"Speech and language is coordination, but also your whole body movement is coordination. So, if children are learning vocabulary through something they're experiencing - they're learning the word hop, but they're actually hopping at the same time - there's much more for them to hook that word onto." - Helen Guntrip My guest is Helen Guntrip, speech and language therapist, founder of Talk and Move, and someone who has spent 23 years watching children find (and lose, and find again) their voices. She's recently been recognised with the Montessori Global Award. Which makes total sense after having spoken with her. The more episodes of Oracy And Beyond I host, the more I learn... and become even more curious about in terms of where Oracy lives. Helen explains why performance anxiety is a physical thing, not a mindset problem and shares why movement isn't just good for children's bodies, but can also help develop spoke communication. In this episode Helen talks about: How the brain responds to the pressure of speaking out loudWhat "embodied learning" actually means — and why it changes vocabulary retentionCelebrating non-verbal and sign communication on equal terms with speechWhat adults get wrong about children's communication — and how to shift that Timestamps: 00:00 — How microphones can encourage shy children to speak01:12 — Using audio recording with children who have mutism02:53 — The brain's response to speaking under pressure03:10 — Deadlines, dopamine, and where confidence comes from07:54 — Why oral language development in early years matters so much11:15 — Helen's route from speech therapy to movement-based programmes12:16 — What embodied learning looks like in practice14:00 — Supporting emotional regulation and expressive freedom18:32 — Why movement helps vocabulary stick20:10 — Movement as a tool for reducing anxiety23:34 — Calm, active, and balancing movements in the classroom25:24 — Helping children with anxiety at the start of school30:19 — Practical emotional regulation during school routines34:38 — Communication beyond spoken words39:40 — Celebrating non-verbal and sign communication42:39 — Behaviour as communication — and what's behind it45:08 — How adult expectations shape children's communication48:04 — Confidence, connection, and regulation as the foundations of oracy49:28 — Helen's Montessori Global Award Find out more about Helen's work: Talk and Move here. Helen on LinkedIn here. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm Al Booth, host of Oracy and Beyond — a broadcaster, conference host, and podcast producer with more than 25 years across BBC and commercial radio and television. Today I work with schools, education organisations, and companies who want to create confident conversations — hosting conferences and panel discussions, producing podcasts, and helping leaders find the words that actually land. Organisations typically work with me to: host conferences and panel discussionslaunch and produce podcastscoach speakers and leaders to communicate clearly and with confidence Planning an event, launching a podcast, or exploring how to develop oracy across your organisation? Learn more or get in touch: albooth.co.uk Or find me on LinkedIn I started Oracy and Beyond to explore how speaking, listening, and storytelling help young people build confidence, self-worth, and opportunity. Before you go — a question from my next guest: Do you think confidence is the foundation of oracy? Leave a comment, drop me a message, or come back next episode to find out what they think.
