The brain that loves to play

For 10% off our conference tickets visit: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2024/. 

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like:

Matt Bawler's episode on: Growth mindset in early childhood - www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/growth-mindset-in-early-childhood/ 

Maureen Hunt's episode on: Self-efficacy in young children - www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/self-efficacy-in-young-children/ 

This episode details:

On this episode Angelica talks to Dr Jacqueline Harding, International Child Development Specialist, Research Fellow at Middlesex University, Chair of Bright Start Foundation.

Jacqueline and Angelica discuss: 

01:13 - What do we mean by 'play'? 
02:48 - Play is far from JUST fun...
04:35 - Play as a buffer against stress
05:27 - The power of the smile: Social interactions and connection
09:00 - Mirroring and sustained shared thinking: What happens in the brain during this?
11:25 - Neuroplasticity, celebrating our lives and promoting positivity 
13:18 - Creativity and imagination as vital skills for now and the future
19:54 - Play poverty and its long term effects
22:35 - The state of flow and the brain
29:00 - Brain and body working in harmony
30:43 - Adults focusing on their own needs to be able to give more to children
33:50 - Reflective questioning and unpicking research
35:11 - Becoming experts via observations
39:15 - Building resilience through play
40:35 - Advocacy, protecting play and research informed practice
43:00 - What activities help brain growth? - Laughter as an under-researched area

Read Jacqueline's article and find out more on The Voice of Early Childhood website: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com