This article and podcast episode challenges the conventional practice of tummy time, drawing on research from Pikler, Feldenkrais, and Goddard Blythe to argue that babies thrive when allowed to move freely and naturally. It explores how self-initiated movement supports neurological development, reflex integration, and emotional regulation—highlighting the importance of trust, observation, and respectful environments over intervention and milestone-driven practice. Read the article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/tummy-time-is-an-outdated-notion/ This episode is sponsored by Pikler UK Pikler UK promotes the principles of the Pikler® approach: respectful care, free movement development, and self-initiated play in the early years. We offer training and resources for parents and professionals, supporting secure relationships and natural development. Rooted in the work of Dr Emmi Pikler, we nurture trust in each child’s competence from the very beginning. To find out more visit: https://pikler.co.uk/ The Pikler UK conference: https://pikler.co.uk/shop/conference-25 Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: · The Pikler Triangle: The tip of the iceberg – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-pikler-triangle-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/ · An introduction to Emmi Pikler – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/introduction-emmi-pikler/ 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! 01:45 – Reflexes & tummy time 04:00 – School readiness linked to reflexes 06:00 – Is my child behind? 08:50 – Should we help babies to roll over? 11:00 – Building resilience through freedom of movement 13:40 – Development through loving presence 14:30 – How does it feel for the child being rushed to the next step? 18:20 – Learned helplessness 21:00 – Movement as communication & relationship building 25:00 – Containment – restrictive movement 28:00 – Issues arising from containment 30:00 – Pikler UK conference 2025: Born ready 31:20 – Challenging the notion of school readiness For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com
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36:50
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36:50
Making the most of the Reception Baseline Assessment
In this re-released episode and article David Meechan critically explores the reception baseline assessment (RBA), questioning its purpose, reliability and impact on children, teachers and families. Drawing on his research and personal experience, he highlights practical ways educators and leaders can navigate the RBA while advocating for assessment approaches that truly reflect and support child-centred learning in the early weeks of school. Read the article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/whats-the-problem-with-the-reception-baseline-assessment/ Our 2026 conference info & tickets: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2026/ Get in touch and share your voice: Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/ Episode breakdown: 03:30 - How David's work started on the RBA 05:50 - Requesting his son's withdrawal from the assessment 07:55 - Inconsistencies of withdrawal from the assessment 09:30 - Moral issues with assessment and testing 11:30 - Research into the baseline assessment 14:40 - Signing away a child's data footprint 15:57 - The datafication of early years 19:00 - Are the children's best interests at heart? 20:40 - Taking teachers out of classrooms 21:58 - Key findings from David's baseline research 23:50 - Treating children as a means to an end 27:35 - Making the most of the reception baseline assessment 29:00 - A holistic approach to the baseline assessment 30:40 - Reliability of the baseline assessment 32:00 - Reducing lived experiences to abstract numbers 34:15 - Positives taken from the baseline assessment 36:00 - Giving value to assessment 40:00 - Tips for teachers conducting the baseline assessment Hear and read more on The Voice of Early Childhood website: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com
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44:39
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44:39
Should 4-year-olds really be expected to sit still?
Reception teacher Poppy LeMar responds to Bridget Phillipson’s claim that “half can’t sit still” at age four, explaining that while children can sit briefly, their self-regulation is still developing. She highlights what sitting still actually looks like in a reception classroom, challenges misconceptions, and encourages better understanding between families and educators. She also advocates for inclusion and realistic expectations. Read the article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/should-4-year-olds-really-be-expected-to-sit-still-?/ This episode is sponsored by Funding Loop Funding Loop automates the process for nurseries of collecting funding forms from parents and typing that information into council portals. Funding Loop is used by over 2000 nurseries including over 80% of the top 25 nursery chains in the UK including Busy Bees. To find out more visit: https://www.fundingloop.co.uk/home Our 2026 conference info & tickets: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2026/ You might also like… · Proactively promoting positive mental health by Matt Bawler – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/proactively-promoting-positive-mental-health/ · Self-regulation, co-regulation & mental health by Dr Mine Conkbayir – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/self-regulation-co-regulation-and-mental-health/ · ‘It’s not time out, it’s time in’ for both of us: Co- and self-regulation by Julia Robinson & Charlotte Hannah – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/its-not-time-out-its-time-in-for-both-of-us/ · Understanding neuroscience in early childhood by Mandy Worsley – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/understanding-neuroscience-in-early-childhood/ 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! 01:50 – Should 4-year-olds really be expected to sit still? 04:00 – Expectations on starting school 06:30 – Safety requirements 08:00 – From sitting still to sitting safely 11:00 – Sitting still is outdated 12:30 – ‘Fidget toys’ and sensory resources 16:00 – Putting children at the back of the carpet 18:00 – Negative spaces in the classroom 21:45 – ‘Marketing’ & reframing as a teacher… 24:00 – Freedom to sit how children want 27:00 – Expectations for learning 28:00 – Engaging in deep play 30:00 – Children struggling to play 34:00 – What is your understanding of school readiness? 38:30 – Preparing your child for school 40:00 – Communication & trust is number 1 For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com
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48:28
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48:28
Active vs passive screen time
Screen time isn’t inherently passive — or problematic. This article and podcast episode explores the difference between active and passive screen time in early childhood, and how digital play, when used intentionally, can support critical life skills like empathy, resilience, and problem-solving. A balanced, developmental approach can help educators and caregivers make informed choices about children’s use of screens. Read the article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/active-vs-passive-screen-time/ This episode is sponsored by Nurture Nurture is an interactive learning app designed for children aged 4–7, developed to teach essential life skills that traditional schools often overlook. Through immersive, story-driven games and a unique dual‑screen experience (mobile/tablet + TV), the platform focuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation, growth mindset, resilience, money smarts, and critical thinking. Built on a science-backed educational framework and crafted by educators, child development experts, and Emmy-winning storytellers, Nurture aims to transform screen time into purposeful play. To find out more visit: www.nurture.is Our 2026 conference info & tickets: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2026/ Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: · Life skills over academic achievement by Carmela Garcia Manas & Zanna Clarke - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/life-skills-over-academic-achievement/ · How can AI positively impact education? By Richard Waite - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/how-can-ai-positively-impact-education/ 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 & introductions 03:30 – Screen time as a concern 05:30 – What does active screen time mean? 07:00 – Digital social environment 08:30 – Gaming as active screen time 13:00 – Musa’s role of game design and research 15:00 – Structure & habit of screen time 16:30 – Co-engagement in screen time 19:30 – Games as safe environments to take risks 21:00 – Asking children the right questions 22:00 – Are games similar to books? 24:00 – Agency and co-creation through screen time 25:00 – What is Nurture? 26:30 – Taking screen time offline & into the real world 28:45 – A balanced digital diet: Passive screen time is also valuable 30:00 – Learning consequences in safe spaces 31:00 – Co-regulation through gaming 33:25 – Eye health & screen use 35:00 – Digital wellbeing 36:00 – Digital expression & creativity (toolbox of expression) 37:00 – Tips for parents who are nervous about allowing screen time 38:00 – A digital canyon – falling behind 41:00 – Key takeaways For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com
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43:10
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43:10
Changing perspectives on risky play
This reflective piece explores how perspectives on risky play have changed over time, highlighting its importance for children’s development. Darren Barkhouse draws on personal experiences and cultural comparisons – challenging today’s risk-averse attitudes and advocates for supportive environments where children can explore, take risks, and grow. The article and podcast episode invite educators and families to reconsider their own approaches to risk in play. Read the article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/changing-perspectives-on-risky-play/ This episode is sponsored by Funding Loop Funding Loop automates the process for nurseries of collecting funding forms from parents and typing that information into council portals. Funding Loop is used by over 2000 nurseries including over 80% of the top 25 nursery chains in the UK including Busy Bees. To find out more visit: https://www.fundingloop.co.uk/home Our 2026 conference info & tickets: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2026/ Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: · A nature-deficit childhood by Julia Packwood - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/a-nature-deficit-childhood/ · The therapeutic nature of outdoor play by Jenny Smillie - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-therapeutic-nature-of-outdoor-play/ · The science behind outdoor play by Dr Gemma Goldenberg - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/author/gemma-goldenberg/ 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 & introductions 04:30 – Reflecting back to early experiences of risky play 08:25 – Positive stress situations & building resiliency 13:00 – Controlled learning environments for exploration 18:00 – Teaching children to risk assess for themselves 20:00 – Less risky play or a different type of risky play? 22:00 – Asking why rather than saying no 28:00 – A cultural lens on risky play 34:00 – The power of boredom 35:00 – Control, scaffolding learning & Vygotsky 37:00 – The impacts of media and technology 43:00 – Building relationships and trust 46:00 – Your own toolbox as an educator or parent/carer For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com
The Voice of Early Childhood Podcast: involving you in thought-provoking discussions around early childhood. This weekly podcast brings you discussion, reflection, debate and a window into the minds of advocates working with our young leaders of tomorrow.
Ireland