TTS Talking Early Years

Dr. Shaddai Tembo is joined by Mike Gardner for a final episode, to discuss embedding oracy in school culture by integrating into policies, practical steps for teachers and the role of parents in collaborative oracy education.   Mike highlights the everyday opportunity that pick-up and drop-off times can offer educators to engage and collaborate with parents to demonstrate what good social interaction looks like to the child. Teachers can also consider their own communication skills and how to model manners in day-to-day life when speaking with other teachers.  Practitioners can consider looking beyond the classroom for opportunities to develop language and communication skills. Shaddai and Mike touch on “non-academic” time and the use of clubs and extracurricular activities to encourage use of language and communication, as well as getting to know children more so they feel listened to and seen.  📌 To shop for resources relevant to this podcast conversation, click here.     Listened and loved it? Sign-up here for exclusive follow-up content and be the first to hear about new episodes.   (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, Dr. Shaddai Tembo and Mike Gardner discuss the role of oracy in building self-efficacy and supporting emotional regulation through talk. They touch on how educators can support children to build confidence in the classroom and communicate their thoughts and feelings.  Mike and Shaddai talk about children’s identity and how this links to oracy, as well as how adults need to help foster positive relationships and allow children to feel they are a part of the environment they are in.  Practitioners may be interested in the gender differences in oracy development as well as Mike’s real-life experiences, which includes the story of a young girl new to the UK and what strategies were used to make her feel confident.  📌 To shop for resources relevant to this podcast conversation, click here.       Listened and loved it? Sign-up here for exclusive follow-up content and be the first to hear about new episodes.   (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. 

Dr. Shaddai Tembo is joined again by Mike Gardner to discuss how teachers can use oracy in their assessment practices. They touch on how oracy helps to model new learning and shifting from teacher talk to learner talk.  Shaddai and Mike talk about the role of the whole school in supporting and enabling educators to roll out an oracy-rich curriculum, allowing practitioners to think whether their own school values and policies are setting the right standards.  Practitioners may be interested to learn more strategies for effective learner-centred talk, the influence teachers have on communication, and ways of managing dominant voices in the classroom.  📌 To shop for resources relevant to this podcast conversation, click here.     Listened and loved it? Sign-up here for exclusive follow-up content and be the first to hear about new episodes.   (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.

Mike Gardner, founder of the Oracy Shift, champions the critical role of oracy in education and its impact on social mobility. He discusses how the Covid-19 pandemic has compounded language gaps in children, emphasizing the importance of self-regulation amidst increased screen time. Mike advocates for integrating oracy across all learning areas to foster emotional well-being. He also hints at his upcoming book, which explores social mobility through a child's language development journey, aiming to bridge these gaps.

Michael Surr, Head of Education at NASEN and experienced educator, joins to discuss the future of Special Educational Needs support. He highlights the importance of strategic partnerships, particularly the collaboration with TTS, to enhance resource accessibility. The conversation emphasizes the transformative role of technology in education, advocating for digital skills and policy changes to ensure inclusivity. Michael also argues that success in education goes beyond grades, focusing on building resilience and self-esteem among students.

Michael Surr, Head of Education at NASEN, shares insights from his extensive background in primary teaching. He discusses the essential planning role of Special Education Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) and stresses the importance of collaboration among educators in supporting all students. The conversation highlights the critical contributions of teaching assistants and their need for effective communication with teachers. Michael also addresses the challenges faced in deploying support staff and suggests strategies for enhancing their impact in the classroom.

Mark Loveday is joined again by Michael Surr to talk about SEN in Primary Settings. In this episode, the pair talk about understanding SEN support and funding challenges as well as provision management.  Mark and Michael talk about the importance of labels versus needs and teacher training, including support for new teachers.   Practitioners may be interested in learning how to balance SEN needs and resources, as well as the roles of ambassadors and champions within educational settings.  📌 To shop for resources relevant to this podcast conversation, click here.     Listened and loved it? Sign-up here for exclusive follow-up content and be the first to hear about new episodes.   (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 engaging discussion, Michael Surr, Head of Education at NASEN and former primary teacher, delves into the complexities of special educational needs. He highlights the different SEND categories, emphasizing a strengths-based approach for effective education. Listeners learn valuable strategies for inclusive teaching and how to navigate the tricky transition from primary to secondary schooling. Michael also stresses the importance of building collaborative communities with parents, aiming for a holistic educational experience that supports every child's unique journey.

Emma Jordan, a seasoned speech and language therapist with over 30 years in the NHS, shares her insights on the vital role of play in children's language development. She stresses the importance of high-quality play and adult involvement in fostering communication skills. Emma highlights the need to limit screen time and encourages letting children lead their play experiences. She also offers budget-friendly activities that can be implemented at home and in learning settings, enriching children's imaginative exploration and social interactions.

Emma Jordan, a speech and language therapist and joint service lead for Worcestershire's Children's Service, shares her expertise on technology's role in enhancing children's communication. She discusses the power of visual learning and sequencing during the transition from early years to primary school. Emma delves into effective strategies for using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools to support children with special educational needs and highlights the importance of creating distraction-free environments to foster language development.