School Shorts is the podcast for busy parents who want to help their children succeed in school. Hosted by Melissa Chan-Green, a journalist and mum of two, this...
Prof James Chapman on Feedback: False Praise Doesn't Work
Professor James Chapman has been advocating for a move to structured literacy since the early 1990s. Now that it is being brought into schools more widely, he discusses the mixed reviews as to how it is going so far. He also discusses his role in bringing in earlier 'checkpoints' to track students progress through assessments or tests. He cautions against 'false praise', saying feedback needs to be honest and specific to foster self-belief and motivation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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26:41
Daniel Ansari: The Danger of ‘Maths Anxiety’ for Kids - Neuroscience Expert
Is it true that boys are generally better than girls at maths? Can a teacher's maths anxiety rub off on their students?Daniel Ansari is a neuroscientist with a focus on how the brain learns maths. This episode explores common misconceptions when it comes to maths skills.The conversation looks at the need for early detection of learning difficulties like dyscalculia, and the use of some tools that teachers and parents are using to check a child's understanding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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27:29
Gemma McCaw: On Reading, The Danger of Online Bullying & Social Media for Kids
Helping kids to decode the sounds within words is one part of reading practice - the other important part is to read a wide variety of books with them to extend their vocabulary and understanding of words. In this episode we speak with Gemma McCaw. Many might know her for her achievements with the Black Sticks, but she is also a passionate advocate for reading. She talks about her approach to screens and social media - and how her own approach was shaped by her personal experience of online bullying. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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39:18
Dan Ford: Surprising Advice about Sleep-Ins from a Sleep Psychologist
To mark World Sleep Day, Sleep Psychologist Dan Ford joins us from the Better Sleep Clinic. He explains the link between sleep and healthy brain development for our young learners. Just how much should they be getting each night? What surfaces are best to sleep on? and the impact of sleep-ins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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19:15
Dr Carolyn Strom: How to build a 'reading brain'
Reading has to be TAUGHT, it's not caught. In this episode, Dr Carolyn Strom explains the importance of building a 'reading brain', and the various areas of the brain that work together to make that happen. The conversation also covers the optimal age for teaching reading, the role of phonemic awareness, and great advice for introducing the foundations for learning to read and write in ways that are fun and interactive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
School Shorts is the podcast for busy parents who want to help their children succeed in school. Hosted by Melissa Chan-Green, a journalist and mum of two, this show covers practical tips on reading, writing, spelling, and maths for preschool and early school years. Learn about structured literacy, phonics, and foundational maths skills like counting, patterns, and sequences, plus how to support your child’s learning at home. Quick, easy, and packed with helpful advice—School Shorts is here to help your child thrive! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
New Zealand