Our guest today is Emma Turner, a highly respected voice in primary education, known for her deep expertise in curriculum design, teaching and learning, and school leadership. With almost 30 years’ experience in education, she has served as a class teacher, assistant head, deputy head, and co-head. She is a leading advocate for using cognitive science to inform curriculum and pedagogy, and is the author of several influential books including Simplicitus and Be More Toddler. Emma is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, co-hosts the Mind the Gap podcast and is a contributor to the Excellence Hub, a research-based initiative focused on helping schools create high-quality, interconnected curricula that support long-term learning and pupil wellbeing.
In this episode, Emma and Simon discuss the powerful role of early education in shaping how children learn, think, and grow. The conversation draws on cognitive science to highlight how self-efficacy, agency, and independence are best fostered in early childhood. They also reflect on the role of cultural capital, the risks of premature formalisation in primary education, and the vital role of parents in nurturing creativity, language, and confidence at home.
Credits:
Produced, edited and mixed by Yusuf Johnson
