
TTS Talking Early Years
COMING SOON: Series 6 - SEN in the Early Years 👀
Welcome to the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast. Each week, we’ll be joined by guest experts, early years practitioners, and our in-house educational experts as we discuss everything Early Years!
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We’ll 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.
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Latest episodes

Jan 25, 2024 • 20min
Episode 10: Emotional intelligence in the early years with Samantha Dholakia
Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Samantha Dholakia, a renowned Behaviour and Oracy Specialist, Consultant Trainer, and Creator of The Balance System©. Join them for an engaging discussion on emotional intelligence in early years education.
Sam expresses her belief that emotional intelligence is a vital skill to impart to the little learners, as it underpins their actions, thoughts, and responses. They discuss the importance of self-awareness, self-regulation, effective communication, and social skills in a child's emotional development. The conversation delves into the significance of understanding emotional regulation and how it contributes to building resilience in young children.
The conversation also touches on the role of the learning environment, emphasising the need for a balanced, supportive space that allows for self-expression and independence. Sam advocates for a shift from traditional reward-based systems to fostering collaboration and intrinsic motivation, ultimately aiming for a more effective and emotionally attuned education system.
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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 18, 2024 • 20min
Episode 9: Coaching emotional regulation with Samantha Dholakia
Samantha Dholakia and Alistair discuss coaching emotional regulation in early years, emphasizing understanding emotions over compliance. They explore the need for creating conducive environments and promoting intrinsic motivation for authentic engagement.

Jan 11, 2024 • 23min
Episode 8: Reflective practice in supporting wellbeing with Kate Moxley
Early Years consultant Kate Moxley joins Alistair Bryce-Clegg to discuss the importance of reflective practice in early years settings. They emphasize the need for leaders to model good wellbeing practices, the value of self-care, and the importance of recognizing one's strengths and areas for development. The episode concludes with a call to action for the early years sector to collectively advocate for better wellbeing and respect in the profession.

Jan 4, 2024 • 19min
Episode 7: Honouring, valuing, and respecting staff with Kate Moxley
Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Kate Moxley, an Early Years consultant, trainer and speaker, to delve into the importance of fostering wellbeing within early childhood education teams.
Kate stresses the need to address mental health in the early childhood education sector, breaking the stigma around it, and highlighting that both educators and children have mental health needs. The episode encourages open conversations and caring for the wellbeing of both the team and the children they serve.
Alistair and Kate also touch on the challenges of managing work-life balance, setting boundaries, and the importance of practicing self-care. They advocate for more honesty and openness within the profession to create a healthier, more supportive environment for both educators and children.
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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 28, 2023 • 23min
Episode 6: Fostering connection and belonging with Kate Moxley
Kate Moxley, an Early Years consultant, joins Alistair Bryce-Clegg to discuss the importance of connection and belonging in early years settings. They emphasize the significance of secure bonds and individuality, as well as the need for educators to continuously learn and adapt. The conversation highlights the responsibility of educators to provide inclusive, safe, and nurturing spaces. Other topics include recognizing and supporting children's stress and anxiety symptoms, regulating emotions, and addressing the clash between younger and older educators.

Dec 21, 2023 • 21min
Episode 5: Making wellbeing the heart of your setting with Kate Moxley
Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Kate Moxley, an Early Years consultant, trainer and speaker specialising in wellbeing and mental health. Over the next four episodes, the pair focus on emotional connection and wellbeing in early years settings.
In this episode, they discuss the need for practitioners to focus on fostering a sense of wellbeing in both children and themselves. They highlight the challenges faced by educators during periods of transition, such as the start of a new school year, the impact of COVID-19 on children's socialisation, and the need for a shift in priorities from policy-driven outcomes to child-centred care.
Kate stresses the importance of creating a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment to support children's wellbeing and how practitioners should dedicate time to build strong relationships with children. The episode explores how educators can protect their energy, collaborate as a team, and make wellbeing the heart of their early childhood settings.
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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 14, 2023 • 22min
Episode 4: Working together to support children’s mental health with Kate Silverton
Alistair Bryce Clegg and Kate Silverton return for the final episode to round up the topic of understanding children's behaviour.
Kate and Alistair touch on concepts discussed so far, stressing the need to understand the science behind behaviour, advocating for viewing children through the lens of neuroscience to promote empathetic responses.
The importance of providing a secure and safe environment for children to develop and learn is a central theme, with an emphasis on fostering empathy, setting simple boundaries, and integrating play and movement into early education.
The discussion encourages a shift from traditional disciplinary approaches towards a more understanding and science-informed method of supporting children's mental health and well-being.
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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 7, 2023 • 29min
Episode 3: The wisdom circle with Kate Silverton
For episode 3 of the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Kate Silverton, a leading broadcaster, child psychologist, and author. This episode delves into the concept of the “wisdom circle”.
Kate discusses ancestral parenting models and the importance of extended support networks in nurturing children. She touches on the challenges modern parents face in a more isolated context, contrasting it with the traditional village-like support systems.
The conversation touches on the need for a collective approach, where parents, educators, and practitioners create a supportive community for children, promoting a sense of safety and ease during transitions.
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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.

Dec 4, 2023 • 21min
Episode 2: Practical tips for managing emotional responses with Kate Silverton
Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Kate Silverton, a leading broadcaster, child psychologist, and author. In this episode, Kate and Alistair delve into understanding and managing children's emotional responses in early years.
Kate discusses how practitioners can recognise early signs of emotional reactions in children and offer strategies to guide them through handling strong emotions. Drawing on personal experiences, Kate emphasises the importance of comprehending the neuroscience behind stress responses and how adults can aid children in regulating these emotions.
Kate also introduces the concept of SAS (Say what you see, Acknowledge, Soothe) parenting, highlighting the significance of acknowledging and validating children's emotions to foster resilience and effective emotional management.
📌 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.

4 snips
Nov 28, 2023 • 21min
Episode 1: The science behind behaviour with Kate Silverton
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.