In this episode, Psychologist Dr Brad Marshall and Speech Pathologist Meg Tidyman explore how modern family life, technology use, and the loss of unstructured play are reshaping children’s development and school readiness:

• Understand why more children start school without key language and social skills
• Recognise how reduced unstructured play limits social, language, and motor development
• Explore how parental time pressures and anxiety shape children’s tech use and activities
• Clarify why screens usually distract rather than regulate young children’s emotions
• Identify ways to use technology strategically while prioritising real‑world interaction

Expert: Meggen Tidyman, Paediatric Speech Pathologist

Host: Dr Brad Marshall, GP & Psychologist

Total time: 42 mins

Recommended Resources

• Screens, speech and mealtimes: What GPs need to watch out for in early childhood – Part 1 | Healthed
• Waffle – A screen free phone
• Eat, Talk, Play
• Jonathan Haidt: The Anxious Generation