Therapod Podcast
The Therapod podcast is a valuable resource created by a team of experienced clinicians- Hosted by Banu Balaji, an experienced occupational therapist. Joining us as Co-host this season we have Georgie Cooney, dedicated teacher, author, and dyslexia specialist with years of experience supporting learners with Specific Learning Difficulties.
This podcast aims to provide accessible and practical information for parents, caregivers, and professionals working with children, especially those with additional needs. Banu and her seasoned colleagues share their insights on various topics such as sensory strategies, communication, neurodevelopmental assessments, and promoting both physical and mental health in children and adolescents. They bring their years of training and experience to the table in a way that makes it accessible and meaningful.
The emphasis is on the importance of parents providing timely support and help when needed and aim to reduce overwhelm and bring joy to parenting. The podcast delves into the evolving challenges of modern parenting, the impact of changing environments on children, the significance of play in learning and development, and the value of balancing structured activities with free play. Through their discussions, therapod highlights the importance of understanding individual needs, fostering positive relationships, and supporting children's growth and well-being in today's complex world.
Therapod Podcast
The Flexible Seating Revolution: Reimagining the Modern Classroom
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“What works for a few children usually works for all. Why have special seats for special children when we can have a range of seats for everyone?”
In this inspiring episode of the Therapod Podcast, host Carolyn Gelenter sits down with Heba Al-Jayoosi, the SENCO and Assistant Head at Mayflower Primary School in East London. Heba shares the journey of their "Flexible Seating Revolution"—a radical shift in classroom design that replaces rigid rows with a menu of choices, including rocking chairs, standing desks, and wobble stools.
In this episode, we explore:
Inclusion by Design: How Mayflower moved away from stigmatizing "special adaptations" to a Universal Design for Learning approach where every child can choose the seating that meets their sensory needs.
The Chair Committee: How the project was co-produced with the children themselves, involving a "mammoth" survey of 357 pupils to ensure their voices led the change.
Movement as a Tool for Learning: Challenging the myth that choice leads to "silliness," Heba explains how movement actually improves concentration, peer collaboration, and motivation.
Normalizing Sensory Support: From "normalized" ear defenders available to all children to a "no rules" approach to seating, learn how removing stigma creates a sense of belonging.
Rigor vs. Relationships: How Mayflower became the highest attaining primary school in the UK in 2023 not through rigid control, but by prioritizing emotional safety and the "relational" side of teaching.
Whether you are an educator or a parent, this conversation is a powerful reminder that fairness isn't about everyone having the same—it’s about everyone having what they need to thrive.
#InclusiveEducation #FlexibleSeating #Neurodiversity #UDL #TherapodPodcast #MayflowerPrimary #SensorySupport #DLD #AutismAwareness #EducationInnovation
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