For a balanced review of the evidence (and how little we actually know) Peter Etchells book, Unlocked, is very helpful peteetchells.com/unlocked-book

"Capacity" is a barrier or a gateway for CYP exercising their rights under the UNCRC But what is it? Much discussion is based on simple (outdated!) models of child development. Here's how I think that changes across the main theories - it makes a difference to what capacity is & how to assess?

And on how policy attempts to "level the playing field" easily become unhelpful interventions to try and homogenise the children #ICELT2025

Such a useful keynote from Sue Dockett and Bob Perry at #ICELT2025 on international research on transitions to school (and the sticky spread of "schoolification" of #earlyyears)

We are delighted to invite abstract submissions for iHV Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Conference 2026, which is taking place on 6 May 2026 in #Bournemouth. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to showcase your work on a national platform. ihv.org.uk/news-and-vie... #iHVEBP2026 #HealthVisiting

Love this! We can usually involve. We can usually listen. And we can always observe. Children and young people always have expertise to share with us and each other.

Never assume your little one is too young to begin absorbing the adult language around them - either spoken aloud in the home or delivered via TV, music, or other media. They understand more than you think. This adorable little language learner was shared to IG by growingupkoreanamerican.

Participation ROCCS! But adult myths about capacity get in the way That’s what children told us, and here’s a resource they helped us to make so adults can reflect on the myths and change their practice More in the thread – feel free to use as long as you give us feedback!

Delighted to share more of this work a year on from the day that the UNCRC was incorporated into Scots Law. Please read the whole thread to see parts of the resource and a short video!

Participation ROCCS! But adult myths about capacity get in the way That’s what children told us, and here’s a resource they helped us to make so adults can reflect on the myths and change their practice More in the thread – feel free to use as long as you give us feedback!

The UNCRC supports children’s rights to give consent, to be consulted & to complain But often adult myths about their capacity get in the way @jochamberlain.bsky.social‬ and I researched with children what they think of this and what might help Some resulting resources - feel free to use! 🧵 1/4

How can we improve access to services for children & their families? Psychologist Dr Liz Gregory developed the N.E.S.T (Nurturing, Empowering, Safe, & Trusted) framework which 'Matches families with services that best meet their need.' Because #PsychologyMatters: www.bps.org.uk/blog/psychol...

"do teachers need to love their students? I think the answer is “yes” - but that this isn’t the burden we might think it is. That’s because pedagogical love isn’t so much about liking every student as it is about the skill of paying attention"

Brushstrokes and breakthroughs: how can gallery-based art therapy improve young people’s mental health? buff.ly/xjMjWZt #MentalHealth #ArtTherapy #YouthMentalHealth #Art #Galleries 🧵 THREAD

We asked children & young people what they made of common adult myths about their capacity - this one got some strong reactions, and great ideas for creating some resources The adventures of Mythical Mungo and Capacity Callum begin! Which one are you?

The children & young people had a lot to say on this, privileged to have had the opportunity to listen to their views and hear what they think needs to be done. Next step is to follow through on what they’ve asked and share this and the resources we are developing far and wide.

Enacting the UNCRC means children have rights to consent, to be consulted, and to complain. But often adult myths about their capacity get in the way. @jochamberlain.bsky.social‬ and I asked children & young people what they thought of these myths - here is what we learned!

Our manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election launches today. It outlines three priority areas alongside evidence-based recommendations that should form part of the new Scottish govt's agenda across education, health & justice. Because #PsychologyMatters: www.bps.org.uk/news/psychol...

It's worth remembering that what we encounter as children's needs is about their response to the environment we are asked to put them in. They need something different because the system isn't designed around the outliers. If the system was more flexible, we could meet more needs. #inclusion #EduSky

I’m looking for a small number of secondary schools to help us with a research study exploring self-diagnosis of mental health problems in young people For more info or to express interest, please email @nhigsonsweeney.bsky.social: nina.higson-sweeney [at] psych.ox.ac.uk Or DM us! Thank you 🙏🏼

“It has to be about more than compliance if we want change”

A different kind of bucket challenge - looking forward to finding out just how much #literacy we can do with a bucket, some pebbles and some pine cones with early years practitioners and primary school teachers today!

Qualitative researchers' experiences of methodologically incongruent peer review feedback w/ @ginnybraun.bsky.social @jeffnz.bsky.social @janeemcallaghan.bsky.social @andrealamarre.bsky.social & @joannasemlyen.bsky.social psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...

I'm super excited to be part of the team behind this conference in Aberdeen on 16th and 17th May. The brilliant @jamesedpsych.bsky.social is kicking things off on Friday evening followed by the fabulous @mennagodfrey.bsky.social sway.cloud.microsoft/71nZGJzWBKys...

Big paper. Fascinating findings… it really does take a village to raise a child. bsky.app/profile/drel...

Almost finished first draft of book on #trauma-informed practice in #earlyyears education A nagging suspicion I have left out something important! Here's the contents page - anything missing?

Really useful report on #play and children's healthcare via @paulramchandani.bsky.social Recommendations are very close to the recent NICE guidance on Babies, Children's and Young People's experiences of Healthcare, too! (www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng204) www.pedalhub.net/projects/ite...

It has been really interesting to see how our offer of professional reflective supervision has grown over the years. The benefits to HT wellbeing has been significant.

Relatable. 🤣

Are you a newly qualified clinical psychologist? The DCP Early Career CPD Programme will help you thrive in your first clinical role, with workshops, webinars, and expert guidance. If you're a DCP member, register now: www.bps.org.uk/news/take-your-psychology-career-next-level

I'm wondering if anybody is aware of any research looking specifically at how COVID lockdowns affected the current Reception / Year 1 cohorts? i.e. the children that were born immediately before or during lockdown? @ruthswailes.bsky.social @aaronearlyyears.bsky.social @crecuk.bsky.social hopeful?

How many issues with teens in school could be explained partly by sleep deprivation? This study found short naps promoted learning. (Back in 15 mins!) www.nature.com/articles/s41...

I don't want to read ANYTHING that says "research says...." and no reference follows. I want the reference and then if I'm feeling particularly nerdy, I want to examine the quality of said research!

It can be tricky to assess parent-infant relationships without resorting to checklists, or risking them feeling bad about themselves or their baby We're working on developing a strengths-based, infant voice centred self assessment - here's progress so far, comments very welcome!

Fantastic! Listen to voices of our amazing CYP from Raigmore Primary School, helping us all understand the Armed Forces Covenant Education section. Plse RT so everyone can "Listen, Read & Learn" @highland.gov.uk @jochamberlain.bsky.social @bernadettecairns.bsky.social Click: tinyurl.com/yee4scre

Been giving a bit of a hand to a friend working towards her Psych MSc - this resonates 😅 #EdPsychs

Often missing in debates about #smacking is what children think & experience “It’s only a light smack.” “Only a light tap.” But … How can adults be so sure that the child’s experience isn’t actually one of frightening violence? 1/3

From phonological awareness to oral language to pencil control, @jamesedpsych.bsky.social offers five keys to the early #teaching of reading that will set pupils up for future success: buff.ly/4hTfqSw #literacy #schools #teachers #edusky

When your baby drops objects from their height chair, they’re learning about gravity. When they knock over a block tower, they’re learning cause and effect. These playful actions test their growing understandings about the world.

Almost everything young children do is purposive. It might look like the purpose is to cause difficulties & chaos, but its real purpose is to explore the world & learn about it - & about us too from how we respond. If we take it this way, and take part in that spirit, everyone can learn & have fun

Fascinating and inspiring to hear @danwuori.bsky.social talking about *prenatal* learning and interaction Chimes so well with our Words Up messages that midwives and health visitors share with parents

Why "School Readiness" Shouldn’t Be the Goal for Our Five Year Olds www.early-years-reviews.com/post/why-sch...

#edpsychs As part of our research on the DEdPsy course at UEL, colleagues and I are seeking participants for our research into EPs’ values and their impact on use of assessment tools. EPs working in the UK are eligible to take part and we would be so grateful! forms.office.com/e/kbDBmm9nWc

From phonological awareness to oral language to pencil control, @jamesedpsych.bsky.social offers five keys to the early #teaching of reading that will set pupils up for future success buff.ly/4hTfqSw #literacy #schools #teachers #edusky

Bernadette is an educational psychologist who does amazing work on compassionate leadership, children's rights and participation, equalities, headteacher supervision and more (She's also my heroically patient and kind manager ...) Please can curators of relevant starter packs add her on?

If you only read one @headteacherupdate.bsky.social article this week: From phonological awareness to oral language to pencil control, @jamesedpsych.bsky.social offers five keys to the early #teaching of reading that will set pupils up for future success: buff.ly/4hTfqSw #edusky

We saw round this Elementary School - where they have their flag and are learning all about penguins!! One is going to visit their classroom!! Any ideas yet #FindBlueEllie??

To genuinely democratise the participation of children and young people in research, we should be prioritising their unique lived experience contributions and perspectives, rather than their research skills acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Blue has just come over from X - and is off travelling already! Follow for Adventures with the globe trotting Elephant. Can you guess where she is going?? Somewhere VERY COLD? #FindBlueEllie