Learn Play Thrive Early Education Podcast

Host Simone Brand sits down with Dina Petrakis, CEO of Ethnic Community Services (ECS), to dive into the vital role of cultural inclusion in early childhood education. Drawing on over 20 years of leadership in social justice, international aid, and refugee support, Dina shares her passion for empowering culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and advocating for equitable access across the sector. In this episode, she addresses why proactive cultural inclusion is essential for regional, rural, and remote learning environments—even in areas with less demographic diversity—and how intentional practices foster genuine belonging for every child.

The conversation explores the concept of the "hidden curriculum," offering practical guidance for educators on choosing picture books that act as authentic mirrors for CALD children and meaningful windows into the wider world for all learners. Dina also breaks down how Ethnic Community Services acts as a hands-on partner for geographically isolated services, building their capacity to create culturally safe, empowered settings. Whether you are looking to audit your classroom resources or explore further steps on your service’s inclusion journey, this episode offers invaluable insights for every early childhood educator.
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Celebrate the true spirit of Christmas in this episode of the Learn Play Thrive Little Library! Join host Linda Harrison as she sits down with award-winning illustrator Briony Stewart to discuss her 2026 CBCA Honour-winning picture book 'The Thing About Christmas' (authored by Jo Dabrowski, published by Little Book Press).

The episode explores how this heartwarming, inclusive picture book reflects family diversity, fosters a sense of belonging, and reinforces the core message that "Christmas is love. And love is enough." Briony also opens up about her visual storytelling process, incorporaing traditional and digital mediums, and shares the inspiration behind her vibrant 'Symphony of Stories' artworks created for CBCA 2026 Children's Book Week.

Packed with practical early literacy insights, this episode explore how the story supports phonological awareness, rich vocabulary expansion, and emotional literacy. Educators and parents will love the actionable, story-inspired play ideas designed to support the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF V2.0)—including festive visual arts play, culturally rich dramatic play setups, and loose-parts nature trees.

Tune in for a joyful, inspiring conversation that highlights the transformative power of quality Australian children’s literature to build empathy, connection, and creative expression in early childhood settings.

Purchase a copy of the picture book here:
https://littlebookpress.com.au/products/the-thing-about-christmas?srsltid=AfmBOor2wnVSeyYb1Ov4zF0dwMueXnuy1R0SrveX_Eg1vBx12WLD6YUg
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 the Learn Play Thrive podcast, host Simone Brand sits down with early childhood teacher, advocate, and play therapist in training -- Emma Rattenbury. Bringing over 20 years of sector experience, Emma tackles the critical challenge of building a strong professional identity in early childhood education.

The conversation dives deep into why a robust professional self-image is essential for boosting educator confidence and engagement -- particularly for those navigating the unique isolation, resource constraints, and staffing pressures of regional and remote service delivery.

Moving beyond surface-level solutions, Emma challenges educators and leaders to rethink professional development—shifting it away from a compliance "tick-box" and reframing it as a vital tool for empowerment and growth. She advocates for a systemic approach to wellbeing, emphasising that educator wellness is a collective workplace responsibility rooted in strong relationships, supportive leadership, and thriving team cultures.

Tune in to hear Emma’s practical, evidence-informed insights on how services can create environments where educators feel truly seen, valued, and confident in the direction of their professional practice.

Find out more:
https://www.instagram.com/emma_in_earlychildhood/?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 info@learnplaythrive.com.au
Connect with Us:
- Website: www.learnplaythrive.com.au
- Instagram: @learnplaythrive_
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- Email: info@learnplaythrive.com.au

Music and movement take centre stage in this episode of Learn Play Thrive, as host Linda Harrison chats with Amanda Menzies and Bec Dunn from Macquarie University's Kids and Traffic program. Grounded in EYLF V2.0, the discussion highlights how educators can use the core elements of music—beat, tempo and timbre—to help children embody important road safety concepts through pretend play. From pacing steps to the rhythm of a tambourine, to mimicking car engines and bicycle bells with loose parts and percussion -- children build both creative expression and auditory awareness for real-world traffic environments.

The conversation also explores the power of adapting familiar nursery rhymes into catchy road safety tunes -- creating a shared safety language that bridges the gap between ECEC services and homes. Amanda and Bec share how these joyful songs shared in early learning services often travel right into the back seat of the family car, acting as life-saving reminders for busy parents to double-check their child's seatbelts. To bring these musical tools into your own early education setting, access free song lyrics, tracks, and programming resources at 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

In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, host Simone Brand sits down with Lisa Woodward and Michelle Weisbaum from Life Ed Australia—the powerhouse team behind the iconic Healthy Harold programs—to explore the evolving landscape of health, wellbeing, and innovation in early childhood.

Together, they unpack what health literacy looks like in action for young children today. The discussion highlights the critical role early learning centres play in fostering safe spaces for age-appropriate critical thinking, touching on essential themes like body boundaries, online safety, respectful relationships, and a whole-of-community approach that connects educators, families, and children.

The episode also highlights practical strategies for supporting young learners through key developmental milestones, featuring a preview of Life Ed’s new transition module 'Harold’s Big School'. Listeners will gain valuable takeaways on why early preventative health education is vital, as well as the fundamental role social emotional learning (SEL) plays in building confidence and easing school transitions. Tune in to discover how empowering young children with SEL skills helps them navigate an increasingly complex world with resilience, self-assurance and a strong sense of belonging!

Find out more:
https://lifeed.org.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