In this episode, host Simone Brand sits down with Meg Parnell, Principal Researcher at the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), to explore the transformative power of intentional teaching in early childhood education and care. Meg unpacks AERO’s groundbreaking research showing how intentional teaching maximises learning opportunities—particularly for children from equity cohorts—and addresses why this core curriculum concept is so often misunderstood in daily practice. Listeners will gain an inside look at AERO’s Early Childhood Intentional Teaching Model, developed through nine months of design-based research alongside educators in diverse communities to bridge the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical, everyday application.

The conversation dives deep into what intentionality looks like in real-world settings, demonstrating how intentional teaching seamlessly complements play-based learning to balance adult-led strategies with child-led exploration and spontaneous teachable moments. Meg shares key lessons on practice change, highlighting how fostering a "culture of intentionality" and trusting educators as professionals empowers services to elevate quality. Packed with inspiring insights and practical takeaways, this episode reveals how educators across Australia helped shape a model that is now freely accessible to support every service, educator, child, and family.

Find out more:
https://www.edresearch.edu.au/guides-resources/practice-resources/early-childhood-intentional-teaching-model

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In this second episode of Building Your Village—a special 10-part mini-series for the Learn Play Thrive podcast—host Simone Brand rejoins Kathryn Stoneman and Harriet Blannin-Ferguson from The Village Collective to deliver a practical "how-to" guide on intentionally constructing a support network during pregnancy. The discussion challenges the common habit of shifting focus toward support only after a newborn arrives and exhaustion sets in. Kathryn and Harriet explain why expectant parents should pivot from solely purchasing baby gear to actively investing in people, laying out a proactive blueprint for care that protects a mother's physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing long before her due date.

The conversation demystifies the diverse landscape of antenatal care providers, clearly breaking down the distinct roles of midwives, obstetricians, doulas, and allied health professionals so families can determine the right fit for their unique needs. Listeners will gain three simple, actionable steps to begin building their village immediately, ensuring they have trusted relationships in place well before navigating late-night postpartum challenges. Tune in for an empowering, practical guide that reframes support as an essential foundation for a confident and stable transition into parenthood.

Find out more:
https://thevillagecollective.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/the.village.collective__/

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In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive: Early Education podcast, we welcome Dr. Claire Warden and tackle the thought-provoking question - "Is nature overrated?" Claire reframes the conversation by challenging how we define nature, arguing that viewing it as an external destination rather than an integral part of human existence creates an artificial divide. Drawing on Tim Ingold’s concept of "meshwork," she explains how young children naturally perceive the world through entangled, non-linear relationships with their environments. Rather than viewing natural elements as objects to be controlled or visited, children view them as entities with equivalent rights—a relational perspective deeply rooted in First Nations ways of knowing and increasingly recognised in modern environmental policy.

Translating these philosophical ideas into practical early childhood pedagogy, Claire contrasts rigid, linear planning with flexible, inquiry-led learning. She shares how strategies like her signature floorbooks allow educators to document children's divergent, unpredictable thinking while balancing regulatory frameworks. Through stories from her nature kindergarten practice, she highlights how slowing down, embracing "teachable moments," and fostering democratic daily rituals allow children to become active agents of change. The episode concludes with three key takeaways for educators: visualising learning as an entangled meshwork, using simple open-ended objects to invite child-led inquiry, and honouring children as complex, empathetic thinkers.

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In this episode of Navigating the NQS, host Simone Brand continues the journey through Quality Area 6: Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities, taking a deep dive into Standard 6.2 (Collaborative Partnerships). Expanding the focus outward from family relationships to the broader community ecosystem, Simone explores how establishing strong inter-agency networks, local connections, and school partnerships enhances inclusion, learning, and overall wellbeing for every child. The episode systematically unpacks all three elements—Transitions (6.2.1), Access and Participation (6.2.2), and Community Engagement (6.2.3)—offering practical guidance on what Exceeding practice looks like in real-world Australian early childhood settings.

Listeners will gain actionable strategies for moving beyond one-off transition events toward year-round, relational transition processes that honor child agency and foster reciprocal relationships with local primary schools. Simone also addresses how services can dismantle learning barriers by actively collaborating with allied health professionals and support agencies, as well as embedding authentic First Nations perspectives and two-way community connections into daily curriculum design. Complete with reflective questions for room teams and center leadership, this episode provides a clear blueprint for using collaborative partnerships to create a rich, inclusive safety net where young children truly thrive.

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In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand welcomes Madeleine Jaine Lobsey, certified AuDHD coach, keynote speaker, advocate, and founder of Wondiverse. Diagnosed as AuDHD at 48, Madeleine draws on her deep lived experience and extensive background in the arts and community programs to help families, workplaces, and early childhood settings better understand neurodivergence. The discussion explores the immense cognitive, emotional, and administrative load carried by parents of neurodivergent children and introduces how her app, Understanding Zoe (claimable under NDIS funding), moves assessments, therapy notes, and daily observations out of fragmented folders and into one secure, parent-controlled digital hub.

The conversation highlights how creating a shared "support village" transforms outcomes for neurodivergent children in early childhood classrooms and care settings. Madeleine unpacks how giving educators, co-parents, and therapists shared visibility into a child's world bridges the gap between home, therapy, and school. Grounded in lived experience, she explains why tools designed with neurodivergent people—rather than just for them—build authentic trust and usability. Packed with actionable key takeaways, this inspiring episode emphasises that lightening a parent's administrative weight gives them back the energy to focus on what matters most: connection and relationship.

Find out more:
https://understandingzoe.com/
https://wondiverse.com.au/
https://wondiverse.com.au/

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In this episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library, host Linda Harrison welcomes multi-talented author Anne Donaldson to celebrate her CBCA award-winning picture book, Derek (illustrated by Matt Shanks and published by Little Hare). The conversation delves into the charming world of Derek, a curious goldfish in a pet shop whose quest to answer life's big scientific questions leads to a deeper, emotional journey about courage, loneliness, and finding connection. Aligned with EYLF V2.0, the discussion highlights how picture books act as a powerful springboard for early childhood educators to engage preschoolers in meaningful dialogues about big feelings, social agency, and self-expression.

The episode also highlights visual literacy, early vocabulary growth, and inquiry-based learning, demonstrating how educators can use Matt Shanks' clever use of scale and perspective to build spatial and mathematical thinking. Listeners will gain practical inspiration from three story-inspired play-based learning setup ideas—including a STEM bubble investigation, a puppet and pet shop dramatic play area, and a 3D small-world fish habitat project. Packed with author insights, a live passage reading, and rich curriculum connections, this episode is a must-listen for educators seeking to nurture curiosity and emotional resilience in early childhood settings.

Find out more:
- Order a copy of the picture book Derek here https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-au/books/derek-by-anne-donaldson/9781761215537
- Download the accompanying Learn Play Thrive curriculum toolkit here https://www.learnplaythrive.com.au/resources

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In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand welcomes back Pedagogical Coordinator Clare Comedoy for part two of an insightful discussion on infant and toddler pedagogy, focusing on the spaces we curate for our youngest learners. Clare breaks down why there is no single "recipe" for designing the perfect early childhood room, highlighting how architectural features, natural light, room shape, and community context shape physical environments. Together, they discuss how educators can move past copying popular trends and instead develop a clear, intentional rationale for their indoor and outdoor setups.

Clare invites listeners to reflect deeply on the relationship between children, materials, and learning environments, encouraging educators to audit their spaces with intention. By asking critical questions about the purpose, audience, and possibilities of every piece of furniture and material, teams can better align their physical spaces with their underlying image of the child. Tune in for a practical and inspiring conversation that will help you narrow the gap between your pedagogical values and the everyday experiences of infants and toddlers.

Find out more:

https://www.thinkagainseeagain.com/about

https://www.instagram.com/thinkagainseeagain/

https://www.reggiochildren.it/en/rc/publishing/books-and-audiovisuals/art-and-creativity-in-reggio-emilia/

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In this debut episode of Building Your Village—an exclusive 10-part mini-series for the Learn Play Thrive podcast—host Simone Brand introduces Kathryn Stoneman (birth and postpartum doula) and Harriet Blannin-Ferguson (midwife, IBCLC lactation consultant, and early years nurse), the founders of The Village Collective. Together, they address the modern landscape of motherhood, exploring why so many women feel isolated in today's fragmented healthcare and social systems. This introductory episode unpacks what it truly means to intentionally build a support network, shifting the narrative from navigating early parenthood in isolation to proactively cultivating a sustained community of care from pregnancy through the first year postpartum.

Throughout the conversation, Kathryn and Harriet share the vision behind The Village Collective on the Central Coast of NSW and preview the essential topics this mini-series will navigate—including birth preparation, feeding, maternal recovery, early postpartum realities, and discerning "common vs. normal" physical and emotional changes. Listeners will gain a fresh perspective on seeking support not as a sign of struggle, but as a deliberate act of strength for both mother and child. Tune in to kick off this transformational series and discover how you can begin building your own village, brick by brick, before baby even arrives.

Find out more:
https://thevillagecollective.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/the.village.collective__/

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

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