Sonia Mainstone-Cotton on Practitioner’s Well-Being and Listening to Young Children

Sonia Mainstone-Cotton is a nurture consultant, author, and leading expert in promoting well-being in early years settings.

With over 20 years of experience in the field, Sonia has worked with numerous nurseries and schools to create nurturing environments that support the emotional and social development of young children.

She is the author of several books, including “Promoting Emotional Wellbeing in Early Years Staff” and “Listening to Young Children in Early Years Settings”, and is passionate about empowering practitioners to prioritise their own well-being and build strong, positive relationships with the children in their care.

In this insightful interview, Sonia shares practical strategies for promoting well-being in early years practitioners and highlights the importance of truly listening to young children.

Sonia discusses the impact of stress on practitioners and offers techniques for managing it effectively, enabling them to better support the children in their care.

In this session you’ll:

• Discover the crucial link between practitioner well-being and the quality of care provided to children
• Learn practical stress management techniques that can be easily implemented in busy nursery settings
• Uncover the power of active listening and how it can transform relationships with young children
• Gain insights into the impact of the pandemic on practitioner well-being and how to navigate the challenges it presents
• Explore strategies for creating a supportive and nurturing environment that benefits both practitioners and children

Watch this episode now to learn valuable insights and practical strategies for promoting well-being and building strong relationships with young children in your setting.

This episode was originally broadcast on 10 of August, 2018.

Episode Links:

You can find Sonia’s books here: https://www.jkp.com/uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=sonia+mainstone+cotton

Sonia also talks about the Te Whāriki curriculum, which you can find here: https://www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/teaching-and-learning/te-whariki/

MIND is the charity who provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Find out more here: https://www.mind.org.uk/