James McTaggart
@jamesedpsych.bsky.social
Educational Psychologist - early years, child trauma & adversity, infant mental health, equalities & children’s rights; deputy chair BPS Practice Board
No evenings this week, just proof-reading, but the lovely cover Routledge have made will keep me going!
November 17, 2025 at 8:01 AM
No evenings this week, just proof-reading, but the lovely cover Routledge have made will keep me going!
"Capacity" is a barrier or a gateway for CYP exercising their rights under the UNCRC
But what is it? Much discussion is based on simple (outdated!) models of child development.
Here's how I think that changes across the main theories - it makes a difference to what capacity is & how to assess?
But what is it? Much discussion is based on simple (outdated!) models of child development.
Here's how I think that changes across the main theories - it makes a difference to what capacity is & how to assess?
September 1, 2025 at 7:47 AM
"Capacity" is a barrier or a gateway for CYP exercising their rights under the UNCRC
But what is it? Much discussion is based on simple (outdated!) models of child development.
Here's how I think that changes across the main theories - it makes a difference to what capacity is & how to assess?
But what is it? Much discussion is based on simple (outdated!) models of child development.
Here's how I think that changes across the main theories - it makes a difference to what capacity is & how to assess?
Such a useful keynote from Sue Dockett and Bob Perry at #ICELT2025 on international research on transitions to school (and the sticky spread of "schoolification" of #earlyyears)
August 22, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Such a useful keynote from Sue Dockett and Bob Perry at #ICELT2025 on international research on transitions to school (and the sticky spread of "schoolification" of #earlyyears)
Participation ROCCS!
But adult myths about capacity get in the way
That’s what children told us, and here’s a resource they helped us to make so adults can reflect on the myths and change their practice
More in the thread – feel free to use as long as you give us feedback!
But adult myths about capacity get in the way
That’s what children told us, and here’s a resource they helped us to make so adults can reflect on the myths and change their practice
More in the thread – feel free to use as long as you give us feedback!
July 16, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Participation ROCCS!
But adult myths about capacity get in the way
That’s what children told us, and here’s a resource they helped us to make so adults can reflect on the myths and change their practice
More in the thread – feel free to use as long as you give us feedback!
But adult myths about capacity get in the way
That’s what children told us, and here’s a resource they helped us to make so adults can reflect on the myths and change their practice
More in the thread – feel free to use as long as you give us feedback!
And here is a short film with more samples
If you’d like to try it out, just get in touch – happy to share in return for feedback!
4/4
If you’d like to try it out, just get in touch – happy to share in return for feedback!
4/4
July 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
And here is a short film with more samples
If you’d like to try it out, just get in touch – happy to share in return for feedback!
4/4
If you’d like to try it out, just get in touch – happy to share in return for feedback!
4/4
And here is some of what the children said about this myth to help create the resource
3/4
3/4
July 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
And here is some of what the children said about this myth to help create the resource
3/4
3/4
The children helped make a reflection tool to help professionals and policy-makers think about capacity
To make it playful & kind, Mythical Mungo and Capacity Callum explore each myth and how it impacts on their practice and on outcomes
Are you more Mungo or Callum?
Here’s an example 2/4
To make it playful & kind, Mythical Mungo and Capacity Callum explore each myth and how it impacts on their practice and on outcomes
Are you more Mungo or Callum?
Here’s an example 2/4
July 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The children helped make a reflection tool to help professionals and policy-makers think about capacity
To make it playful & kind, Mythical Mungo and Capacity Callum explore each myth and how it impacts on their practice and on outcomes
Are you more Mungo or Callum?
Here’s an example 2/4
To make it playful & kind, Mythical Mungo and Capacity Callum explore each myth and how it impacts on their practice and on outcomes
Are you more Mungo or Callum?
Here’s an example 2/4
The UNCRC supports children’s rights to give consent, to be consulted & to complain
But often adult myths about their capacity get in the way
@jochamberlain.bsky.social and I researched with children what they think of this and what might help
Some resulting resources - feel free to use! 🧵 1/4
But often adult myths about their capacity get in the way
@jochamberlain.bsky.social and I researched with children what they think of this and what might help
Some resulting resources - feel free to use! 🧵 1/4
July 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The UNCRC supports children’s rights to give consent, to be consulted & to complain
But often adult myths about their capacity get in the way
@jochamberlain.bsky.social and I researched with children what they think of this and what might help
Some resulting resources - feel free to use! 🧵 1/4
But often adult myths about their capacity get in the way
@jochamberlain.bsky.social and I researched with children what they think of this and what might help
Some resulting resources - feel free to use! 🧵 1/4
We asked children & young people what they made of common adult myths about their capacity - this one got some strong reactions, and great ideas for creating some resources
The adventures of Mythical Mungo and Capacity Callum begin! Which one are you?
The adventures of Mythical Mungo and Capacity Callum begin! Which one are you?
June 18, 2025 at 6:55 AM
We asked children & young people what they made of common adult myths about their capacity - this one got some strong reactions, and great ideas for creating some resources
The adventures of Mythical Mungo and Capacity Callum begin! Which one are you?
The adventures of Mythical Mungo and Capacity Callum begin! Which one are you?
Enacting the UNCRC means children have rights to consent, to be consulted, and to complain. But often adult myths about their capacity get in the way.
@jochamberlain.bsky.social and I asked children & young people what they thought of these myths - here is what we learned!
@jochamberlain.bsky.social and I asked children & young people what they thought of these myths - here is what we learned!
June 17, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Enacting the UNCRC means children have rights to consent, to be consulted, and to complain. But often adult myths about their capacity get in the way.
@jochamberlain.bsky.social and I asked children & young people what they thought of these myths - here is what we learned!
@jochamberlain.bsky.social and I asked children & young people what they thought of these myths - here is what we learned!
A different kind of bucket challenge - looking forward to finding out just how much #literacy we can do with a bucket, some pebbles and some pine cones with early years practitioners and primary school teachers today!
June 5, 2025 at 6:16 AM
A different kind of bucket challenge - looking forward to finding out just how much #literacy we can do with a bucket, some pebbles and some pine cones with early years practitioners and primary school teachers today!
Almost finished first draft of book on #trauma-informed practice in #earlyyears education
A nagging suspicion I have left out something important! Here's the contents page - anything missing?
A nagging suspicion I have left out something important! Here's the contents page - anything missing?
April 11, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Almost finished first draft of book on #trauma-informed practice in #earlyyears education
A nagging suspicion I have left out something important! Here's the contents page - anything missing?
A nagging suspicion I have left out something important! Here's the contents page - anything missing?
Really useful report on #play and children's healthcare via @paulramchandani.bsky.social
Recommendations are very close to the recent NICE guidance on Babies, Children's and Young People's experiences of Healthcare, too! (www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng204)
www.pedalhub.net/projects/ite...
Recommendations are very close to the recent NICE guidance on Babies, Children's and Young People's experiences of Healthcare, too! (www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng204)
www.pedalhub.net/projects/ite...
April 10, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Really useful report on #play and children's healthcare via @paulramchandani.bsky.social
Recommendations are very close to the recent NICE guidance on Babies, Children's and Young People's experiences of Healthcare, too! (www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng204)
www.pedalhub.net/projects/ite...
Recommendations are very close to the recent NICE guidance on Babies, Children's and Young People's experiences of Healthcare, too! (www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng204)
www.pedalhub.net/projects/ite...
How many issues with teens in school could be explained partly by sleep deprivation?
This study found short naps promoted learning. (Back in 15 mins!)
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This study found short naps promoted learning. (Back in 15 mins!)
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
March 26, 2025 at 7:24 AM
How many issues with teens in school could be explained partly by sleep deprivation?
This study found short naps promoted learning. (Back in 15 mins!)
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This study found short naps promoted learning. (Back in 15 mins!)
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
It can be tricky to assess parent-infant relationships without resorting to checklists, or risking them feeling bad about themselves or their baby
We're working on developing a strengths-based, infant voice centred self assessment - here's progress so far, comments very welcome!
We're working on developing a strengths-based, infant voice centred self assessment - here's progress so far, comments very welcome!
March 20, 2025 at 7:11 AM
It can be tricky to assess parent-infant relationships without resorting to checklists, or risking them feeling bad about themselves or their baby
We're working on developing a strengths-based, infant voice centred self assessment - here's progress so far, comments very welcome!
We're working on developing a strengths-based, infant voice centred self assessment - here's progress so far, comments very welcome!
"It's didn't do me any harm". "I smacked my kids and they are fine as adults"
That's good to hear - but the evidence is for longer term harm for most
psycnet.apa.org/search/displ...
That's good to hear - but the evidence is for longer term harm for most
psycnet.apa.org/search/displ...
March 6, 2025 at 7:59 AM
"It's didn't do me any harm". "I smacked my kids and they are fine as adults"
That's good to hear - but the evidence is for longer term harm for most
psycnet.apa.org/search/displ...
That's good to hear - but the evidence is for longer term harm for most
psycnet.apa.org/search/displ...
Fascinating and inspiring to hear
@danwuori.bsky.social
talking about *prenatal* learning and interaction
Chimes so well with our Words Up messages that midwives and health visitors share with parents
@danwuori.bsky.social
talking about *prenatal* learning and interaction
Chimes so well with our Words Up messages that midwives and health visitors share with parents
March 3, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Fascinating and inspiring to hear
@danwuori.bsky.social
talking about *prenatal* learning and interaction
Chimes so well with our Words Up messages that midwives and health visitors share with parents
@danwuori.bsky.social
talking about *prenatal* learning and interaction
Chimes so well with our Words Up messages that midwives and health visitors share with parents
Here’s a Highland river in the snow
January 8, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Here’s a Highland river in the snow
We need to think beyond "what tool" for assessment & consider the whole process; how do we move from "look at" approaches to participatory ones?
December 20, 2024 at 7:36 AM
We need to think beyond "what tool" for assessment & consider the whole process; how do we move from "look at" approaches to participatory ones?
Caption competition!
November 22, 2024 at 1:47 PM
Caption competition!
This morning I am mostly clearing snow
November 21, 2024 at 10:18 AM
This morning I am mostly clearing snow
It's time to stop being shy and put out the discount code for #EmergingLiteracy
Our book, with lots and lots of online resources, on ways for teachers to assess children's development and adapt #literacy instruction/learning so that all succeed
Out 25th November!
Our book, with lots and lots of online resources, on ways for teachers to assess children's development and adapt #literacy instruction/learning so that all succeed
Out 25th November!
November 20, 2024 at 7:51 AM
It's time to stop being shy and put out the discount code for #EmergingLiteracy
Our book, with lots and lots of online resources, on ways for teachers to assess children's development and adapt #literacy instruction/learning so that all succeed
Out 25th November!
Our book, with lots and lots of online resources, on ways for teachers to assess children's development and adapt #literacy instruction/learning so that all succeed
Out 25th November!
How do chances to be creative help CYP who have experienced #trauma?
Meeting my wonderful colleague Lynn Taylor this week reminded me of this lovely pic she made of a rough sketch of mine a while back
Meeting my wonderful colleague Lynn Taylor this week reminded me of this lovely pic she made of a rough sketch of mine a while back
November 15, 2024 at 7:47 AM
How do chances to be creative help CYP who have experienced #trauma?
Meeting my wonderful colleague Lynn Taylor this week reminded me of this lovely pic she made of a rough sketch of mine a while back
Meeting my wonderful colleague Lynn Taylor this week reminded me of this lovely pic she made of a rough sketch of mine a while back
Wow, a treasure trove of research and resources on speech, language and communication here!
languageandliteracyinyoungpeople.com
languageandliteracyinyoungpeople.com
November 14, 2024 at 7:06 AM
Wow, a treasure trove of research and resources on speech, language and communication here!
languageandliteracyinyoungpeople.com
languageandliteracyinyoungpeople.com
Brilliant - I forgot to share the discount code! Here, in case you'd like it.
November 12, 2024 at 7:16 AM
Brilliant - I forgot to share the discount code! Here, in case you'd like it.