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Learn Play Thrive The Podcast
Welcome to Learn Play Thrive: The Podcast! Join us for expert insights and interviews, practical tips and inspiring stories in Early Childhood Education. 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.
Episodes
48 episodes
Reimagining Teaching & Learning Through the Arts
Ever wonder how to truly ignite creativity in young children? Ready to see their learning blossom in unexpected ways?Then get inspired with the latest episode of Learn Play Thrive! We're thrilled to bring you insights straight from the Insp...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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14:29
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Building Healthy Habits: The Munch & Move Way
Want to inject more movement and wellbeing into your early childhood setting?This week on Learn Play Thrive, we're diving into the essential ingredients for a vibrant and healthy early childhood! Join us as we chat with Liesl Greenwood from...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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26:23
Inspire 2025 Conference Conversations: Exhibitor Insights
Welcome to a special behind-the-scenes episode! Today, we're taking you straight to the vibrant exhibitor floor of the Semann & Slattery Inspire 2025 conference, dedicated to the Early Childhood Education and Care sector. Join us as we conn...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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21:47
Inventive Thinking in Young Children, Keynote speaker at Inspire 2025
Join us for an captivating conversation recorded live at the Inspire Conference 2025! We had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Dr Ben Mardell PhD, a leading voice in innovative educational practices all the way from the USA. With over four...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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8:32
Inspire 2025 Conference Conversations: Educator Voices
Straight from the heart of the Semann & Slattery Inspire 2025 conference, this bonus episode ignites the raw passion of early childhood educators and sector leaders. Tune in to discover the moments that fuel their joy, and the powerful take...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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14:21
Generative AI: Should we worry or be excited?
In this episode, we welcome renowned ECEC expert Dr Kate Highfield from the University of Canberra. Join us as we unpack the buzz and address the real concerns surrounding use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) in the Early Child...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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29:47
Media And Multimodal Play, ABC Kids Early Education
In this episode we welcome Laura Stone, Early Childhood Education Producer at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Laura shares valuable insights into ways early childhood educators can intentionally and authentically integrate ...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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29:10
Learn Play Thrive Little Library #2: Ruby's Repair Cafe, Linda Harrison
Welcome to Learn, Play, Thrive, the podcast dedicated to early learning! In this episode, we explore the enchanting world of 'Ruby's Repair Cafe,' a picture book by Michelle Worthington and Zoe Bennett. Join me, Linda Harrison, as w...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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11:25
All Kids Can Be Readers!: Inspiring a Love of Reading with the Australian Children's Laureate
In this special episode of Learn Play Thrive, we are joined by Sally Rippin, Australian Children's Laureate for 2024-2025. Sally is Australia’s highest-selling female author with over 100 books for children and young adults, many of...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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34:08
Exploring the Benefits of Therapy Dogs in Early Childhood, Big World of Little Dude USA
This week host Simone Brand chats with guest Cara Zelas, an Early Childhood Educator, Montessori teacher, social emotional learning expert, and dog therapy advocate. Cara is the founder of Big World of Little Dude, an educational platform teach...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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24:05
Learn Play Thrive Little Library Goodnight Sheep, Linda Harrison
In this episode we welcome Linda Harrison, Early Education Content Producer at Learn Play Thrive. All of us here at Learn Play Thrive are passionate about the power of picture books to inspire curiosity and foster a lifelong love of books, read...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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9:31
Educational Leadership: Planning a balanced curriculum, Aimee Hansen
In today’s episode of Learn Play Thrive, we’re thrilled to welcome back Aimee Hansen, an experienced Educational Leader with over 26 years in the early childhood education sector. Aimee holds a Masters degree in early childhood education and me...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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11:54
Nurturing Young Minds: Supporting Co-regulation in Early Childhood
In this episode, we welcome Racheal O’Brien, founder of Consciously Raising Kids. With a career as an early childhood educator and sleep and wellbeing coach, Rach brings a wealth of knowledge on supporting children’s emotional regulation, manag...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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29:16
Inclusion in Action: Making Equity & Diversity Everyday Practice
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, we are joined by Dr. Kathy Cologon, Principal Consultant and Founder of Toward Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. With a wealth of experience in Inclusive Education and Disability Studies, Dr. Cologon is a na...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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1:02:40
Beyond the Buzzword: Mastering and Expanding your Critical Reflection toolbox - Part 2
Join me, Simone Brand, on Learn, Play, Thrive, the ultimate early learning podcast for educators and leaders. In this episode, we dive deep into critical reflection with Dr. Angela Andonopoulos. We explore a ten-step critical reflec...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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24:20
Beyond the Buzzword: Mastering and Expanding your Critical Reflection toolbox - Part 1
Welcome to the Learn, Play, Thrive podcast, the ultimate early learning platform for educators and leaders. In today's episode, we dive into part one of 'Expanding Your Critical Reflection Toolbox' with Dr. Angela Andonopoulos, an esteemed educ...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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37:15
Little Ears, Big Impact: Navigating Hearing Health in Children with Emma Moore
In this episode we’re joined by Emma Moore, founder and Senior Audiologist at Emma’s Ears on the NSW Central Coast. Emma and her team are dedicated to providing families with the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions about th...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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50:13
Shaping Positive Workplace Culture in ECEC: Leadership Strategies with Colin Slattery & Anthony Semann
In this episode of Learn, Play, Thrive, host Simone Brand welcomes Colin Slattery and Anthony Semann, founders of Semann and Slattery consultancy, to discuss the impact of leadership on workplace culture in early childhood education. They explo...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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31:57
Speech Development and Beyond: Recognising Concerns and Collaborating for Success
In this episode of Learn, Play, Thrive, host Simone Brand interviews Meg Tidyman, a speech pathologist and founder of Eat Talk Play. They discuss Meg's extensive background in early childhood development, the importance of early intervention in...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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47:02
Enhancing Early Education Through Movement, Breath, and Mindfulness
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, we are joined by Beth Borowsky, founder of The Karma Class, an organisation dedicated to bringing the benefits of movement, breath, and mindfulness into early learning centers and primary schools. Beth, a f...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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42:11
Embedding Authentic Aboriginal Culture in Early Education
In this enlightening episode of Learn Play Thrive, we are honored to welcome Sharon Buck, a proud Kamilaroi woman and Assistant Principal at Kooloora Preschool, a designated Aboriginal preschool located on Darkinjung Country in NSW’s Central Co...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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20:21
Creating inspiring play spaces to invite and ignite learning by Semann & Slattery
In this inspiring episode of Learn Play Thrive, we're joined by Anthony Semann, founder of Semann & Slattery and a trailblazer in advancing ethical, equitable, innovative and transformative teaching practices. We discuss the critical role o...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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33:04
The Power of Play and Storytelling in Water Safety Education
In this episode, we are joined by Louise Lambeth, an experienced surf lifesaver, children's book author, and founder of Deep Water Publishing. Through her books and innovative programs, Louise teaches children and families how to stay s...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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23:44
Navigating the NDIS: Empowering Families and Educators with Laura Kiln
Through this conversation Simone and Laura Kiln, a Development and Behavioural Specialist with over 30 years’ experience supporting children and their families with behavioural concerns discuss a multidisciplinary approach to supporting childre...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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46:18
Supporting Child Development Through Sensory Strategies and OT Insights with Karina West
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, we are joined by Karina West, a dedicated paediatric Occupational Therapist from Eat Talk Play. Karina brings her expertise in sensory integrative approaches and feeding difficulties to help children and fa...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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35:12