Mindfulness for learning

Sophie speaks to Steve Waters, Founder/CEO of Teach Well Toolkit.

Steve supports schools to build a culture of staff and pupil wellbeing and mental health. He also edited Cultures of Staff Wellbeing and Mental Health in Schools - a book full of positive case studies and reflections.

In this episode they talk about the huge job of embedding a wellbeing culture in schools whilst managing the many challenges we face includinghigh stakes accountability, workload and the crowded curriculum.

If you are an educator, leader, mental health and wellbeing lead then this is a must!

You can also find more information about Steve and Teach Well Toolkit at teachwelltoolkit.com

Find out more about us at Mindfulnessforlearning.com

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.

SHARE MY STORY - A place to share your EBSA stories. - https://padlet.com/sophiemsmith/share-my-story-mindfulness-for-learning-u34ma7lm47ale2x

Have you seen the new government campaign regarding school attendance? If not then take a look - many have named it the parent blaming campaign - a child happy and smiling with a variety of slogans one of which stating "this morning he was worried about school but look at him now."

With the government refusing to look beyond sticking plasters, Sophie speaks to three parents about their child’s traumatic school experiences.

PLEASE NOTE: If your family are experiencing emotional based school avoidance then please tread carefully with this episode as it may be a difficult listen. In this episode we talk about anxiety, the restraining of children, self harm and suicidal thoughts.

PDA Society - https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/

Square Peg - https://www.teamsquarepeg.org/

Not Fine in School - https://notfineinschool.co.uk/

Sunshine Support - https://sunshine-support.org/advice-and-support/

EOTAS Matters - https://www.heidimavir.com/forfamilies

Sophie takes Rae away from her book writing (yes a new one is coming out in Autumn 2024!) to chat play, child development, the myth of earlier is better and childhood screen time.

Rae Pica has been an early childhood education consultant since 1980 and is internationally known as a speaker, online course creator, and author (Rae has written 22 books!). As a consultant, Rae has shared her expertise with the Sesame Street Research Department, Centers for Disease Control, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Nike, Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues, Bright Horizons, and health departments, schools, and resource and referral agencies throughout America.

Discover Rae Pica

Explore Rae Pica's resources

Learn more about us at Mindfulness for learning

Amongst many other things, Ellise Hollie Hayward is a motivational speaker and disabilities correspondent@JillDandoNews. She has found her passion in supporting those working in education to do better when it comes to inclusion, following her own experiences of mainstream education with cerebral palsy.

Duringthis episode Ellise offers practical tips on how to listen to the individual when striving for inclusive practice and also shares her own positive and negative experiences of mainstream education.

Follow Ellise on Twitter

Contact Ellise via email - [email protected]

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett

Greg Bottrill chats to Sophie about the mountain of nonsense that is schemes, data, robots and outcomes.

If you want to feel energised and ready to fight for play and childhood then this is the episode for you.

Find Greg here

Find Nanny Sharz here

Read Rob Hopkins, "From What Is to What If:Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want"

Mindfulness for learning

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.

For this episode we are joined by author of Write to the Core, Laura Bean. Laura is a writing specialist and educational wellness consultant.

As stated on her website Mindfulliteracy.com she been developing the Write to the Core curriculum, which integrates social-emotional learning with reading and writing. This work promotes self-reflection, empathy, compassion, and creativity, while addressing Common Core Standards.

Follow Laura on Instagram

“What if the way you are currently teaching Maths is actually preventing your children from making great progress?” This is the opening question on Karen Wilding's website.

Sophie talks to Karen, Founder of EYmaths about shifting perspectives on the way we approach maths. We explore why so many of us say “I am bad at maths” and discuss what this might do for someones wellbeing and self-esteem. 

Even if you think you know what you are doing when teaching maths then think again because Karen will open your eyes even further!  

⁠Find Karen on Twitter⁠

Find Karen on Instagram

Find Karen on Facebook

⁠Explore EYmaths website⁠

Buy your counters here!

Buy your magnetic tape here!

“Teachers don’t return, they are paid less when they do return; they are less likely to progress in leadership positions” this is a quote about the motherhood penalty from the new book 'A guide to Teaching, Parenting and Creating Family Friendly Schools' by the MTPT project.

The Maternity Teacher Paternity Teacher Project was founded in June 2016 by Emma Sheppard. Following the birth of her first child, Emma realised the lack of support for teachers who were starting families. MTPT is a UK charity that supports parent teachers and schools to develop family friendly systems.

In this episode Emma kindly chats to Sophie about how educators can ensure they are being fully supported in our schools and how schools can create and make available policy and systems that are family friendly. 

Alistair Bryce-Clegg was a Headteacher for 10 years, has been an EYFS consultant since 2009 and has had a positive impact on settings around the world. He supports local authorities, runs conferences and delivers key notes speeches both nationally and internationally.

In this episode Alistair shares many practical tips, opinions on phonics, continuous provision, carpet time and much more!

The knowledge and practical ideas he shares in this episode are absolutely achievable, based on his masses of experiences and research. Alongside being extremely knowledgable he is one of the warmest people I have come across. 

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.

Relevant Links

Alistair's Website

Follow Alistair on Twitter

Follow Alistair on Instagram

Buy Alistair's books

My First Five Years - Founded by Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Jennie Johnson

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“Our work is rooted in the ancient arts of qigong, yoga, mindfulness and meditation. When practicing these healing arts with intention, we are nurturing our heart and taking care of our wellbeing. We deepen our appreciation for the nature within us and around us.”

The creators of Sea Light - Mindful Movement for wellbeing and the authors of the children's book Nature Flow chat to Sophie about their mission to get children moving. 

They explore the importance of movement for our little ones, the current status of movement in the curriculum and Pamila and Neelam share their experiences of being at Fearne Cottons Happy Place in summer 2022.

The Book - Nature Flow

Find Sea Light Life on Instagram

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.