Artwork for podcast Early Excellence Podcast
The Secret Lives of Young Learners with Professor Sam Wass
Episode 17812th September 2025 • Early Excellence Podcast • Early Excellence
00:00:00 00:59:38

Share Episode

Shownotes

Re-release: Originally aired on 7 Oct 2022

This week, we’re joined by Professor Sam Wass from The University of East London. Sam is a child psychologist and neuroscientist specialising in concentration and stress in young children. You will probably remember Sam as the on-screen child psychologist in the popular Channel 4 programmes The Secret Lives of 4 Year Olds and The Secret Lives of 5 Year Olds.

Episode Links

Links

Chapters

Video

More from YouTube

More Episodes
178. The Secret Lives of Young Learners with Professor Sam Wass
00:59:38
177. Transforming Two-Year-Old Education with Dulwich College in Shanghai
00:48:48
176. Young and Old Together: Exploring Intergenerational Practice with Judith Ish-Horowicz
00:43:23
175. Why Children Need Joy with Ben Kingston-Hughes
00:58:57
174. Professional Love in the EYFS with Dr Jools Page
01:01:14
173. Exploring Early Literacy with Karen Boardman
00:40:21
172. Understanding the Impact of Premature Birth with Caroline Woodman
00:44:41
171. The Unplugged Early Years Movement
00:48:08
170. Self-Regulation at the Heart of Effective Practice with Rawmarsh Nursery School
00:57:17
169. Putting the Characteristics of Effective Learning at the Heart of the Practice With Kirsty Page
00:45:15
168. Key SEND Questions Answered with Louise Herbert and Gareth Shaw
01:01:15
167. The Reggio Emilia Approach with Hayley Peacock
00:53:59
166. Developing Rich Opportunities for Maths in the EYFS with Newcastle High School for Girls
00:39:21
165. The Power of Going Home Discovery Bags
00:38:08
164. Redesigning EYFS Environments with Emma Hudson
00:46:46
163. Introducing EExREC: Bridging Gaps in Reception Baseline Assessment
00:28:28
162. Helicopter Stories in Action with Trisha Lee
00:56:51
161. When a Room Plan Comes Together!
00:41:03
160. Exploring Child-Centred Creative Practice with Gemma Shadid
00:53:36
159. A Guide to SEND in the Early Years with Kerry Murphy
00:42:47
158. Navigating Speech and Language Challenges with Georgina Durrant
00:40:58
157. Slow Knowledge and the Unhurried Child with Alison Clark
00:45:01
156. How the National Gallery Inspires Young Minds with Alison Wain
00:27:23
155. Exploring Early Literacy and Phonics Skills with Nicky Turner
01:11:08
154. Story Steps: The Power of Storytelling with Trisha Lee
00:49:11
153. Celebrating Outdoor Learning with Sarah Watkins
00:52:56
152. Understanding the Impact of Premature Birth with Caroline Woodman
00:44:13
151. Physical Engagement with Dr Simone Tomaz
00:46:01
150. Exploring Early Literacy with Karen Boardman
00:40:33
149. Beach Schools with Rhianne Stephens
00:25:35
148. The Power of Pets with Jayne Hosmer
00:33:14
147. Professional Love in the EYFS with Dr Jools Page
01:01:24
146. Reflections of an Early Career Teacher: An Update with Sara Adams
00:37:56
145. Why Children Need Joy with Ben Kingston-Hughes
00:58:53
144. Inspiring EYFS Practice: A Senior Leader's Perspective with Anna Wells
00:43:54
143. SEND Focus: Developing Learning Environments in Specialist Provision
00:46:59
142. Getting Started with Drama in the EYFS with Sam Marsden
00:39:05
141. Exploring Floorbooks and Displays with Llewella Ivins
00:32:29
140. The Great Outdoors! Exploring Effective Outdoor Learning with Evan McCormick
00:47:08
139. Curriculum Development in the EYFS with Charlotte Kelly from Oldfield Brow Primary School
00:42:09
138. SEND - Key Questions Answered with Louise Herbert and Gareth Shaw
01:02:18
137. Effective Enhancements in Key Stage 1
00:35:06
136. A Natural Storyteller! with Pippa Pixley
00:28:32
135. Empowering Young Learners with Dr Natalie Canning
00:52:58
134. Mixed Age Classes with Nova Robinson
00:32:25
133. New School Year Checklist with Llewella Ivins
00:48:06
132. Getting the Balance Right with Anna-Marie Bevan
00:41:52
131. Young and Old Together: Exploring Intergenerational Practice with Judith Ish-Horowicz
00:43:24
130. bonus Exploring the Key Principles of Effective Continuous Provision | Re-Release
00:49:39
129. bonus Is It Time to Move Away from the Tuff Spot Tray? | Re-Release
00:20:48
128. bonus Self-Regulation at the Heart of Effective Practice | Re-Release
01:00:00
127. bonus Exploring Early Speech and Language Research with Catherine Laing | Re-Release
00:57:29
126. bonus Exploring Early Literacy and Phonics Skills: Interview with Nicky Turner | Re-Release
01:13:05
125. bonus Inspirational Learning Environments: A Tour of the EYFS at Whitefield Primary School | Re-Release
00:38:01
124. bonus Getting Started with Continuous Provision in Key Stage One: Interview with Nova Robinson | Re-Release
00:38:44
123. 50 Things to Do Before You're Five with Christian Bunting and Frank Norris
01:03:24
122. Tracking Key Writing Skills with Dora Rackham
00:44:30
121. Key Advice for Supporting Communication and Language Development with Evan McCormick
00:54:58
120. Getting it Right in Key Stage One with the team from Quinton Primary School, Birmingham
00:49:40
119. Nursery Transition - Getting it Right from the Start with Natalie Bignell
00:43:00
118. Effective Organisation Outdoors
00:26:20
117. The Impact of Continuous Provision in Key Stage 1
00:52:13
116. Mud, Glorious Mud! Exploring Muddy Play with Matthew Sayer
00:32:26
115. Effective Transition with Phil Armstrong
00:49:06
114. Continuous Provision Throughout the School! Interview with Gillian Jones and Jayne Richardson
00:39:59
113. Let’s Get Baking! Interview with Gillian Hewitt
00:31:06
112. Exploring Early Speech and Language Research with Catherine Laing
00:56:48
111. Building on Children’s Interests: A Project on Bees
00:33:29
110. Exploring International Education and Early Years Practice: Interview with Janette Quinn
00:51:41
109. A Focus on SEND in the EYFS
01:00:22
108. Exploring Researchful Practice: Interview with Dr. Frances Giampapa
00:57:32
107. Get Gardening & Growing! with Clare King
00:37:12
106. Getting Started with Continuous Provision in Key Stage One: Interview with Nova Robinson
00:39:09
105. Inspirational Learning Environments: A Tour of the EYFS at Whitefield Primary School
00:37:16
104. A Focus on The Characteristics of Effective Learning: Interview with Sayeh Mariner
00:59:55
103. Making Mixed-Age Classes Work: Interview with Rachel Yeung
00:30:18
102. Reflections of an Early Career Teacher: Interview with Sara Adams
00:52:19
101. Unleashing Creativity: Interview with The Herd Theatre
00:57:11
100. Redesigning EYFS Environments: Interview with Emma Hudson
00:49:17
99. The Early Excellence Roadshow: Interview with Sarah Carey
00:48:45
98. The Magic of Puppets: Interview with Nigel Plaskitt
00:46:58
97. Celebrating Outdoor Learning: Interview with Sarah Watkins
00:54:57
96. Going International! Interview with Jess Gosling
00:46:31
95. The Impact of Effective Room Planning: Interview with the Team at Willerby Carr Lane Primary School
00:18:09
94. Wonderfully Creative and Playful! A Visit to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park
00:44:57
93. Following an Inspiring Journey of Development: Interview with the team at Quinton Church Primary School, Birmingham
00:47:10
92. Exploring Early Literacy and Phonics Skills: Interview with Nicky Turner
01:12:26
91. Gaining an Outstanding Judgement in the EYFS: Interview with Hayley Coupe
00:45:36
90. Self-Regulation at the Heart of Effective Practice
00:59:22
89. A Loving Pedagogy with Tamsin Grimmer
00:48:29
88. Rethinking Dough Play
00:29:21
87. The Fantastic Possibilities of Sand Play
00:34:27
86. Exploring Creative, Child-Centred Approaches at Manor Wood Foundation Stage (Part 2)
01:06:39
85. Exploring the Key Principles of Effective Continuous Provision
00:49:12
84. bonus Five Things to Remember in September
00:42:32
83. bonus Exploring Cultural Capital in the EYFS: Interview with Nicky Turner
00:56:01
82. bonus Enhancement Overload?
00:24:37
81. Slow Knowledge and the Unhurried Child: Interview with Alison Clark
00:45:56
80. bonus Exploring Inspirational Learning Environments at the British School of Brussels
01:03:02
79. New to Teaching in the EYFS
00:44:45
78. bonus The Classroom Environment: Setting Up Your New Classroom
00:10:20
77. bonus All Set? Getting Ready for the New School Year
00:33:07
76. Getting Started with Woodwork
00:42:18
75. Using Stories to Support Children’s Emotional Wellbeing: Interview with Children’s Author, Allie Mary
00:52:24
74. A Whole Team Approach to Developing Inspirational Practice
01:04:26
73. What Comes Next? Effective Transitions and Inspirational Key Stage One Practice
00:48:22
72. Exploring Spaces of Fascination at Manor Wood Foundation Stage Unit
00:49:20
71. Prime Time?
00:33:21
70. Sharing the School Development Journey: Interview with Lee Dunn
01:10:16
69. Keeping it Real!
00:29:28
68. Reflecting on the Covid 19 Lockdowns, Three Years On: Interview with Josey Hall
00:42:10
67. Slow Knowledge and the Unhurried Child: Interview with Alison Clark
00:45:39
66. Exploring the Life and Legacy of Maria Montessori Interview with Dr Nathan Archer
00:34:07
65. Exploring Boys' Learning
00:43:15
64. Exploring Early Speech and Language Development: Interview with Catherine Laing
00:40:40
63. Effective Routines for Inspirational Learning
00:32:54
62. Exploring Playful Mathematics: Interview with Dr Helen Williams
00:35:08
61. A Head-to-Head Podcast Takeover!
00:55:42
60. Exploring Cultural Capital in the EYFS: Interview with Nicky Turner
00:55:50
59. A Focus on Autism: Interview with Nicola Musgrove
00:51:34
58. A Virtual Firework Display! Why Rich Experiences in Early Childhood are the Key to Brain Development
00:50:39
57. Enhancement Overload?
00:24:32
56. The Vital Importance of Self-Regulation: Interview with Dr Mine Conkbayir
00:32:22
55. An Inspector Calls
00:46:54
54. Interview with Professor Nirmala Rao, Professor of Early Childhood Development and Education at Hong Kong University
00:30:15
53. Introducing the Head-to-Head Podcast with Sarah Carey
00:27:06
52. Is It Time to Move Away from the Tuff Spot Tray?
00:20:27
51. Topics, Themes and Schemes
00:34:51
50. A Close Look at Expressive Art and Design: Interview with Emma-Jo Bairstow
00:56:36
49. An In-Depth Look at Physical Development: Interview with Helen Hawes
00:53:50
48. Helicopter Stories in Action: Interview with Trisha Lee
00:57:33
47. Mixing the Mathematical Milkshake! Developing Rich Opportunities for Maths in the EYFS
00:40:44
46. Brilliant Books and Poems to Inspire Young Writers
00:38:15
45. Early Childhood Theories Today: Interview with Ruth Swailes and Aaron Bradbury
00:39:21
44. The Wonderful Possibilities of Wordless Books
00:35:42
42. The Secret Lives of Young Learners: Interview with Professor Sam Wass
01:00:55
42. Continuous Provision in Key Stage 1
00:39:58
41. Repetitive Play: is it OK?
00:20:20
40. What is Enquiry Based Learning?
00:15:54
39. Five Things to Remember in September
00:42:32
38. bonus All Set? Getting Ready for the New School Year
00:32:55
37. The Revised EYFS Framework, Learning from the Early Adopters
00:43:13
36. Choosing the Right Book to Support Your Practice
00:24:15
35. Exploring Inspirational Learning Environments at the British School of Brussels
01:02:44
34. Understanding the World, One Page at a Time
00:30:30
33. Moving On: Exploring Child-Centred Approaches to Transition
00:38:15
32. Exploring Books to Develop Maths
00:35:44
31. Meaningful Mathematics: A Focus on EYFS Pedagogy
00:15:04
30. Exploring Books to Support PSED
00:31:20
29. A Guide to SEND in the Early Years
00:43:13
28. Strengthening Subject Leadership: Curriculum Progression Right From Start
00:33:51
27. What is Continuous Provision?
00:11:45
26. Exploring Powerful Learning Through Domestic Role Play
00:31:53
25. Maximising Learning in Continuous Provision – Domestic Role Play in EYFS
00:16:11
24. Owning Your Curriculum: A Close Look at the Learning Environment
00:25:29
23. Tackling the Year 1 Cliff Face: Getting it Right From the Start
00:34:00
22. Navigating the Sea of Talk
00:22:05
21. Rainbow Birds: A Celebration of Artistic Achievements and Original Thinking at Co-op Academy Oakwood
00:27:34
20. The Classroom Environment – Riot of Colour vs Peace and Neutrality
00:13:25
19. Mathematical Musings
00:17:49
18. Maximising Learning in Continuous Provision – The Water Area
00:16:45
17. Exploring Block Play Alongside Small World
00:16:18
16. Exploring Different Approaches in the Early Years
00:21:39
15. The Characteristics of Effective Learning
00:17:14
14. Catching Up and Lessons From The Dancefloor
00:25:41
13. Effective Tidy Up Times in the EYFS
00:17:00
12. Storming it Outdoors, the Fantastic Possibilities of Cold, Wet and Windy Weather
00:13:20
11. Building on Children’s Interests in the EYFS
00:19:48
10. Change Isn't Always for the Better
00:19:05
9. New to Teaching in the EYFS Part 3
00:17:42
8. The Outdoor Curriculum in all its Glory
00:16:03
7. Developing Outdoor Provision and Practice
00:35:22
6. New to Teaching in the EYFS Part 2
00:23:22
5. Putting the New EYFS Framework into Practice
00:15:20
4. Taking Continuous Provision Beyond the EYFS: Maximising Learning in KS1
00:18:31
3. New to Teaching in the EYFS Part 1
00:15:24
2. The Classroom Environment: Setting Up Your New Classroom
00:10:13
1. Exploring the Fantastic Possibilities of Maths Outdoors
00:14:38