TTS Talking Early Years

In this episode, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Ruth Swailes, award-winning Early Years specialist, to discuss the transition from Early Years education. They emphasise the importance of maintaining familiarity for children, suggesting that Year 1 should retain elements of the foundation stage, such as having an art area for children who enjoyed art in foundation.    Ruth and Alistair advocate for viewing transitions as a process rather than a one-time event, recognising that abrupt changes can affect children differently. They stress the need to make transitions as seamless as possible and encourage educators to continually ask, "What is it like to be a child in this transition process?"    📌 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, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined again by Ruth Swailes, award-winning Early Years specialist, to discuss school readiness and its implications in Early Years education. They shift the focus from children being ready for school to schools being ready for children, emphasising the unique needs of each child.   Ruth and Alistair challenge the conventional notion of readiness, which often ties it to compliance and discipline rather than effective learning, especially for neurodiverse children. They highlight that behaviours like 'good listening' vary among children and discuss the critical role of physical development in acquiring skills such as reading and writing.    📌 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. 

Ruth Swailes, an award-winning Early Years specialist, joins Alistair Bryce-Clegg to dive into effective skill-building in early education. They highlight the importance of continuous provision for independent learning and adapting curricula to suit individual settings. The conversation sheds light on the learning environment as a 'third teacher' and the pitfalls of rigid frameworks. Ruth emphasizes child-led learning and the necessity of collaboration among educators to truly enrich children's experiences.

In this episode, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Ruth Swailes, award-winning Early Years specialist, to discuss the current landscape of the Early Years curriculum. They explore what an Early Years curriculum entails, a term that often intimidates practitioners.   Ruth and Alistair address the pressures of top-down mandates and emphasise the importance of creating curriculums tailored to the individual needs of children. They highlight the flexibility required to adapt to various settings and advocate for challenging the idea that a more formal curriculum is superior. The discussion finally underscores the value of play and where the best learning experiences truly happen.    📌 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, Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Ben Kingston-Hughes discuss the transformative power of play for vulnerable children. They highlight how play genuinely changes lives, and is essential for children’s growth and development into resilient adults.   They focus on strategies for engaging vulnerable children in play, suggesting providing half-built play materials to spark creativity and help children feel more comfortable and supported. The role of adults is emphasised in giving children the freedom to explore, and how dedicating extra time to play can enhance the mental health of an entire family. This episode offers valuable insights and advice for practitioners on how to incorporate play, and creating an environment that benefits everyone involved.   📌 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. 

Ben Kingston-Hughes, an expert in the role of humor in children's play and learning, joins Alistair Bryce-Clegg to explore the profound impact of humor on child development. They discuss how humor fosters creativity and social connections among young children, emphasizing its vital role in enhancing learning. Personal anecdotes highlight the quirky and silly moments of parenting, while insights reveal how laughter aids healing and boosts emotional well-being. The duo also touches on the unconventional significance of dark humor in educational settings.

Ben Kingston-Hughes, an expert in children's physical development, joins Alistair Bryce-Clegg to explore the crucial role of physical play. They discuss how outdoor play fosters independence and resilience while enhancing mental health. Key skills like spatial awareness and social interactions emerge through play, making learning enjoyable and effective. The conversation encourages practitioners to embrace a progressive approach to education, focusing on children's comfort and emotional connection to foster curiosity.

Ben Kingston-Hughes, an international keynote speaker and multi award-winning trainer, joins Alistair Bryce-Clegg to explore the magic of imaginative play. They delve into how this form of play builds confidence and creativity in children. The importance of allowing kids to experiment with unconventional items is emphasized, as is the critical role adults play in facilitating, rather than directing, play. Practical tips for educators are shared to nurture children's imagination, ensuring they become innovative thinkers.

Alistair Bryce-Clegg, Julie Pearson & Richard Knight return for a final episode to summarise their discussion so far on transitions. This time they bring it all together with the topic of emotional intelligence.   They emphasise the idea that parents also struggle with transitions, for example moving to a new school after building trust at another. Strategies for supporting parents through these transitions are discussed, such as a ‘drip feed’ approach, slowly building a relationship with parents, and ensuring everyone is on the same page about what ‘transitions’ are.   The importance of getting communication right is also considered, especially when it comes to more challenging conversations with parents, and opening up a non-judgemental dialogue around emotional intelligence and empathy for children.   📌 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 of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast, Alistair Bryce-Clegg continues the conversation around transitions with Richard Knight and Julie Pearson.   They delve into how to approach difficult transitions and bigger life events with children. Whether it’s answering questions about death, or simply acknowledging the fact that it’s okay to feel sad. They also explore the importance of letting educators and key people know when a big transition has happened, accounting for a child’s change in behaviour and mood.   📌 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.