The Voice of Early Childhood The Voice of Early Childhood

Professor Julie Fisher tells us all about her seminal text; Starting from the child? This episode marks an exciting time as Julie publishes the 5th edition of her book. 
Julie explains how Starting from the child? began in the 1990's, and how it responds to policy and practice, and follows the history of early childhood education in England. 
To find out about Julie Fisher's book launch visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/starting-from-the-child/
Episode break down:
00:00 - How did Starting from the child begin?
05:05 - Your job as an educator is to inspire children
06:45 - Back when early years had money!...
12:44 - Children and educators are crying
16:47 - The constantly evolving sector
20:13 - Every headteacher needs early years training
24:35 - We need to focus on future educators
31:09 - Julie's advice for new educators
38:08 - Book launch announcement
For more episodes visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com 

There are 3 main skills for social sustainability...
Do you know what these could be?
Researcher Carmela Garcia Manas identified these skills through her research which are vital for children to develop for their understanding of social sustainability, and to be able to engage as active citizens as part of society. 
In this episode we pose the reflective question of: 
Does your curriculum allow for the development of these vital skills? 
We also ponder on the fact that there is more training out there on what can be 'taught by the adult' rather than 'nurtured'. 
To read and listen to the whole research series visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/articles/sustainability/
Tune into next week's episode on: Equality vs equity – is fairness an act of equal sharing?
If you enjoyed this episode you might also like to listen to Carmela's previous episode with Zanna Clarke, Principal of Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools, on 'Life skills over academic achievement' - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/life-skills-over-academic-achievement/ 
Episode break down:
00:00 - Research on education for social sustainability
01:30 - What are the 3 main skills for social sustainability?
06:30 - Progression of these skills throughout the research
12:30 - Are these more generally life skills?
18:05 - Becoming active citizens in society 
20:00 - Does your curriculum allow for the development of these vital skills?
22:50 - Teacher training in phonics but not in critical thinking?!...
24:10 - We have more training on what can be 'taught by the adult' rather than 'nurtured'
26:50 - Moving away from learning facts and towards learning skills
29:50 - Developing empathy and compassion as part of social sustainability
35:45 - Next episode...
For more episodes visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com 

Researcher Carmela Garcia Manas explains that children are followers, enforcers and creators of social norms. Carmela talks about an important finding from her research of just how highly influenced children are by the presence of the adult.
To read and listen to the whole research series visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/articles/sustainability/
Tune into next week's episode on: The essential skills for social sustainability 
If you enjoyed this episode you might also like to listen to Carmela's previous episode with Zanna Clarke, Principal of Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools, on 'Life skills over academic achievement' - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/life-skills-over-academic-achievement/ 
Episode break down:
00:00 - What do children understand of normativity and social norms?
03:00 - Children as followers, enforcers and creators of social norms
03:30 - 'Rich' or 'poor table'
09:05 - Children are highly influenced by the presence of an adult
14:19 - What does subordination mean?
16:00 - Conforming to social norms can become dangerous
19:00 - Children look for fairness
22:50 - How do we encourage children to question the adult?
27:00 - Allocating time for reflection
30:40 - A big change was seen at the end of the research
32:20 - House swap and property inflation in play!
36:00 - Value and demand
36:45 - Children's resourcefulness and adaptability: The sophistication of play
38:30 - Next episode...
For more episodes visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com 

Children's understanding of power dynamics are explored through the concept of 'possession as a form of power', in the context of social sustainability. Researcher Carmela Garcia Manas shares her findings in this third episode in a research series around education for social sustainability.
To read and listen to the whole research series visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/articles/sustainability/
Tune into next week's episode on the impact and power of the adult on children’s actions, and behaviours around social sustainability.
If you enjoyed this episode you might also like to listen to Carmela's previous episode with Zanna Clarke, Principal of Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools, on 'Life skills over academic achievement' - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/life-skills-over-academic-achievement/ 
Episode break down:
00:00 - What do we mean by possession? 
03:03 - Unequal distribution of resources 
04:10 - Children are aware that possession involves power
05:20 - Scenario 1: In search of food
11:20 - Decision making is a form of power
13:15 - Sense of authority and influence
18:00 - Conformity to roles
21:38 - Scenario 2: In search of water
24:20 - Possession affecting the feeling of inclusion
28:40 - A change in conformity levels
32:50 - Social sustainability in every day play and routines
36:20 - Next episode...
For more episodes visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com 

Here Carmela shares the first theme uncovered from her findings, centred around children’s perceptions of poverty and race.
This is the second episode in a research series around education for social sustainability by Carmela Garcia Manas. Carmela is the Headmistress of Miss Daisy’s Chelsea and PhD researcher at University of Dundee. 
To read and listen to the whole research series visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/childrens-perceptions-of-race-and-poverty/
Tune into next week's episode on theme 2: Children's perceptions of power dynamics in society
If you enjoyed this episode you might also like to listen to Carmela's previous episode with Zanna Clarke, Principal of Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools, on 'Life skills over academic achievement' - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/life-skills-over-academic-achievement/ 
Episode break down:
00:00 - Exposing children to social issues
03:40 - Using drama to understand poverty and race
05:00 - Children from a privileged background
08:00 - Bridging the gap between play and real life
09:30 - Children's comments around poverty
14:20 - What does it feel like to have no water?
17:40 - Why are books not enough for understanding complex issues?
21:45 - Introducing challenging topics sensitively 
23:00 - Racism is socially constructed
26:00 - Children naturally hold positive views around diversity
29:45 - What does it feel like not to speak a shared language?
35:30 - Exposure to diversity is vital
37:45 - Supporting parents in feeling comfortable to talk about race and poverty
40:00 - Episode summary
45:00 - Next episode...
For more episodes visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com 

This is the first episode in a research series around education for social sustainability by Carmela Garcia Manas. Carmela is the Headmistress of Miss Daisy’s Chelsea and PhD researcher at University of Dundee, she introduces her PhD research in this episode, and breaks down the findings into several themes in the follow up episodes. 
To read Carmela's article visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/education-for-social-sustainability-through-sociodramatic-play/ 
Tune into next week's episode on theme 1: Children's perceptions of race and poverty
If you enjoyed this episode you might also like to listen to Carmela's previous episode with Zanna Clarke, Principal of Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools, on 'Life skills over academic achievement' - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/life-skills-over-academic-achievement/ 
Episode break down:
00:00 - Why did you conduct this research and what was your goal? 
02:40 - What are the 3 dimensions of sustainability?
04:10 - Addressing complex issues with children
05:40 - Are we taking away the innocence of childhood?
09:00 - Exposing children to new situations
10:25 - What is sociodramatic play?
14:00 - Children taking an active role as co-researchers
15:30 - Seeing childhood as a permanent structure
16:20 - Fighting for children's rights, social sustainability and social transformation
18:00 - Sustainability missing from the EYFS
22:20 - Upskilling educators in social sustainability
26:00 - Raising future politicians, scientists, educators...
27:35 - Children's understanding of race
29:25 - Challenging misconceptions and stereotypes
30:25 - Empowering children to have a voice and speak out
31:45 - The context of Carmela's research
35:10 - Next episode...
For more episodes visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com