Dr Kathy Weston's Get a Grip! Parenting Podcast: Recent Episodes
Dr Kathy Weston
This podcast series helps parents get a grip on some of the most important questions in parenting today. Tune in to hear interviews with the biggest influencers and most eminent researchers working in the areas of mental health, wellbeing, psychology and education.
In this must listen interview for any early years educators, Dr Gillian West chats to Dr Cassie Rhodes about a fantastic new oral language enrichment and intervention programme for children delivered the year before they enter formal education. NELI Preschool is designed around the principles of shared book reading and guided play, and aims to improve vocabulary, develop narrative skills, encourage active listening and build confidence in speaking. Find out about extremely promising results from a randomised control trial which assessed the programme's efficacy, learn more about the importance of language development for children's attainment and wellbeing, and get some top tips on supporting children optimally.
This inspiring conversation between Dr Weston and five time karate world champion, Professor Geoff Thompson, takes us from Geoff's childhood and sporting career, to his work at major sporting games. He explains his desire for every community and organisation to sign up to the Youth Charter, an organisation, founded by Geoff, which aims to provide sport, art, cultural and digital activity to all young people.
Our latest Researcher of the Month, Dr Julie Moote, chats to Dr Cassie Rhodes about her newly published paper, 'More is More: Exploring the Relationship Between Young People’s Experiences of School-Based Career Education, Information, Advice and Guidance at Age 14–16 and Wider Adult Outcomes at Age 21–22 in England'. Dr Moote's findings will be of great interest to any school wanting to understand more about the benefits of careers education and the best ways to embed great practice. The conversation ends with some fantastic tips for parents to use at home when talking about careers with children.
In this episode, Dr Meinou Simmons provides some tips for both parents and educators and answers some parent questions on children's mental health, focusing on the importance of sleep, connection and support networks.
Dr Kumar chats to Dr Cassie Rhodes about her recent recent research, which examined whether there are differences in the messages that preschool teachers send girls and boys about science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Listen for lots of tips on fostering scientific curiosity and interest for ALL young children.
Researcher of the Month, Dr Mariya Stoilova, joins Dr Cassie Rhodes to talk about the efficacy of parental control tools, why families use them and whether they achieve what they claim to. This interview is packed with practical tips and food for thought for parents with children of all ages.
Charles Fadel, founder and chairman of the Center for Curriculum Redesign, and global education thought leader, chats with Dr Weston about his new book: 'Education for the Age of AI: Why, What and How should students learn for the age of Artificial Intelligence?'. Charles talks us through the positive role that AI can play in education and the holistic changes that are needed in the system over the coming years.
Researcher of the month, Dr Francesca Solmi, discusses her new paper, which looks at the links between high BMI, body dissatisfaction and depression in children. Whilst she talks through some concerning findings, the interview is ultimately one of hope, providing numerous things that we can do to help children and young people have better body image and, hopefully, better mental health.
In this interview, we hear from Professor Michael Thomas and Dr Simon Green, who have just published a fascinating book called 'How the Brain Works: What Psychology Students Need to Know'. Written in a playful style and illustrated throughout, it is designed to support students as they embark on the beginning of their psychology degree, but we think that it is extremely accessible and highly recommend it for everyone! In this enlightening conversation, Dr Weston finds out how our understanding of brain science can be practically applied in our everyday parenting.
One of our researchers of the month, Professor Amelia Lake, talks to Dr Cassie Rhodes about her newly published study, co-authored with Dr Shelina Visram and other members of the FUSE team. It outlines numerous risks associated with children and young people's consumption of energy drinks, including an increased incidence of mental health problems. Professor Lake talks us through the evidence, outlines her hopes for policy change and provides some useful practical suggestions for parents and schools.
Our Researcher of the Month, PhD student Anda Solea, talks to us about her new paper, ‘Mainstreaming the Blackpill: Understanding the Incel Community on TikTok’. She discusses how misogynistic incel ideology is proliferating on mainstream social media platforms through the use of covert messaging and pseudoscience, and considers what parents and teachers might be able to do to counter these messages and encourage young people to think critically about the things that they see online.
In this interview, Advanced Specialist Eating Disorder Dietitian, Paola Falcoski, helps us get to grips with ARFID; an eating disorder where individuals have a very restricted diet, but are not motivated by body image concerns. We learn about the characteristics of ARFID, the diagnosis process and numerous strategies that can help to expose children and young people to new foods. Paola also fills us in on some excellent free resources that will benefit young people, parents and school staff.
In this interview, we learn all about developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and get some top tips from two experts in the field. We also hear about an exciting research project, which schools might be interested in joining!
Cybercrime expert, Dr Lisa Sugiura explains what the 'manosphere' is and explores the harms of online misogyny and how it might impact on young people. This interview is packed with tips about how to talk to young people about these issues, encouraging cognitive flexibility and critical consumption of what see and read online.
In this interview, Professor Peter Smith and Dr Jennifer St.George talk to us about their fascinating work on rough and tumble play. What is it? How does it differ from play fighting? And how should we respond to this kind of play, both at home and at school?
Our Researcher of the Month, PhD student, Gemma Goldenberg, tells us about her exciting research into the impact of learning outdoors on young children. Tune in for some fascinating findings about how simply being outdoors for a few minutes has a significant positive impact on children's physiological stress levels.
In this episode, Dr Hope Christie speaks with three guests Scott Mair (Fathers Network Scotland), Kieran Anders (Dad Matters) and Professor Anna Tarrant (University of Lincoln), about the importance of father mental health, father inclusive practices and the role of fathers within a family unit.
In this episode, Professor Anna Tarrant talks with us about the importance and value of grandparents and other kinship carers. Find out about the role grandparents can play in a child's life and the benefits to a child's development of having extended family.
Monique Thoonsen, author of 'Sensory Processing in the Classroom' and 'Making Sense of Your Senses' talks to us about what sensory processing is, why it's so important and how we can best support children who struggle with processing sensory input.
Researcher of the Month, Camille Mori discusses her new paper, which examines the links between exposure to explicit sexual content and problematic sexual behaviours in children and teens. She talks us through the differences between normal and problematic sexual behaviours in children of different ages and outlines what we know about its relationship to exposure to sexual content, both online and in the home. Any interested parent or educator should listen for tips on how to open up conversations about sex and relationships generally and best practice on how to respond effectively if your child is either exhibiting problematic behaviours, or has been impacted by the behaviours of someone else.
PhD student and educational psychologist, Miranda Eadonable talks about how foetal alcohol spectrum disorder can impact on children's learning and behaviour. She tells us about her research, explores how teachers can best support children and young people with FASD and points listeners to numerous useful resources.
In this episode, we learn more about alopecia and how best to support children and young people affected by the condition.
Dr Weston is joined by Becky Vieira, author of 'Enough About the Baby' and the woman behind popular Instagram account, #wittyotter. They chat about the first year of motherhood and all of its challenges and frustrations. Becky's book doesn't shy away from all those common taboos, from managing nosey in-laws and an anxious partner to surviving the first postpartum poo and when to seek out treatment for depression! Tune in for plenty of advice and tips.
Researcher of the Month, Anya Heneghan talks to us about her work which examines the experiences of siblings when they have a brother or sister with an eating disorder. She talks us through what the existing research shows about how consuming eating disorders can be for siblings and provides numerous tips to help parents support all of their children throughout this very challenging situation.
Researcher of the month, Professor Claudia Bernard discusses her recent paper which explores the experiences and perspectives of designated safeguarding leads in fee-paying schools to understand how they engage affluent parents when there are safeguarding and child protection concerns.
In this interview, Professor Johan Korhonen talks with us about math anxiety and its role on math performance. Find out about why math anxiety may develop in children, what are the early signs of math anxiety, and how it may impact future educational aspirations. Professor Korhonen provides a number of insights into strategies both parents and teachers can implement immediately at home and at school to ease math anxiety in children.
Researcher of the month, Professor Beatriz Ilari chats to us about how music has a wide-ranging impact on young people's social and emotional development. We might assume that being 'musical' means playing an instrument, but Professor Ilari stresses the importance of everyday musical experiences and simply of listening to and engaging with our favourite bands or songs. In this interview, we find out more about her fascinating work.
In this interview, Professor Courtenay Norbury talks with us about developmental language disorder (DLD), which she describes as a 'chronically understudied' topic. Find out about early signs and what impact it might have on children and young people's development. Professor Norbury provides numerous practical strategies for both parents to use at home and teachers to try in the classroom to help children with DLD have as good outcomes as possible.
Did you know that the ability to regulate our emotions well is connected to better mental health and wellbeing, academic achievement and stronger and more long lasting personal relationships? In this interview, Dr Erika Galea talks us through the most effective strategies for building the vital skill of emotional regulation which can be used in both the classroom and at home with children and young people of all ages.
In this interview, we talk with Dr Marina Bazhydai, Director of the Active Learning Lab (ALL) at Lancaster University, about nurturing children's sense of curiosity, wonder and creativity. We learn about her innovative and fascinating work which investigates active exploration and curiosity in very young children, find out more about the links between creativity and emotional literacy and discover how she is seeking to pinpoint the elusive concept of wonder. This is a great listen if you are keen to learn how to cultivate curiosity and innovative thinking in your child (or the children in your care).
Dr Emma Ross, former Head of Physiology at the English Institute of Sport and founder of The Well HQ, talks to us about her new book and all things related to women, girls and sport. We learn about the need to change the language often used to talk to girls about their bodies and give them the confidence to advocate for themselves, how to fuel girls' bodies adequately to provide them with the energy they need, the importance of well-fitting, comfortable sports bras and kit, the importance of menstrual cycle tracking and how to keep girls up girls' interest and enjoyment in sport. This wide ranging, practical interview is a must listen for anyone who supports women and girls and anyone who wants to know more about women's health, fitness and movement.
Maggie Johnson is a speech and language therapist specialising in childhood communication disorders and selective mutism, and the associated impact on families, schools and young people. She talks to us about her fantastic new book, 'The Selective Mutism Workbook for Parents and Professionals', which includes numerous activities and strategies organised around the daily routines of school and family life. This interview is longer than most and is packed with information and tips, so for ease of listening, we've broken it into two parts. This is part two. Enjoy!
Maggie Johnson is a speech and language therapist specialising in childhood communication disorders and selective mutism, and the associated impact on families, schools and young people. She talks to us about her fantastic new book, 'The Selective Mutism Workbook for Parents and Professionals', which includes numerous activities and strategies organised around the daily routines of school and family life. This interview is longer than most and is packed with information and tips, so for ease of listening, we've broken it into two parts. This is part one. Enjoy!
Our Researcher of the Month, Tanya Manchanda, has recently published a review which assesses existing friendship interventions and their impacts on the mental health outcomes of adolescents aged 12–24 years. In this interview, Tanya considers what we know about these interventions, for both the teen who is trained and their friends and reveals that surprisingly few interventions which utilise authentic social groups have been studied, despite their potential for strong results. She talks us through some of the interventions that do exist and outlines key things that schools might like to consider when developing and implementing friendship interventions designed to improve teens' mental health.
In this interview, we talk to cyberpsychologist Dr Danielle Paddock about her fascinating examination of how teens converse with each other about appearance on social media. We know that appearance-related concerns are very high among teens in the UK. We also know that visual social media platform design encourages both image creation/sharing and interactions about these images. Dr Paddock chats about key themes that have emerged in her work, fruitful ways to talk to teens about this issue, and the positive impact of a brief school-based intervention about appearance-based interactions on young people's body image.
In this interview, Professor Jessie Ricketts talks to us about her research into reading and language development in both teens and younger children. We explore early reading development, how reading ability continues to evolve into adolescence and discuss evidence-based ways to boost young people's motivation to read. Professor Ricketts also provides information on useful tools that can be used in the classroom.
Our Researcher of the Month, Professor Shana Carpenter, talks to English teacher and examiner, Patrick Cragg about the science behind two effective learning strategies: spacing and retrieval. She outlines how and why these simple practices can benefit learning and explores why so few students actually use them. Listen for top tips on how to integrate these strategies into the classroom or at home.
In this interview, Suzanne Graham, Professor of Language and Education at the University of Reading, chats to us about the potential benefits of learning foreign languages. She discusses the links between language learning and creativity, talks us through her research into learning foreign languages in both primary and secondary settings and considers how we can motivate young people to engage with and enjoy the challenge. Professor Graham provides information about several fantastic resources for teachers, including free lesson plans and assessment tools.
Have you ever considered the impact of the climate crisis on young people or really asked how they feel about the constant barrage of bad news that faces them? In this interview, Dr Weston chats with Dr Verity Jones about sustainable futures and education. They talk through optimal ways to discuss issues around climate change with children and young people and outline the things that young people would find helpful. They also discuss the global impact of fast fashion and how our intimate relationship with clothes can be a great way to open up conversations about issues of sustainability. Dr Jones references a vast number of fantastic resources which teaching staff and parents will find useful.
In this interview, clinical psychologist and eating disorder expert, Dr Amy Harrison, talks to us about optimal ways to support a friend who has an eating disorder. She discusses her innovative research into the impact of eating disorders on social functioning and gives us some actionable tips that might be helpful in maintaining and strengthening friendships. She also guides us through some topics of conversation to avoid or reframe.
Should we worry if our teens spend hours a day gaming? New research shows that for the majority of teens, heavy gaming is not detrimental to their wellbeing and might even have a positive relationship with it. However, it also shows that there are a small number of teens for whom heavy gaming is associated with poor wellbeing. Dr Simona Skripkauskaite, our Researcher of the Month for February 2023, chats to us about her new study and what these findings mean for parents.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks with Dr Leor Zmigrod about the psychology of ideological extremism. It's a fascinating discussion which outlines cognitive characteristics that might act as vulnerability factors for radicalisation and ideologically-motivated behaviour in young people, before addressing what strategies might help to protect young people from this kind of rigid, and potentially dangerous, thinking.
Researcher of the month, Dr Cele Richardson, discusses her 2022 study, which shows that when parents have a warmer relationship with their teens, teens tend to have better sleep hygiene practices, sleep for longer at night and feel less sleepy during the day. Lack of sleep can have a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of many teenagers. As parents, we are ideally placed to help them form good and healthy habits. Learn more about the impact we can have in this fascinating interview.
Dr Weston delivers a Christmas message focusing on emotional literacy, oracy and zones of regulation.
Music by SoundGalleryByDmitryTaras from Pixabay.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Dr Susie Bower-Brown about the experiences of binary-trans, non-binary and gender questioning young people in UK schools. Her research uncovers various ways in which teens who identify in this way often feel invisible or discriminated against. Listen for her thoughts on how schools can best support these young people and improve their mental health outcomes.
In this interview, Dr Weston talks to Professor James O'Higgins Norman about bullying. Professor O'Higgins Norman is the UNESCO Chair on Tackling Bullying in Schools and Cyberspace at Dublin City University, where he is Director of the fantastic National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre. We chat about what bullying looks like in 2022, how schools can best tackle it and the importance of reducing bystander behaviours. Professor O'Higgins Norman also lets us know about some innovative games and websites that can be used by parents, teachers and young people. A must listen for both parents and anyone who works in a school.
Professor Brackett outlines how, far from being a weakness, emotions - and our ability to feel, understand, and use them - are vital to achieving success. He describes his effective, evidence-based approach to emotional intelligence, known as RULER, which is used in thousands of schools worldwide.
In this interview, Dr Weston chats with Ella Podmore about her role as senior materials engineer at McLaren Automotive. Ella answers questions from children and young people, talking inspiringly about setting goals and how to work towards achieving them. Passionate about inspiring other girls into STEM industries, Ella also highlights some campaigns and organisations working in this field.
In this interview, Dr Weston talks with PhD student, Caoimhe Dempsey about her research into how parents feel when their children first start school. We know a lot about how to make children 'school-ready' in terms of their learning, but what about how parental attitudes and emotions impact their transition? Do parents tend to feel positively about school starting? How does it impact on their life? Tune in to find out!
In this interview, Dr Weston chats to England and Saracens rugby player, Sonia Green, otherwise known as Sonic. They discuss how to encourage sporting participation, how to balance academic pressures with sporting aspirations and the best way to deal with inevitable injuries. A must listen for all parents of young athletes and their children.
In this interview, Professor Mina Fazel talks to Dr Weston about supporting displaced children once they are in a place of refuge. Listen now to find out about the crucial importance of a sense of belonging and how the outcomes of these children are dramatically improved if they are able to form natural social connections. Teachers and school staff can learn some top tips on supporting the mental health of refugee (and in fact all) children in the classroom. Professor Fazel also points us in the direction of some helpful further resources.
Researcher of the month, Professor David Putwain, discusses his recent paper which focuses on whether warning GCSE students of the consequences of failure (otherwise known as a 'fear appeal') is a motivating strategy in terms of their levels of engagement and achievement. He outlines the reasons why teachers use fear appeals, how this kind of approach can have very different outcomes depending on the way that individual students evaluate the message, and what this means for classroom practice. He also provides us with some great tips and tools that teachers can use to take a temperature check of their students' levels of test anxiety.
In this podcast interview, Dr Weston talks with Professor Deirdre Butler and Dr Paula Lehane about how Minecraft: Education Edition is being used in classrooms. They discuss the great potential of so called 'sandbox' games in children's learning, outline current gaps in the research evidence and provide useful tips for any teachers wanting to make the most of game-based learning.
Researcher of the Month, Dr Éadaoin Slattery, discusses her recent paper, which systematically reviews the evidence around popular sustained attention training interventions, which are widely used in schools. She talks us through what sustained attention is, why it is important and whether or not widely used interventions are likely to have a significant impact. We've probably all heard of brain training, but here Dr Slattery also talks us through some other kinds of interventions, which potentially show more promise.
In this interview, Dr Weston talks with Justin Bowen about his own family's experience of loss and what prompted him to write support books for parents, schools and children experiencing bereavement. They discuss how schools can best support children who have lost a loved one (and how settings can access Justin's fantastic and practical book, 'Be The Rainbow') and dwell on Justin's personal insights into things that helped him and his family manage through this deeply challenging time. Justin's story is an inspiring and empowering message of hope and optimism, and will help schools to see what an important role they can play in helping to heal children who have experienced the death of someone close to them.
In this interview aimed at school staff, educational consultant Victoria Franklin talks with Dr Weston about key messages from new Government Guidance on school attendance, which is being implemented as of the beginning of September 2022.
Our Researcher of the Month, Tom King, discusses his recent paper which reviews the evidence for peer-led mental health and wellbeing interventions, widely used in schools worldwide. He talks us through why they are so appealing to schools and outlines the potential benefits and risks.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Bennie Kara, deputy headteacher, author and speaker on diversity in the curriculum and school environment. Bennie shares her wealth of expertise on how schools can build an inclusive school culture, talks about the importance of language and outlines some key terminology that all educators and parents should be aware of.
In this podcast, Richard Woods, a leading expert on pathological demand avoidance (PDA), talks to us about this much debated phenomenon, its history, main features and strategies that can help.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Dr Nikita Hayden about the experiences of young people who have siblings with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Research into the outcomes of these children is extremely mixed. Dr Hayden unpacks the complexities of this, highlighting more complex family factors that also impact on young people's outcomes. She asserts the need to target support to those young people who actually need it and discusses meaningful things that schools and families can do to help support siblings and foster good sibling relationships.
Our researcher of the month, Dr Larisa McLoughlin, talks to Dr Weston about her recent paper which examines whether or not social connectedness is a protective factor against cyberbullying's negative impact on mental health and wellbeing. They chat about what social connectedness really is, the best ways to approach conversations about cyberbullying with your children and how schools can support strong social bonds.
In this podcast, Dr Weston is joined by research scientist, Dr Natalie Brown, to discuss the importance of menstrual cycle education and its current delivery in UK schools. They discuss the everyday effects of the menstrual cycle, including its impact on school attendance, social confidence and participation in sport and physical activity, and explore the general lack of understanding around many of the issues associated with it. Dr Brown outlines the findings of a new study examining teachers' perceptions of menstrual cycle education, chats about the perceived barriers to delivering it and lets us know what her and her team intend to do to help things improve!
Our researcher of the month, Mishika Mehrotra, talks to Dr Weston about the importance of mealtime conversation between parent and child. Join us to learn more about the why mealtimes are so important, what Mishika will be investigating and how to encourage children to open up during family chat around the table. Mishika is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar, and is definitely a researcher to watch out for in the future!
In this podcast, Dr Weston is joined by Laura Barrett, author of a powerful and moving new book which chronicles her experiences when, shortly after birth, her third son was diagnosed with the life-limiting genetic condition, cystic fibrosis. It is a powerful and inspiring read, imparting a strong message of hope for any parent going through a similar situation. In this interview, published to coincide with Cystic Fibrosis Week (13th-19th June), Laura describes her coping mechanisms, gives us some insight into raising a child who has cystic fibrosis (her baby has grown into a fun-loving, sport mad young boy, raring to start school in September) and provides some general advice on coping with diagnoses and long hospital stays, regardless of the specific condition.
Our researcher of the month, Dr Ola Demkowicz, talks to Dr Weston about teenage girls' mental health. We know that girls and women tend to be at greater risk of low mood, anxiety and depression, and that over the last decade or so, more girls are reporting symptoms of low mood and anxiety. Dr Demkowicz joins us to discuss her recent paper which investigates risk factors and cumulative risk exposure in relation to emotional symptoms. Find out more about risk and protective factors as well as what schools can do to cultivate better pupil wellbeing.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Patrice Bain, educator, speaker and author, about her new book A Parent's Guide to Powerful Teaching. In it, they discuss some of the science behind how children learn and Patrice outlines practical and simple strategies that parents can use at home with their children to optimise learning. You'll also learn more about why it's important to discuss learning processes with children, how to help with revision and retrieval and how to avoid cognitive overload.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with suicide prevention and postvention expert, Dr Chris Bowden. They discuss the importance of cultivating emotional literacy, developing coping mechanisms and managing impulsive behaviours before considering how schools can best respond in the sad event of a pupil dying by suicide.
Our researcher of the month, PhD student Emre Deniz, talks to Dr Weston about sibling bullying. They discuss how common this phenomenon is, how often it goes unnoticed and what it involves. Learn more about predictive and protective factors and optimal ways that parents can respond to bullying in the home. Emre also specialises in sibling relationships for neurodiverse children and he outlines how parents can proactively encourage positive sibling bonds for children with autism.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, founder of the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, a drug and alcohol education charity that aims to support young people make safe choices about drugs and alcohol and reduce harm. Fiona and her husband Tim set up the charity in response to the death of their son Daniel, having taken ecstasy. Fiona gives factual information about drugs that are commonly used among teens, focuses on social media as a new and developing drugs marketplace and provides numerous actionable tips which focus on good communication with young people about this challenging issue. We also find out about Fiona's books and website, which are packed full of useful, evidence-based resources.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with developmental psychologist, Dr Rory Devine. They focus on what we know about how young children develop control over their own thoughts and actions (their ‘executive functions’), and how they acquire the ability to tune in to the thoughts, feelings, and desires of others (their 'theory of mind'), and the positive consequences these skills can have on children’s social lives, academic success and mental health. This fascinating interview will arm any parent or educator with simple ways to promote the development of these valuable life skills. Teachers can also learn more about a fantastic free tool to assess children's school readiness.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Dr Karri Gillespie-Smith about the experiences of children with intellectual disabilities and their families in the post-Covid period. They discuss Dr Gillespie-Smith's Road to Recovery project, which aims to build a clear picture of the challenges faced by families with children with intellectual disabilities and how best to support them in the recovery phase of Covid.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Dr Kathryn Bates about neurodiversity - the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within the human species. Listen now to learn about helpful resources for parents and educators, useful classroom practices, the benefits of diagnosis and other key things that all parents should know.
Our Researchers of the Month, Dr Miriam Rahali and Professor Sonia Livingstone, talk to Dr Weston about their recent report, which examines the impact of influencer culture and embedded marketing on children. Given that 95% of YouTube videos aimed at children aged 8 and under contain advertising, and that 97% of 5-15 year olds use video-sharing platforms (with 57% spending 2.5 hours per day watching), they address the non-traditional marketing opportunities open to influencers and the impact they can have, before turning to recommendations and advice.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Dr Vanessa Kurdi about cultivating positive relationships between pupils and teachers and the impact this can have on their learning. They discuss the need for empathy in our interactions with young people and the ways in which we can nudge them towards feeling intrinsically motivated to learn.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Dr Melissa Oldham about trends in youth drinking. They discuss whether research shows that giving underage teens alcohol at home is a good idea, examine how to have positive conversations with teens about alcohol and consider the importance of what parents model, when it comes to drinking. They also touch on school resources around alcohol consumption.
Our researcher of the month, Dr Mimi Tatlow-Golden, talks to Dr Weston about the fundamental role of fun in the development of children's self-concept and self-esteem. Her research shows that, far from being a frivolous extra, fun is at the very core of what matters to young people most.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Eva Musby, author of 'Anorexia and Other Eating Disorders: How to Help Your Child Eat Well and Be Well', about her experiences and the role that parents need to play in the treatment and recovery of young people with eating disorders. Eva brings an important message of hope to all parents going through this challenging experience.
Our researcher of the month, Dr Rachel Nesbit, talks to Dr Weston about her recent paper which explores the importance of adventurous play to children's mental health and development. She talks about barriers to play and gives specific advice on how adventurous play can be successfully facilitated in school settings.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Suzi Godson, founder of the MeeToo mental help app, an NHS endorsed app, where young people aged 11-25 can seek help anonymously and receive reliable, age-appropriate and moderated support and advice from peers or trained counsellors.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Jen Gale, author of 'The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide', a book packed full of practical advice about how to make small changes to our actions and mindset which will make a big difference to the world around us. Listen for tips about Christmas and simple ways that we can significantly reduce our environmental impact.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Professor Christia Spears Brown about the impact of bias, particularly in the context of race and gender. They discuss how to identify our own implicit biases, outline practical strategies for reducing levels of bias in the home and consider how to protect young people at risk of being targeted by bias.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Maria Strauss, partner at law firm Farrer & Co, about how schools should respond to the recent Ofsted rapid review into sexual abuse in schools. Maria outlines how schools can implement effective change and references many relevant resources and reports that can help.
Our researcher of the month, Professor Charlotte Markey, talks to Dr Weston about her forthcoming book, 'Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys'. Due for publication in April, it helps boys to understand and appreciate their bodies as they become young men and to navigate their way through inaccurate health/diet information and unrealistic body ideals portrayed in the media. We caught up with Professor Markey to find out more.
In this podcast, Dr Weston chats with epidemiologist Dr Gemma Lewis about her research into the causes of mental health problems in teenagers. They discuss the differences between boys' and girls' mental health, the potential impact of academic pressure, mental health for university students and universal interventions that could be impactful.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with brain scientist, Dr Duncan Astle, about how to consolidate learning in our memory and finds out some actionable and evidence-based revision tips. They debunk some common neuromyths and explore why we need to change the way we think about intervening to help children who struggle with learning.
Our researcher of the month, Dr Jo Van Herwegen, talks to Dr Weston about her recent paper, which examines the prevalence of neuromyths surrounding common neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly among educators. They discuss the detrimental impact that neuromyths can have on young people and why it's important for parents and school staff to understand more about neuromyths and for teachers to receive more training in this area.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with sociologist, Dr Katherine Davies, about her research into the nature of family relationships. They talk about Dr Davies' recent project examining the impact of Brexit on family life and delve into her work on the complexities of sibling relationships and the impact that brothers and sisters can have on our sense of identity.
Our researcher of the month, Nora Trompeter, talks to Dr Weston about her recent paper, which examines the differences in eating disorder symptoms between teens who are in treatment and teens who are not. Along with her findings, they discuss the importance of mental health literacy, the wide-ranging impact of poor body image and the differences in motivations for disordered eating behaviours between boys and girls.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Sarah Dowey about implementing metacognitive teaching practices. Sarah is a secondary English teacher and is currently studying for her PhD, which focuses on teacher understanding and awareness of the use of metacognition and self-efficacy in face to face teaching. They discuss effectively modelling techniques, dispel some myths about metacognition and reference some further resources of use to teaching staff everywhere.
Our researchers of the month, Dr Hope Christie and Dr Lucy Hiscox, talk to Dr Weston about their recent paper, which examines the impact that lockdowns had on parents. This 'rapid review' of 32 other studies was commissioned by SAGE and the Department for Education and will inform government policy. They discuss the various harms experienced by parents and interventions that might be able to mitigate the negative effects, consider the role of schools in identifying and helping children at risk of domestic violence and explore the link between parental mental health and that of children.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with memory and metacognition expert, Julie Kettlewell, about the importance of teaching children metacognitive strategies and the potential impact on their educational outcomes. They clarify exactly what metacognition is, have an in depth discussion about best practice in the classroom and outline practical tips for teachers to employ. Julie talks us through various evidence-based strategies that educators can use flexibly in the classroom, in response to their pupils' individual needs. Throughout this podcast, Julie refers to some graphics. If you'd like a copy of these, please email us on research@tooledupeducation.com.
Our researcher of the month, Gates Cambridge Scholar, Stepheni Uh, talks to Dr Weston about her recent paper, which examines how teenagers at greatest risk of self-harming could be identified almost a decade before they self-harm. They discuss some distinct profiles of young people most likely to self-harm and look at significant risk factors, including a history of psychopathology, low self-esteem, poor parental mental health and lack of sleep. They also consider useful interventions.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Professor Tamsin Ford CBE about mental health post-pandemic. They discuss some emerging patterns impacting on the wellbeing of children and young people and focus on strategies for creating a mentally healthy school environment for both staff and pupils.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with psychologist and neurodiversity consultant, Dr Seonaid Anderson, about the development of tics in childhood. They discuss the features of tics and optimal ways for parents to respond if their child develops one. They talk about pathways for clinical care and focus on a dramatic increase in new tics presenting in teenage girls during the pandemic.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks to Chief Constable Simon Bailey about the culture of violence against women and girls, particularly in schools. They outline the key things that parents and schools should do to cultivate open and honest discussion around issues of sexual harassment, sexting and predatory behaviour online.
In this special Father's Day podcast, Dr Weston talks with Paul Pomroy, CEO of McDonalds UK, about his biggest job - being a dad. They talk about optimal parenting styles, help-seeking, finding a good work/life balance and how many workplace skills can be transferred to family life and parenting.
Our researcher of the month, Dr Serena Bauducco, talks to Dr Weston about her recent research project, trialing a universal sleep intervention in Swedish secondary schools. They talk about the importance of sticking to bedtime routines as children grow older and the protective impact that whole-class sleep interventions can have.
Please be aware that this interview contains adult themes and is not suitable for younger ears. The discussion also addresses themes such as sexual harassment and domestic violence.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Dr Fiona Vera-Gray about the need for change in social discourse around women and girls' everyday experiences of sexual harassment. They discuss early teenage romantic relationships, the impact of pornography and how parents can help our girls and boys to be agents of change.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Dr Dasha Nicholls about all the things that parents should understand when it comes to eating disorders. She gives us advice on how to keep a watchful, balanced and empathetic perspective on our children's eating behaviours and tells us all we need to know about the main types of eating disorders and their triggers.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Dr Lucy Foulkes, adolescent mental health expert, about her new book, Losing Our Minds, and how public discourse surrounding mental health means that we talk about it a great deal, but perhaps without the understanding needed to really get to grips with its complexities. This wide-ranging interview examines the impact of covid, the gender gap and the role of parents.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Professor Robin Banerjee about the connections between peer relationships, kindness and wellbeing, especially at points of transition or change in our children's lives. They discuss initiatives to help prioritise wellbeing at the point of entry to secondary school and university, consider systemic social changes that might be needed to really promote wellbeing and chew the fat on how to ensure that young people feel empowered to form positive social connections.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks to cannabis use disorder expert, Rachel Lees, to find out the facts about teenagers and cannabis. They discuss what important things all parents should know about the impact of cannabis on teenagers and how to recognise when use might be becoming problematic. Listen to Rachel's tips on how best to discuss cannabis with young people who already use it, and preventative strategies for younger children.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Dr Naomi Flynn about what makes a great teacher of children with English as an additional language (EAL). They discuss the significance of assessing English proficiency, fantastic classroom practice and the importance of getting to know and welcoming each individual child and their family.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks with Professor David Gadd about domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. Harnessing Professor Gadd's extensive knowledge of domestic abuse prevention education, they discuss the best ways for parents and schools to teach boys (and girls) about good relationships and examine issues of consent and boundaries.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Dr Praveetha Patalay about the evidence surrounding young people's mental health in the UK. They focus on Dr Patalay's work in schools, where she has found that having a safe school climate impacts significantly on young people's mental health outcomes. They discuss the gender gap and address wider societal questions which should be pursued if cultivating good mental health (rather than simply treating difficulties) is to become a real priority.
Our researcher of the month, Dr Jerica Radez, talks to Dr Weston about barriers and facilitators to help-seeking for teens with anxiety or depression. They discuss Dr Radez's recent paper, examining how parents, schools and GPs can best encourage adolescents to seek help when they need it and Dr Radez tells us about her new simple screening tool, for use in any setting.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Professor Victoria Murphy about the misconceptions surrounding children with English as an additional language (EAL) and how teachers and parents can better support emergent bilingualism. They discuss the main stages of children's second language development and address how bilingualism should be considered a huge benefit, both to the child and to their school class as a whole. We discover that given that almost 25% of UK children having EAL, this is a subject that requires much more research.
Our researcher of the month, Dr Jesus (Jess) Alfonso D. Datu talks to Dr Weston about the importance of teaching children to be kind and the far-reaching psychological and social consequences of kindness. They discuss Dr Datu's recent paper which examined whether fostering kindness in young people could promote media literacy.
Dr Anna Conway Morris returns to our podcast series to discuss life as a child psychiatrist during the pandemic and the impact of lockdown on young people's mental health, social development and body image. She talks about digital literacy, pornography and self-harm, and gives us her top tips for future-proofing our children.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks with experienced teacher and educational consultant, Barry Cooper, about the greatest untapped resource of all schools; parents. Get some top tips about the best ways to engage parents, build sincere and lasting partnerships and improve outcomes for all of your pupils.
Our researcher of the month, Simon Brett, talks to Dr Weston about his project which assesses the impact of using a specific type of therapy to treat teen depression in school settings. They discuss the barriers to conventional treatment for teenagers, the way that Brief Behavioural Activation therapy works and the important role that parents can play.
Episode 53 - In this episode, Dr Weston talks with Canadian researchers Dr William Pickett and Dr Wendy Craig about their findings linking intense and problematic social media use with cyberbullying, particularly for girls. They discuss the findings of their research and give advice to parents on how to educate children about digital literacy, to lower the risk of being bullied, or bullying, online. They also talk about the impact of COVID-19 on social media habits and sexting.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to Peter Worley about how to cultivate philosophical enquiry in children. They discuss what philosophy is, what sort of questions will get our children thinking philosophically and what the benefits are, both at home and at school. Peter, who is CEO of The Philosophy Foundation, outlines his own dialectical method for teaching children philosophy in classrooms
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to gaming and family technology expert Andy Robertson. They discuss all of the positive learning opportunities that games can offer and the optimal ways to engage with children about their digital world. They explore games which promote critical thinking, empathy and better communication and examine how the skills developed through gaming can translate to other scenarios.
Episode 49 - In this special episode, guest presenter Jacqui Oatley MBE turns the tables and interviews Kathy to help parents get a grip on the key issues of parenting through the pandemic. They discuss ways to juggle home-learning and home-working, ways to bring routine into your daily life and how to support children through the challenges of lockdown. Jacqui Oatley MBE is a sports presenter, well known as the first female commentator on BBC One's Match of the Day. She is an FA qualified football coach, an ambassador for Women in Football and a committee member of the Football Writers' Association.
Episode 50 - In this episode, Dr Weston talks to Professor Michael Lamb about building parental confidence and self-esteem. They discuss how both biological and step-parents can improve and maintain healthy, strong and loving bonds with their children, as well as focusing on the benefits of an authoritative parenting style.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to Professor Susan Golombok about non-traditional family forms. They discuss the research evidence showing that children from families with same-sex parents, single mothers by choice and families created by assisted reproductive technologies generally thrive, in many cases more so than children from more traditional families.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to Dr Michaela James about declining levels of physical activity for teenage girls. They discuss teenagers' thoughts about school PE lessons and examine what the research shows would increase participation. Listen out for some great, simple ways that you can nurture a love of physical activity in your children, which, if sustained, will have long term physical and mental health benefits.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to Professor Helen Dodd about the crucial importance of play in children's development. The examine the relationship between adventurous play and anxiety and discuss how parents can facilitate effective play. As a leading expert on children's mental health, Professor Dodd also describes the main features of anxiety and when parents should worry.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to Dr Jeffrey DeMarco about how we should engage with our children about the online world. They discuss the importance of teaching skills such as digital literacy, fact-checking and critical thinking, to ensure that children can access the amazing resources on the internet safely. They also talk about online radicalisation and sexual exploitation, and how to protect children against these threats.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to Professor Siobhan O'Neill about her research into mental health in Northern Ireland. They explore issues relating to trans-generational trauma, suicide and self-harm, as well as discussing all the simple and effective things that parents can do to build children's resilience.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to Dr Hope Christie about her research into the impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on parents, and the ways in which experiences of trauma affect their parenting and the wider family dynamic. The message is one of admiration for how parents suffering from PTSD manage to cope with the many everyday challenges that they face as parents. Trauma, and its impact, needs to be better understood by all of us. In learning more, we give ourselves and our children a better chance of thriving if and when it ever affects our own family.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to criminologist, Dr Elena Martellozzo, about her research into young people's feelings about, and experiences of, online pornography. They discuss how parents should approach conversations with their children about pornography and relationships, and also what Dr Martellozzo's research found that young people would like to learn and talk about during sex education at school. They also explore the issue of online safety and how sex offenders operate in the online world.
All parents want the best for their children, but it's easy to fall into behaviour traps that will actually hinder them, rather than help. Listen to Dr Weston's top 10 common parenting mistakes to avoid!
Episode 40 - In this episode, hear Dr Kathy Weston's thoughts about happiness and how, far from being simple to achieve, it takes hard work and effort!
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks to Adrienne Burgess, joint Chief Executive of The Fatherhood Institute, about the impact of fathers on their children. They discuss how fathers' mental and physical health has direct consequences for their children, the impact fathers can have on children's academic skills and how schools can engage with dads more directly.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks to Professor Neil Mercer about the importance of oracy. They discuss how parents can have a huge impact on developing and cultivating children's talking and listening skills through simple family conversations at home. They also talk about the important roles schools should play in oracy eduacation and Professor Mercer gives simple tips for teachers to apply in the classroom, to encourage their pupils to 'talk well'.
In this Get-a-Grip podcast Dr Kathy Weston talks to Dr Darren Moore about school attendance, easing the return to school, homework and how schools can better engage parents.
In this Get-a-Grip podcast Dr Kathy Weston talks to Dr Pooky Knightsmith about returning to school after lockdown, nurturing children’s wellbeing and emotionally based school avoidance.
In this podcast, Dr Weston talks to Professor Tracey Wade about the impact of perfectionism on young people. They discuss the potential negative impact of social media on young people's body confidence and eating habits as well as exploring the warning signs of eating disorders. Professor Wade shares advice on how parents can help to educate children about body image and healthy eating habits.
In this Get-a-Grip podcast Dr Kathy Weston talks to Jarlath O’Brien about special schools, behaviour management in schools and building a parent partnership. They also discuss the impact of Covid-19 and lockdown on behaviour as schools fully open in September.
In this Get-a-Grip podcast Dr Kathy Weston talks to Professor Ellen Townsend about young people and self-harm. They discuss the importance of listening to young people and recognising that self-harm is an expression of distress and emotional pain and should always be taken seriously. Professor Townsend also shares some thoughts about the effects of the global pandemic lockdown on the development and mental health of children and young people.
In this episode Dr Kathy Weston talks to Anna Hemmings and Megan Pengelly about the importance of teaching young people about gambling, so they can make informed choices about this common risk-taking behaviour.
In this Get-a-Grip podcast Dr Kathy Weston talks to Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore about research on teenage behaviour and brain development, including the influence of technology, and how the coronavirus pandemic lockdown may have long term consequences for teenagers.
In this Get-a-Grip podcast Dr Kathy Weston talks to Professor Michael Gradisar about sleep difficulties during adolescence, including why so many teenagers have sleep difficulties along with the most effective strategies to promote better sleep.
In this episode Dr Kathy Weston talks to Professor Charlotte Markey about body image and how parents can help their children, especially girls, navigate the adolescent world of puberty, social media and relationships and maintain a positive body image.
In this episode, Dr Kathy Weston speaks to Professor Howard-Jones about the challenges for parents and teachers during school closures and how to motivate and reward learning. They also discuss the research regarding the effects of videogames on learning and Professor Howard-Jones dispels some unhelpful misconceptions about the brain and learning.
In this episode, Professor Adele Diamond talks about executive functions, why they are so important and how parents can help to enhance their development in children.
Listen to Dr Weston's Thoughts on positive family mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 Crisis.
In this episode, Sir Anthony Seldon about the challenges and opportunities presented by the Corona virus pandemic, especially with regards to students, parents, school leaders and the whole education system.
In this episode, Dr Kathy Weston speaks to Professor Shirley Reynolds about the Coronavirus Covid 19 outbreak and depression in young people and the role parents can play in spotting symptoms, understanding the disorder and supporting recovery.
In this episode, Dr Kathy Weston speaks to Professor Peter Clough about Mental Toughness, especially in children and young people and the importance of understanding how different children will have different levels of mental toughness and will therefore need different types of support and challenge.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to leading US-based researcher, Professor Susan McHale on the topic of the sibling relationship.
In this episode. Kathy talks to Dr Reenee Singh about how best to help children when parents separate and think through some of the difficulties that arise particularly at Christmas and holiday times.
In this episode Dr Kathy Weston speaks to Bhavin Shah about behavioural optometry and how assessment and intervention can help learning and performance.
Episode 20 - Dr Kathy Weston - Thoughts on Grief.
Here are Kathy's thoughts on Grief and Loss and how to best support children and young people in these circumstances.
In this episode, Kathy talks to Professor Sarah Halligan about childhood trauma and the development of PTSD in children.
In this episode, Kathy speaks to Cameron Norsworthy about Flow and talks about it in relation to raising and teaching children. Cameron, father of two children ages 2 and 5, shares his thinking on how to help children experience Flow and the benefits this provides.
In this Episode Kathy talks to Professor Tamsin Ford about her latest research exploring how parents, teachers and young people can work together to improve young people’s mental health.
Recently, Kathy was invited as part of a panel to join Mariella Frostup for a discussion about childhood anxiety. Some interesting contributions from the other guests too. Jane Caro is the Head of the Mental Health Foundation, Rob Gill, author of Rethinking Childhood and Professor Tamsin Ford is Professor of Psychiatry. Lots of food for thought for us all! Watch out for a new podcast coming where Kathy interviews Professor Tamsin Ford for a whole hour!
Dr Kathy Weston talks with Dr Anna Colton. Dr Anna Colton is a London-based clinical psychologist with an interest in areas such as body image, eating disorders, self-esteem and performance anxiety. Dr Weston and Dr Colton cover a wide range of topics of great interest to parents today.
Transition can be an anxiety-inducing time for children and parents, but it really doesn't have to be. Listen to Dr Weston's top five tips for parents - designed to ensure successful transition from primary to secondary school.
Tune into this podcast interview with one of the top researchers in the country in the area of perfectionism: Dr Thomas Curran. Perfectionism in rising in young people; we need to understand why and get a grip on it as early as possible.
In this episode, Kathy talks to Professor Kathryn Almack about the challenges that same sex parents (particularly lesbians) face on their parenting journeys
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to Ger Graus about ways to provide all children with the experiences to support aspiration and achievement.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to the Honourable Julia Samuel MBE, author of Grief Works, about child bereavement, grief and how parents and teachers can support children and young people when someone they love passes away.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to Professor Cathy Creswell of Oxford University about the latest research findings on childhood anxiety. They discuss the best evidence-based tips and strategies that parents should use to support their children.
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to Professor Clarissa Smith about the concerns parents have regarding their teens accessing pornography and ways to promote healthy sexual development in our young people.
in this episode, Dr Weston talks to Dr Hiller about sleep difficulties in school-aged children (aged 5-12). Together they cover bedtimes for children, common sleep problems, myths about sleep and share arrange of evidence-based approaches that really work.
Listen to Dr Weston as she takes you through some of the most important evidence-based facts parents need to know about young people's use of pornography.
In this episode, Dr Weston interviews medical sociologist, Professor Fiona Brooks, expert in all things related to adolescence and child mental health. They discuss some good news relating to outcomes for teens nationally as well as areas of concern. Topics include: gaming, mental health, social media, pornography, parenting, self-harming, gender differences and teacher connectedness as a feature of teens' lives that is hugely beneficial to them
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Dr Anna Conway Morris about her research into Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in children and young people. It was an enlightening interview that highlighted the particular struggles that children who suffer from OCD face in the school environment. #OCD #learning #classrooms #mentalhealth #anxiety
In this episode, Dr Weston talks to one of the foremost experts on how children and young people engage in the digital world, Professor Sonia Livingstone of the London School of Economics. Topics covered: screen-time, children's use of smartphones, family use of digital technology. #digitalworld #socialmedia #screentime
In this podcast, mental health campaigner, author and speaker Natasha Devon MBE shares her view on how we should be talking to our children and young people about mental health. #talkingmatters #mentalhealth #mentalfitness #socialmedia