Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast

Simone Brand
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Courses
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Learn Play Thrive Early Eduction podcast! Join us for expert insights and interviews, practical tips and inspiring stories in Early Childhood Education and Care. 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. Learn Play Thrive – A podcast for early childhood educators & sector leaders. Pedagogy insights, play-based learning ideas, quality practices, and professional growth for early childhood educators.

  1. 10h ago

    Play Provocations #9: Construction Play

    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! If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at info@learnplaythrive.com.au Connect with Us: - Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au - Instagram: @learnplaythrive_ - Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia - Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

    Play Provocations #9: Construction Play

  2. 4d ago

    Bush Kindy Australia

    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/ If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at info@learnplaythrive.com.au Connect with Us: - Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au - Instagram: @learnplaythrive_ - Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia - Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

  3. Aug 3

    S2E5 Little Library: Ships In The Field with Susanne Gervay

    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 If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at info@learnplaythrive.com.au Connect with Us: - Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au - Instagram: @learnplaythrive_ - Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia - Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

    S2E5 Little Library: Ships In The Field with Susanne Gervay

  4. Jul 30

    Connecting the Dots Between Music and Self-regulation

    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/ If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at info@learnplaythrive.com.au Connect with Us: - Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au - Instagram: @learnplaythrive_ - Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia - Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

  5. Jul 27

    Navigating the NQS #10: Standard 5.1 - Relationships between educators and children

    Welcome back to the Navigating the NQS podcast mini-series with host Simone Brand! In this episode, Simone dives straight into the absolute heart of daily early childhood practice - Quality Area 5, Standard 5.1.  Simone unpacks the deep intentionality needed to maintain respectful and equitable relationships with each child, showing how an Exceeding-level service transforms ordinary routines into powerful rituals of safety and belonging. This epsiode explores Element 5.1.1 (Positive interactions) and Element 5.1.2 (Dignity and rights of the child), illustrating how quality practices reject a "one-size-fits-all" behaviour management. Instead, she highlights the power of deeply attuned, individualised connection rituals and progressive care routines that respect children's bodily autonomy. Through her own inspiring centre stories, Simone demonstrates how viewing children as active citizens with genuine agency can completely transform challenging moments and transitions. Listeners will walk away with an actionable toolkit, including three targeted critical reflection questions designed to spark deep conversation at your next team meeting. Tune in to discover how slowing down and prioritising authentic, rights-based connections hardwires young brains for lifelong resilience! If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at info@learnplaythrive.com.au Connect with Us: - Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au - Instagram: @learnplaythrive_ - Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia - Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

    Navigating the NQS #10: Standard 5.1 - Relationships between educators and children

  6. Jul 23

    Building Sustainable Quality at Gilgandra Preschool

    In this inspiring episode, Simone sits down with the leadership and pedagogical powerhouse team from Gilgandra Preschool. Together, they share how they have pioneered a model of "adaptive quality" that is responsive to changing rural/regional/remote community realities, workforce pressures and unique child needs. The team dives deep into the philosophy that high-quality outcomes do not begin with programs alone, but rather through a beautiful chain reaction -  people build culture, culture shapes systems, systems sustain quality, and quality ultimately strengthens outcomes for children.  Listeners will hear how Gilgandra Preschool moves far beyond box-ticking to foster a deeply reflective workplace where educator capability is continuously nurtured. This episode completely flips the narrative around regional disadvantage, showing how rural constraints can be used as creative design challenges for innovation. Instead of letting distance, workforce shortages, or a lack of specialist access define them, the Gilgandra team shares how they redesigned their service from the ground up. Tune in to discover how to transform barriers into opportunities for your own early childhood community! If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at info@learnplaythrive.com.au Connect with Us: - Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au - Instagram: @learnplaythrive_ - Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia - Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

  7. Jul 20

    Road Safety in Early Education #4: Language, literacy & learning

    Welcome back to the Road Safety in Early Education podcast mini-series! In this episode, we reframe the local streetscape as a giant, interactive picture book, demonstrating how road safety education naturally drives early language and literacy. Aligning with EYLF V2.0 Outcome 5, the team discusses how real-world experiences—like decoding environmental print and using "commentary walking"—build rich oral language and critical thinking in young children. The conversation covers practical ways to weave vital road safety messages into play-based learning using Kids and Traffic's free resources. Our guests highlight how educators can use DIY storybook templates to co-create personalised books featuring photos of their own children, families, and local traffic environments. Amanda and Bec also share tips on using their 'Guidelines for Using Passenger Safety Photos' to ensure visual accuracy while sparking organic, collaborative safety conversations with families. Tune in to learn how to capture children’s voices through safe journeys! Find out more: https://kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au/ https://kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Generic-16-Guidelines-for-using-passenger-safety-photos-Info-Sheet.pdf If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at info@learnplaythrive.com.au Connect with Us: - Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au - Instagram: @learnplaythrive_ - Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia - Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

    Road Safety in Early Education #4: Language, literacy & learning

  8. Jul 16

    Creating a Culture of Sustainability in ECEC

    Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast! In this episode, host Simone Brand sits down with Dorothée Seeto, Director of Endless Play Studio. Many early childhood services find themselves stuck, scattered, or dependent on a single passionate educator when it comes to sustainability practices. Dorothée delivers a powerful reframe to overcome this overwhelm - "Sustainability isn’t just an extra chore or green stuff like recycling bins, but the vital project of growing capable, connected and courageous 21st-century citizens". The discussion unpacks how to drive a genuine culture of sustainability using a tailored, whole-of-centre approach. Dorothée explains how leaders can anchor the journey of sustainability in their service's unique philosophy, existing routines and team strengths. By making every educator feel valued, teams can build a shared, place-based vision where environmental education brings everyone joy rather than feeling like a box-ticking exercise. Listeners will walk away with highly practical strategies to weave sustainability across the curriculum. Educators are invited to step into the role of curious co-researchers who slow down, follow the children’s lead, and turn everyday play into learning for a sustainable future. Tune in to discover how your leadership can help every educator see the unique, irreplaceable value they bring to a regenerative early years environment! Find out more: www.instagram.com/endless_play_studio/ www.linkedin.com/company/endless-play-studio/ If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at info@learnplaythrive.com.au Connect with Us: - Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au - Instagram: @learnplaythrive_ - Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia - Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

See All (160)

Trailer

About

Welcome to the Learn Play Thrive Early Eduction podcast! Join us for expert insights and interviews, practical tips and inspiring stories in Early Childhood Education and Care. 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. Learn Play Thrive – A podcast for early childhood educators & sector leaders. Pedagogy insights, play-based learning ideas, quality practices, and professional growth for early childhood educators.

Information

You Might Also Like