The Early Years Learning Hub Podcast

This episode is about the value of block play and the amazing learning happening when children engage in block play. Our guest speaker is Dr Jo Grommond, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education, School of Education, Charles StrurtUniversity. We discuss the complex mathematical concepts, social skills and creative thinking skills that children are developing when they build with blocks. Relate...

In this episode we talk to Amy Shine, Director of Forbes Preschool, about her and her team’s legendary transition practices. Including how the Forbes Preschool team creates partnerships within her community to improve outcomes for children and advocate for early childhood education. Related early Years Learninh Hub courses: Transition to school catalogue- https://earlyyearslearninghub.com.au/trans...

This episode is about all aspects of planning and setting up rich and meaningful learning environments as a part of the assessment and planning cycle. Including how to respond and modify based on the emergent curriculum. Related early Years Learning Hub course: Learning frameworks resources- https://earlyyearslearninghub.com.au/product/learning-framework-resources/

This episode is about the Australian Education Research Organisation or AERO’s early childhood learning trajectories. Specifically what they are and how they support teachers and educators to identify and scaffold learning. We chat with Rowena Shirtcliff, AERO's Early Childhood Program Director about AERO's function, the learning trajectories and other great resources. Links: Early childho...

This is the fourth and final episode in our 4-part series where we chat with Ebony Birch-Hanger, a Neuro-SensoryEducation Specialist. In this episode we unpack how strategies to support the sensory systems and showcase howmuch more effective it is than trying to manage ‘big’ behaviours. Links: ⁠www.facebook.com/ebony.birch.hanger⁠ Related Early Years Learning Hub courses: Inclusive practice bundle...

This is the third episode in our part series where we chat with Ebony Birch-Hanger, a Neuro-Sensory Education Specialist. In this episode we will be unpacking the role of the environment in either supporting regulation or contributing to dysregulation. Links: ⁠www.facebook.com/ebony.birch.hanger⁠ Environmental evaluation Related Early Years Learning Hub courses: Helping children to self-regulate

This is the second of a 4 part series where Ebony Birch-Hanger, a Neuro-Sensory Education Specialist will be discussing how episode of a series of 4 episodes where we be focusing on the nervous system and unpacking how it influences children’s behaviour. Links: ⁠www.facebook.com/ebony.birch.hanger⁠ Related Early Years Learning Hub courses: Undersatnding challenging behaviours bundle

This is the first of a 4 part series where Ebony Birch-Hanger, a Neuro-Sensory Education Specialist will be discussing how understanding neurosensory systems supports teacher and educators to bettersupport children to self-regulate. In part 1, we take a look at an overview of key areas to look at to understand the why behind children’s behaviours and to better support children's neurosensory d...

In this week’s episode we talk about the paramountcy principle and how it supports educators to prioritise children’s safety, rights and best interests. Ensuring high-quality practice and ethical decision making. Links: https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/leadership/news/compliance-focus---paramountcy-in-practice https://www.acecqa.gov.au/information-sheet-understanding-paramoun...

In this episode we are joined by Beck Thompson who is the Founder of Trauma Informed Teachers Australia, she is also a Teacher, Speaker and Author (Chasing Normal). We explore how understanding trauma through brain science supports teachers and educators to look at children (and their behaviour) through a trauma-informed lens and how teachers make a big difference to children experiencing trauma....

In this episode we explore the contemporary approach of 'Slow pedagogy' with Susan Franco, Director and Approved Provider of Explore and Develop Lilyfield. We discuss how purposefully slowing down in our pedagogy allows children and adults time to just 'be', to explore, investigate and build strong relationships. Susan shares how responding to each child's rhythm results in mor...

This week’s topic is inspired by a professional learning workshop that I facilitated for a local network all about evidence-based transition to school practices. We look at the research, the policyrequirements and the benefits of creating or joining transition networks. Related Early Years Learning Hub courses: Tranistion to school

In this episode we are joined by Dr Zali Yager, the Co-Executive Director of The Embrace Collective. We discuss body image and explore how children from a very young age form positive or negative ideas about their bodies. We discuss strategies and approaches that teachers, educators and families can do to shift the focus away from body commentary to health education. Links to resources: The Embrac...

This episode is a practice sharing with a difference and sits alongside our last practice sharing where we unpacked Speech Therapy. In this episode we talk to Lucy O'Brien who is an Occupational Therapist (OT) at Inner West Paediatrics. Lucy talks us through what OT is and how it can help children (and adults) to function better in their world. Remember all podcast listeners recieve 25% off at...

Today’s episode is one of our professional learning tapas series and in this episode, we discuss all things documentation. We question if we have lost our way from using documentation as a pedagogical tool to a compliance driven narrative. Sharing hot tips and encouraging you to take the reigns and feel empowered in creating rich and meaningful documentation. Remember all podcast listners recieve...

This episode is one of our ‘Unpacking theory and research series” and our guest is Lisa Riegel, Ph. D, Educational Partnerships Institute and author and we will be discussing brain science and how we can use it to support children to self-regulate, develop social and coping skills and be active, engaged learners. Remember all podcast listeners recieve 25% off at the checkout by entering the code &...

This week’s podcast is a 'Practice sharing' episode with a difference! We speak with Stephanie Ebber (who is a Speech therapist) all about speech therapy from what is considered ‘typical development’ to common issues regarding speech and communication. We finish with some great tips for working effectively with allied health professionals. Remember all podcast listeners recieve 25% off at...

This week's episode focuses on the important role ethicsplays in creating child safe environments that actually keep children safe. In particular when ethics are in action as one of our practice architectures, we embed child safety in our everyday. The ECA Code of Ethics are founded in children’s right to safety and high-quality practice. Remember all podcast listeners recieve 25% off at the c...

This week’s episode is about the importance of incorporating maths in early childhood programs, particularly the areas that relate later mathematical success. Our special guest is Dr Jo Grimmond, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education,School of Education, Charles Strurt University and we share our love of maths as well as practical, simple strategies to identify and extend mathematical think...

In thie episode we speak with Catherine Lee about what she thinks makes a great early childhood teacher or educator. Catherine shares her reflections and practices that focus on kindness, viewing children as capable and competent and supporting children's agency. Remember all podcast listeners recieve 25% off at the checkout by entering the code 'POD25'.Related Early Years Learning Hub...

This episode is one of professional learning tapas series and is really a guided critical reflection on graduations and end of year celebrations. We share some controversial thoughts on graduations and unpack planning end of year celebrations. We look at opportunities for showcasing children's learning, supporting children's agency and advocating for early childhood education. Critical reflection...

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Cathrine Neilsen-Hewett to unpack how we can better understand and support children’s behaviour by reframing the way we view it. With an extensive academic background in early childhood and a reputation as a leading behaviour expert, Cathrine brings rich insights from her research and practice. She shares her evidence-informed model that helps educators...

This episode we are talking with Catherine Lee, Director at Catherine Lee Consulting. Catherine has had an amazing career as an Early Childhood Teacher, service director, speaker and facilitator and is a great inspiration to myself and many others. Catherine shares her pedagogy around connecting with community and how this supports children to be active members of their community and to understand...

Today’s topic is all about supporting your own wellbeing, avoiding burnout through maintaining a good work life balance and getting organised to make things easier. I share some tips and strategies to help bring the joy back into your work. Service communication, reflection and planning journal Blog- Getting organised to support efficient, effective practice

This episode is all about play-based learning in primary schools. We are joined by Katy Meeuwissen, Lecturer in initial Teacher Education- Early childhood Primary, Faculty of Education, University of Canberra. Katy shares some insights from her research to reframe our thinking about play and how complex it is to implement in school settings. Katy also shares some data on how implementing 'play...