The Voice of Early Childhood2 Kesä 2025

Cultivating a sense of belonging

Ryan Bradshaw emphasises the importance of fostering a sense of belonging in early childhood education. He shares his personal journey and experiences, highlighting the impact of belonging for both children and educators. Ryan advocates for greater male representation in the early years sector and discusses ways in which professionals can cultivate connection, belonging and promote diversity.

Read Ryan's article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/cultivating-a-sense-of-belonging/

This episode is in partnership with Male Childcare and Teaching Jobs.

Male Childcare and Teaching Jobs advocate for greater male participation in education and caregiving roles, offering support and guidance to enhance gender inclusion in nurseries and schools.

To find out more visit: https://malechildcareandteachingjobs.co.uk/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

What is it like being a man in early years? – Kevin Nelson https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/what-is-it-like-being-a-man-in-early-childhood/

Exploring career challenges for male educators in early childhood – Mattie Paul Winfield https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/exploring-career-challenges-for-male-educators-in-early-childhood/

Plus hear and read more on men in early childhood: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/articles/men-in-early-childhood/

Get in touch and share your voice:

Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/

Episode break down:

00:00 – Welcome!
02:30 – A sense of belonging for adults
08:30 – Psychological safety
10:30 – Finding who you are as a person
13:00 – Fear of rejection
14:30 – A world without labels
16:00 – It's ok not to fit into a space
15:00 – Children feeling psychologically safe
20:00 – Giving freedom to children with SEND
23:00 – Feeling seen and heard
26:00 – Fostering connection
29:00 – Leaders feeling safety and belonging
34:00 – Create your own space to belong
34:30 – We don't just teach we transform

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

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