Episode 04: Let’s Talk… Supporting Children's Attention in the Modern World

About this episode

The episode features a discussion with Professor Sam Wass on how the modern world affects children's attention and ways to support it.

In episode 4, we are delighted to be joined by Professor Sam Wass – Developmental Cognitive Neuroscientist, Child Psychologist, and Director of the Institute for the Science of Early Years and Youth at The University of East London. Sam is also renowned for his role in the multi-award-winning Channel 4 series The Secret Life of 4, 5, and 6 Year Olds, as well as being an award-winning author, researcher and speaker. Join us for a fascinating, neuroscience-rich conversation about how the modern world is shaping children, the impact of today’s fast-paced environments on children’s attention, and what we as practitioners can do to best support children’s attention and focus in our settings. ✨ Whether you’re worried about children’s attention, curious about the science behind it, or keen to learn what really helps, this episode will challenge your assumptions and reshape how you think about this complex topic. 👂 If you're a Norfolk early years practitioner or professional, and you enjoyed this conversation, we’d love for you to join us at one of our upcoming Spring Communication Hub Meetings, beginning on 9th March 2026, where we will be joined by Cambridgeshire Community Services…

People in this episode

Guest: Professor Sam Wass

Topics covered

• children's attention
• modern world
• neuroscience
• child psychology
• supporting focus
• early years education

Keywords

• attention
• focus
• child development
• neuroscience
• early years
• psychology
• education

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Institute for the Science of Early Years and Youth, The University of East London, Channel 4, Cambridgeshire Community Services Speech and Language Therapy Team

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• Episode 02: Let’s Talk… Building Oracy in the Early Years. · May 21, 2025 · 1h 3m
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