School avoidance is becoming an increasingly common challenge for families, schools, and communities.

For some children, walking through the school gates can feel overwhelming. Anxiety, bullying, social pressures, learning difficulties, emotional distress, and feeling unsafe can all contribute to school refusal and disengagement.

In Episode 3 of Big Feelings, Growing Brains, we explore what may sit beneath school avoidance and what families, educators, and communities can do to help children reconnect with learning.

In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why some children struggle to attend school
• What fear and anxiety can look like in the classroom
• The importance of emotional safety and belonging
• How schools and families can work together
• Practical strategies to support attendance and confidence

Featuring educators, parents, wellbeing leaders, and community voices, this conversation focuses on understanding rather than judgment and support rather than blame.

Because children learn best when they feel safe, connected, and seen.

Big Feelings, Growing Brains is a special Thriving Minds podcast series helping parents, educators, and communities navigate the challenges of modern childhood together.

Support the show

Subscribe and support the podcast at
https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new
Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Why do some children seem calm one moment and completely overwhelmed the next when it is time to switch off a screen?

In Episode 2 of Big Feelings, Growing Brains, we explore what is really happening in the developing brain when children move from highly stimulating digital environments back into everyday life.

Together, parents, educators, and wellbeing leaders discuss why screen transitions can trigger big emotions, what children are trying to communicate through their behaviour, and practical strategies that can help reduce conflict at home and school.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• Why screens can be so difficult to switch off
• What is happening in the brain during a meltdown
• Why connection before correction works
• Simple ways to support smoother transitions
• Practical ideas from people who have been there

This is not about blame, shame, or perfect parenting. It is about helping adults better understand growing brains and respond with confidence, compassion, and connection.

Behind many screen meltdowns are often big feelings, and children who need support learning how to regulate them.

Big Feelings, Growing Brains is a special Thriving Minds podcast series created by the community, for the community.

Support the show

Subscribe and support the podcast at
https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new
Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Why Children Melt Down When Screens End

Why do simple moments like “time to turn it off” so often end in tears, anger, shutdowns, or emotional explosions?

In the first episode of Big Feelings, Growing Brains, neuroscientist Professor Selena Bartlett brings together educators, parents, and wellbeing voices to explore what is really happening in the developing brain during screen-time transitions.

Featuring:

• Professor Selena Bartlett
• Dr Mark Williams, cognitive neuroscientist, Author, ScreenSmart Children
• Jennie Dreever from Younity Community Services
• Kim, sharing a parent perspective
• HIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters)

Together, they explore:

• why screens are so hard to switch off
• why transitions can trigger emotional escalation
• what parents and teachers are seeing in real life
• how connection helps regulate overwhelmed brains
• practical ways to reduce stress and conflict at home and school

This episode is not about blame or shame. It is about helping adults better understand growing brains in a rapidly changing digital world.

Big Feelings, Growing Brains is a special Thriving Minds mini-series bringing together neuroscience, lived experience, education, and community wisdom to support children, families, and educators.

Support the show

Subscribe and support the podcast at
https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new
Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com