Learn Play Thrive The Podcast

⚠️ Listener warning: Anatomical Language - Please be advised that this episode contains discussions regarding child protective behaviours and body safety strategies. As part of this important conversation, our guest uses correct anatomical names for body parts. Providing children with the correct language for their bodies is a key safety strategy in early childhood education. However, we suggest pre-listening if you are in a shared space or planning to use this episode as a professional development tool with your team to ensure you are prepared for the context of the discussion.
Join us as we welcome Selma Jo Wastell, an inspirational leader with over 30 years experience in early learning and child advocacy. In this episode, Selma dives into the importance of embedding child protective strategies, sharing how educators can build a child’s autonomy and self-awareness without creating fear. As an expert in trauma-informed care and inclusion, Selma explores practical ways to integrate these safety strategies into the everyday curriculum, ensuring children’s voices remain at the heart of planning and policy.

This conversation moves beyond theory to offer empowering, practical takeaways for every early childhood professional. Selma highlights that protective behaviour programs don't require outside "experts"—they are tools every educator can implement to foster a trauma-aware environment. Selma reminds us that "knowledge does not corrupt children, it empowers them." Tune in to discover how to turn child protection into a shared, proactive commitment with your families and community.

Find out more:
Lean into Learning
LinkedIn
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Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at [email protected]
Connect with Us:
- Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au
- Instagram: @learnplaythrive_
- Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia
- Email: [email protected]

Join Linda Harrison and award-winning author Katrina Germein as they dive into her latest picture book, Another Year Around the Sun. This lyrical story follows a family through a magical year of outdoor play—from summer waves to autumn leaves. Katrina shares the heartwarming personal memories that inspired the book and explains how its vibrant, paper-collage illustrations help preschoolers connect with the rhythm of the seasons and the beauty of the natural world.

This episode also shares practical pedagogical insights, linking the story to EYLF V2.0 themes of 'Becoming' and the concept of time. Educators will find three story-inspred, play-based learning ideas:
1. Setting up birthday party pretend play.
2. Creating floral headband halos and mandalas.
3. Exploring rock pool small worlds.

Little Library is your essential guide for using high-quality, contemporary children's literature to spark imagination and foster early literacy skills in any early childhood setting.

Find out more:
www.katrinagermein.com
https://www.instagram.com/katrinagermein/?hl=en
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 [email protected]
Connect with Us:
- Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au
- Instagram: @learnplaythrive_
- Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia
- Email: [email protected]

In this episode, host Simone Brand welcomes Danny Pinchas from The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). We unpack how the Teacher Standards  affirm the professional identity of early childhood educators, providing national consistency and a clear framework for quality teaching across the sector.

Danny explains that setting this national benchmark directly impacts children's wellbeing and learning during their most formative years. We also discuss how the Teacher Standards serve as a roadmap for career progression, guiding self-reflection, mentoring, and recognition of expertise in ECEC.
 
Tune in to affirm early childhood teachers as valued professionals and raise public confidence in the sector!

Find out more:
www.aitsl.edu.au/
www.facebook.com/aitsl/
www.instagram.com/aitsleduau/
https://au.linkedin.com/company/aitsleduau
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 [email protected]
Connect with Us:
- Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au
- Instagram: @learnplaythrive_
- Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia
- Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Navigating the NQS, host Simone Brand breaks down the shift from compliance to excellence in Standard 2.2: Safety. She challenges educators to move beyond 'blanket supervision' toward pedagogical agility, where teams intentionally position themselves to support individual child rhythms. By treating supervision as an active, living practice rather than a perimeter-watching exercise, Simone illustrates how services can move from 'Meeting' to 'Exceeding' the National Quality Standard.

Simone also dives into the critical role of trauma-informed emergency management and proactive child protection. She emphasises the importance of moving past routine fire drills, to instead engaging in deep critical reflection and expert consultation with local authorities. By fostering a culture of "courageous conversations" and transparent partnerships with families, Simone provides a roadmap for empowering every staff member to act as a confident advocate for child safety.
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 [email protected]
Connect with Us:
- Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au
- Instagram: @learnplaythrive_
- Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia
- Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we are honoured to sit down with Director Amy Shine, an incredible force in the ECEC sector with over 25 years of dedicated experience in rural and remote communities. Amy is a passionate advocate for inclusion, reconciliation, and ensuring that every voice is heard within the early years classroom.

Amy shares her deep commitment to building strong community partnerships and a culture where everyone belongs. We dive into the vital work being done at Forbes Preschool, exploring how they collaborate with Community Health to identify gaps and ensure that essential speech and language programs are accessible to every child.

Amy provides tips for how educators and therapists can work together to create sustainable, evidence-based programs that make a difference. We discuss the critical referral stage—moving beyond just the initial assessment to ensure meaningful follow-up that shapes positive outcomes for children in the year before school.

Find out more:
https://www.facebook.com/p/Forbes-Preschool-100063665347418/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DJkeL0yTRHq/
https://www.forbespreschool.com/
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 [email protected]
Connect with Us:
- Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au
- Instagram: @learnplaythrive_
- Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia
- Email: [email protected]