Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast

In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand invites listeners to journey into the intentional heart of infant and toddler pedagogy alongside two leading academics and sector voices - Andi Salamon from the University of Canberra and Tina Stratigos from the University of Sydney. This deep-dive discussion aims to move foundational theorists like Bowlby, Parten, and Piaget off...

Welcome to a brand-new episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library mini-series, where host Linda Harrison is joined by Linda Stock—a qualified early childhood educator, therapeutic practitioner, and university lecturer specialising in children’s literature.  In this illuminating conversation, the two experts dive deep into the emotional landscapes of picture books, focusing on Anna Walker’s awar...

In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with Dr. Kaylene Henderson—a medically trained child and adolescent psychiatrist, parenting specialist, and one of Australia’s most trusted early childhood experts. Known for her warm, relatable style and ability to translate complex research into "doable" approaches,  Dr. Henderson unpacks the emotional and pr...

What takes an early childhood service from a group of people working in the same building to a collaborative, ethical community of practice? In this episode of our Navigating the NQS mini-series, host Simone Brand dives straight into the heart of team culture: Quality Area 4, Standard 4.2 – Professionalism.  This quality standard is about the spirit—it’s the invisible glue that holds a service tog...

In this very special live episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand sits down with Aunty Tracey Linn Bostock—a Bundjalung Mulungjali Woman, artist, author and early childhood educator with over 30 years of experience in the sector. If you have ever used the beautiful Acknowledgement of Country featured on ABC's Play School, you are already familiar with Aunty Tracey's incredible wo...

In this episode of our Road Safety in Early Education mini-series, we explore how to move beyond 'Road Safety Week' and embed life-saving messages into your daily curriculum throuhgout the year. Using high-quality, play-based pedagogy aligned with the EYLF V2.0, we discuss how to use transitions, dramatic play, and children’s spontaneous interests to make road safety a natural part of ea...

In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, we explore the vital role of sleep and rest in early childhood settings with the team from Sleep Smart Australia. Quality sleep is a cornerstone of child development, yet navigating sleep routines in an ECEC environment can be complex. We dive into how Sleep Smart Australia is revolutionizing this space by bridging the gap between safe sleep guidelines and nur...

Step outside the four walls of an early years classroom and into a world of invitations to wonder. In this episode of Play Provocations, Linda Harrison sits down with Centre Director and nature play advocate Aimee Hansen to explore how the natural world acts as a living, breathing co-teacher. They discuss how nature play builds essential executive function and school readiness in children under fi...

In this moving episode, we are joined by international guest Jeanette Yoffe, Clinical Director of Yoffe Therapy and founder of the Celia Center in LA. Jeanette shares her profound personal journey through the foster and adoption systems, explaining how her own history of separation fueled her mission to become a therapist and advocate. She introduces powerful therapeutic tools — such as the "...

Join us for a heartwarming new episode of the Learn Play Thrive: Little Library mini-series! Host Linda Harrison sits down with bestselling children's author Ashleigh Barton to explore her latest picture book, What Do You Call Your Mum? This rhyming story takes readers around the world to discover the many names for "Mum"—from Okaasan in Japan to Tina in Fiji. Ashleigh shares the in...

In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, we are joined by Megan Jones, a Clinical Psychologist with over 26 years of experience, to unpack the science behind building secure attachments. Megan clarifies common misconceptions, explaining how research-driven attachment-based parenting is vastly different from permissive parenting. We explore the "control center" of the parent-chil...

In this next episode of our Road Safety in Early Education mini-series, host Linda Harrison is joined by experts Amanda and Bec to shift the conversation from "one-off incursions" to a deliberate, ongoing commitment. We dive into the three core pillars of effective road safety education - partnerships, policies, and programming. Discover why road safety shouldn't be a stand-alone to...

In this compelling episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand joins forces with Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, to confront the systemic fractures currently defining the early childhood landscape. From 'childcare deserts' and soaring fees to the myth of informal care, this conversation strips away the political jargon to reveal the real-world impact on Australian families. Geor...

In this episode of the Navigating the NQS mini-series, host Simone Brand dives into Quality Area 4, Standard 4.1—Staffing Arrangements. Simone tackles the elephant in the room—the national ECEC workforce shortage—and explores how high-quality services can maintain intentionality despite the daily marathon of meeting ratios. We break down how to move beyond simply 'covering the floor' to...

In this special live episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, we take you to the heart of the ECA Regional, Rural and Remote Early Childhood Forum in Coffs Harbour. Host Simone Brand explores the vital work being done by professionals who champion quality early education across NSW’s most diverse landscapes. This episode dives deep into the unique challenges and incredible opportunities facing re...

In this episode, Play Provocations returns with a deep dive into Small World Play. Host Linda Harrison is joined by Centre Director Aimee Hansen to discuss how miniature environments—filled with tiny figurines, recycled loose parts, and natural materials—are powerful vehicles for child-led learning. We explore how small world play allows children to act out complex emotions and make sense of the w...

In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand broadcasts live from the ECA Regional, Rural & Remote Forum to tackle the most pressing legal and industrial shifts hitting the ECEC sector. We are joined by Leanne Cruden, a seasoned industrial relations lawyer leading the charge on gender-based undervaluation proceedings for the Australian Industry Group.  Victor Lin, a senior solicitor...

In this episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library , we head to the seaside to explore the 2026 CBCA Notable picture book, Castle Crashing. Join host Linda Harrison and award-winning author Andrea Rowe as they dive into the relatable world of Bonnie, a young girl whose beach day takes a turn when her friends’ creative visions collide with her own.  Beneath the beautiful, salt-sprayed illustrati...

In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand sits down with Andrew Paterson, CEO of Family Day Care Australia (FDCA). With over a decade of leadership at the national peak body, Andrew pulls back the curtain on the unique strengths of the family day care (FDC) model and how it serves as a high-quality pillar of the early childhood sector. We dive into FDCA’s pivotal role as a fierce adv...

Welcome to a special edition of the Learn Play Thrive podcast as we launch an exciting 10-part mini-series Road Safety in Early Education. Recorded in partnership with Kids and Traffic , the Early Childhood Road Safety Education Program at Macquarie University, this series is designed to empower educators with evidence-based strategies for keeping our littlest learners safe. In this premiere episo...

In this episode, we sit down with pedagogical leader Kelly Goodsir to explore the transformative power of intentional inquiry and deep listening in early learning. With over 20 years of experience, Kelly discusses how to reimagine educational leadership, moving away from "habitual" responses toward a relational, purposeful practice. She shares strategies for navigating team tensions and...

In this episode, host Simone Brand explores National Quality Standard 3.2 - Use of the Physical Environment. We dive into:  - Element 3.2.1 and the importance of creating a sense of belonging through responsive, inclusive pedagogy. - Element 3.2.2 by exploring how carefully selected open-ended resources and natural materials can support play-based learning.  - Element 3.2.3 and ways services can e...

In this episode, we are joined by a powerhouse duo from the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE) - Chairperson Kate Mount and General Manager Cara Mearns. With over six decades of combined experience, Kate and Cara explore the profound impact of the Reggio Emilia Approach in Australian early childhood settings. We dive into the heart of Loris Malaguzzi’s 'Hundred Languages of...

Join hosts Linda Harrison and Lindsay Laing as they explore the vital role of Risky Play in early childhood settings! Find out why risky play is important for building a young child's resilience, self-confidence, and problem-solving skills. This episode equips educators to understand the 6 types of Risky Play in early education.   You'll take away an innovative play provocation idea with...

In the second part of our deep dive into play schemas, host Linda Harrison and Educational Leader Rachel Emms explore the final four of the 'Big Eight' patterns of behaviour - orientation, positioning, enveloping, and rotation.  By understanding these play schemas, educators can transform their physical learning environments into responsive 'third teachers' that cater to a chil...