The Voice of Early Childhood

The Voice of Early Childhood Podcast: involving you in thought-provoking discussions around early childhood. This weekly podcast brings you discussion, reflection, debate and a window into the minds of advocates working with our young leaders of tomorrow.

The Voice of Early Childhood is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Voice of Early Childhood, a education show with 0 episodes published.

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  Episode #167

  From Behaviour to signal: A different way to understand children

  Aug 18, 202657 min

  Many childhood behaviours labelled as difficult, oppositional or defiant may make far more sense than we realise. This article and podcast episode explore a biological perspective on defiance, screens, difficult behaviour and why modern parenting has become so exhausting. We explore why children adapt when something important is missing from their experience, and how shifting our attention from behaviour to environment can transform how we understand children. Read the article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/from-behaviour-to-signal-a-different-way-to-understand-children/ This episode is in partnership with BookedIn BookedIn is a CPD booking platform that connects organisations with verified speakers, trainers and consultants – so you can find the right fit faster, based on your brief, audience and outcomes . You can discover , compare , and manage bookings in one place – designed to help you book with more clarity and confidence. Whether you're booking CPD or are a speaker yourself, they're opening early access soon, and if you want to be first to hear when it's live, join the waiting list today! To find out more and sign up to the wait list visit: https://waitlist.bookedin.online/ Our 2027 conference info & tickets: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/ Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: • The science of play: How shared activities transform family dynamics, with Professor Sam Wass - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-science-of-play-how-shared-activities-transform-family-dynamics/ • Active vs passive screen time, with Musa Roshdy - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/active-vs-passive-screen-time/ Get in touch and share your voice: Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/ Episode break down: 00:00 – Introducing the episode and Geoff Owen 02:26 – What does it mean to view behaviour as a signal? 05:18 – The fish-in-the-river analogy: looking at the environment 09:32 – Children's biological expectations and the 'ancient blueprint' 11:45 – How adults broadcast their emotional state 15:13 – Children on the periphery of everyday life 19:35 – Seeing children as capable, competent, valued and trusted 21:55 – How Geoff's own childhood shaped his thinking 22:50 – The Continuum Concept and adversarial approaches to parenting 24:57 – Independence, maturity and modern parenting 27:20 – Conditioning, reframing behaviour and parental self-blame 29:24 – Proximity, carrying and children's expectations 31:28 – Adaptive behaviour: what are children adapting to? 37:51 – Regulation, co-regulation and how children experience adult responses 39:29 – Adult self-awareness and the influence of our own childhood experiences 45:55 – How children communicate before spoken language 46:38 – Parenting as a 'side activity' and including children in everyday life 48:50 – Containment, boundaries, punishment and rewards 50:18 – Practical takeaways for parents and educators 52:00 – Stepping back from adult-led conversations 53:37 – Balancing language support with silence, space and child-led conversation 55:04 – Closing reflections 56:00 – Where to find Jeff's article For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

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  Episode #166

  The brain that loves to laugh

  Aug 17, 202647 min

  Laughter is often treated as a pleasant extra, or even a distraction from learning. Drawing on their work across psychology, education, health and community contexts, Dr Jacqueline Harding and Dr Jawad Shah explore how shared laughter can support connection, curiosity, hope and resilience, while making space for children's full emotional lives. What becomes possible when joy is taken seriously? Read the article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/ t he-brain-that-loves-to-laugh/ This episode is in partnership with BookedIn BookedIn is a CPD booking platform that connects organisations with verified speakers, trainers and consultants – so you can find the right fit faster, based on your brief, audience and outcomes . You can discover , compare , and manage bookings in one place – designed to help you book with more clarity and confidence. Whether you're booking CPD or are a speaker yourself, they're opening early access soon, and if you want to be first to hear when it's live, join the waiting list today! To find out more and sign up to the wait list visit: https://waitlist.bookedin.online/ Our 2027 conference info & tickets: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/ Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: · The brain that loves to play, with Dr Jacqueline Harding: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-brain-that-loves-to-play/ · Why children need joy, with Ben Kingston-Hughes: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/why-children-need-joy/ · Bringing the joy back to early childhood, with Aaron Bradbury: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/bringing-the-joy-back-to-early-childhood-2/ Get in touch and share your voice: Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/ Episode break down: 00:18 – Introduction to the podcast and guests 03:45 – Why did you write the book The Brain That Loves to Laugh? 07:11 – Human connection, safety and laughter 09:55 – Creating an emotional ecosystem around children 13:11 – Play, laughter and neuroplasticity: The Kentucky spinal unit 16:30 – The universality of laughter, joy and resilience 18:27 – Why laughter is not 'fluffy' and the language of hope 20:27 – Hope as a protective factor and the role of community 22:33 – Moving beyond fear-based pedagogy: Play, joy and attainment 27:04 – Laughter, emotional connection and the purpose of education 29:43 – What happens in the brain when we laugh? 31:49 – Is play fundamental to early childhood and learning? 34:36 – Using humour and fun to support learning 36:55 – Does laughter lead to chaos? Connection, behaviour and joy 37:50 – Why negative experiences can overshadow the positive 40:03 – Modelling mistakes, humour and emotional resilience 43:03 – Peer relationships, problem-solving and resilience 43:43 – Co-regulation, self-regulation and resilience 44:00 – Final reflections on joy, laughter and play 45:43 – See Dr Jacqueline Harding at our 2027 Conference For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

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  Episode #164

  Who gets to feel seen in our classrooms? Culturally inclusive practice through books

  Jul 27, 202631 min

  How do books shape children's sense of identity, belonging and understanding of others? In this podcast episode and article, we explore the importance of representation in children's literature and why inclusive storytelling matters in early childhood education. Reflecting on personal experiences, this conversation considers how books can help children feel seen, valued and included. We also discuss the role of sensory storytelling, immersive learning and culturally inclusive resources in supporting empathy, accessibility and belonging for all children. How can educators ensure every child sees themselves reflected in the stories around them? Read the article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/who-gets-to-feel-seen-in-our-classrooms-culturally-inclusive-practice-through-books/ This episode is in partnership with BookedIn BookedIn is a CPD booking platform that connects organisations with verified speakers, trainers and consultants – so you can find the right fit faster, based on your brief, audience and outcomes . You can discover , compare , and manage bookings in one place – designed to help you book with more clarity and confidence. Whether you're booking CPD or are a speaker yourself, they're opening early access soon, and if you want to be first to hear when it's live, join the waiting list today! To find out more and sign up to the wait list visit: https://waitlist.bookedin.online/ Our 2027 conference info & tickets: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/ Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: · Stories that connect us: How books foster belonging in the early years – Laura Henry-Allain MBE https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/stories-that-connect-us-how-books-foster-belonging-in-the-early-years-2/ · Supporting children's language through shared stories and sustained dialogue – Fufy Demissie https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/supporting-childrens-language-through-shared-stories-and-sustained-dialogue/ · Extremely early literacy – Dan Berman https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/extremely-early-literacy/ Get in touch and share your voice: Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/ Episode break down: 00:00 – Introducing Sukhy Kaur and culturally inclusive children's books 02:21 – Representation, visibility and belonging 03:53 – Creating sensory stories that are accessible to all children 07:55 – Normalising diversity through children's literature 10:03 – Encouraging children to ask questions about difference 11:23 – Understanding children's curiosity about difference 13:01 – Sukhy's personal journey and Sikh identity 14:37 – Experiencing bullying for wearing a turban 16:07 – Becoming a teacher to make a difference 16:39 – Developing the first book during COVID 17:19 – The story behind Is That Paras's Turban? 18:15 – Bringing books to life through workshops and puppet shows 19:50 – Supporting children and educators through immersive workshops 20:40 – Extending learning through resources and lesson plans 21:39 – Moving from teaching into authorship 22:47 – The year-long process of producing a sensory book 23:45 – Seeing the books in libraries and hearing from families 24:48 – Forthcoming books about festivals and cultural foods 25:25 – Advice for aspiring authors 26:53 – The challenges of marketing children's books 27:42 – Sharing culturally inclusive practice at educational events 28:36 – Using props and storytelling to support different ways of learning 29:17 – Sukhy's workshop at the TVOEC Conference 2027 30:05 – "Every child should be able to open a book and feel that they exist within the story" For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

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  Episode #163

  Moving beyond 3 percent: Recruiting more men into early years

  Jul 20, 202634 min

  Drawing on personal experience, research and the Greater Than 3 mentor programme, Robert Harris explores why men remain underrepresented in early childhood. He considers the impact of gender diversity on children, the stigma and gatekeeping men can face, and how mentorship, representation and more inclusive pathways could help create lasting change across the profession. Read the article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/m oving-beyond-3-percent-recruiting-more-men-into-early-years/ This episode is in partnership with Male Childcare and Teaching Jobs. Male Childcare and Teaching Jobs advocate for greater male participation in education and caregiving roles, offering support and guidance to enhance gender inclusion in nurseries and schools. To find out more visit: https://malechildcareandteachingjobs.co.uk/ Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like to hear more at https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/articles/men-in-early-childhood/ Get in touch and share your voice: Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/ Episode break down: 00:00 – Introduction to Dan Berman and Robert Harris 01:24 – The benefits of greater male presence in early childhood 03:54 – Male role models, play and challenging gender norms 07:30 – The three per cent figure and barriers within infant care 10:05 – Introducing the Greater Than Three mentor programme 15:06 – Creating intentional pathways into the profession 16:51 – DC Men in ECE and the importance of collective advocacy 20:05 – Racial and cultural representation within the workforce 23:22 – Being a Black male educator: visibility, scrutiny and advocacy 25:07 – Stigma surrounding sexuality and safeguarding 29:10 – Challenging bias in recruitment and hiring 30:18 – Retention, judgement and low pay 31:32 – Children need to see what they can become 32:32 – Building stronger foundations for representation and advocacy 32:55 – Further reading and future conversations 33:41 – Closing reflections For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

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  Episode #162

  Will you notice me? What children learn from how we respond to their distress

  Jul 12, 202640 min

  What if children's distress is not just a problem to solve, but a signal of their need to be seen? This article and podcast episode explore how children's expectations about availability and effectiveness of support from close others develop through repeated interactions with multiple caregivers . Using a psychological lens - in particular looking at attachment theory - we explore how educators and parents/carers can shape these expectations of care through their everyday responses to children's distress. Read the article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/ w ill-you-notice-me-what-children-learn-from-how-we-respond-to-their-distress/ This episode is in partnership with BookedIn BookedIn is a CPD booking platform that connects organisations with verified speakers, trainers and consultants – so you can find the right fit faster, based on your brief, audience and outcomes . You can discover , compare , and manage bookings in one place – designed to help you book with more clarity and confidence. Whether you're booking CPD or are a speaker yourself, they're opening early access soon, and if you want to be first to hear when it's live, join the waiting list today! To find out more and sign up to the wait list visit: https://waitlist.bookedin.online/ Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: ● An introduction to John Bolwby - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/an-introduction-to-john-bowlby/ ● An introduction to Mary Ainsworth - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/an-introduction-to-mary-ainsworth/ ● Unconditional positive regard in early childhood: What we can still learn from Carl Rogers and Mister Rogers? - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/unconditional-positive-regard-in-early-childhood-what-we-can-still-learn-from-carl-rogers-and-mister-rogers/ ● Understanding the impact of childhood trauma and how to develop trauma-informed practices - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/understanding-the-impact-of-childhood-trauma-and-how-to-develop-trauma-informed-practices/ Get in touch and share your voice: Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/ Episode break down: 00:00 – Welcome and episode focus 02:05 – Understanding distress as communication 04:14 – Why children's distress can be misunderstood 05:55 – Can you notice me? 06:57 – Repeated interactions and attachment 10:08 – Secure base script knowledge 10:46 – How children learn whether support is available 12:30 – Scripts, shortcuts and everyday experiences 15:10 – What attuned responses look like in practice 16:45 – Opening the gates of learning 17:55 – Acknowledging distress 19:57 – Feeling seen before setting limits 20:13 – Acknowledging feelings, not validating behaviour 21:34 – Sensitive limit setting 21:50 – Multiple caregivers and attachment networks 22:12 – Moving beyond one primary attachment relationship 23:54 – The role of educators and professional caregivers 25:54 – A village of caregivers 26:24 – Patterns over perfection 26:41 – Good enough care 29:30 – Children need patterns, not perfect adults 29:54 – Current research and longitudinal findings 32:30 – Secure base script knowledge and later wellbeing 33:26 – Supporting parents and the network of care 35:08 – Reflecting on the long-term impact of early relationships 36:19 – Responding to distress over time 37:17 – Intergenerational patterns of care 37:36 – A key shift in mindset 37:47 – From fixing the problem to being there 38:57 – Closing reflections and thanks For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

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