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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
82 episodes
Redefining Planning and Assessment: Seeing Children Through Pedagogical Documentation
We’re thrilled to bring you an incredibly insightful episode of Learn Play Thrive, recorded at the REAIE conference in Adelaide! This week, we're joined by three of the early childhood sector’s most respected experts and authors - Dr. Alma Flee...
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Season 1
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Episode 82
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18:41
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Little Dreamers #5: Bubbles
Get ready for some calm and quiet time with a brand new episode of Little Dreamers, our monthly mini-series of mindful stories from Learn Play Thrive! This month's theme is "Bubbles," a gentle tale designed to help preschoolers relax, connect w...
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Season 1
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Episode 81
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10:21
A Day In The Life of a Centre Manager
Step into the inspiring world of early childhood education on this episode of Learn Play Thrive, where we're joined by the incredible Ashleigh Waugh. With nearly 25 years of experience spanning teaching, management, and leadership across Austra...
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Season 1
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Episode 80
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52:12
Little Library #6: The Bug Book
Dive into a buzzing new episode of Learn Play Thrive's Little Library! This week, we're joined by award-winning author Tania Ingram to chat about her wonderful new picture book, The Bug Book. This rhyming, vibrant story is an ideal introduction...
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Episode 79
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37:15
Who is the Atelierista? The Heart of Creativity in Reggio Emilia
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, we’re joined by Caterina Pennestri, an atelierista at St Peter’s Girls Early Learning Centre. Caterina brings a wealth of experience from Italy, having studied Contemporary Arts and Art Educa...
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Season 1
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Episode 78
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9:22
The Be You Buzz: Educator Wellbeing Matters
Welcome to The Be You buzz! In this episode, we're joined by Paola Mercado, a consultant from Be You at Early Childhood Australia.Paola shares her expertise on why educator wellbeing is so crucial, exploring how to create a genuinely su...
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Season 1
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Episode 77
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32:29
Little Dreamers #4: Dinosaurs
Welcome to Learn Play Thrive's mindfulness stories for preschoolers! Settle into a gentle movement and mindfulness episode crafted for young listeners. Little Dreamers offers a simple yet effective tool for promoting relaxation, body awareness,...
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Season 1
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Episode 76
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10:54
Supervision in Action: Strategies for a Safe and Engaging Environment
On this episode, host Simone Brand has an essential conversation with early childhood consultant Tracey Yeomans. With over 35 years of experience, Tracey unpacks the concept of intentional supervision, moving beyond simply "watching" children.<...
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Season 1
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Episode 75
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42:01
Early Learning Matters Live: A Central Coast Celebration
This week, we're taking you to the heart of our Early Learning Matters Week celebration! Join us as we share a special episode recorded live at the Central Coast Early Childhood Educator Network group breakfast.We were absolutely buzzin...
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Season 1
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Episode 73
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42:53
Little Library #5: Spiro
Welcome to the Learn Play Thrive Little Library! In this episode, we dive into the award-winning Australian picture book, Spiro, authored and illustrated by Anna McGregor, and published by Scribble. This heartwarming tale of a determined little...
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Season 1
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Episode 73
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15:45
360 Degrees of Leadership in ECEC
Join us for a special episode with the dynamic founding partners of Semann & Slattery, Colin Slattery and Anthony Semann.With over 25 years of experience, this powerful duo brings a unique blend of evidence-based research and a deep...
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Season 1
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Episode 72
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29:43
Educator Voices from the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE) 2025 Conference
This special episode is recorded live at the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE) 2025 conference in Adelaide.The conference theme, ‘Landscapes of Collaboration: New possibilities for education in complex times’, s...
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Season 1
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Episode 71
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12:16
Little Dreamers #3: Friendship
Welcome to Learn Play Thrive's mindfulness stories for preschoolers! Settle into a gentle movement and mindfulness episode crafted for young listeners. Little Dreamers offers a simple yet effective tool for promoting relaxation, body awareness,...
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Season 1
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Episode 70
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11:09
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The Digital Child: Nurturing Future-Ready Learners
Join us for an incredibly insightful conversation with Professor Lisa Kervin AM, Director of the Early Start Institute at the University of Wollongong (UOW), whose work highlights how positive digital literacy experiences in early childhood emp...
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Season 1
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Episode 69
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28:04
Encountering the Mosaic of Marks, Words, and Material: An Interactive Atelier
Join us for an inspirational episode as we delve into the heart of the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE) Exhibition, the ‘Mosaic of Marks, Words and Material’!We were incredibly fortunate to catch up with Kirsty Lilje...
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Season 1
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Episode 68
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17:22
An Educator's Guide: Easing Separation Anxiety During Room Changes
Join us for an insightful episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, featuring educators Karin House and Emma Seyer! With decades of combined experience across all age groups, Karin and Emma bring practical wisdom and personal insights into unde...
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Season 1
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Episode 67
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45:22
Is It Just a Phase? Understanding Separation Anxiety in Childhood
Join us as we chat with Jen Gibbons, a clinical counsellor with 14 years of experience and a passion for working with trauma, attachment, and complex mental health. In this insightful episode, Jen defines separation anxiety in young children, e...
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Season 1
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Episode 66
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32:04
Pedgagogy or Paparazzi
Join us for an illuminating episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast as we welcome Clare Comedoy, a passionate pedagogical leader for excellence in early education! In this episode, Clare tackles meaningful, authentic documentation...
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Season 1
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Episode 65
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32:06
ECEC Pedagogy Matters with Dr Red Ruby Scarlet
Join us for an electrifying episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast as we welcome the incredible Dr. Red Ruby Scarlet! With over 30 years in early childhood, Red is an activist, teacher-researcher, consultant, artist, and academic. She's devot...
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Season 1
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Episode 64
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36:38
Feeding with Connection: What Really Matters for Kids?
Join us on the latest episode of Learn Play Thrive as we welcome Eliza Peacock from Milk & Munch, a certified speech pathologist with over 12 years of paediatric experience. Eliza is passionate about helping families overcome feeding challe...
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Season 1
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Episode 63
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34:45
Rethinking Disability Support: A Holistic Approach
In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, we welcome Jenny Nechvatal. Jenny is a passionate advocate from Innovative Disability Solutions with over 30 years' experience in the sector and lived experience parenting two children with disabilities. Au...
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Season 1
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Episode 62
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38:05
Little Library #4: Bev and Kev
Welcome to Learn Play Thrive's Little Library! In this episode, our Early Education Content Producer, Linda Harrison, dives into the award-winning picture book, ‘Bev and Kev’ by Katrina Germein and illustrated by our special guest, Mandy Foot.<...
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Season 1
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Episode 61
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31:01
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Planning Thinking, Not Planning Activities Using a Slow Pedagogy Approach
In this episode of Learn, Play, Thrive, I sit down with Anthony Semann, co-director of Semann & Slattery, to explore how the concept of “slow pedagogy” is revolutionising the way we plan and engage in early childhood education.Togeth...
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Season 1
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Episode 60
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31:34
United Workers Union: Big Steps Campaign
In this conversation from an exhibitor at the Semann & Slattery Inspire Conference 2025, we sat down with Deidre Donnelly and Tamika Hicks from the United Workers Union's Big Steps Campaign. In this episode, we delve into the heart of their...
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Season 1
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Episode 59
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19:52
Building Services From The Ground Up: The Approved Provider Journey with Simone Brand
In this chat Simone shares her passion for working in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) industry, what its been like building two long day care centres from the ground up, and all that comes with being an Approved Provider. Simone c...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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22:53