Edufuturists #277 Bringing Play Back with Sophie Pickles

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome Sophie Pickles, who Ben met out in Dubai at a gathering curated by the awesome, Simon Blower. Sophie is an educational consultant and author and discusses her journey in education, focusing on child-led learning and the importance of play in early years education.  Sophie shares her experiences transitioning from traditional teaching methods to a more child-centred approach, highlighting the challenges faced in the education system, including parental expectations and the need for educational reform. The conversation emphasises the significance of fostering children's wellbeing and autonomy, questioning outdated practices like homework, and the necessity of innovative training for educators. Sophie also discusses her work in parenting education and the growing community of parents seeking alternative educational options for their children. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction06:30 Child-Led Learning: A New Approach10:51 Challenges in Early Years Education14:55 The Importance of Play in Learning19:54 Questioning the Education System25:20 Parenting and Education: Bridging the Gap31:45 Innovative Training for Educators39:48 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts Follow Sophie on LinkedIn Follow Sophie on Instagram Subscribe to her Parenting YouTube channel Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Check out all about Edufuturists Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2025