The Early Years Learning Hub Podcast

This episode is about how children use drawing as a communication tool and how teachers and educators can use dialogic drawing to help better understand children’s learning and engagement. Today, I am joined by Dr Amelia Ruscoe, Early Childhood Studies Course Coordinator, School of Education, Edith Cowan University who shares her research and expereinces at using dialogic drawing as a tool to catu...

This episode is all about investing in people as a leader. Taking time, being kind and providing a positive role model for new educators. I am delighted to be joined by Jann MacKay who is both a long-time friend and an amazing Early Childhood Teacher and leader. Remember all podcast listeners recieve 25% off at the checkout by entering the code 'POD25'.Related courses: Beginning teachers a...

In this week’s ‘Professional learning tapas’ episode we discuss science and young children in honour of national Science Week next week. We look at the benefits of engaging children in scientific thinking, research and experimentation. We discuss the rich STEM learning that occurs and share ideas for investigating this year’s Science Week theme- Decoding the universe: Exploring the unknown with na...

This episode is about the principles of effective practice with infants and toddlers. Including the importance of specific relational infant–toddler pedagogies to facilitate rich and meaningful learning in early childhood settings. I am joined by Sheila Degotardi from Macquarie University Early Childhood Education Research Centre and Macquarie School of Education. Intentional Practice with Infants...

This episode is about the joys and challenges of being a special education teachers. Today, I am joined by Kylie Brown who is teacher and Assistant Principal at Fernhill School for Specific Purpose which is a school that supports children with a range of disabilities. Kylie shares what drew her to this work and how she works closely with families to support children with disabilities learn life sk...

In this episode I unpack how theories influence our work. I was inspired to write this episode from one of the units of my Masters in Educational leadership which examined how theory influences practices from how we view children or our image of the child as capable and competent to how children learn and develop. What and how children learn through play How to teach Understanding play-based lear...

This episode is about critical reflection and the evidence behind why it is so important and the impact it can have. I am delighted to be joined by Deb Williams, Early Childhood Teacher, Academic and Lead Teacher. Deb shares her research completed through her PhD studies as well as some really practical approaches to embed critical reflection into everyday practice. Remember all podcast listeners...

In this episode we discuss the higher levels of teacher accreditation for those teachers who are interested in becoming specialist teachers as part of their career progression. I am delighted to be joined by Deb Williams who is inspirational, multi- talented early childhood professional and the very first teacher in NSW to be awarded at LEAD Teacher level.

In this episode we look at why having a really sound understanding of the frameworks is so important for everyone who works in education and care services and even teachers and educators in the early years of school. We explore how they guide us in terms of pedagogical advice and how they provide the content for our curriculum in terms of what to teach and how to teach it and they help us to opera...

This episode is about the ideology and theory behind managing challenging behaviours through child-centred musical experiences. I am joined by Amelia Scarf, founder of Rhymey- Music based PD for children's self regulation. Rhymey

This episode is one of our practice sharing series, where I chat with a practitioner and we share some thoughts of what works well and why. This episode is the final in a series of 4 episodes exploring practices of Su Garrett and her team at the excellent rated service- Explore and Develop Annandale. This episode is all about enabling leadership within the team. Related Early Years Learning Hub co...

Today’s episode is one of our 'Professional learning tapas' series and in this episode we unpack how to plan for learning based on what children are interested in and how this is realised through project-based learning. This one could be a game changer for you in implementing richer and meaningful learning. Remember all podcast listeners recieve 25% off at the checkout by entering the code...

In this episode we unpack why it is important to draw on research, theory, contemporary understandings and data to inform our practice as teachers, educators and leaders. Drawing on evidence of what is effective teaching practice and why is key to knowing and understanding the impact of our work. It also provides the basis for where and how we can improve the way we work in order to improve outcom...

This is the third of 4 episodes in conversation with Su Garrett the owner and director of the excellent rated service- Explore and Develop Annandale. In this episode Su talks about her service's approach to engaging with technology to support children as active users of digital technologies and as a pedagogical tool for documentation. To find out more go to: https://earlyyearslearninghub.com.a...

This is another ‘Professional learning tapas’ episode and this episode is brought to you by one of our listeners who is a primary teacher looking to move into early childhood teaching. She was keen to know what the role looks like in everyday life in terms of interactions with families, programming, some examples of great lessons and managing the work/ life balance. So hope you enjoy! ⁠What are th...

In this episode I speak with Dr Sarah Corlon, Head of Research and Special Education at STaR about inclusive practice. We discuss why inclusion is important, how educators can make reasonable adjustments that support everyone’s learning, making documentation easy and how to work with NDIS and early intervention providers. This is an episode not to be missed! Related Early Years Learninh Hub course...

This is the second of 4 episodes in conversation with Su Garrett the owner and director of the excellent rated service- Explore and Develop Annandale. In this episode Su talks about her service's approach to taking children 'out of the gate' on excursions as a part of their regular program and how rich learning and connection to community and nature are some of the many benefits.

This episode is all about giving listeners some powerful, child-centred strategies to guide children's behaviour. It is all about empowering educators with the confidence to build strong relationships and manage their classrooms and learning environments to ensure a safe and supportive space for all.https://earlyyearslearninghub.com.au/product/supporting-childrens-behaviour/

In this episode I speak with Dr William DeJean Founder & CEO   Unleash Learning about the challenges of engaging with evidenced-based professional learning and making practice changes. We discuss the amount of information that teachers, educators and leaders are exposed to and how this can be overwhelming and create a barrier to learning and improvement.

This is the first of 4 episodes in conversation with Su Garrett the owner and director of the excellent rated service- Explore and Develop Annandale. In this episode Su talks about her service's approach to sustainability, embedding all dimensions across all aspects of the program and service operation.

This week’s podcast episode is one of our Professional learning tapas series and it is all about Critical reflection in action. In this episode I share some insights into why we need to critically reflect, what to reflect on and how to record it. The episode includes an example from my own practice, where I talk about our service’s response to a serious incident involving child protection that hap...

In this episode I am joined by Dr Gai Lindsay to discuss all things visual arts, Gai is an amazing expert and advocate for the arts in early childhood. Hopefully this episode will inspire you to take a journey with children to learn the language of the arts!

In this practice sharing episode I am joined by Nick Stephens, a male Early Childhood Teacher who works at a preschool in Western Sydney. We discuss the importance of a diverse workforce and what an impact male teachers and educators can have on children. We also discuss the issues and challenges males in early childhood and the early years of school face.

This is the first of our professional learning tapas series where we aim to give you some quick and easily digested professional learning on the go. Often these episodes link back to some of our courses, so if you like what you hear you can purchase a course or membership to our online networking to find out more. Today we are talking about knowing your stuff. I wanted to start here because it is...

This is the first in our ‘Unpacking theory and research’ series where I invite academics, researchers and experts to tell us what the theory, research or contemporary understandings mean for our day to day practice and our work as teachers, educators and leaders. This episode is about practice architectures and what this means for how we develop as professionals and the sorts of conditions that en...