This episode delves into the rapidly evolving world of AI and its potential to inspire children in their learning journeys. As digital pioneers, today's generation is poised to embrace AI as both a trusted companion and a valuable tool. Chantelle, who has integrated AI into her tutoring services for some time, shares insightful strategies and quick wins to enhance children's learning experiences.

Find Chantelle's website here.

Find Chantelle's on Instagram here.

**********************

Join the conversation: Email us at [email protected]

Follow Us on Instagram: This is Alpha Bites

• Kate: @‌learnhappy_co

• Lucy: @‌embraceddyslexia_co

Podcast Sponsor: Learn Happy Club

Episode 17 bites into smart phones, social media and our families digital diets! Dr Kathy Weston. In this episode, we sit down with parenting and digital resilience expert Dr. Kathy Weston to explore the challenges and opportunities of raising children in a tech-driven world. From screen time and gaming to smartphones and social media, Dr. Weston shares research-backed advice on how parents can create a healthy digital environment while supporting their child's well-being.

📱 How to navigate screen time without battles 🎮 Why gaming isn't the enemy & how to approach it positively 📚 The power of reading & offline play in child development up to 10 📵 Smartphones—when (and if) kids should have them 😨 Managing parental anxiety about tech use ⚠️ Social media risks & practical online safety strategies 💡 How to build digital resilience in kids aged 11-13

✔ Tech isn't bad—it's all about balance & boundaries ✔ Reading is a game-changer for child development ✔ Smartphones aren't a must-have for young kids ✔ Parents should stay informed & involved in digital habits ✔ Online safety comes from awareness & open conversations

🔗 Internet Watch Foundation 📖 Research on digital literacy & childhood resilience

Find Dr. Weston's website here.

**********************

Join the conversation: Email us at [email protected]

Follow Us on Instagram: This is Alpha Bites

• Kate: @‌learnhappy_co

• Lucy: @‌embraceddyslexia_co

Podcast Sponsor: Learn Happy Club

Charlotte Clark is the founder of The Happy Human Project, which provides emotional wellbeing sessions for schools and nurseries, helping children develop techniques to build resilience, confidence, and emotional regulation.

We loved getting to know Charlotte and hearing about her personal journey—growing up as a 'glass child' and recognising her own conditions of worth. We took a bite into the incredible work she and her team do to help children understand their emotions.

Her honesty and heartfelt reflections highlight the deep compassion she has for children's wellbeing. Charlotte has created a truly invaluable business for little Alphabites who are struggling emotionally.

The Happy Human Project | Follow Charlotte on Instagram

Join the conversation: Email us at [email protected]

Follow Us on Instagram: This is Alpha Bites

• Kate: @‌learnhappy_co

• Lucy: @‌embracedyslexia_co

Podcast Sponsor: Learn Happy Club

Jo Carlile is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with experience in both the NHS and private sector. She supports individuals who are struggling to function in their daily lives and/or experiencing high levels of distress.

Jo is disrupting the culture of mental health by creating an app that provides a platform for everyone to be guided towards their own 'norm'.

In this episode, we took a deep dive into the vast realm of mental health and how we can all support ourselves and our families by understanding our own 'norms'. We also explored what 'normal' means for our children and the importance of accepting their story for what it is.

Follow and support Jo's journey as she launches an innovative approach to mental wellbeing—one that is accessible, relatable, and practical.

Find Jo's website here.

Follow Jo on Instagram here.

Join the conversation: Email us at [email protected]

Follow Us on Instagram: This is Alpha Bites

• Kate: @‌learnhappy_co

• Lucy: @‌embracedyslexia_co

Podcast Sponsor: Learn Happy Club

Lucy and Kate reflect on key moments from the pod this year and wanted to wish their audience a Merry Christmas. They share what goes on behind the scenes, the hurdles they've overcome, the 'BITES' that have impacted them and their audience the most and basically alllllllll the best bits. What a year!

This episode is like catching up with two good friends—relatable, hilarious, and full of feel-good vibes.

Have a great Christmas and see you all in 2025 for episode 15.

**********************

Join the conversation: Email us at [email protected]

Follow Us on Instagram: This is Alpha Bites

• Kate: @‌learnhappy_co

• Lucy: @‌embracedyslexia_co

Podcast Sponsor: Learn Happy Club

In this episode we talk to Hayley and Lewis who founded My Little Zen. It's an inspiring charity with an initiative to generate global change through yoga and technology to support safe houses and orphanages in Kenya and Tanzania.

My Little Zen connects communities through yoga, and the funds this generates are used to install internet connectivity in remote parts. This technology enables communities to progress, having access to medical information and educational tools, Hayley and Lewis live in the UAE and we were nourished by their commitment and passion to support these communities.

Their honesty and care is heartwarming as they talk about 'real' hardship and the difficulties facing Gen A in East Africa. Every Instagram post of My Little Zen brings a tear to our eye. If you know a school that wants to link up with live yoga from Africa and see the reciprocal benefits for children in the wo cultures, then get in touch with Hayley.

At this time of the year as we get wrapped up in our Christmas frenzy, we thought it would be perfectly timed to remind ourselves of what really is important.

Find Hayley and Lewis' website here.

Follow Hayley and Lewis on Instagram here

**********************

Join the conversation: Email us at [email protected]

Follow Us on Instagram: This is Alpha Bites

• Kate: @‌learnhappy_co

• Lucy: @‌embracedyslexia_co

Podcast Sponsor: Learn Happy Club

Kate met Sam Squire at Ideas Fest back in September - the Glastonbury for businesses. She came across him facilitating a networking session with his curious conversation blocks and cards and was intrigued to find out more.

This exciting game and product has enormous power to make change. Sam's business Inspire to Ignite creates transformative experiences and programmes that engage individuals between the age of 12-24 particularly those at risk of disengagement in education and employment. Our first man on the pod! Enjoy this inspiring conversation.

Find Sam's website here.

Follow Sam on Instagram here and here

**********************

Join the conversation: Email us at [email protected]

Follow Us on Instagram: This is Alpha Bites

• Kate: @‌learnhappy_co

• Lucy: @‌embracedyslexia_co

Podcast Sponsor: Learn Happy Club

Episode 11 bites into highly sensitive children, deep feeling and strong willed children, what this means and how we can support these children. Jenni Honeyben is the most warm and caring parenting coach you would like to meet and we loved her honestly on the chat. We learning more about the 20-30% of children that are highly sensitive and how connection really is out currency as parents.

Jenny gives top tips on supporting your child. We discuss various parenting styles and the impact these can have on our children.

Find Jenni at Jenni Honeyben - Nurturing Children's emotional well-being

Don't forget to join the conversation with Jenni on Instagram

**********************

Join the conversation: Email us at [email protected]

Follow Us on Instagram: This is Alpha Bites

• Kate: @‌learnhappy_co

• Lucy: @‌embracedyslexia_co

Podcast Sponsor: Learn Happy Club

Cath Prisk is a play guru and one of the nicest people on the planet! There's nothing Cath doesn't know about the benefits of being outdoors, and she has been passionately campaigning for the importance of play for many years.

This conversation will make you want to throw your child—or yourself—outside in all weathers, find the tallest tree to climb, or catapult yourself across the garden. We dive into the six risks all children should experience for healthy development, discuss what playtime should look like in schools, and were inspired to drop everything and play!

This episode is split into two parts, giving you manageable bites to absorb the richness of Cath's wisdom.

Key statistics

• 97% of teachers say that outdoor play is critical for children to reach their full potential.

• 88% of teachers say that children are happier after playing outdoors.

• 88% of teachers say that children are more engaged in learning when taking lessons outdoors.

• 86% of teachers say that playing outdoors gives children a better understanding of the environment.

• 44% of teachers have increased outdoor learning since getting involved in Outdoor Classroom Day.

Key findings

• Getting outdoors connects us to the places we live and the environments we will want to protect.

• Getting outdoors results in better learning outcomes, across the board.

• The benefits of outdoor learning and play last beyond early education.

• Outdoor learning and play create healthier, more active children.

• Time spent outdoors boosts mental health.

**********************

https://outdoorpeople.org.uk/

https://outdoorpeople.org.uk/pages/opal-primary-programme

Don't forget to join the conversation with Cath on Instagram here.

**********************

Join the conversation: Email us at [email protected]

Follow Us on Instagram: This is Alpha Bites

• Kate: @‌learnhappy_co

• Lucy: @‌embracedyslexia_co

Podcast Sponsor: Learn Happy Club

Cath Prisk is a play guru and one of the nicest people on the planet! There's nothing Cath doesn't know about the benefits of being outdoors, and she has been passionately campaigning for the importance of play for many years.

This conversation will make you want to throw your child—or yourself—outside in all weathers, find the tallest tree to climb, or catapult yourself across the garden. We dive into the six risks all children should experience for healthy development, discuss what playtime should look like in schools, and were inspired to drop everything and play!

This episode is split into two parts, giving you manageable bites to absorb the richness of Cath's wisdom.

Key statistics

• 97% of teachers say that outdoor play is critical for children to reach their full potential.

• 88% of teachers say that children are happier after playing outdoors.

• 88% of teachers say that children are more engaged in learning when taking lessons outdoors.

• 86% of teachers say that playing outdoors gives children a better understanding of the environment.

• 44% of teachers have increased outdoor learning since getting involved in Outdoor Classroom Day.

Key findings

• Getting outdoors connects us to the places we live and the environments we will want to protect.

• Getting outdoors results in better learning outcomes, across the board.

• The benefits of outdoor learning and play last beyond early education.

• Outdoor learning and play create healthier, more active children.

• Time spent outdoors boosts mental health.

**********************

https://outdoorpeople.org.uk/

https://outdoorpeople.org.uk/pages/opal-primary-programme

Don't forget to join the conversation with Cath on Instagram here.

**********************

Join the conversation: Email us at [email protected]

Follow Us on Instagram: This is Alpha Bites

• Kate: @‌learnhappy_co

• Lucy: @‌embracedyslexia_co

Podcast Sponsor: Learn Happy Club