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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
120 episodes
The ARACY Approach: Championing Child Health and Wellbeing
In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive Australia podcast, we sit down with Kirrin Sampson, an advocate for the early years currently leading programs at ARACY (Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth). Kirrin shares her expertise ...
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Season 1
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Episode 121
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16:52
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Little Dreamers #10: Animal Yoga
Step into a peaceful morning on the farm with this episode of Little Dreamers, where host Kathryn leads preschoolers through a soothing mindfulness journey themed around animal yoga. The adventure begins with gentle breathwork and a gr...
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Episode 120
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10:02
Feel Safe, Be Safe: Embedding Child Protective Strategies into Everyday Teaching
⚠️ Listener warning: Anatomical Language - Please be advised that this episode contains discussions regarding child protective behaviours and body safety strategies. As part of this important conversation, our guest uses correct anatomic...
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Season 1
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Episode 119
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33:55
Little Library #10: Another Year Around The Sun
Join Linda Harrison and award-winning author Katrina Germein as they dive into her latest picture book, Another Year Around the Sun. This lyrical story follows a family through a magical year of outdoor play—from summer waves to autumn...
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Season 1
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Episode 118
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25:01
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Unpacking the Relevance of the Teacher Standards for the ECEC sector
In this episode, host Simone Brand welcomes Danny Pinchas from The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). We unpack how the Teacher Standards affirm the professional identity of early childhood educators, providi...
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Season 1
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Episode 117
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17:50
Navigating the NQS #5: Standard 2.2 - Safety
In this episode of Navigating the NQS, host Simone Brand breaks down the shift from compliance to excellence in Standard 2.2: Safety. She challenges educators to move beyond 'blanket supervision' toward pedagogical agility, where teams intentio...
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Season 1
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Episode 116
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8:07
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Shaping Stronger Futures: Developing Speech and Language Programs
In this episode, we are honoured to sit down with Director Amy Shine, an incredible force in the ECEC sector with over 25 years of dedicated experience in rural and remote communities. Amy is a passionate advocate for inclusion, reconciliation,...
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Season 1
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Episode 115
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15:22
Little Dreamers #9: Cats and Dogs
In this month's episode of our Little Dreamers mini-series, we explore the playful world of our favourite furry friends! Host Kathryn leads preschoolers on a gentle relaxation journey through a sun-drenched backyard, smelling the fresh eucalypt...
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Season 1
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Episode 114
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9:45
Empowering Educators in Early Learning with Twinkl
Welcome to an invigorating episode of Learn Play Thrive! Today, we are joined by a powerhouse of our sector, Stacey Jackson from Twinkl Australia. As the Early Years Segment Manager, Stacey is at the forefront of bridge-building between p...
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Season 1
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Episode 113
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19:54
Little Library #9: Bowerbird Brood
Join Linda Harrison and author/illustrator Aura Parker to explore the delightful picture book, Bowerbird Brood. This enchanting story is a heart-warming ode to nature and a mother's love, exploring themes of protection, nurturing, and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 108
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20:12
Early Childhood Education Summit 2026
In this powerful episode of Learn Play Thrive, we are joined by Dr Red Ruby Scarlet—an activist, teacher-researcher, and academic who has spent over three decades championing quality early childhood education and care. Red is a dri...
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Season 1
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Episode 111
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29:18
Navigating the NQS #4: Standard 2.1 - Health
In this episode of Navigating the NQS, host Simone Brand discusses Quality Area 2: Children’s Health and Safety. This episode dives deep into Standard 2.1: Health, unpacking the three core elements that drive a safe and nurturing environment fo...
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Season 1
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Episode 110
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10:43
The Pedagogy in Practice: Early Education 2026 Conference Preview!
In this special episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with producer Linda Harrison to give you an exclusive sneak peek into our upcoming Pedagogy in Practice: Early Education Conference. Tune in to hear a...
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Season 1
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Episode 108
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7:03
Children's Voices: Boab Committee
In this heartwarming episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, we shift the spotlight to where it truly belongs - the children. The Boab Committee is a small group of preschoolers who meet regularly with their educators to discuss real topics t...
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Season 1
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Episode 111
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16:18
From Framework to Footpath: A Practical Guide to Road Safety in ECEC
Tune in for an important discussion on keeping our youngest road users safe! We welcome Louise Cosgrove and Amanda Menzies from Kids and Traffic (Transport for NSW) to share their expert insights. Discover how the Kids and Traffic<...
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Season 1
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Episode 107
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21:35
Little Dreamers #8: Butterflies
This episode of Little Dreamers is all about beautiful butterflies, guiding preschoolers through gentle imagery and promote deep relaxation, body awareness, and imaginative thinking. Host Kathryn uses storytelling to help children practice grat...
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Season 1
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Episode 106
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10:31
Episode Encore: Weaving Aboriginal Perspectives Across the Curriculum
We're bringing back a must-listen favorite! Join us for this powerful encore featuring Jessica Staines, founder of the Koori Curriculum, renowned for her work in culturally responsive pedagogical practices. Jessica offers essential, actionable ...
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Season 1
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Episode 105
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19:00
Episode Encore: Generative AI - Should we worry or be excited?
We’re bringing back a must-listen favourite. In this powerful encore, I sit down with Dr Kate Highfield to unpack one of the biggest conversations in early childhood right now: Generative AI — should we worry or be excited?Dr Kate...
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Season 1
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Episode 103
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31:06
Navigating the NQS #3: Standard 1.3 - Assessment and planning
In this episode of Navigating the NQS, host Simone Brand guides educators to excellence by diving into the heart of Quality Area 1 - Standard 1.3: Assessment and Planning. This episode is essential for mastering the planning cycle—observing, an...
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Season 1
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Episode 102
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11:07
Episode Encore: The Power of Play and Storytelling in Water Safety Education
This week, we're bringing back one of our favourite episodes just in time for the summer season. Simone Brand chats with Louise Lambeth, an experienced surf lifesaver and children's book author. With warmer weather encouraging more time near th...
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Season 1
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Episode 101
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26:06
Little Library #8: Tubowgule - A Sydney Opera House History
Join host Linda Harrison and First Nations author, Melissa-Jane Fogarty, as we explore the picture book Tubowgule: A Sydney Opera House History. This story traces the site's story from the Gadi people gathering at Tubowgule over 60,000...
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Season 1
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Episode 100
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20:44
Activating a Collective Ethic of Care and Co-responsibility with the Great Barrier Reef
Join us for an inspiring discussion with two leading voices in early childhood education, Debi Keyte-Hartland and Catherine Lee. We dive into an inquiry-project, which began with a discovery made by children digging in the sandpit. This unexpec...
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Season 1
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Episode 99
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29:23
Little Dreamers #7: Flowers
Welcome to the Little Dreamers mini-series! These monthly episodes feature specially written mindfulness stories designed to ignite young imaginations and gently guide preschoolers toward relaxation and body awareness. This month, our theme is ...
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Season 1
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Episode 98
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10:23
Intentional Scaffolding: From Vygotsky to Today
Are you ready to transform your intentional teaching and learning practices? Join us for an essential discussion with Kate Hodgekiss, owner of Engaging Curriculum Solutions and a powerful advocate in the early childhood sector for over 25...
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Season 1
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Episode 96
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25:45
Play Provocations #2: Pretend Play
In this episode of Play Provocations, hosts Linda Harrison and Lindsay Laing unpack the power of pretend play. Learn how inventing roles and narratives is the highest form of symbolic thought in early childhood, directly activating the prefront...
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Season 1
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Episode 96
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13:07
