Podcasts can bring new perspectives into our teaching, especially when they highlight the lived experiences of children, families, and educators. This month’s choices focus on two essential themes in early childhood: the power of play and how we understand young children’s self-regulation.

🎧 People Fixing the World: The Power of Play

Released 16 September 2025

This episode reminds us just how fundamental play is to healthy development. Through play, children explore, take risks, and learn about themselves and others. Yet, in some countries, researchers are seeing a link between less free play and rising mental health concerns in children.

The programme takes us to:

• “The Land” in Wales — an adventurous playground where adults step back and children take the lead, fostering independence and creativity. This model has even expanded to support adults, under the banner of “play-based community development.”

• A soft play centre in Los Angeles — one of a chain of inclusive spaces designed for autistic children and their families, highlighting the importance of accessible environments for all.

Classroom connections:

• Illustrates play as a vehicle for learning, linking directly to units on early development and supporting children’s holistic growth.

• Sparks discussion about risk, resilience, and the role of adults in play.

• Offers real-world examples of inclusive provision, valuable for exploring how services can meet diverse needs.

🎧 Should 4-Year-Olds Really Be Expected to Sit Still?

Released 25 August 2025

In this episode, reception teacher Poppy LeMar responds to political claims that half of four-year-olds “can’t sit still.” She points out that while young children can manage short bursts of focus, their self-regulation is still developing at this stage.

She also:

• Challenges myths about what “sitting still” actually looks like in the classroom.

• Calls for better communication and understanding between educators and families.

• Advocates for inclusive practice and realistic expectations of children’s abilities.

Classroom connections:

• Provides an accessible way to discuss theories of child development, especially around self-regulation and readiness for school.

• Encourages reflection on inclusion and how educators can balance expectations with developmental realities.

• Useful as a starting point for debates: What should we realistically expect of children at different stages?

Final Thoughts

Both episodes encourage us to reflect on what children really need in their early years: opportunities to play, explore, and develop at their own pace. For Level 3 learners, these podcasts offer accessible case studies that bring developmental theory to life and highlight the importance of responsive, inclusive practice.

Why not use them to prompt student reflection? For example:

• What role does play have in emotional wellbeing?

• How can we set expectations that are developmentally appropriate while still supporting progress?