Join Linda Harrison and author/illustrator Aura Parker to explore the delightful picture book, Bowerbird Brood. This enchanting story is a heart-warming ode to nature and a mother's love, exploring themes of protection, nurturing, and belonging vital for young children.

Discover how Aura's beautiful illustrations feature 'seek-and-find' Australian insects and birds, supporting numeracy and early science concepts like bird life cycles and subitizing. Learn how the bowerbird's nest acts as a metaphor for security, giving children the confidence to explore their world.

This episode is packed with play-based, story-inspired ideas for educators! Get practical tips for implementing inquiry-based projects on bird habitats and behaviours. Tune in to gain new ideas for using Bowerbird Brood to explore STEM, belonging, and the natural environment in your early learning setting.

Find out more:
https://www.illustrated.com.au/craft
https://www.instagram.com/auraparker/?hl=en
https://www.abc.net.au/kidslisten/programs/noisy-by-nature
https://streetlibrary.org.au/what-is-a-street-library/

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

In this powerful episode of Learn Play Thrive, we are joined by Dr Red Ruby Scarlet—an activist, teacher-researcher, and academic who has spent over three decades championing quality early childhood education and care.

Red is a driving force behind the Early Childhood Education Summit 2026, a national movement born out of the exclusion of early childhood educators from the very political decisions that shape their daily practice. We explore why this summit is a critical turning point for the sector, shifting the narrative to educators as the primary resource for child safety policy in Australia.

Red breaks down the mechanics of the upcoming summit, explaining how a unique collaboration between frontline educators and researchers is turning lived experience into a set of evidence-based demands for the Australian government. We discuss the importance of raising the voices of those on the ground and how this event—held both online and in Sydney—serves as a vital platform for educators to claim their power. This conversation is a call to action for anyone committed to the future of early childhood education and care.

Tune in to learn how you can participate in this important initiative and help lead the professional debate.

Register to attend here:
https://redrubyscarlet.com.au/the-early-childhood-education-summit-2026/
https://events.humanitix.com/the-early-childhood-education-summit/tickets

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

In this episode of Navigating the NQS, host Simone Brand discusses Quality Area 2: Children’s Health and Safety. This episode dives deep into Standard 2.1: Health, unpacking the three core elements that drive a safe and nurturing environment for young children in ECEC settings. Learn how to move beyond policy and into practice, focusing on:
- responsive comfort
- robust illness and injury management
- intentional strategies for promoting healthy eating and physical activity.

Discover ways to achieve excellence in this area, including how to make hygiene a meaningful ritual and how to embed the 'move' component of a healthy lifestyle with intentional teaching. Simone shares practical examples from Exceeding NQS services, like transforming mealtimes into low-pressure learning opportunities and using Movement Maps to strengthen Fundamental Movement Skills. You'll also take away three critical reflection questions to help your team audit their current practices and strive for an Exceeding rating.

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_

- Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

In this special episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with producer Linda Harrison to give you an exclusive sneak peek into our upcoming Pedagogy in Practice: Early Education Conference.

Tune in to hear about our incredible lineup of experts—including Colin Slattery, Dr. Gai Lindsay, Dr. Kate Highfield, Amelia Scarf, Kirsty Liljegren and Jessica Staines. You'll discover how each session is designed to transform your teaching through leadership, STEAM, the arts, and cultural inclusion.

Ready to take your practice to the next level? This episode covers everything you need to know about joining us on Saturday March 14th, including details on our hands-on workshops and the live-recorded podcast panel that will close out the day.

We also share how to access our early bird rate, special rates for trainees, and our "Team of 5" bundles supported by our platinum sponsor Twinkl Australia. Listen now to get inspired, then head over to www.eventbrite.com.au to secure your ticket and join a community of educators dedicated to moving pedagogy into practice.

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_

- Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

In this heartwarming episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, we shift the spotlight to where it truly belongs - the children. The Boab Committee is a small group of preschoolers who meet regularly with their educators to discuss real topics that matter in their everyday experiences at their long day care service. This episode gives listeners a joyful window into genuine child agency, democratic practice, and decision-making in action.

Across the episode, you’ll hear directly from the children as they talk about their upcoming excursion to the reptile park, their favourite animals, memories from Bush Kindy, the committee sleepover, and the big experiences that shaped their year. Their ideas are unfiltered, imaginative, funny, thoughtful and completely their own.

We also hear from educators, who reflect on the growth they’ve witnessed in each child across the year — from confidence and communication to leadership and social responsibility. Through everyday conversations, shared decision-making and real collaboration, the Boab Committee demonstrates how the principles of the EYLF V2.0 come to life in service routines, learning environments and community connections.

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_

- Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

Tune in for an important discussion on keeping our youngest road users safe! We welcome Louise Cosgrove and Amanda Menzies from Kids and Traffic (Transport for NSW) to share their expert insights. Discover how the Kids and Traffic key road safety messages function as a 'curriculum toolkit' helping educators bring road safety to life in an engaging, meaningful way. Learn how you can leverage your trusted position as an educator to create a strong culture of safety for children and their families.

This vital conversation also covers the importance of embedding road safety into ECEC service policies and procedures. Louise and Amanda explain how clear policies help approved providers comply with the National Law, National Regulations, and the National Quality Standard (NQS), ensuring road safety education aligns with the EYLF V2.0. Listen now for expert guidance on improving safety outcomes for vulnerable road users and advocating for road safety in your community!

Find out more:
https://kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au/
https://www.instagram.com/kidsandtraffic/

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_

- Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

This episode of Little Dreamers is all about beautiful butterflies, guiding preschoolers through gentle imagery and promote deep relaxation, body awareness, and imaginative thinking. Host Kathryn uses storytelling to help children practice gratitude and breathing techniques, inviting them to imagine they are colourful butterflies with happy, thankful wings.

Tune in to practice the butterfly pose, where children learn to feel their bodies become calm and quiet like a butterfly resting on a warm leaf.

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_

- Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

We're bringing back a must-listen favorite! Join us for this powerful encore featuring Jessica Staines, founder of the Koori Curriculum, renowned for her work in culturally responsive pedagogical practices. Jessica offers essential, actionable strategies for educators committed to moving beyond tokenism and cultivating genuine cultural competency.

Key insights for cultural competency:

- Effective and respectful ways to integrate Aboriginal perspectives across your curriculum.

- Cultural protocols for meaningful engagement with Indigenous Elders and Leaders in local communities.

- Expert guidance on the potential challenges educators may face and effective ways to navigate them.

- Planning ideas using Aboriginal storytelling and oral traditions to enrich the early years classroom.

Tune in to transform your curriculum, engage respectfully, and cultivate culturally inclusive practice!

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_

- Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au