Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast

Welcome to a brand-new episode of Learn Play Thrive’s Little Library mini-series, where host Linda Harrison is joined by Linda Stock—a qualified early childhood educator, therapeutic practitioner, and university lecturer specialising in children’s literature. 

In this illuminating conversation, the two experts dive deep into the emotional landscapes of picture books, focusing on Anna Walker’s award-winning story, Mr Huff. Linda Stock draws upon her extensive background in Bibliotherapy and Narrative Therapy to explain how the story externalises a child’s anxiety, turning a heavy emotion into a separate entity—a grey cloud named "Mr Huff"—that children can look at, talk to, and walk beside rather than being defined by it.

This episode focuses on how emotional literacy, highlighting how one-on-one shared reading acts as a form of therapy by fostering secure attachments. The discussion introduces the concept of the 'Third Space'—the sacred, imaginative zone between a child’s inner world and an adult’s understanding where meaningful emotional growth unfolds. Listeners will take away a  strength-based toolkit for helping young children feel safe, secure, and deeply supported through the use of picture books.
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Have questions or feedback? Connect with us on social media or email us at info@learnplaythrive.com.au
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In this episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with Dr. Kaylene Henderson—a medically trained child and adolescent psychiatrist, parenting specialist, and one of Australia’s most trusted early childhood experts. Known for her warm, relatable style and ability to translate complex research into "doable" approaches, 

Dr. Henderson unpacks the emotional and practical hurdles parents and educators face when navigating the "Goldilocks dilemma" of support. Together, they explore why it is so difficult to step back, how our own upbringing and modern time pressures impact our teaching, and how to successfully find that sweet spot of helping just enough to allow children to experience crucial, confidence-building moments.

Listeners will walk away with a new perspective on tackling anxiety and developing long-term independence in the early years. Dr. Henderson dives deep into the magic effect of simply teaching children how anxiety works, explaining how to "avoid avoidance" by scaffolding tasks so they become hard but completely doable rather than letting children opt out. 

This insightful conversation serves as a powerful reminder that resilience is not a fixed trait, but an asset built through everyday interactions. Tune in to hear why Dr. Henderson believes that early childhood educators, parents, and carers—not specialists—are the ones perfectly positioned to shift current trajectories and bring out the absolute best in this pandemic-born generation.
Find out more:
Website (Educator resources): https://drkaylenehenderson.com/ 
Courage Coaching Online (Programs for families & primary schools): https://couragecoachingonline.com/ 
A Dose of Awesomeness (Resources for families): https://adoseofawesomeness.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drkaylenehenderson/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_kaylene_henderson/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kaylene-henderson-43987462 

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

What takes an early childhood service from a group of people working in the same building to a collaborative, ethical community of practice? In this episode of our Navigating the NQS mini-series, host Simone Brand dives straight into the heart of team culture: Quality Area 4, Standard 4.2 – Professionalism. 

This quality standard is about the spirit—it’s the invisible glue that holds a service together. We discuss how Exceeding services move beyond just "getting along" by using active tools like peer mentoring circles and strengths registers, while transforming the ECA Code of Ethics from a staffroom poster into a living guide for everyday ethical decision-making.

When approved providers and service leaders actively focus on educator wellbeing and build resilience, that confidence flows directly down to the children and out to families. This episode delivers practical insights on navigating hard conversations; building a transparent no-blame culture for collective growth; and embedding your service philosophy into daily practice. 

Grab your notebook, subscribe to Learn Play Thrive on your favourite podcast platform, and use our included critical reflection questions to help your team confidently 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_
- Facebook: @Learn Play Thrive Australia
- Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

In this very special live episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand sits down with Aunty Tracey Linn Bostock—a Bundjalung Mulungjali Woman, artist, author and early childhood educator with over 30 years of experience in the sector.

If you have ever used the beautiful Acknowledgement of Country featured on ABC's Play School, you are already familiar with Aunty Tracey's incredible work. In this episode, she shares the deep meaning behind those words, her visionary ideas for the sector and practical wisdom for educational leaders striving to be genuinely culturally responsive.

Key discussion points:
- Aunty Tracey breaks down the specific words and intentional actions she created for Play School's Acknowledgement of Country used by educators and children all across Australia.
-Hear Aunty Tracey’s inspiring vision for a reciprocal exchange program operating between urban early childhood services and country-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services.
- Practical, grounded advice for educators on how to move past tokenistic practices and empower their teams to embed First Nations perspectives deeply across all areas of the curriculum.
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 our Road Safety in Early Education mini-series, we explore how to move beyond 'Road Safety Week' and embed life-saving messages into your daily curriculum throuhgout the year. Using high-quality, play-based pedagogy aligned with the EYLF V2.0, we discuss how to use transitions, dramatic play, and children’s spontaneous interests to make road safety a natural part of early learning.

The highlight of the episode is a deep dive into Gilgandra Preschool, where road safety is embedded through First Nations culture. Discover how educators used the Wiradjuri word Girrawaa (goanna) to create a culturally relevant helmet safety rhyme and adapted resources with local Aboriginal artwork. From intentional teaching on bike tracks to using photos of the local neighborhood in the block area... you’ll walk away with practical tips to make road safety education visible, meaningful and culturally respectful in your ECEC service.

Find out more:
https://kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.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