Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast
Welcome to the Learn Play Thrive Early Eduction podcast! Join us for expert insights and interviews, practical tips and inspiring stories in Early Childhood Education and Care. Whether you are an educator or leader in the sector, this podcast is your go-to resource to discover strategies to foster learning, promote play and empower young minds to thrive.
Learn Play Thrive – A podcast for early childhood educators & sector leaders.
Pedagogy insights, play-based learning ideas, quality practices, and professional growth for early childhood educators.
Episodes
152 episodes
Play Provocations #8: Digital Play
Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Play Provocations podcast mini-series with host Linda Harrison! In this episode, Linda is joined by Dr. Kate Highfield, Head of School for the School of Teacher Education at the University of Canberra. As a...
Beyond Attachment: Using Theories with Infants and Toddlers
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 C...
S2E4 Little Library: Mr Huff
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 childre...
Building Resilience and Tackling Anxiety in Young Children
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. K...
Navigating the NQS #9: Standard 4.2 Professionalism
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 ...
Weaving Country into Curriculum
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.
Road Safety in Early Education #3: A Framework for Programming and Planning
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 w...
The Sleep Smart Guide to Safe Rest in ECEC
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...
Play Provocations #7: Nature Play
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 natu...
Building a Bridge to Belonging: Supporting Children in Foster Care and Adoption
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, explai...
S2E3 Little Library: What Do You Call Your Mum?
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?
Attachment and Parenting: Where Does It All Fit?
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, e...
Road Safety in Early Education #2: A Whole-of-Service Approach
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...
Championing Access to Quality ECEC
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 ...
Navigating the NQS #8: Standard 4.1 - Staffing Arrangements
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 s...
Educator and Exhibitor Voices: ECA Regional, Rural and Remote Early Childhood Forum
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 cham...
Play Provocations #6: Small World Play
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...
The 2026 ECEC Roadmap: Award Changes, Retention Payments, and NES Updates
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 ...
S2E2 Little Library: Castle Crashing
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...
Sector Insights from Family Day Care Australia
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 o...
Road Safety In Early Education #1: Key Road Safety Messages
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 ...
Educational Leadership in ECEC
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 l...
Navigating the NQS #7: Standard 3.2 Physical Environment - Use
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.-...
The Hundred Languages of Children: An Introduction to Reggio Emilia
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 p...
Play Provocations #3: Risky Play for Preschoolers
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. Thi...
