The Early Years Together

In this final episode of the series Making Time to Talk , Deborah Brown and Dr Jacqueline Young celebrate the end of the series by responding to listener questions about supporting children’s communication and language. Drawing on questions from students and practitioners, this episode explores: How to talk meaningfully with children about their artwork without evaluative praise When to look at a...

In this week’s episodes Deborah Brown and Dr Jacqueline Young talk about ways to support children who are experiencing language delay. They discuss the differences between speech impairment, language delay and other types of need, and provide practical tips on ways to support language development, whilst recognising and encouraging other aspects of communication that might not be impacted by the l...

This double length, special episode features a conversation between Deborah Brown and Dr Jacqueline Young about Jacqueline’s recent research study exploring the intersections between creative thinking and disadvantage in reception age children (aged 4 and 5 years). Jacqueline talks about how disadvantage shapes opportunities for imagination, and why nurturing creativity is a powerful act of equity...

In this week's episode, Jacqueline and Deborah explore how the smallest moments in a family’s day can become the biggest opportunities for connection. From breakfast chats to bath‑time giggles, they share simple, practical ways to spark richer conversations, nurture curiosity, and build children’s confidence as communicators. They unpack the realities of screen time without the guilt, offering eas...

In this energising episode, Deborah and Jacqueline dive into the powerful role home languages play in children’s identity, confidence, and communication. Discover why bilingualism is an asset, what the “funds of knowledge” approach means for practice, and how simple everyday interactions can transform language learning for children with English as an additional language. Packed with practical idea...

Active listening is one of the most powerful foundations for early communication. In this episode, we explore why listening matters so much in the early years, how it supports language development, and what the EYFS says about listening and understanding. We break down practical ways adults can model active listening—being present, responding with attunement, validating feelings, and noticing non‑...

In this episode, Deborah and Jacqueline explore how babies begin learning to communicate in their earliest months. They discuss language development theories, early interactions, and the Reggio Emilia concept of the “Hundred Languages of Children,” offering practical ways to support infants as emerging communicators. Subscribe, share, and step into a podcast made for reflective early years practic...

In this episode of Early Years Together , Dr Jacqueline Young and Deborah Brown take a deep dive into the power of open‑ended questions in early years interactions. Building on previous conversations about high‑quality adult–child communication, they explore what open‑ended questions are, why they matter, and how parents and practitioners can use them to nurture rich, imaginative, and sustained ta...

In this episode, Jacqueline and Deborah explore how early years environments can stimulate and support children’s communication. From the role of core strength and physical development to outdoor learning, cosy spaces, routines, and communication‑friendly setups, this episode offers practical insights for creating environments where language thrives. Subscribe, share, and step into a podcast made...

In this episode of The Early Years Together , Deborah Brown and Dr Jacqueline Young explore what high‑quality interactions really mean in early childhood education, and why they are so important for children’s learning and development. The conversation unpacks what high‑quality interactions look like in practice—being attuned, present, and genuinely interested in children’s ideas. Deborah and Jacq...

In the debut episode of The Early Years Together , hosts Deborah Brown and Dr. Jacqueline Young open the doors to a warm, reflective space designed for everyone who cares about early childhood. With over six decades of experience between them, they explore why the early years matter —from rapid brain development and milestone moments to the lifelong impact of early experiences. You’ll hear how str...