
TTS Talking Early Years
COMING SOON: Series 6 - SEN in the Early Years š
Welcome to the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast. Each week, weāll be joined by guest experts, early years practitioners, and our in-house educational experts as we discuss everything Early Years!
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Weāll be sharing practical guidance and inspiration for your settings, signposting you to relevant resources, and providing exclusive supporting content that will help you inspire the next generation of learners. Our bitesize episodes are the perfect addition to your morning routine or evening downtime, so grab yourself a cup of tea and get comfortable as we unlock the potential for learning in the Early Years.
š To shop for resources relevant to the topics discussed in this podcast, visit the TTS website here.
Latest episodes

Feb 23, 2023 ⢠21min
Episode 10: The benefits of outdoor learning with Niki Buchan
In this episode, International Educational Consultant and nature-based learning advocate, Niki Buchan, shares why it is so vital for practitioners and childcare settings to engage children in nature-based learning.
Niki explains that outdoor play offers a new and exciting learning opportunity each day. The great outdoors is a stimulating environment for children to challenge themselves and experience the world around them.
š To shop for resources relevant to nature-based learning, click here.
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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.

Feb 16, 2023 ⢠17min
Episode 9: Understanding nature-based pedagogy with Niki Buchan
The great outdoors offers so many opportunities for interpretation and choice, providing children with enriching learning experiences. Throughout this podcast episode, nature pedagogue and author, Niki Buchan, explores the concept of nature-based learning in the early years.
Taking it right back to basics, Niki explains what nature-based practice is, answering questions such as what it looks like, and why it is so important for children and adults to connect with nature every single day!
š To shop for resources relevant to nature-based learning, click here.
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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.

Feb 9, 2023 ⢠21min
Episode 8: Adopting a relaxed approach to risk-taking in the Early Years with Ellen Sandseter
Throughout this episode, Ellen Sandseter, researcher and expert in Childrenās Risky Play, shares practical tips and guidance for adopting a more relaxed approach to childrenās risk-taking in the Early Years.
Have you ever considered taking your next staff meeting outdoors to immerse yourself in some of those thrill-seeking adventures our children are encouraged to experience? Ellen suggests that this type of reflective practice is a simple (and enjoyable) way to become more comfortable in adopting a risk-taking approach to learning in the Early Years.
š To shop for resources relevant to learning through risk, click here.
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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.

Feb 2, 2023 ⢠19min
Episode 7: How our understanding of risk is changing with Ellen Sandseter
Throughout this episode, Ellen Sandseter, researcher and expert in Childrenās Risky Play, explores how approaches to learning through risk have changed over time (and are still evolving) and what this means in terms of effective learning for children.
Alistair and Ellen encourage practitioners not to fear challenging what they might usually consider being seen as ātoo riskyā and instead focus on the learning opportunities those experiences provide in terms of teaching children to become more self-aware through an ability to risk assess.
Reflecting on her experiences in Norway, Ellen explains that they approach their practice and risk tolerance with one fundamental question, āis this beneficial for the children?ā.
š To shop for resources relevant to learning through risk, click here.
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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 in 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.

Jan 26, 2023 ⢠17min
Episode 6: The benefits of risk-taking in the Early Years with Ellen Sandseter
Throughout this episode, Ellen Sandseter, researcher and expert in Childrenās Risky Play, talks about the fundamental benefits of learning through risk in early childhood and why practitioners shouldnāt be afraid to implement an element of risk in their own practice too.
Ellen breaks this down into two parts, looking at the subjective experiences and the developmental benefits. She explains that the emotions children experience while taking risks will help develop their motor skills and competencies, self-confidence, awareness, and ability to risk assess, plus so much more! Listen to all this and more in our latest episode.
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#UnlockingEarlyYears #EarlyYears #TTSTalking
(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.

Jan 19, 2023 ⢠22min
Episode 5: An Introduction to learning through risk with Ellen Sandseter
How much risk is too much risk? An Introduction to learning through risk with Ellen Sandseter.
Throughout this episode, Ellen Sandseter, researcher and expert in Childrenās Risky Play, introduces the concept of learning through risk, also referred to as Risky Play, in early childhood.
Alistair and Ellen delve into the benefits of creating open-ended outdoor spaces that allow and encourage children to explore the risks they feel most comfortable with. Ellen shares how children from a very young age are aware of the environment surrounding them and that, when given the flexibility to do so, they can find solutions to manage their own risk-taking. As adults, we can facilitate, scaffold, and nurture childrenās learning through risk-taking opportunities and activities.
š To shop for resources relevant to learning through risk, click here.
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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 in 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.

Jan 12, 2023 ⢠24min
Episode 4: Bringing the Outdoors into all areas of learning with Sue Asquith
In todayās episode, Alistair Bryce-Clegg, and International Educational Consultant Sue Asquith, talk about the value of using outdoor spaces in all areas of learning across the Early Years framework.
Sue and Alistair share practical ways to incorporate all areas of learning into your outdoor spaces to support childrenās learning and development. From PSED, physical development to mathematics and language development, this episode uncovers why having a holistic approach to outdoor play is key.
š To shop for resources relevant to outdoor play in the Early Years, click here!
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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.

Jan 5, 2023 ⢠22min
Episode 3: Continuous provision in the outdoors with Sue Asquith
In this episode, Sue Asquith, an International Educational Consultant, discusses continuous provision in the outdoors. She emphasizes the importance of open-ended learning opportunities and resources that inspire children. The podcast also explores the benefits of outdoor play, cultural capital in early years, the significance of sand and water experiences, and the concept of risky play.

Dec 22, 2022 ⢠21min
Episode 2: Overcoming weather-related barriers in outdoor play with Sue Asquith
In this episode, Alistair Bryce-Clegg, and International Educational Consultant Sue Asquith, explore ways for practitioners to enable their outdoor areas to be spaces of continuous provision all year round.
Have you ever heard of the game Wellies on, wellies off? Listen to this podcast for lots of fun, play-based inspiration to enable you to create engaging and exciting outdoor learning opportunities.
š To shop for resources relevant to outdoor play in the Early Years, click here!
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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.

Dec 22, 2022 ⢠18min
Episode 1: Outdoor play through the seasons with Sue Asquith
In our first ever TTS Talking Early Years podcast episode, Alistair Bryce-Clegg, and International Educational Consultant, Sue Asquith, discuss the importance of children having access to quality outdoor learning experiences all year round (no matter the weather!).
Sue shares practical guidance on how practitioners can achieve consistency and accessibility in outdoor play throughout the seasons.
š To shop for resources relevant to outdoor play in the Early Years, click here!
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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.