In this episode of Plant the Seed of Learning, hosts Crystal Loose and Aimee Ketchum sit down with internationally renowned child psychologist and neuroscientist Professor Sam Wass, one of the world's leading experts on attention, learning, and child development.

As artificial intelligence, smart devices, and digital technology become increasingly integrated into children's lives, parents and educators are asking important questions: How do these technologies impact developing brains? What helps children build attention, self-regulation, and resilience? And how can we create environments that support healthy development in a rapidly changing world?

Professor Wass shares groundbreaking research from the Institute for the Science of Early Years (ISEY), exploring how children's everyday experiences shape attention, stress, learning, and behavior. The conversation covers the science of self-regulation, the importance of caregiver-child interactions, the role of play in development, and what parents should know about AI-powered toys and digital companions.

You'll also hear practical strategies for supporting children's focus, reducing distraction, and creating relationship-rich environments that foster lifelong learning.

• How early environments shape attention and learning
• The neuroscience behind self-regulation in young children
• What parents should know about AI toys and digital technology
• Why human relationships remain the foundation of healthy development
• How children learn to focus in real-world settings
• Insights from Professor Wass's book Take Action on Distraction
• Using neuroscience to improve teaching and early childhood education

• Whether you're a parent, teacher, therapist, childcare professional, or policymaker, this episode offers evidence-based insights and practical tools to help children thrive in a distracted world.

Learn More About Professor Sam Wass

• Website: https://www.profsamwass.com/
• Institute for the Science of Early Years (ISEY): https://www.isey.org
• University of East London Profile: https://www.uel.ac.uk/about-uel/staff/sam-wass
• NEST Kids: https://www.nestkids.co.uk
• Book: Take Action on Distraction: The Definitive Guide to Improving Attention and Focus in the Early Years and Key Stage One