Have you ever wondered why some of your child’s biggest learning moments happen in conversation - when they are explaining an idea, asking questions or debating something with friends?
In this episode, I am joined by Professor Andrew Tolmie, Chair of Psychology and Human Development at UCL’s Institute of Education and Deputy Director of the UCL–Birkbeck Centre for Educational Neuroscience.
Professor Tolmie is a developmental psychologist whose research explores how children’s thinking and reasoning develop through social interaction - how attention, dialogue and collaboration shape learning.
Together, we unpack what it really means to learn together: how talk and shared attention support understanding, why some children benefit more from group learning than others and how teachers and parents can help children think more deeply and independently.
🎙️ In this episode, you will learn:
✅ What shared attention means and why it’s a foundation for effective learning and focus
✅ How productive dialogue helps children reason, reflect and build deeper understanding
✅ Why social interaction and peer collaboration are essential for developing thinking and problem-solving skills
✅ What research reveals about spaced learning, reflection and avoiding cognitive overload
✅ Practical ways to nurture focus, curiosity and meaningful discussion at home and in the classroom
Whether your child is in primary or secondary school, this conversation offers research-based insights into how attention, dialogue and shared learning experiences shape understanding.
🔗 Links & Resources
Prof Andrew Tolmie
https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/48122-andrew-tolmie
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-tolmie-1ab21522/?originalSubdomain=uk
http://www.educationalneuroscience.org.uk/about-us/cen-research-group-2/prof-andrew-tolmie/
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