Reeves, Director of Policy and Evidence at Speech and Language UK and a qualified speech therapist, shares her deep expertise on speech and language development. She discusses the challenges of developing oracy skills, emphasizing the link between language, behavior, and mental health. Practical strategies for the classroom are provided, including effective questioning and processing time techniques. Louisa also addresses the complexities of screen time and social media's impact on communication, urging a shift towards supportive language-rich environments.

Louisa Reeves, Director of Policy and Evidence at Speech and Language UK and a skilled speech therapist, dives into speech and language challenges faced by children. She discusses how upbringing influences communication skills and emphasizes the significance of early intervention. Louisa advocates for celebrating home languages, which help in learning English and cognitive growth. She also highlights the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's communication skills, offering valuable insights and resources for parents and practitioners.

Louisa Reeves, Director of Policy and Evidence at Speech and Language UK and a qualified speech and language therapist, shares her insights on the essential role of language and communication. She highlights how oracy fosters equity and understanding across communities. Louisa discusses the widening social oracy divide due to factors like COVID and the cost-of-living crisis. She also reveals alarming survey findings on children's speech challenges and advocates for supportive, language-first approaches to learning and behavior.

Rob Jennings, co-founder of the Dyscalculia Network and expert in maths difficulties, joins Dr. Shaddai Tembo to discuss dyscalculia and its impact on learning. They highlight the importance of early intervention and provide a checklist for spotting signs of dyscalculia. Rob argues against repetitive maths practice without addressing foundational skills and advocates for multimodal approaches using concrete resources. He envisions a future with greater awareness and relevance in maths education that aligns with real-life applications.

Rob Jennings, a maths teaching specialist and co-founder of the Dyscalculia Network, joins Dr. Shaddai Tembo to tackle maths anxiety and dyscalculia head-on. They explore how dyscalculia contributes to anxiety, the importance of 'safe talk' in classrooms, and tailored assessment strategies. Rob shares practical tips for parents and educators, emphasizing consistent reinforcement of classroom techniques at home. They also discuss the gender dynamics in maths learning and the value of fostering peer support to combat stigma.