The Voice of Early Childhood

In this series on the science behind outdoor play Angelica talks to Gemma Goldenberg who is researching how indoor and outdoor environments affect children's stress, attention and self-regulated behaviour. In this episode, part 1 of the series, Gemma gives us an introduction to her research, including a look at the methods she decided to use and unpicking some of the decisions and complexities aro...

On this episode Angelica talks to Di Chilvers, who is an Independent Advisory Consultant in early childhood education having worked in the early years sector for over 45 years as a Nursery Nurse, Teacher, Senior Lecturer, Adviser and National Strategies Regional Adviser.  Di has created an assessment tool called the Development Map, which is a holistic, child centred way of mapping children's deve...

Stephanie Hammond and Angelica Celinska critically discuss early literacy provision and the teaching of phonics, really unpicking how children learn to read. They discuss practitioner skills and confidence in challenging 'tick list practices', child-led vs adult-led learning, activities set up for adult purposes in terms of testing for specific outcomes and observations, rather than for the value...

Where is AI's place in early years?...Joshua Barr and Angelica Celinska critically discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in early years, specifically for observing children. They question whether AI can act as the 3rd teacher in the classroom, and also as a digital colleague for educators. The discussion centres around the opportunities of AI, many of which are still untapped in educatio...

Shardi Vaziri and Angelica Celinska critically discuss tuff trays specifically in relation to maths, which is the area of learning most prone to setting up tuff trays as large scale worksheets. They unpick the problems with 'tuff tray maths' - from stifling children's creativity to unethical practice around the use of food in play. How children can be supported to learn abstract mathematical conce...

Tricia Mohamed and Angelica Celinska critically discuss observations in early childhood. They reflect on whether the mere concept of developmental stages risks educators seeing development as linear, regardless of the documents used to inform practice. They discuss the implications of not working with stages of development in mind, and Tricia questions identifying the need for support, and whether...

Jenny Smillie emphasises the therapeutic benefits of nature for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A lot of the time the children who will benefit most from being in nature don't get enough opportunities to experience this due to the challenges involved, from keeping children safe outdoors to practicalities such as weather. Jenny and Angelica discuss mental health, Fo...

Jacquelyn Davis shares with us both her personal experience as a parent of a child with dyslexia and her professional knowledge. Jacquelyn explains that learning to read is not a natural process, it is a learning process, and that building a culture of reading, building language and having a dialogue around what you're reading with a child is vital. Also in this episode our host, Angelica Celinska...

Josh Candy talks us through his role and why PE, or physical education, should be part of early years, and why it is not just the same as what we know as physical development. Josh and Angelica unpick the complexities around how PE fits into early years, such as adapting the teaching, the debate of bringing in external companies and ensuring that PE doesn't just become a gimmick in early years set...

Cheryl Warren talks about knowing the difference between reacting and responding to children's behaviours, and importantly tuning into the why behind a particular behaviour. As well as discussing how to support children and families with understanding and dealing with neurodivergent behaviour, Cheryl also shares with us her own personal experience of the emotional rollercoaster of being a parent h...

David Meechan unpicks the issues around the reception baseline assessment, he shares his research with us, as well as his personal experience as a parent, including requesting his son's withdrawal from the assessment and having to work with solicitors on this matter. David discusses his view on data, which should 'drive inclusion and promote access', rather than data being part of a reductionist m...

Helen Battelley and Angelica Celinska unpick issues around early writing; from core strength and containerisation to educator training and assessing children. Some of the more controversial points include the effect and use of digital technology and whether writing is even necessary anymore. As well as increasing the status of physical development through higher levels of accountability, in the fo...

Dr Helen Simmons, Senior Lecturer in Education, shares with us her work on promoting partnerships with parents which are respectful, meaningful and inclusive. Angelica and Helen discuss that there is no formula or recipe for good parenting; losing your identity when becoming a mother; the importance of connection over knowledge and even advice; fathers feeling welcomed on a local and policy level;...

Matt Bawler, Teacher and Head of Early Years, shares with us his insight into the research, theory and neuroscience behind Carol Dweck's work on fixed mindset and growth mindset, and how he applies this to practice with young children and parents.  Matt and Angelica tap into: 01:15 - Getting it right from the start: Proactive vs reactive  02:50 - I am, I can, I will 03:45 - Shared language and par...

Maureen Hunt, Early Years Consultant, talks to us about self-efficacy for under 5's. Angelica and Maureen discuss slowing down and making time for independence, and seeing children as capable and competent and allowing them to persevere and build confidence. They also consider anxiety in children, supporting a sense of self, encouraging feelings of pride and satisfaction, persisting during set bac...

Laura Hughes, Early Years Teacher, shares her career journey, from teacher training to working in a private nursery for 10 years, and most recently re-training as a teacher and stepping into having her own class.  Laura and Angelica tap into: 02:00 - The start of my teaching journey: Not knowing where you want to be 02:50 - Transition from a school to a private nursery: Big fish in a small pond 03...

Hayley Fuller, Early Years Specialist, shares with us her work around supporting transitions to school. Angelica and Hayley unpick this common topic through 3 lenses: children being ready for the transition, families being ready and also educators being ready.  Hayley and Angelica tap into:  03:20 - Getting to know the new setting 05:00 - School ready skills 07:40 - Attachment: Focusing on persona...

Jesslynn Jeffrey, Director of her own early childhood and training centres in Malaysia, joins Angelica Celinska in exploring leadership. Jesslynn shares her own journey from stepping into the early childhood sector at age 19 to opening multiple settings and training centres. Jesslynn and Angelica discuss delegating, giving your staff agency, knowing your limits and finding balance as a leader, giv...

Tamsin Grimmer and Angelica Celinska explore physical touch as a way in which early childhood educators can demonstrate their love to children in their care. As one of the love languages, physical touch can be demonstrated in many different ways, and needs to be part of getting to know each unique child. This episode includes considerations around different types of appropriate and loving physical...

Jan Dubiel and Angelica Celinska discuss the highly debated topic of data in early childhood. The term 'datafication of early childhood' is used to describe the over use of data in the sector. Jan discusses the need to have a more measured conversation about data in early childhood education. In this episode Angelica and Jan explore the challenges, controversies and importance of data, including s...

Gemma Thomas-Bohr discusses her work as The Toddler Translator, including how parents and educators can tune into children's behaviour through understanding the triggers, modelling and responding sensitively.  Gemma and Angelica tap into: Logical vs emotional response - 04:35 Tantrums, meltdowns, self-regulation...let's understand the behaviour and re-invent the language - 08:00 Are we instantly r...

David Wright, Early years Ambassador for Paint Pots nurseries, shares his international work in the early childhood sector. Angelica and David discuss the wider context of early childhood, including the power of education in addressing wider societal issues through children, the innocence of youth and how influences from the media and community change this. David explains that our hope lies in the...

Dr Lala Manners and Angelica Celinska discuss physical development in the English Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework, specifically looking critically at the Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Some of the questions they pose include 'What is the point of the physical development ELGs?', 'What is the point of the data gathered from the ELGs?', 'Do we need to reposition the ELGs?', 'Do we nee...

Gabrielle Smith, early childhood and special educational needs consultant and specialist, discusses the importance of raising awareness of the 1:1 role in early childhood settings. This episode shares some real life experiences from practice, including the loneliness of 1:1 educators, lack of support and training, what makes a good 1:1 practitioner and preconceived ideas of what SEND looks like in...

How can music play an important role in building strong foundations for phonics? Tasha Bretten and Angelica Celinska discuss the holistic values of music for children's learning, and specifically the school readiness narrative. They discuss melodic and rhythmic awareness strengthening the auditory system, building phonological skills, and ultimately helping children to develop wider skills and lay...