Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast

Episoder

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  Insights from Inspire X 02.10.2026 43min

  In this special compilation episode of Learn Play Thrive, we head straight to the floor of the Semann and Slattery InspireX Conference. Host Simone Brand captures game-changing insights and passionate reflections from sector leaders and early childhood educators. Co-founder Anthony Semann kicks off the episode with a powerful challenge, asking us to consider what children might say if we truly listened and how that reframes our understanding of their learning, behaviour, and intentions. Co-fo...
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  Navigating the NQS #12: Standard 6.1 - Supportive relationships with families 29.09.2026 10min

  Welcome back to Navigating the NQS, the National Quality Standard breakdown for licensed Early Childhood Education and Care settings in Australia. In this episode, host Simone Brand shifts our focus to Quality Area 6 - 'Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities', diving deep into Standard 6.1—Supportive relationships with families. Simone explores how moving beyond one-way communication and surface-level drop-off greetings allows educators to build authentic, reciprocal partner...
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  Building Inclusive Early Learning Environments 25.09.2026 22min

  Host Simone Brand sits down with Dina Petrakis, CEO of Ethnic Community Services (ECS), to dive into the vital role of cultural inclusion in early childhood education. Drawing on over 20 years of leadership in social justice, international aid, and refugee support, Dina shares her passion for empowering culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and advocating for equitable access across the sector. In this episode, she addresses why proactive cultural inclusion is essential for...
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  S2E7 Little Library: The Thing About Christmas 22.09.2026 27min

  Celebrate the true spirit of Christmas in this episode of the Learn Play Thrive Little Library! Join host Linda Harrison as she sits down with award-winning illustrator Briony Stewart to discuss her 2026 CBCA Honour-winning picture book 'The Thing About Christmas' (authored by Jo Dabrowski, published by Little Book Press). The episode explores how this heartwarming, inclusive picture book reflects family diversity, fosters a sense of belonging, and reinforces the core message that "Christmas...
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  Strengthening Professional Identity and Educator Wellbeing 18.09.2026 26min

  In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with early childhood teacher, advocate, and play therapist in training -- Emma Rattenbury. Bringing over 20 years of sector experience, Emma tackles the critical challenge of building a strong professional identity in early childhood education. The conversation dives deep into why a robust professional self-image is essential for boosting educator confidence and engagement -- particularly for those navigating the ...
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  Road Safety in Early Education #6: Making Road Safety Musical 15.09.2026 15min

  Music and movement take centre stage in this episode of Learn Play Thrive, as host Linda Harrison chats with Amanda Menzies and Bec Dunn from Macquarie University's Kids and Traffic program. Grounded in EYLF V2.0, the discussion highlights how educators can use the core elements of music—beat, tempo and timbre—to help children embody important road safety concepts through pretend play. From pacing steps to the rhythm of a tambourine, to mimicking car engines and bicycle bells with loose parts...
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  Why Health Literacy Starts in the Early Years 11.09.2026 28min

  In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand sits down with Lisa Woodward and Michelle Weisbaum from Life Ed Australia—the powerhouse team behind the iconic Healthy Harold programs—to explore the evolving landscape of health, wellbeing, and innovation in early childhood. Together, they unpack what health literacy looks like in action for young children today. The discussion highlights the critical role early learning centres play in fostering safe spaces for age-appropriate criti...
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  Play Provocations #10: Sensory Play 08.09.2026 20min

  In this episode of Play Provocations, host Linda Harrison is joined by lead early childhood educator Michelle Jackson to explore the vital role of sensory play as a cornerstone of early learning. Grounded in research, the conversation highlights how intentional, open-ended sensory experiences form the neural baseline for children's holistic development. Linda and Michelle discuss the importance of recognising individual sensory profiles—exploring how educators can thoughtfully design e...
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  Tamworth Pedagogy in Practice: Early Education Conference Panel 04.09.2026 45min

  In this special panel episode recorded live at the Pedagogy in Practice: Early Education Conference in Tamworth, the Learn Play Thrive podcast brings together four leading voices in early childhood education to explore the small, intentional decisions that shape transformative practice. Consultant Kirsty Liljegren of The Creative Collection follows with an inspiring look at how educators can make small yet powerful pedagogical choices daily to unlock richer possibilities for children’s...
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  Navigating the NQS #11: Standard 5.2 - Relationships between children 01.09.2026 8min

  In this episode of Navigating the NQS, host Simone Brand dives into Quality Area 5, Standard 5.2 to explore how early childhood settings support children in building sensitive, responsive peer relationships. Moving beyond basic group work, Simone breaks down Element 5.2.1 on collaborative learning, highlighting how educators can foster peer mentorship and facilitate long-term, child-led inquiry projects where children act as co-constructors of knowledge. Through practical insights and real-wo...
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  Attracting, Sustaining and Preparing Quality Teachers in Early Childhood 28.08.2026 29min

  In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand sits down with leading researcher Professor Sandie Wong to unpack groundbreaking ARC-funded research on the early childhood workforce crisis. Moving beyond stereotypes that undervalue early childhood education, Professor Wong provides hard evidence on the immense complexity, rapid task-switching, and specialised skills required of educators—highlighting the unique, irreplaceable contributions degree-qualified Early Childhood Teachers (EC...
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  S2E6 Little Library: My Nonno Loves 25.08.2026 30min

  In this episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library, host Linda Harrison sits down with acclaimed children's author Adelle Frittitta to discuss her heartwarming picture book 'My Nonno Loves'—a 2026 CBCA shortlisted title in the Early Childhood category. This story explores intergenerational relationships and the non-verbal, everyday ways families communicate love across language and age barriers. Together, Linda and Adelle dive into how real-world stories validate children's lived ex...
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  Embedding Diverse Languages in ECEC 21.08.2026 20min

  In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with Amanda MacDonald, Early Learning Specialist at Education Services Australia (ESA). They discuss the national expansion of Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA), a government-backed, play-based digital language program into Foundation to Year 2 classrooms. Amanda shares how ELLA’s suite of 11 immersive, curriculum-aligned apps—offering 13 different languages—helps young learners build confidence, curiosity...
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  Road Safety in Early Education #5: Early Numeracy in Everyday Travel 18.08.2026 17min

  In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive mini-series on Road Safety in Early Education, we welcome back Amanda Menzies and Bec Dunn from Kids and Traffic—the Early Childhood Road Safety Education Program at Macquarie University. We explore how everyday travel and road safety education provide a meaningful context to spark children's early numeracy understandings. From tallying travel modes using 3D bar graphs, to exploring spatial concepts through small-world safe play -- the conversation h...
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  Celebrating Early Learning Matters Week 2026 14.08.2026 31min

  In this special feature episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast celebrating Early Learning Matters Week 2026, host Simone Brand chats with three distinguished early childhood leaders—Mary-Louise Clifford (Nominated Supervisor, Glenning Valley Child Care Centre), alongside Kylie Wade (Director) and Ella Peers (Educational Leader) from Highland Grove Preschool. Together, they unpack the foundational pillars of high-quality early childhood education and care. From the critical importance of sta...
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  Play Provocations #9: Construction Play 11.08.2026 23min

  In this inspiring episode of our Play Provocations mini-series, host Linda Harrison is joined by lead early childhood educator Michelle Jackson to explore how intentional environmental design can elevate construction play into a rich hub for creativity, engineering, and storytelling. Together, they unpack the pedagogical power of construction play—highlighting how manipulating open-ended mediums like timber offcuts, loose parts, and natural elements allows children to bring their 3D id...
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  Bush Kindy Australia 07.08.2026 14min

  In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with Bec Burch, the visionary founder of Bush Kindy Australia. As Australia’s leading provider of Bush Kindy Leader Training and nature pedagogy professional development, Bec mentors educators nationwide to build confident, compliant, and meaningful nature-based programs. Grounded in her daily, hands-on work with children on the Gold Coast, Bec shares her passionate belief in every child's right to play outdoors, ...
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  S2E5 Little Library: Ships In The Field with Susanne Gervay 04.08.2026 28min

  In this episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library mini-series, host Linda Harrison sits down with Order of Australia honoree and award-winning author Susanne Gervay to explore her moving picture book, 'Ships in the Field'. Drawing from her own family history as the child of post-war refugees, Susanne shares the inspiration behind this CBCA Notable story, which tenderly captures the journey of migration and belonging through a child's eyes. Together, they discuss how the book gently bala...
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  Connecting the Dots Between Music and Self-regulation 31.07.2026 26min

  In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, we welcome Amelia, former Early Learning Music Specialist at International Grammar School and founder of Rhymey. After witnessing firsthand how intentional musical moments can instantly transform classroom energy—bringing focus, emotional regulation, and deep connection to young children—Amelia launched Rhymey to bridge the growing gap in early childhood music education. As tertiary courses move away from traditional music pedagogy, Amelia's h...
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  Navigating the NQS #10: Standard 5.1 - Relationships between educators and children 28.07.2026 12min

  Welcome back to the Navigating the NQS podcast mini-series with host Simone Brand! In this episode, Simone dives straight into the absolute heart of daily early childhood practice - Quality Area 5, Standard 5.1. Simone unpacks the deep intentionality needed to maintain respectful and equitable relationships with each child, showing how an Exceeding-level service transforms ordinary routines into powerful rituals of safety and belonging. This epsiode explores Element 5.1.1 (Positive int...