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When Dr Simon Johns first stepped into the vibrant classrooms of Ecuador—some overlooking the sea, others nestled in the Andean mountains, and a few without walls in the Amazon jungle—he discovered something profound about education. Wellbeing wasn't labeled or taught as a separate subject; it was woven into the fabric of learning itself.

This revelation sparked a journey that would lead him back to Wales to develop and research digital wellbeing programs for schools. In this enlightening conversation with Antonio Capelao, Simon shares how his background in psychology and experiences teaching across continents shaped his innovative approach to student wellbeing.

At the heart of Simon's research is "Pause Up," a digital resource that creates structured moments throughout the school day for students to reset mentally and physically. His findings reveal fascinating patterns across age groups: younger students embrace movement-based activities, while teenagers connect more deeply with reflective exercises exploring gratitude, empathy, and purpose. Perhaps most compelling is how the physical school environment—from modern facilities to century-old buildings—significantly impacts program effectiveness.

Set against the progressive backdrop of Welsh education policy, which uniquely includes wellbeing as a core curriculum area, Simon's work takes on special significance. He articulates a vision where wellbeing isn't "an isolated island" visited occasionally but the foundation upon which all learning is built. His research points toward a future where the architecture of school spaces is fundamentally reconsidered with student and teacher wellbeing at its centre.

For educators, designers, parents, and anyone interested in how physical spaces shape mental wellbeing, this conversation offers valuable insights into creating learning environments where young people can truly flourish. As Simon aptly puts it, "If wellbeing is at the top of the lesson plan, everything else runs smoother."

Please subscribe to Architecture for Kids podcast and leave your rating and review. Recommend us to your friends and family. To find out more, visit antoniocaplan-portfolio.co.uk, buildingcenter.co.uk, thorntoneducationtrust.org, and https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/architecture

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Hosted by founder Antonio Capelao, and co-produced with the Built Environment Trust, the Thornton Education Trust, and the Welsh School of Architecture Cardiff University .

These short and to-the-point podcasts hope to improve the interplay between the fields of the built environment and education as we share knowledge between the practitioner, the creative, and the primary school teacher. Exploring how to prepare children and young people for economic, environmental, and societal challenges, and for their professional lives according to today’s needs and those of a sustainable future.

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Professor Penny Hay shares her journey from disaffected student to Professor of Imagination, exploring how reimagined learning environments can transform education for children and young people. Her pioneering projects challenge traditional educational models by creating immersive spaces where creativity, architecture, and nature converge to empower young learners.

• Art teacher saved Penny after friend's death at 16, leading to combined degree in education and fine art
• First professional experience included teaching drawing to architects and engineers
• School Without Walls project places children in residence at cultural venues for 6-7 weeks
• Forest of Imagination transforms urban spaces by bringing nature into the city
• Co-design and co-production with children central to all projects
• Creating "beautiful living classrooms" where children's ideas are valued alongside professionals
• Built environment and learning spaces critically impact how children engage with education
• Reimagining education means seeing "the child as the curriculum and the community as the school"
• Every classroom could be a studio – an immersive, multidisciplinary environment
• Child-friendly cities benefit everyone and create more sustainable futures
• Professor of Imagination role focuses on nature, wellbeing, and creative responses to global crises

Subscribe to Architecture for Kids podcast and follow us on Instagram @archforkidsCIC, Twitter @AntCapelao, and LinkedIn. Visit antoniocapelao-portfolio.co.uk, buildingcenter.co.uk, thorntoneducationtrust.org, and cardiff.ac.uk for more information.

Support the show

Hosted by founder Antonio Capelao, and co-produced with the Built Environment Trust, the Thornton Education Trust, and the Welsh School of Architecture Cardiff University .

These short and to-the-point podcasts hope to improve the interplay between the fields of the built environment and education as we share knowledge between the practitioner, the creative, and the primary school teacher. Exploring how to prepare children and young people for economic, environmental, and societal challenges, and for their professional lives according to today’s needs and those of a sustainable future.

Send us a text

Children are not just the citizens of tomorrow. They are also - and equally - citizens today, with clear needs and concerns about the places where they live. Antonio's Architecture for Kids podcasts are a great platform for exploring why children are an 'indicator species' for cities, and how cities need to change.

Support the show

Hosted by founder Antonio Capelao, and co-produced with the Built Environment Trust, the Thornton Education Trust, and the Welsh School of Architecture Cardiff University .

These short and to-the-point podcasts hope to improve the interplay between the fields of the built environment and education as we share knowledge between the practitioner, the creative, and the primary school teacher. Exploring how to prepare children and young people for economic, environmental, and societal challenges, and for their professional lives according to today’s needs and those of a sustainable future.