This episode is called 'Reading between the lines' and is part of the "Mind the Kids" podcast series, produced by the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH).

Hosted by Dr. Jane Gilmour and Prof. Umar Toseeb, with guest Dr. Germán Grande, the discussion explores how the home literacy environment shapes children’s reading development and long-term outcomes. The conversation highlights the importance of parental involvement, the interplay between genetics and environmental factors, and how early literacy experiences can influence educational success. 

Listeners will gain insights into the roles of family, culture, and schools in fostering reading skills, and discover practical ways to support children’s literacy from early childhood onwards.

This episode is ideal for parents, educators, and anyone interested in child development, education, and mental health, offering evidence-based advice and expert perspectives on building strong foundations for children’s futures

 We’re excited to share the latest episode of Mind the Kids, hosted by Dr. Jane Gilmore (UCL) and Professor Umar Toseeb (University of York). This episode dives into the complex relationship between parenting styles and infant characteristics, exploring whether their influences on child development are simply additive-or something more nuanced.

Joined by special guest Dr. Robert Eves (Bielefeld University), we discuss groundbreaking research using large, nationally representative datasets to unpack how parenting and child traits interact. We also break down key theoretical models-like diathesis-stress, vantage sensitivity, and differential susceptibility-in accessible language, with practical takeaways for parents, practitioners, and researchers alike. 

Whether you’re a parent, academic, or professional in child development, tune in for evidence-based insights and a thoughtful discussion on what really shapes children’s outcomes.

What happens when friendships become the cornerstone of childhood mental health? In this episode of Mind the Kids – Mental Health: Best mates and Classmates, Dr. Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb, joined by Dr. Tom Wu, unravel the powerful connections between peer relationships and emotional wellbeing in young people.

From the playground to the classroom, the trio explores how friendships evolve, why quality matters more than quantity, and how popularity can shape – or sometimes complicate – the social landscape. They discuss the complex, two-way relationship between mental health and friendships, revealing how emotional struggles can make it harder to connect, while strong friendships can buffer against adversity.

The conversation also highlights the importance of understanding cultural differences in friendship dynamics and why interventions that put mental health first can lead to better social outcomes. With practical insights for educators and a call for emotional literacy programs in schools, this episode offers a fresh perspective on why supporting children’s social worlds is key to nurturing resilient, mentally healthy young people.

In this episode, Dr. Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb unravel the complexities of autism diagnosis, shining a spotlight on the often-overlooked gender differences and the unique mental health challenges faced by autistic youth. With autism identification rates on the rise and growing recognition of co-occurring conditions, the discussion explores why so many autistic children and young people-especially girls-are missed, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood. 

Dr. Miriam Martini joins to share her research on how psychiatric diagnoses often precede autism identification, revealing the critical need for earlier recognition and tailored support. Together, they delve into why autistic girls are frequently diagnosed later than boys, how anxiety and the pressure to fit in can mask autistic traits, and how diagnostic overshadowing can leave mental health needs unmet.

Tune in for a nuanced look at why understanding the interplay between gender, co-occurring conditions, and mental health is essential-not just for accurate diagnosis, but for ensuring every autistic young person receives the support they deserve.

In the premiere episode of Mind the Kids, Dr. Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb delve into the world of the Manosphere—an online space where misogynistic content is widespread, especially among young men. Together with Professor Harriet Over, they examine the mental health implications, the growing concerns of educators, and the urgent need for research and community-specific interventions. 

The episode unpacks how online influence shapes gender attitudes, the complexities of radicalisation, and the critical role of positive male role models. The conversation highlights the necessity of understanding young people's motivations and the impact of social media algorithms in spreading harmful content.

What is the culture around prescribing antipsychotics to young people? Are there concerns around over-prescribing antipsychotics in young people? How can we reduce antipsychotics use in children and adolescents? All this and more answered as Jo Carlowe interviews Dr. Robert Penfold about the Safer Use of Antipsychotics in Youth (SUAY) pragmatic trial, as published in the JCPP.

How important is language for children’s development? Is there a relationship between language difficulties and socioeconomic status? Do language interventions improve other aspects of development? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Professor Charles Hulme about his recent research into the efficacy of the Oral Language for Literacy Intervention (OLLI) programme.

Why is there a growing concern around screen time? Is social media bad for young people’s wellbeing? What is the impact of the digital divide? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Professor Pete Etchells about his work, the impact of screen time and social media, and his recent book ‘Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time’.

What does the term ‘sexual minority’ mean? Why might sexual minority adolescents have poorer mental health? How can we support sexual minority youth with their mental health? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Dr. Kunle Oginni about his research into the mental health of sexual minority individuals, including young people, using genetic research designs.

What are the different ways in which child maltreatment is measured in research? How do different measures of maltreatment impact the relationship with psychopathology? Why are there inconsistencies in reports of maltreatment? All this and more answered as Professor Umar Toseeb interviews Dr. Oonagh Coleman about why prospective and retrospective measures of maltreatment differ.