...with Prof. Teresa Cremin.

In this episode, Professor Teresa Cremin from the Open University, an expert on reading for pleasure, talks about why encouraging children to read voluntarily is so important. We explored the academic, social, and emotional benefits of reading, discussed the challenges posed by technology and changing family habits, and highlighted the crucial roles teachers, schools, and libraries play in fostering a love of reading. Teresa shared research insights and practical strategies for building positive reader identities and creating supportive, social reading environments that inspire lifelong engagement with books.

In summary:

• Importance of voluntary reading for children and its benefits

• Academic, social, and emotional advantages of reading

• Consequences of not developing reading habits on cognitive and emotional growth

• Challenges in encouraging reading among young people

• Role of educators and schools in promoting reading habits

• Impact of technology and societal factors on reading preferences

• Significance of libraries in fostering a reading culture

• Misconceptions about reading as an individual activity versus a social practice

• Need for diverse reading materials that reflect student interests

• Importance of creating supportive environments for reading discussion

Find out more:

Teresa Cremin: https://profiles.open.ac.uk/teresa-cremin

Reading for Pleasure: https://ourfp.org/

...with Dr Julia Badger

In this episode of #Psychologyintheclassroom bullying expert Dr Julia Badger, from Oxford University discusses her conference talk, “Peer Power: Understanding and Changing Bullying Dynamics in Mainstream and Specialist Special Schools.” Bullying is a public health priority. As teachers we need to know about bullying involvement and its impact. In this conversation Julia explores the challenges of defining bullying, introduces the concept of “counter connecting,” and highlights the unique experiences of children with SEND. She shares evidence-based strategies, including the KIVA program and its SEND adaptation, emphasizing whole-school approaches and community involvement.

• Definition and complexity of bullying in educational settings.

• Proposal of a new inclusive definition of bullying, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

• Introduction of the concept of "counter connecting" and its implications in bullying dynamics.

• Differences in bullying experiences between mainstream and special schools.

• The disproportionate impact of bullying on children with SEND.

• Variations in bullying types (verbal, physical, relational, cyberbullying) across different school environments.

• The psychological and emotional effects of bullying on victims, perpetrators, and bully-victims.

• Importance of whole-school anti-bullying programs and community involvement.

• Evidence-based interventions for bullying prevention, such as the KIVA program.

• The need for clear policies and shared understanding of bullying among educators, parents, and students.

Links:

Dr Julia Badger: https://www.education.ox.ac.uk/person/julia-badger/

KIVA: https://www.kivaprogram.net/

WISDOM Network: https://wisdom.mhid.org.uk/

Podcast with Lucy Bowes: https://changingstatesofmind.libsyn.com/bullying-its-everybodys-problem

Podcast with Chris Tayloe: https://changingstatesofmind.libsyn.com/constructive-deviance-with-chris-taylor

...with Prof. Neil Humphrey

In this episode Professor Neil Humphrey from the University of Manchester, discusses trends in youth mental health, the rise in internalising issues like anxiety, and the impact of societal changes such as sleep hygiene and service cuts. He critiques current research methods, advocates for evidence-based, cost-effective school interventions, and emphasizes the importance of promoting well-being through arts, physical activity, and sleep. The episode offers practical insights for teachers and highlights the need for nuanced, whole-community approaches.

Key points: Current state of child and adolescent mental health

• Decline in young people's mental health over the past 30 years

• Distinction between internalising (anxiety, depression) and externalising (behavioural issues) problems

• Societal factors influencing mental health, including sleep hygiene and funding cuts to services

• Critique of current mental health measurement tools and the need for updated assessments

• Discussion on the effectiveness of universal mental health interventions in schools

• Importance of promoting overall well-being and positive mental health, not just addressing difficulties

• Role of creative arts and physical activity in enhancing mental health

• Need for evidence-based approaches in school mental health support

• Challenges faced by teachers in addressing mental health within the educational system

Useful links:

Prof Neil Humphrey:https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/neil.humphrey

Education for Wellbeing In conjunction with Anna Freud: https://www.annafreud.org/research/current-research-projects/education-for-wellbeing/

Youth Futures Foundation: Understanding Drivers of recent trends in young people’s mental health: https://youthfuturesfoundation.org/publication/report-understanding-drivers-of-recent-trends-in-young-peoples-mental-health/

Podcast with Prof Jess Deighton: https://changingstatesofmind.libsyn.com/navigating-mental-health-issues-in-schools-strategies-for-teachers-and-students-with-prof-jess-deighton