The Voice of Early Childhood

This article and podcast episode explore how young children develop Fundamental Movement Skills through repeated, varied experiences and attuned adult guidance. Dr Leanne Jaye highlights the balance between structured support and child‑led exploration, the impact of movement on confidence, communication and social connection, and the crucial role practitioners and caregivers play in shaping high‑quality, enjoyable movement opportunities.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/from-practice-to-progress-do-children-need-to-be-taught-movement-skills/

This episode is in partnership with BookedIn.

BookedIn is the 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.

To find out more 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:

· Fostering a love of movement for life, by Josh Candy: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/fostering-a-love-of-movement-for-life/

· Physical development frameworks, by Dr Lala Manners: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/physical-development-frameworks/

· 'My child can't write yet': The foundations of early writing, by Helen Battelley: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/my-child-cant-write-yet-the-foundations-of-early-writing/

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

01:35 - Introducing Dr Leanne Jaye

03:09 - Do children pick up movement skills naturally?

05:26 - What are fundamental movement skills?

06:56 - Why movement needs greater attention in educator training

08:49 - Recognising when movement skills need support

11:48 - Unequal opportunities for movement development

15:12 - Looking at how children move, not just whether they move

17:36 - Making movement part of the whole day

19:04 - Repetition, practice and brain development

21:16 - Building children's movement vocabulary

25:39 - Keeping repetition playful through stories and games

28:48 - How environments shape movement opportunities

31:47 - Creating movement opportunities in smaller indoor spaces

34:30 - What to notice when observing children's movement

38:47 - Teaching movement: everyday practice and specialist support

41:27 - Educators as movement role models

43:40 - Bringing movement into other areas of learning

46:13 - Supporting independence without stepping in too quickly

50:49 - Final reflections: integrating movement across learning

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

Children need more than provision; they need emotionally present adults who help them feel safe, understood and valued. Drawing on his work with children with complex and neurodivergent needs, his journey as a dad, and his book More Than A Father, Opeyemi Ogunmadeko explores what emotional presence can mean for parents, carers and early childhood educators.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/more-than-a-father-emotional-presence-in-early-childhood-practice/

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.

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:

· What is relationship-based parenting? With Cara Tyrrell - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/what-is-relationship-based-parenting/

· The politics of parenting with Helen Simmons - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-politics-of-parenting/

· Perception, positivity and parents with Wendy Kettleborough - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/perception-positivity-parents/

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 01:47 - Introducing Opeyemi 02:30 - Emotional presence beyond provision 06:45 - Fathers' emotional connection and their own upbringing 11:03 - Connecting with each child through time and play 14:13 - Cultural expectations and fathers' involvement 18:01 - Building support networks for fathers 22:24 - Seeing children's identities beyond behaviour 25:54 - Understanding behaviour as communication 28:05 - Connection before correction 32:26 - Pausing before responding to children 34:55 - Recognising progress without comparing children 36:33 - How adults' words shape children's sense of self 39:01 - Welcoming fathers and father figures into early childhood settings 45:05 - Supporting fathers to reconnect with their children 48:20 - Reflecting on childhood experiences and seeking support 49:46 - Protecting children from parental conflict and modelling respect 54:49 - Self-awareness and rethinking the breadwinner role 56:37 - Emotional connection in care for children with additional needs 01:00:10 - Parental burnout and supporting siblings' emotional needs 01:03:30 - Professional love and trauma-informed practice 01:04:40 - Family diversity, father figures and role models 01:07:28 - More than a father: the inspiration behind the book 01:13:22 - Further reading and closing reflections

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

Apprenticeships are often viewed as an entry route for young people, but they can also provide a valuable pathway for developing and retaining existing early years staff. This article and podcast episode explore how apprenticeships can support career progression, strengthen workforce skills and help settings invest in the practitioners they already have.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/more-than-a-school-leavers-route-why-apprenticeships-are-becoming-a-retention-strategy-in-early-years/

This episode is in partnership with The Childcare Company

The Childcare Company has delivered early years and childcare training since 2008 and is rated Good by Ofsted. It delivers apprenticeships, diplomas, skill builders and academies from Level 2 to Level 5, working alongside nurseries, early years settings, schools and residential childcare providers to build resilient, qualified teams. Training is delivered by its own delivery coaches, backed by funding, enrolment and free recruitment support. The Childcare Company is an Impact Futures Group brand. Building skills, impacting futures.

Find out more here: https://thechildcarecompany.com/

Our 2027 conference info & tickets:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

· What does good quality CPD look like? With Dr Julian Grenier: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/what-does-good-quality-cpd-look-like/

· Early years leadership stories with Jenny Weidner: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-leadership-stories/

· Professional curiosity: Creating cultures of reflection, safety and growth with Jack Edwards and Kelly Hill: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/professional-curiosity-creating-cultures-of-reflection-safety-and-growth/

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 Amanda and the episode's focus on apprenticeships 02:48 – Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers 04:28 – What settings lose when an experienced practitioner leaves 06:13 – Supporting staff retention through career progression 09:30 – Early years apprenticeship pathways: Level 2 to Level 6 10:47 – Different starting points and entering early years at any age 12:33 – Connecting theory, practical experience and reflective learning 14:57 – Addressing concerns about pay cuts and starting again as an apprentice 17:01 – Recognising prior learning and choosing the right apprenticeship level 19:59 – Making time for training alongside staffing pressures 23:22 – Flexible learning sessions and arranging workplace observations 26:04 – Understanding apprenticeship funding and the levy 27:49 – Funding for settings that do not pay the apprenticeship levy 29:14 – Discussing hiring incentives for new apprentices 30:23 – National Insurance relief for apprentices 31:07 – Employer support grants for the early years teacher degree apprenticeship 32:13 – Weighing training costs against the long-term value of retaining staff 33:40 – Why workplace culture, workload and pay still matter 34:34 – A practical first step for leaders exploring staff apprenticeships 35:30 – Contacting The Childcare Company and closing reflections

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

What does it really mean for a child to be 'school ready', and are the expectations we place on children actually informed by evidence? Adam Marycz explores how policy, accountability and long-held assumptions can shape early childhood practice, questioning the push towards formal learning and considering how educators can keep children's development, individuality and play at the centre.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/are-our-expectations-of-children-in-early-childhood-evidence-informed/

This episode is in partnership with BookedIn

BookedIn is the 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.

To find out more 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:

· Starting school: Supporting transitions to reception and key stage 1, with Delyth Linacre: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/starting-school-supporting-transitions-to-reception-and-key-stage-1/

· Life skills over academic achievement, with Carmela Garcia Manas and Zanna Clarke: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/life-skills-over-academic-achievement/

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 – Hear Adam at the 2027 Voice of Early Childhood Conference 01:35 – Welcome to the live podcast recording 02:49 – Introducing Adam Marycz 04:04 – What do we really mean by 'school readiness'? 07:01 – Confidence and independence versus academic expectations 09:27 – Developmental milestones: should we lower expectations? 10:55 – Good level of development: evidence or accountability pressures? 14:11 – Using interventions without reducing children to data points 16:42 – International approaches, school starting ages and protecting play 19:47 – Are we mistaking sitting still for learning? 21:14 – Educator training and becoming critical consumers of content 23:08 – Physical development, movement and realistic expectations 25:55 – Gaps in educator training and the importance of ongoing professional development 28:01 – What can we learn from Finland and China? 30:44 – Questioning everyday practice: why are we doing this? 32:41 – What do you want children to be able to do when they leave your setting? 34:57 – Audience Q&A: school readiness, SEND and inclusion 40:15 – Audience reflections: family pressures, screen time and wellbeing 43:57 – Moving beyond discussion: evidence, advocacy and meaningful change 46:09 – Closing thanks

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

This podcast episode and article are a research-informed exploration of how outdoor environments, adult language and risk narratives shape children's agency. Drawing on the Reimagining Outdoor Learning Toolkit, we examine how educators can move beyond checklists, embrace managed risk, and create outdoor spaces where children's autonomy, confidence and curiosity can genuinely flourish.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/reimagining-outdoor-learning-understanding-agency-from-risk-to-resilience/

This episode is in partnership with BookedIn

BookedIn is the 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.

To find out more 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:

· Impacts of outdoors on children's behaviour and attention: The science behind outdoor play series, with Dr Gemma Goldenberg: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/impacts-of-outdoors-on-childrens-behaviour-and-attention/

· The therapeutic nature of outdoor play, with Jenny Smillie: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-therapeutic-nature-of-outdoor-play/

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 guest introduction 01:35 – How the outdoor agency research began 03:06 – Children's agency in policy and practice 05:17 – What makes outdoor learning unique? 08:41 – How weather and adult perceptions shape risk 10:21 – The dry robe dilemma: when protection restricts play 12:10 – How home experiences and family attitudes shape outdoor play 16:10 – The Outdoor Agency Model: environment, adults and community 20:47 – Outdoor learning beyond the early years and PE 23:53 – Exploring the Reimagining Outdoor Learning Toolkit 27:00 – Using action research to develop your own practice 28:38 – Photo tours: putting children's voices at the heart of research 30:02 – Supporting children to understand and manage risk 31:26 – What changed? Revisiting children's outdoor experiences 32:23 – Building stronger partnerships between home and settings 36:47 – Understanding and responding to parents' worries 39:26 – Final takeaways: trust, agency and ownership of childhood 40:59 – Closing reflections, further resources and thanks

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

This article and podcast episode explore why marketing should be viewed as an investment rather than a cost, why profitability matters for sustainability, the role a setting's website plays in both occupancy and recruitment, and why social media needs a clear purpose. They also consider the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and why, useful as it can be, it should support rather than replace human judgement, creativity and responsibility.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/marketing-your-early-childhood-setting-is-an-investment-not-a-cost/

This episode is sponsored by Childcare Marketing Group

Childcare Marketing Group is a specialist marketing partner dedicated to supporting nurseries, preschools and early years providers.

Built by people who understand the childcare sector, CMG helps nursery owners and managers attract more children, recruit great staff and build stronger, more sustainable businesses. From websites, SEO and social media to advertising, video, reputation management and enquiry conversion, the group brings everything together under one joined-up approach.

At its heart, Childcare Marketing Group is about helping childcare providers stand out, tell their story with confidence and connect with the families and teams who are right for them.

To find out more and sign up to the wait list visit: https://childcare.marketing/uk

Our 2027 conference info & tickets:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

· Sustainable business growth in early childhood, with Jordan Tully: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/sustainable-business-growth-in-early-childhood/

· Building a lasting early years brand, with Harry Mills: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/building-a-lasting-early-years-brand/

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 04:12 – Why early childhood settings need to prioritise marketing 05:31 – Marketing as an investment rather than a cost 07:56 – Why profit matters for sustainable early childhood provision 10:15 – Perception, leadership and valuing educators 12:15 – Marketing your setting as an employer 15:24 – What makes an effective careers page? 18:26 – Making enquiries and applications simple 20:15 – Social media: moving beyond likes to meaningful objectives 22:11 – Aligning marketing across different platforms 23:57 – Sharing educators' achievements on social media 26:25 – Using AI as a marketing tool 28:35 – Knowing your audience and using accessible language 30:20 – Building a clear and recognisable brand 31:18 – Why human creativity still matters when using AI 33:43 – Where should settings start when improving their marketing? 34:50 – Why your website should be the anchor of your marketing 35:42 – Organic website traffic versus paid advertising 36:50 – Marketing as an expression of your values and ethos 38:07 – Building a sustainable business and planning ahead 39:04 – Why successful settings still need to keep investing

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

Receiving a SEND diagnosis is a transformative moment for families. This podcast episode and article explore how practitioners bridge the gap between statutory requirements and empathetic support, empowering parents as "experts" on their children. We examine the graduated approach, the SENDCo's pivotal role in transitions, and the necessity of inclusive, multi-agency collaboration.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/beyond-the-diagnosis-navigating-the-send-journey-with-families/

This episode is sponsored by Shaping Lives

Shaping Lives is a national, Ofsted 'Good' training provider, partnering with employers across England to build stronger, more resilient workforces. With specialist expertise in the Early Years sector, we deliver high-quality apprenticeship and commercial training that supports staff development, performance, and retention.

Our approach has earned us the trust of over 1,000 businesses and supported more than 2,500 learners annually. Our 4.8 Trustpilot rating reflects our commitment to quality and results. Our tailored programmes are built around your business needs, with 80% of employer partners reporting improved staff retention.

Every learner benefits from a dedicated Personal Tutor with sector experience, one-to-one support, and structured learning aligned to industry standards. 93% of learners report better work performance after completing our training, driving real value for your nursery. Partner with us to develop confident, skilled teams ready for the future.

To find out more visit: shapinglives.co.uk

Our 2027 conference info & tickets:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

· Integrating evidence-based practice into the early years curriculum: How ABA principles align with the EYFS, with Mikaela Green: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/integrating-evidence-based-practice-into-the-early-years-curriculum-how-aba-principles-align-with-the-eyfs/

· What is sound-based emotional regulation? With Nicola Maria Rose: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/what-is-sound-based-emotional-regulation/

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 to the podcast and introduction to Andy Hogg 03:40 – Andy's work and bridging the gap between policy and practice 04:41 – Academic and life skills curricula 05:23 – Understanding the graduated approach 05:55 – Assess: establishing a baseline and gathering evidence 06:13 – Plan: setting targets and involving families and children 07:17 – Do: putting provision in place and gathering evidence 07:48 – Review: adapting targets and monitoring progress 09:09 – Why support needs to continually evolve with the child 10:10 – The SENCO as a 'transition architect' 11:25 – Supporting children through everyday transitions 11:58 – Visual timetables and first-and-next boards 12:42 – Key person support and communication strategies 13:16 – Universal approaches to communication and inclusion 13:51 – Using PECS and creating a total communication environment 14:56 – Recognising smaller steps of progress 15:35 – High-incidence and low-incidence needs 16:41 – Making high-incidence support part of universal provision 17:15 – Specialist provision for low-incidence needs 17:56 – Multi-agency working and the team around the child 18:46 – The setting as a hub for multi-agency support 20:30 – The SENCO's role in coordinating professionals 21:05 – Supporting parents through joined-up meetings 22:15 – Recognising the emotional impact on families 22:55 – Why supporting parents supports the child 23:08 – Final reflections: bridging policy and practice 23:25 – Closing thanks and further TVOEC resources

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

Maggie Bolger and Ann Marie Christian explore the changing safeguarding landscape in early childhood, including KCSIE, the EYFS, safer recruitment, reporting concerns and the September changes. They argue that stronger safeguarding is not simply about having the right policies in place, but about creating cultures where children, families and educators are heard, concerns are connected and everyone understands their responsibility for keeping children safe.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-childhood-safeguarding-changes-2026-moving-beyond-compliance-to-a-culture-of-safety/

This episode is sponsored by Get Otii.

Otii helps nurseries stay audit-ready, inspection-proof, and totally on top of their operations – without drowning in paperwork or panic. Track what matters. Get real-time prompts. Never miss a thing.

To find out more visit: https://www.get-otii.com/

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 case for systemic change in Ofsted's approach, by Lucy Lewin: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-case-for-systemic-change-in-ofsteds-approach/

· Ofsted's renewed early years inspection framework: What educators need to know, by Jayne Coward (Ofsted): https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/ofsteds-renewed-early-years-inspection-framework-what-educators-need-to-know/

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 the episode and guests 02:10 – Maggie introduces herself and Get Otii 02:51 – Ann Marie introduces herself and her safeguarding background 04:09 – Where is safeguarding in early childhood at the moment? 04:34 – Strengthening safeguarding in early childhood 06:14 – The challenges of guidance for private nurseries 09:12 – Understanding KCSIE and its five parts 10:32 – Part one: safeguarding guidance for all staff 11:31 – Part two: the management of safeguarding 12:28 – Part three: safer recruitment 13:49 – Part four: managing allegations against staff and volunteers 15:01 – Part five: child-on-child abuse 16:42 – References and DBS checks: what has changed? 18:30 – What can be learnt from safeguarding cases and incidents? 19:12 – Recording concerns and creating a clear safeguarding trail 23:15 – Creating a culture where concerns can be reported 24:26 – Safer recruitment and concerns about existing staff 26:15 – Retaining safeguarding information and non-recent abuse 27:05 – The role and responsibilities of the DSL 28:04 – DSL and DDSL co-working and information sharing 29:14 – Creating a shared understanding of safe and appropriate practice 30:07 – Why immediate reporting to the DSL matters 32:06 – Induction, agency staff and making policies accessible 34:17 – Safeguarding as a central responsibility in settings 35:58 – Agency staff, recruitment checks and safeguarding training 37:01 – Going beyond minimum safeguarding requirements 38:09 – Listening to parents and responding to complaints 40:32 – What should smaller settings do before September? 41:33 – Creating a safeguarding checklist and prioritising changes 42:47 – Starting with strategic safeguarding priorities 43:27 – Safer eating, weaning, sleeping and screen use 45:44 – Using guidance, AI and doing your own due diligence 47:23 – The wider consequences of increased safeguarding scrutiny 47:42 – Mergers, acquisitions, insurance and recruitment 49:19 – The potential ripple effect of increased inspections 50:21 – What early childhood can learn from schools 52:10 – Safeguarding responsibility when opening and running a nursery 54:14 – Reputational risk, social media and communicating with parents 55:35 – Profit, ethics and responsibility in early childhood 56:49 – Safeguarding awareness and professional boundaries 58:28 – Balancing safeguarding scrutiny with the positives of the profession 59:18 – Remembering the joy of working with children 1:00:18 – Preparing for the changes and doing your own due diligence 1:00:58 – Final reflections and episode wrap-up 1:01:30 – Ann Marie's safeguarding workshop at the 2027 conference 1:01:45 – Further safeguarding article and closing thanks

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

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

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/the-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