In this episode of Navigating the NQS, host Simone Brand dives into Quality Area 5, Standard 5.2 to explore how early childhood settings support children in building sensitive, responsive peer relationships. Moving beyond basic group work, Simone breaks down Element 5.2.1 on collaborative learning, highlighting how educators can foster peer mentorship and facilitate long-term, child-led inquiry projects where children act as co-constructors of knowledge. Through practical insights and real-world centre stories, she demonstrates how stepping back allows children to teach, inspire, and support one another.  

Shifting the focus to Element 5.2.2, the conversation examines self-regulation and restorative conflict resolution. Simone details how Exceeding services support children through emotional cues, co-regulation strategies, and peaceful negotiation. Complete with critical reflection questions for early childhood teams, this episode offers actionable strategies for designing environments and routines that reduce social friction and empower young learners with lifelong social-emotional skills.

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In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand sits down with leading researcher Professor Sandie Wong to unpack groundbreaking ARC-funded research on the early childhood workforce crisis. Moving beyond stereotypes that undervalue early childhood education, Professor Wong provides hard evidence on the immense complexity, rapid task-switching, and specialised skills required of educators—highlighting the unique, irreplaceable contributions degree-qualified Early Childhood Teachers (ECTs) bring to children's learning and wellbeing.

The conversation reveals the essential ingredients behind Exceeding rated services, detailing the structural conditions—such as strong leadership, fair pay, and dedicated time for critical reflection—that allow educators to flourish. Listeners will discover how creating supportive, high-quality work cultures directly drives educator retention, proving that investing in quality is the ultimate key to solving the sector's workforce shortage.

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In this episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library, host Linda Harrison sits down with acclaimed children's author Adelle Frittitta to discuss her heartwarming picture book 'My Nonno Loves'—a 2026 CBCA shortlisted title in the Early Childhood category. 

This story explores intergenerational relationships and the non-verbal, everyday ways families communicate love across language and age barriers. Together, Linda and Adelle dive into how real-world stories validate children's lived experiences, foster cultural identity, and align with EYLF V2.0 outcomes by strengthening a child's sense of belonging.

The conversation offers early childhood educators a rich array of pedagogical insights and story-inspired play ideas to bring the book to life in the classroom. From boosting early literacy using dual-language Italian vocabulary -- to setting up open-ended clay studios and treasure collections. This episode is packed with practical inspiration to nurture a lifelong love of reading in young learners!

Download the Learn Play Thrive 'Reading, Playing Learning: Using Quality Literature in Early Childhood' curriculum toolkit for story-inspred, play-based ideas using this picture book and other CBCA 2026 Book of the Year Awards shortlisted titles in the Early Childhood category.

https://www.learnplaythrive.com.au/resources

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In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with Amanda MacDonald, Early Learning Specialist at Education Services Australia (ESA).

They discuss the national expansion of Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA), a government-backed, play-based digital language program into Foundation to Year 2 classrooms. Amanda shares how ELLA’s suite of 11 immersive, curriculum-aligned apps—offering 13 different languages—helps young learners build confidence, curiosity, and intercultural understanding right from their earliest years of education.

Whether you are a language specialist or an early childhood educator, this episode is packed with practical strategies to lower the barrier to language teaching. Amanda explores how digital play, music, storytelling, and everyday routines like greetings and counting can weave new languages into your daily program.

Tune in to discover why early language acquisition is a critical foundation for equity and belonging in today's interconnected world, and how ELLA's evidence-backed resources can inspire your children to see language as a vibrant tool for human connection.

Find out more:
https://www.ella.edu.au/

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In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive mini-series on Road Safety in Early Education, we welcome back Amanda Menzies and Bec Dunn from Kids and Traffic—the Early Childhood Road Safety Education Program at Macquarie University.

We explore how everyday travel and road safety education provide a meaningful context to spark children's early numeracy understandings. From tallying travel modes using 3D bar graphs, to exploring spatial concepts through small-world safe play -- the conversation highlights how play-based data collection can support children's numeracy and road safety learning.

The discussion also dives into intentional teaching strategies and play provocations that weave essential road safety messages into everyday mathematical inquiry. Amanda and Bec share practical ways to scaffold vocabulary using interactive games like road safety dominoes, lotto, and memory matching. Packed with teaching and learning ideas, this episode equips educators and families to turn every journey into a rich, play-based opportunity for both mathematical discovery and lifelong road safety.

Find out more:
https://kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au/

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In this special feature episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast celebrating Early Learning Matters Week 2026, host Simone Brand chats with three distinguished early childhood leaders—Mary-Louise Clifford (Nominated Supervisor, Glenning Valley Child Care Centre), alongside Kylie Wade (Director) and Ella Peers (Educational Leader) from Highland Grove Preschool. Together, they unpack the foundational pillars of high-quality early childhood education and care. From the critical importance of staff longevity and secure attachments to the challenges surrounding Inclusion Support Scheme (ISS) funding for vulnerable children -- this conversation offers a raw, expert look at what it takes to build early learning environments where children, families, and educators thrive every single day.

Diving deep into contemporary leadership and professional connections, the panel explores how strong, guiding leadership transforms services through empowering mentorship, shared ownership, and trust. Hear inspiring, practical examples of how leadership teams foster joy, continuous growth, and high expectations within their staff. Plus, discover key strategies for maintaining professional, high-quality interactions across all levels—from intentional, higher-order teaching conversations with parents to collaborative partnerships with allied health professionals. Tune in for a rich, uplifting discussion that champions the integrity, passion, and profound impact of the early childhood sector!

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In this inspiring episode of our Play Provocations mini-series, host Linda Harrison is joined by lead early childhood educator Michelle Jackson to explore how intentional environmental design can elevate construction play into a rich hub for creativity, engineering, and storytelling. 

Together, they unpack the pedagogical power of construction play—highlighting how manipulating open-ended mediums like timber offcuts, loose parts, and natural elements allows children to bring their 3D ideas to life. You'll hear expert insights on how constructive play acts as one of children's powerful "hundred languages" to test hypotheses, collaborate with peers, and express early mathematical understandings.

Ready to transform your early learning space? Tune in to discover tips on defining safe building zones, arranging accessible open storage, and honouring ongoing "work in progress" structures. Plus, you’ll hear three inspirational play provocations you can implement in your early years classroom tomorrow. Listen now to discover how thoughtful material arrangements can spark rich, child-led inquiry and take your block corner to the next level!

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In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with Bec Burch, the visionary founder of Bush Kindy Australia. As Australia’s leading provider of Bush Kindy Leader Training and nature pedagogy professional development, Bec mentors educators nationwide to build confident, compliant, and meaningful nature-based programs.

Grounded in her daily, hands-on work with children on the Gold Coast, Bec shares her passionate belief in every child's right to play outdoors, sharing how immersive nature play builds resilience, emotional well-being, and vital ecological literacy.

Together, Simone and Bec unpack what Bush Kindy looks like in everyday practice and how nature pedagogy seamlessly aligns with core early childhood frameworks. Addressing common barrier entry points, Bec offers practical and accessible ways for space-constrained or urban services without direct bush access to integrate natural elements into their programs.

Tune in to discover how connecting young learners with the natural world—regardless of your setting's location—can transform your pedagogical approach and spark lifelong wonder in the children you teach.

Find out more:
https://bushkindyaustralia.com.au/

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In this episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library mini-series, host Linda Harrison sits down with Order of Australia honoree and award-winning author Susanne Gervay to explore her moving picture book, 'Ships in the Field'.

Drawing from her own family history as the child of post-war refugees, Susanne shares the inspiration behind this CBCA Notable story, which tenderly captures the journey of migration and belonging through a child's eyes. Together, they discuss how the book gently balances heavy themes of trauma with the warmth of everyday family rituals, imagination and the universal search for home.

Expanding on the book's rich pedagogical value, the conversation highlights alignment with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF V2.0), showing how early childhood educators can use this story to foster emotional literacy, cultural empathy and visual reading skills. Susanne and Linda share story-inspired play-based learning experiences—including paper-hat creative play, family ritual mapping and sensory play. Tune in to discover how this poignant tale serves as a powerful, safe vehicle for building inclusion and connection in early childhood settings.

Ships in the Field is availble for purchase here:
https://sgervay.com/bookshop/#picture-books

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In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, we welcome Amelia, former Early Learning Music Specialist at International Grammar School and founder of Rhymey. After witnessing firsthand how intentional musical moments can instantly transform classroom energy—bringing focus, emotional regulation, and deep connection to young children—Amelia launched Rhymey to bridge the growing gap in early childhood music education. As tertiary courses move away from traditional music pedagogy, Amelia's hands-on travelling workshops equip educators with practical, science-backed strategies to confidently reintroduce music into their daily routines.

This episode dives into the neuroscience of music and explore how its three core pillars—beat, singing, and movement—help organise the brain, activate the vagus nerve, and build self-regulation skills in young learners. Amelia challenges us to embrace "musical flexibility" and authenticity over perfection -- viewing music not as a stage performance or a simple Spotify time-filler, but as an accessible, everyday language.

Tune in to discover simple ways to take music off its pedestal, simplify your approach with the "one song, many ways" formula, and harness the power of sound to create calmer, more connected learning environments.

Find out more:
www.rhymey.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/rhymey_earlychildhoodmusic/
https://www.facebook.com/p/Rhymey-Music-based-PD-for-childrens-self-regulation-61574419215247/

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Connect with Us:

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