Get a Grip - Evidence-Based Conversations for Parents and Educators

Ellie Softley, Head of Education at Everyone's Invited, talks to us about a new programme of work with UK primary schools, which the organisation is running in conjunction with researchers from the University of Surrey. Tune in for numerous tips which will help parents or educators navigate potentially challenging conversations with children and teens about issues surround misogyny. Please note that this interview contains adult themes and isn't suitable for younger ears.

Ever wanted to know how important adventurous play is in young children's development? April's Researchers of the Month, Dr Kathryn Hesketh and Professor Helen Dodd, chat to us about new findings from a new national survey of play in preschool-aged children. Find out more about the benefits of adventurous play for both mental and physical health, learn some surprising gendered findings around how very young boys and girls play, and get some top tips about how we can help to facilitate adventurous play (even if the thought of letting our children climb higher in that tree gives us butterflies and a racing heart). Professor Dodd and Dr Hesketh also tell us about some exciting new projects that they are embarking on.

Spoiler alert: This interview discusses events and themes from the hit Netflix show, Adolescence. In this informal and informative chat, Dr Weston talks with Dr Elly Hanson, a clinical psychologist who focuses on tackling abuse and online harms. The conversation focuses on themes that have emerged from the show, immediate impressions from the programme, and provides some actions that parents and educators can take to help children and teens navigate the digital world and potentially harmful gender expectations.

We are often asked by both families and teachers about how best to support young people in the event that a loved one is seriously ill. Here, Professor Victoria Cooper shares her expertise in this area, offering tips for both parents and school staff. She also highlights the work of Hope Support Services, a UK charity which helps young people aged five to twenty five when a loved one has a serious illness.

In this interview, Suzanne Graham, Professor of Language and Education at the University of Reading, and Alison Porter, Associate Professor at the University of Southampton and chair of the Research in Primary Languages network, chat about the benefits of learning foreign languages at primary school. Tune in to find out about the links between language learning, empathy and creativity, and explore key strategies that educators can use to maintain children’s motivation to learn. Professor Graham and Professor Porter talk about their many fascinating projects and highlight a fantastic resource pack and MOOC (massive open online course) which they are currently working on for primary school teachers.

Our researcher of the month, Professor Judy Hutchings OBE, joins Dr Cassie Rhodes to talk about the results of a large trial analysing the efficacy of the KiVa anti-bullying programme in the UK. The trial involved 11,000 children and 118 primary schools and it has shown that a significant improvement in social dynamics in primary schools and a 13% reduction in bullying. This is a fantastic episode for any primary school educators who want to learn more about this effective intervention and how to implement it in your schools.

In this interview, Dr Gemma Goldenberg talks about her fantastic new book Taking Action on Distraction: The definitive guide to improving attention and focus in the Early Years and Key Stage One, which is published today (27th February 2025). Do you want to learn more about creating an effective and calmer learning environment? Dr Goldenberg helps us to understand more about how attention works and chats about how teachers can work positively with all children in early years and primary settings to improve their focus and concentration. Discover accessible insights from research, practical classroom tips and reflective questions to discuss with children and colleagues. These tips are aimed mainly at educators, but can also be applied in family life.

More than 130,000 women and girls living in England and Wales have been subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM). Despite the practice being illegal in the UK, 60,000 girls every year are at risk. Globally, every nine seconds, a girl is at risk. This interview educates listeners about FGM and its significant and long-lasting impacts. Valerie talks with empathy and personal insight, offering practical advice for school staff seeking to protect and educate those in their care from this extremely harmful practice.

February's researcher of the month, Dr Kim Sylwander, joins Dr Cassie Rhodes to chat about her new paper, "There is No Right Age! The Search for Age-Appropriate Ways to Support Children’s Digital Lives and Rights". Dr Sylwander talks about the importance of considering each individual child's capacity, maturity levels and understanding of digital issues before giving them access to certain digital devices or content, and offers parents some great advice about opening up discussions about children's rights online and critical thinking. A thought-provoking conversation which also explores the need for us all to consider the evidence before making decisions.

Professor Paul Ramchandani, Lego Professor of Play in Education, Development and Learning at the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge, chats to us about different kinds of play, why play is so vital to children's development and wellbeing, and why all parents and carers should be considering their children's 'play diet'.