ShiftEd Podcast #80 In Conversation with Catherine Korah: What Children Really Need to Grow

What if the fastest way to help kids learn is to stop rushing their growth? In this episode, we sit down with Catherine Korah from the Centre of Excellence for Behaviour Management to unpack a deceptively simple idea: when children feel secure with adults and have space for real play, learning and maturity emerge naturally.We explore what true play actually looks like, why well-intentioned praise and goals can shut down creativity, and how protecting unstructured play primes the brain for later academic success. The conversation turns candid on screens, post-pandemic stress, and phone bans—why removing devices without replacing connection leaves a void, and what humane alternatives really work.Grounded, hopeful, and practical, this episode offers language, confidence, and next steps for educators and parents navigating behaviour with care, patience, and trust.