Actions of Play

Heather Jackson of The Sunflower School

Welcome to Actions of Play, a podcast for early childhood educators who believe in the power of play. Hosted by Heather Jackson, a Reggio Emilia–inspired educator with 40+ years of experience, this podcast shares stories, insights, and practical strategies to deepen your practice. From play schemas and observation to child-led learning, explore how to support curiosity, creativity, and connection in early childhood education.

Episodes

  1. May 23

    A Surprising Toddler Project

    In this episode of Actions of Play, Heather Jackson is joined by Sarah and Michelle from Sunflower School to explore a toddler project that began with one simple idea: creating a “nest” of comfort, belonging, and connection for a brand-new classroom community. What started as a gentle transition project quickly evolved into a rich child-led investigation centered around ramps, rolling, movement, sound, regulation, and the environment as the third teacher. From porch play and loose parts to seasonal changes and toddler research, this episode highlights the beauty of slowing down and truly noticing children’s thinking. This conversation is filled with thoughtful reflections on play schemas, environment design, risky play, and the power of responsive teaching in the early years. LINKS The Sunflower School: https://thesunflowerschool.ca/  Sarah-  @thesunflowerschool Michelle- no Instagram How Does Learning Happen- Ontario Document- https://files.ontario.ca/edu-how-does-learning-happen-en-2021-03-23.pdf?   Book- 100 languages of children- https://amzn.to/4dvyzsz  Actions of Play Book- Schemas: https://amzn.to/4v4F5Op   SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you found this episode valuable, we invite you to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more educators who are committed to deepening their practice and creating meaningful learning experiences for children. CONNECT WITH HEATHER Instagram: @thesunflower_studio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-jackson-17b0b455/  Take a Virtual Tour: Click Here

    24 min
  2. May 9

    Big Energy, Big Learning: An All Boy Toddler Program

    What happens when you stop fighting boys' energy and start designing around it? Kaitlyn and Sara did exactly that. They turned their all-boys toddler classroom into a space built for big-body movement, loose parts play, and genuine connection. The result? Less friction, more curiosity, and a room where children actually thrived. In this episode, they share how Reggio-inspired principles, animal movement studies, and intentional room design transformed their approach to teaching active toddlers. You'll walk away with practical ideas for redesigning your space, running calm community meetings, and rethinking what "good behaviour" really looks like because sometimes the boldest experiment is the one that finally works. LINKS The Sunflower School: https://thesunflowerschool.ca/  Kaitlyn and Sara Instagram accounts: @themessyeducator    @100launguagesofsasa    How Do Animals Dance Brown Bear, Brown Bear- Bill Martin Jr. Spoonful of Frog-  Casey Lyall   From Head to Toe- Eric Carle A Can of Worms- Fearless Conversations with Toddlers Nick Torrones- Exchange Publishing The Brown Bear rap SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you found this episode valuable, we invite you to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more educators who are committed to deepening their practice and creating meaningful learning experiences for children. CONNECT WITH HEATHER Instagram: @thesunflower_studio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-jackson-17b0b455/  Take a Virtual Tour: Click Here

    27 min
  3. May 2

    The Story Behind Actions of Play

    In this very first episode of Actions of Play, host Heather Jackson is joined by co-author Lisa to share the story behind their book Actions of Play and their shared passion for play schemas. They reflect on collaborating across countries, co-authoring entirely over Zoom, and how their aligned values in play-based, inquiry-driven learning shaped their work. The conversation explores what play schemas are, why they matter, and how they can transform the way educators observe, plan, and respond to children’s play. Heather and Lisa also share practical ways to connect play schemas to everyday experiences, including using children’s literature to deepen learning and engagement. Whether you’re new to play schemas or looking to strengthen your practice, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and real classroom connections - plus what’s next for their work supporting educators and families. BOOKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE Actions of Play- RedLeaf Press Threads of Thinking- Cathy Nutbrown From Theory to Practice- Susan Stacey Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin Tacos Fall Apart Take It Apart I Worked Really Hard on That LINKS The Sunflower School: https://thesunflowerschool.ca/  Lisa Agogliati is the lead pedagogista at the National Child Research Centre in Washington, DC Boulder Journey School Cindy Green- Instagram Early Childhood Investigations Webinar  SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you found this episode valuable, we invite you to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more educators who are committed to deepening their practice and creating meaningful learning experiences for children. CONNECT WITH HEATHER Instagram: @thesunflower_studio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-jackson-17b0b455/  Take a Virtual Tour: Click Here

    42 min
  4. Apr 25

    Pilot Episode

    In this debut episode of Actions of Play, host Heather Jackson —an early childhood educator with over 40 years of experience—invites you into the inspiring world of play-based learning through a Reggio Emilia approach lens. Broadcasting from the Reggio-inspired Sunflower School in Orangeville, Ontario, Heather shares the story of her journey—from her first introduction to Reggio-inspired practices in 1998 to building a thriving, child-centred learning community that now spans multiple locations and supports hundreds of children and educators. This episode offers a heartfelt introduction to the philosophy that has shaped her life’s work: seeing children as capable, curious, and full of potential. Heather reflects on her evolution as an educator, the power of mentorship, and how embracing the role of “teacher as researcher” transformed her approach to early childhood education. You’ll also get a glimpse into what’s ahead on the podcast, including: Real stories from educatorsProject work from Reggio-inspired classroomsInsights into play-based, child-led learningPractical reflections for educators looking to deepen their practiceWhether you’re an early childhood educator, leader, or simply passionate about meaningful learning, this episode sets the foundation for a thoughtful and inspiring journey into the actions of play.  Tune in and explore what’s possible when we truly listen to children. LINKS The Sunflower School: https://thesunflowerschool.ca SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW We invite you to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more educators who are committed to deepening their practice and creating meaningful learning experiences for children. CONNECT WITH HEATHER Instagram: @thesunflower_studio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-jackson-17b0b455/  Take a Virtual Tour: Click Here

    10 min

About

Welcome to Actions of Play, a podcast for early childhood educators who believe in the power of play. Hosted by Heather Jackson, a Reggio Emilia–inspired educator with 40+ years of experience, this podcast shares stories, insights, and practical strategies to deepen your practice. From play schemas and observation to child-led learning, explore how to support curiosity, creativity, and connection in early childhood education.