Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Samantha Dholakia, a renowned Behaviour and Oracy Specialist, Consultant Trainer, and Creator of The Balance System©. In this episode, Alistair and Samantha introduce the topic of emotional intelligence and regulation in the Early Years. 

Samantha and Alistair raise the need to coach behaviour rather than simply managing it, advocating for a deeper understanding of how children process and express emotions. The episode also highlights the accelerated brain development in early years and the necessity of establishing strong neurological foundations for effective emotional regulation. 

Throughout the discussion, the pair challenge conventional norms of compliance. They discuss creating conducive environments that encourage authentic engagement and promote intrinsic motivation. 

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Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Kate Moxley, an Early Years consultant, trainer and speaker for the final episode on the topic of emotional connection and wellbeing. Alistair and Kate bring together everything discussed so far and focus on the practical tips for putting wellbeing at the centre of early years settings.  

In this episode, Kate stresses the importance of reflective practice and how it can create a culture where wellbeing is prioritised. Kate and Alistair discuss the barriers that often hinder reflection and vulnerability in the workplace, such as a lack of appropriate training, and the need for leaders and managers to encourage reflection. 

They highlight the need for leaders to model good wellbeing practices and how this can positively influence the team. The conversation also covers the value of self-care, professional boundaries, and the importance of recognising one's strengths and areas for development. The episode encourages a shift from overworking and seeking external validation to embracing one's worth and wellbeing. It concludes with a call to action for the early years sector to collectively advocate for better wellbeing and respect in the profession. 

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Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Kate Moxley, an Early Years consultant, trainer and speaker, to delve into the importance of fostering wellbeing within early childhood education teams.  

Kate stresses the need to address mental health in the early childhood education sector, breaking the stigma around it, and highlighting that both educators and children have mental health needs. The episode encourages open conversations and caring for the wellbeing of both the team and the children they serve. 

 Alistair and Kate also touch on the challenges of managing work-life balance, setting boundaries, and the importance of practicing self-care. They advocate for more honesty and openness within the profession to create a healthier, more supportive environment for both educators and children. 

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Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Kate Moxley, an Early Years consultant, trainer and speaker specialising in wellbeing and mental health. In this episode of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast, Alistair and Kate delve into the importance of establishing a sense of belonging and connection for children in early years settings.  

They discuss the significance of secure bonds and connections, emphasising the need to understand each child's individuality, including their likes, dislikes, cultural background, and unique experiences. Kate stresses the importance of recognising that children's behaviour often stems from emotional responses they struggle to articulate.  

They also touch on the need for educators to continually learn and adapt, embracing new approaches that foster children's wellbeing, emotional regulation, and a sense of belonging in their learning environments. The conversation emphasises that children can't be what they can't see, and it's the responsibility of educators to provide an inclusive, safe, and nurturing space that values every child's identity and needs. 

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Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Kate Moxley, an Early Years consultant, trainer and speaker specialising in wellbeing and mental health. Over the next four episodes, the pair focus on emotional connection and wellbeing in early years settings. 

In this episode, they discuss the need for practitioners to focus on fostering a sense of wellbeing in both children and themselves.  They highlight the challenges faced by educators during periods of transition, such as the start of a new school year, the impact of COVID-19 on children's socialisation, and the need for a shift in priorities from policy-driven outcomes to child-centred care.  

Kate stresses the importance of creating a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment to support children's wellbeing and how practitioners should dedicate time to build strong relationships with children. The episode explores how educators can protect their energy, collaborate as a team, and make wellbeing the heart of their early childhood settings. 

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Alistair Bryce Clegg and Kate Silverton return for the final episode to round up the topic of understanding children's behaviour. 

Kate and Alistair touch on concepts discussed so far, stressing the need to understand the science behind behaviour, advocating for viewing children through the lens of neuroscience to promote empathetic responses.  

The importance of providing a secure and safe environment for children to develop and learn is a central theme, with an emphasis on fostering empathy, setting simple boundaries, and integrating play and movement into early education.  

The discussion encourages a shift from traditional disciplinary approaches towards a more understanding and science-informed method of supporting children's mental health and well-being. 

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For episode 3 of the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Kate Silverton, a leading broadcaster, child psychologist, and author. This episode delves into the concept of the “wisdom circle”. 

Kate discusses ancestral parenting models and the importance of extended support networks in nurturing children. She touches on the challenges modern parents face in a more isolated context, contrasting it with the traditional village-like support systems. 

 The conversation touches on the need for a collective approach, where parents, educators, and practitioners create a supportive community for children, promoting a sense of safety and ease during transitions. 

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Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Kate Silverton, a leading broadcaster, child psychologist, and author. In this episode, Kate and Alistair delve into understanding and managing children's emotional responses in early years.  

Kate discusses how practitioners can recognise early signs of emotional reactions in children and offer strategies to guide them through handling strong emotions. Drawing on personal experiences, Kate emphasises the importance of comprehending the neuroscience behind stress responses and how adults can aid children in regulating these emotions.  

Kate also introduces the concept of SAS (Say what you see, Acknowledge, Soothe) parenting, highlighting the significance of acknowledging and validating children's emotions to foster resilience and effective emotional management. 

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For the first episode of series 4, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by guest Kate Silverton, a leading broadcaster, child therapist, and author. Kate sits down to share her journey back to academic roots and discuss understanding children's behaviour.  

Over the next 4 episodes, Kate emphasises the importance of understanding the science behind children's behaviour, debunking misconceptions, and providing practical strategies for both parents and practitioners to support children through emotional regulation and developmental challenges.  

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Shaddai Tembo and Laura Henry-Allain MBE return for the final episode of this series of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast, to discuss the importance of recognising the uniqueness and diversity of every family. 

Laura emphasises that it's crucial to understand the family dynamics of every child in an early years setting to ensure that you can represent and support a child's self-identity. Communication plays a key part in this; listening, learning, and ensuring that every family is acknowledged irrespective of how diverse they may be.  

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