A short announcement about the future of the podcast.

In this episode the Thriving Children Podcast, Clare revisits the topic of homework, with educator, author and advocate Alfie Kohn.

Listen in to hear:

•What the research says about the impact of homework on academic learning, time management skills and school/home continuity

•3 reasons that we cling to homework in spite of what the research says

•What the alternative to homework looks like

Links for this episode:

•Alfie Kohn's Website: www.alfiekohn.org

•Alfie Kohn on Twitter

In this episode of the Thriving Children Podcast, Clare chats to Tom Hobson, also known as 'Teacher Tom'.

 

Listen in to hear:

What a Cooperative Preschool looks like

Why a child's learning agenda is of greater importance than an adults

How to respond to conflict between children

The trend of school readiness and academic creep

What the research says about early literacy learning (it's not good)

Tom's learning from the children he teaches

 

Links for this episode:

Teacher Tom's Blog

Inspired EC - Tom's Tour Dates & Locations (July/August 2017)

Adelaide Event (Sponsored by Thriving Children)

Join Clare's Thriving Children Facebook Community

 

Music by BenSound.com

This episode of the Thriving Children Podcast is a game changer. I chat with Bruce McLachlan, Principal of Swanson School in New Zealand. It's a setting also known as 'the school with no rules' (in the playground that is).

Listen in to find out:

What recess and lunchtime actually look like at Swanson

How 'free play' has unfolded over the years (including the response of parents and teachers in the early days)

What yard duty now looks like

How creating freedom in children's playtime has lead to less bullying and more focus in the classroom

The first steps for others in removing ridiculous rules.

My favourite quote from this episode: "We've stopped trusting children".

 

Links for this episode:

No Rules School documentary on SBS

Swanson School Website - Free Play

Project Play at Swanson School (article by Bruce)

Join Clare's Thriving Children Facebook Community

Music by BenSound.com

In this episode of the Thriving Children Podcast, Clare chats with Kathy Margolis and Jonathan Anstock, two executive members of the Protecting Childhood Organisation. Listen in to their conversation about NAPLAN, where the common arguments in support of this nationwide test are debunked, one by one.

Links for this episode:

* Protecting Childhood Website

* Protecting Childhood Facebook Page

* Protecting Childhood Ambassadors

* Gabby Stroud’s Griffith Review article

* Join the Thriving Children Facebook Community

Music by BenSound.com

If you’re not prepared to enforce homework with your child each day, this episode is a must listen. In it, Clare shares everything you need to know about having a successful meeting with their teacher. The conversation centres around:

* How to best prepare for the meeting in advance

* Ways to steer the conversation (and avoid getting bulldozed)

* The importance of compromise

* Outcomes of her recent ‘no homework’ conversation

Links for this episode:

* The facts on homework blog post

* Clare’s upcoming events

* Our family’s story on 60 Minutes

* Clare’s Facebook Page

Music by BenSound.com

In this episode of the Thriving Children Podcast, Clare talks about the importance of listening to that gut feeling you have about your child’s development.

He’ll grow out of it.

She’ll be fine.

All children develop in their own way.

Just give it some time.

Are you one of the thousands of parents who’ve been told this? By friends? By family? By a GP? By a pediatrician? By a care provider? And yet, despite every reassurance offered, you still have this heavy feeling that something’s not quite right in regards to your child’s development. Are you going to listen to it?

Links for this episode:

* Book Club details (use coupon code BOOKWORM for a $30 discount)

* He’ll grow out of it blog post

* Clare’s Website

* Clare’s Facebook Page

Music by BenSound.com

In this episode of the Thriving Children Podcast, Clare chats with Marc Armitage, Playworker, Writer and Researcher in children's play.

This fascinating conversation gets into the nitty gritty of what playwork is, why children will always be found playing, the importance of flow, and why 'learning through play' is a trap.

Links for this episode:

•Malarkey Playwork Website

•Malarkey Playwork Facebook Page

•National Play & Playwork Conference Facebook Page

•Big 8 Event: Marc, Clare & friends speaking about play and children with additional needs

•Clare's Website

•Clare's Facebook PageMusic by BenSound.com

As a teacher, there was always a handful of my students that weren’t reaching their full potential. Hear my journey about how I discovered the missing piece of the puzzle-retained primitive reflexes.