#35 - The Power of Dialogue: How Conversation Shapes Children’s Learning with Prof Andrew Tolmie
About this episode
This episode explores how conversation and social interaction influence children's learning, featuring insights from Prof Andrew Tolmie.
Have you ever wondered why some of your child’s biggest learning moments happen in conversation - when they are explaining an idea, asking questions or debating something with friends? In this episode, I am joined by Professor Andrew Tolmie, Chair of Psychology and Human Development at UCL’s Institute of Education and Deputy Director of the UCL–Birkbeck Centre for Educational Neuroscience. Professor Tolmie is a developmental psychologist whose research explores how children’s thinking and reasoning develop through social interaction - how attention, dialogue and collaboration shape learning. Together, we unpack what it really means to learn together: how talk and shared attention support understanding, why some children benefit more from group learning than others and how teachers and parents can help children think more deeply and independently. 🎙️ In this episode, you will learn: ✅ What shared attention means and why it’s a foundation for effective learning and focus ✅ How productive dialogue helps children reason, reflect and build deeper understanding ✅ Why social interaction and peer collaboration are essential for developing thinking and problem-solving skills ✅ What…
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