EP 39 | Whole Body Listening, Masking, and Belonging: A Child’s Perspective with Sarah + Charlie Middleton

Real inclusion isn’t about ticking boxes. Phwoar. This conversation is a powerful one. I welcome Sarah Middleton and her 12-year-old son, Charlie (the first child on the show - yay!), to The Bloom Room for a critical conversation around why it’s time to move beyond Whole Body Listening towards inclusive listening practices. Charlie shares his lived experience of Whole Body Listening, reflecting on the consequences of this approach that were naked to the invisible eye. This year, Sarah and Charlie undertook their first grass roots advocacy campaign - the Force 4 Good campaign - which fast became a movement, bringing like-minded people together to petition against the widespread use of Whole Body Listening in classrooms (learn more about this in the episode). In this discussion, Sarah shares the challenges encountered with their campaign (some quite surprising), and the hope that has come with connecting with others. You’ll hear: 🌏 How the typical ‘teacher look’ can feel for a child with high sensitivity 🌏 Why quiet doesn’t always mean engaged 🌏 The importance of questioning “how things have always been done” and why ticking boxes doesn’t lead to long-lasting change 🌏 The links between whole-body listening, masking and belonging 🌏 How to advocate for change - and why quietly modelling inclusive listening practices might be the key to creating change in your environment If you aren't already convinced that we need to move past Whole Body Listening - hearing Charlie's lived experience will get you over the line.

Helpful Links Connect with Sarah on Instagram @sarah.middleton.blg Visit the Force 4 Good campaign website Charlie's Letter Read Dr. Connie Buckingham's blog Whole Body Listening: A First Attempt to Find the Science to Back a Change

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