Best ECA Podcasts (2025)

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2025 ECA National Conference: Exhibiter Insights.mp3 29:20

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27d ago29:20

29:20

We're hitting the floor at the Early Childhood Australia (ECA) National Conference 2025 in Perth! Host Simone Brand dives into the bustling Exhibition Hall to chat with the innovators, creators, and resource providers who are driving change in early learning. This episode is your quick-fire round of the biggest ideas and must-have resources for you…

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Did Europe force major AFCON change; Fans get World Cup prices cut; Will Abramovich accept UK govt demands?; Women's Club WC calendar clash; FIFA Peace Prize White House influence 36:22

3d ago36:22

36:22

Episode 223 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on December 21, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja: Did European clubs force African football to cut AFCON tournaments; Lower World Cup ticket prices after criticism; Will Abramovich accept UK govt cash demands?; FIFA Peace Prize Whi…

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Activating a Collective Ethic of Care and Co-responsibility with the Great Barrier Reef 30:21

6d ago30:21

30:21

Join us for an inspiring discussion with two leading voices in early childhood education, Debi Keyte-Hartland and Catherine Lee. We dive into an inquiry-project, which began with a discovery made by children digging in the sandpit. This unexpected find unfolded into a rich, extended inquiry that nurtured children's ecological identity, amplified th…

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FIFA's biggest crisis under Gianni Infantino - growing fan anger over World Cup ticket costs. Assessing FIFA's response 34:10

9d ago34:10

34:10

Episode 222 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on December 15, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja: Is World Cup tickets pricing row FIFA's biggest crisis under Gianni Infantino with fan anger growing? Could it have been avoided by speaking more publicly about pricing? Or are ther…

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Little Dreamers #7: Flowers 11:21

9d ago11:21

11:21

Welcome to the Little Dreamers mini-series! These monthly episodes feature specially written mindfulness stories designed to ignite young imaginations and gently guide preschoolers toward relaxation and body awareness. This month, our theme is flowers! Join host Kathryn as she leads children through gentle imagery of falling rain and growing roots.…

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Intentional Scaffolding: From Vygotsky to Today 26:43

13d ago26:43

26:43

Are you ready to transform your intentional teaching and learning practices? Join us for an essential discussion with Kate Hodgekiss, owner of Engaging Curriculum Solutions and a powerful advocate in the early childhood sector for over 25 years! This episode is your deep dive into the theory and practice of scaffolding, starting with breaking down …

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Play Provocations #2: Pretend Play 14:05

16d ago14:05

14:05

In this episode of Play Provocations, hosts Linda Harrison and Lindsay Laing unpack the power of pretend play. Learn how inventing roles and narratives is the highest form of symbolic thought in early childhood, directly activating the prefrontal cortex to boost executive function, creativity, and problem-solving. We share ideas for creating an inv…

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The Magic of Mark-Making 29:52

20d ago29:52

29:52

How do we unlock the joy of meaningful mark-making for every child? This week, we host Dr. Gai Lindsay, Senior Lecturer and long-time early childhood expert, whose research is dedicated to empowering visual arts learning. Drawing inspiration from John Dewey and the constructivist Reggio Emilia approach, Dr. Lindsay explains how mark-making is far m…

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Navigating the NQS #2: Standard 1.2 - Practice 12:17

23d ago12:17

12:17

This exciting monthly mini-series, Navigating the NQS, continues with host Simone Brand who draws on 15 years of exceeding-rated leadership experience. In this episode, we explore Standard 1.2 – Practice, focusing on how educators facilitate and extend children's learning. Simone breaks down the three crucial elements: 1. Intentional Teaching 2. Re…

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Little Dreamers #6: A Transport Journey to Calm 11:12

1M ago11:12

11:12

Welcome back to Little Dreamers, the enchanting mini-series designed to bring calm and creativity to a young child's world! This month, get ready for an adventure as we climb aboard for a mindful journey about transport. Your preschooler will be gently guided to imagine themselves travelling in a shiny red car, a rhythmic train, a breezy bicycle, a…

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New Premier League financial rules explained; UEFA TV rights sale winners & losers; Ronaldo & MBS at White House; Infantino secures fast-track fan visas from Trump; Felipe Massa case v FIA 40:14

1M ago40:14

40:14

Episode 221 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on November 21, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja: New Premier League financial rules explained & who benefits; UEFA TV rights sale winners and losers; Ronaldo & MBS at White House; Infantino secures fast-track fan visas from Trump;…

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2025 ECA National Conference: Educator Voices 24:33

1M ago24:33

24:33

We're taking you live to Perth for the Early Childhood Australia (ECA) National Conference 2025! Learn Play Thrive host Simone Brand grabs the mic and dives into the heart of the sector, capturing the vibrant energy and vital conversations from educators, researchers, and leaders across the country. The theme that sparked all the dialogue? ‘Univers…

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08. Mihaela Ninić (Fotografkinja) - SoulBiznis Intervju 28:17

1M ago28:17

28:17

U 8. epizodi SoulBiznis podcasta razgovaramo sa jednom od najnježnijih, ali i najprofesionalnijih fotografkinja na našem tržištu, Mihaelom Ninić.Ako ste ikada poželjeli fotografije koje istinski pričaju vašu priču, ova epizoda će vas inspirisati.Mihaela najčešće radi sa preduzetnicama koje žele da se prikažu hrabro, autentično i profesionalno, a kr…

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Little Library #7: The Christmas Tree Catastrophe 25:08

1M ago25:08

25:08

Ready to bring the magic of picture books into your early learning practice this festive season? Join Linda Harrison on Learn Play Thrive's Little Library as she talks with award-winning author Emma Bowd about her joyful new picture book, The Christmas Tree Catastrophe. This episode is packed with inspiration for educators, diving deep into how thi…

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IOC prepares trans ban; MLS changes season with threat from rival competition; Turkey betting scandal; PL splits over new financial rules; Euro 28 no dynamic pricing 46:05

1M ago46:05

46:05

Episode 220 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on November 14, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja: International Olympic Committee ban on transgender women from women's events; Major League Soccer switches the season around - but is it threatened by a rival competition?; Premier …

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Empowering Young Children Through Hands-On Disaster Preparedness 29:24

1M ago29:24

29:24

Get ready for an eye-opening chat with Dr. Sharleen Keleher about disaster preparedness. Drawing from her extensive research and hands-on work with communities recovering from floods, fires, and cyclones, she shows us that disaster resilience education is an essential, play-centred pillar of early learning. We're diving deep into how this work natu…

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Play Provocations #1: Messy Play 13:11

1M ago13:11

13:11

Get ready to get playful with our brand-new monthly mini-series, Play Provocations, dropping once a month on Tuesdays! Join your hosts, Linda Harrison and Lindsay Laing, two experienced Early Childhood Education teachers and consultants, as they take a deep dive into the fascinating world of children's play. Each episode will explore a different as…

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FIFA Peace Prize & Infantino plea: "We should all support" Trump; Less Chelsea sale cash to war victims; Police reveal why Israeli fans banned; Islamic Solidarity Games - Saudis readying Olympic bid? 44:18

2M ago44:18

44:18

Episode 219 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on November 7, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja: FIFA Peace Prize & Gianni Infantino's plea: "We should all support" Donald Trump; Why less cash from Roman Abramovich's forced Chelsea sale will go to war victims; Police reveal why …

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Nurturing Sensory and Motor Development in Preschoolers 23:13

2M ago23:13

23:13

Join us as we talk to Amanda Bacon, a highly experienced Paediatric Physiotherapist and designer of the Targeted Motor Control (TMC) Screening Tool. Amanda shows us that small, early interventions in motor and sensory development create exponential future outcomes for children. In this episode, we explore the typical developmental timelines for pre…

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Navigating the NQS #1: Standard 1.1 - Program 11:16

2M ago11:16

11:16

This exciting new monthly mini-series, Navigating the NQS, is hosted by host Simone Brand! Drawing on her 15 years of experience as an educator, leader, and Approved Provider, Simone shares valuable insights into operating two exceeding-rated Long Day Care centres. This series is your go-to place for inspiration, practical tips and tools to help yo…

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Real Madrid sue UEFA; Refs betting scandal; Saudi eOlympics hosting scrapped; Fake NEOM World Cup stadium; WADA v leakers; F1 crash court case; What's FIFA+ audience?; World Athletics theft claims 53:11

2M ago53:11

53:11

Episode 218 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on October 31, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja: Real Madrid sue UEFA over Super League; Turkey referees betting scandal; Saudi eOlympics hosting scrapped; Fake NEOM World Cup stadium; FIFA's Afghanistan women's matches suddenly mo…

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Montessori in Action: Practical Strategies for your ECEC Setting 26:26

2M ago26:26

26:26

We're excited to welcome back a very special international USA guest to the Learn Play Thrive podcast, early childhood educator and social-emotional learning expert, Cara Zelas! Cara, the founder of the educational platform Big World of Little Dude, brings a unique perspective shaped by her intensive study of Montessori education in New York. This …

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Player power - LaLiga Miama game scrapped; NBA gambling scandal; Indonesia banned from Olympic hosting; Israeli fans row; Sheffield Wednesday administration 49:03

2M ago49:03

49:03

Episode 217 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on October 25, 2025 with Rob Harris, Tariq Panja and Graham Dunbar (Martyn Ziegler is off): Player power - LaLiga Miama game scrapped; NBA gambling scandal; Indonesia banned from Olympic hosting; Israeli fans row; Sheffield Wednesday administration Fo…

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Raising the Bar: A Guide to Thriving in the A&R Process 40:40

2M ago40:40

40:40

The Assessment and Rating (A&R) process doesn't have to be a source of stress! This episode of Learn Play Thrive is here to transform your perspective. We're joined by the brilliant and innovative minds behind The National Quality Framework: The Musical, Dr. Red Ruby Scarlet and Louise Dorrat. With over 30 years of combined experience, these two th…

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The Pedagogical Artistry of Shared Thinking 21:14

2M ago21:14

21:14

In this inspiring episode, we welcome back the conversation from last week and dive into the newly released book, Redefining Planning and Assessment: Seeing Children Through Pedagogical Documentation. We're sitting down with David Gilkes (B.Ed, MECE), a highly respected early childhood educator and Consultant with 30 years of experience across the …

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Can Trump move World Cup matches?; Banning Israeli fans; Why Infantino was at Gaza peace summit; Qatar & Saudi favourable WC qualifying treatment; Josh Wander indicted 42:48

2M ago42:48

42:48

Episode 216 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on October 19, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja: Boston warning over safety - can Donald Trump move World Cup matches?; Banning Israeli fans from Aston Villa; Why Gianni Infantino was at Gaza peace summit; Qatar & Saudi favourable …

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Redefining Planning and Assessment: Seeing Children Through Pedagogical Documentation 18:41

2M ago18:41

18:41

We’re thrilled to bring you an incredibly insightful episode of Learn Play Thrive, recorded at the REAIE conference in Adelaide! This week, we're joined by three of the early childhood sector’s most respected experts and authors - Dr. Alma Fleet, an Honorary Associate Professor at Macquarie University; Adam Christie, an early childhood teacher and …

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Little Dreamers #5: Bubbles 10:21

2M ago10:21

10:21

Get ready for some calm and quiet time with a brand new episode of Little Dreamers, our monthly mini-series of mindful stories from Learn Play Thrive! This month's theme is "Bubbles," a gentle tale designed to help preschoolers relax, connect with their bodies, and ignite their imagination. We've crafted this story to be the perfect companion for r…

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Hear Infantino on Saudi winter World Cup switch, domestic games abroad & Israel-Gaza; England's first football regulator on his powers; Saudi & Qatar given qualifying advantages?; ECA becomes EFC 34:55

2M ago34:55

34:55

Episode 215 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on October 10, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja: Hear from Gianni Infantino after Tariq joined a media scrum on moving World Cup dates due to climate, domestic games abroad & Israel-Gaza; Rob has been talking to England's first foo…

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A Day In The Life of a Centre Manager 52:12

3M ago52:12

52:12

Step into the inspiring world of early childhood education on this episode of Learn Play Thrive, where we're joined by the incredible Ashleigh Waugh. With nearly 25 years of experience spanning teaching, management, and leadership across Australia and the UK, Ashleigh is a true veteran of the sector. Now, as the approved provider of Bright Start Pr…

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7. Dizajniranje ponude 12:08

3M ago12:08

12:08

U ovoj epizodi ću vas provesti kroz 8 ključnih koraka u dizajniranju ponude – od prepoznavanja problema, preko definisanja niše i cijene, do optimizacije ponude na osnovu feedbacka klijenata. A…sve što sam ispričala u podcastu, pretočila sam i u jedan praktičan radni list koji možete preuzeti u opisu epizode – ima 8 koraka i prostor da upišete svoj…

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Little Library #6: The Bug Book 37:15

3M ago37:15

37:15

Dive into a buzzing new episode of Learn Play Thrive's Little Library! This week, we're joined by award-winning author Tania Ingram to chat about her wonderful new picture book, The Bug Book. This rhyming, vibrant story is an ideal introduction to the world of insects for infants and toddlers. But it’s more than just a fun read-aloud story—it’s a p…

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Saudi $55bn EA takeover?; World Cup ticket price rises; FIFA slams FIFPRO; India cricket politics; Why Super Bowl is staying in US 44:40

3M ago44:40

44:40

Episode 214 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on October 2, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja: Saudi-led $55bn EA takeover to revive FIFA game?; World Cup ticket price rises; FIFA slams FIFPRO; India cricket politics; Why Super Bowl is staying in US Follow the pod⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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Who is the Atelierista? The Heart of Creativity in Reggio Emilia 9:22

3M ago9:22

9:22

In this episode of Learn Play Thrive, we’re joined by Caterina Pennestri, an atelierista at St Peter’s Girls Early Learning Centre. Caterina brings a wealth of experience from Italy, having studied Contemporary Arts and Art Education before completing her postgraduate training in Reggio Emilia. Her unique perspective as an atelierista highlights th…

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UEFA banning Israel?; 64-team World Cup talks; All change in PL meetings; Afghanistan women's team; F1 crash legal action; Rugby league interview 54:27

3M ago54:27

54:27

Episode 213 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on September 25, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja: Is UEFA banning Israel?; New talks on expanding World Cup to 64 teams; All change in Premier League meetings with exits of Arsenal & Tottenham chiefs; FIFA bringing back Afghanista…

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The Be You Buzz: Educator Wellbeing Matters 32:29

3M ago32:29

32:29

Welcome to The Be You buzz! In this episode, we're joined by Paola Mercado, a consultant from Be You at Early Childhood Australia. Paola shares her expertise on why educator wellbeing is so crucial, exploring how to create a genuinely supportive and resilient culture. We discuss: Collegial relationships and the impact of team connections on wellbei…

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Supervision in Action: Strategies for a Safe and Engaging Environment 42:01

3M ago42:01

42:01

On this episode, host Simone Brand has an essential conversation with early childhood consultant Tracey Yeomans. With over 35 years of experience, Tracey unpacks the concept of intentional supervision, moving beyond simply "watching" children. This episode explores key strategies for creating a safe and engaging environment in ECEC settings includi…

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Little Dreamers #4: Dinosaurs 10:54

3M ago10:54

10:54

Welcome to Learn Play Thrive's mindfulness stories for preschoolers! Settle into a gentle movement and mindfulness episode crafted for young listeners. Little Dreamers offers a simple yet effective tool for promoting relaxation, body awareness, gratitude practices, and imaginative thinking in young children. In this month's episode, we invite young…

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Early Learning Matters Live: A Central Coast Celebration 42:53

3M ago42:53

42:53

This week, we're taking you to the heart of our Early Learning Matters Week celebration! Join us as we share a special episode recorded live at the Central Coast Early Childhood Educator Network group breakfast. We were absolutely buzzing from the incredible energy in the room as we gathered with a fantastic group of educators, sector leaders, and …

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Little Library #5: Spiro 15:45

3M ago15:45

15:45

Welcome to the Learn Play Thrive Little Library! In this episode, we dive into the award-winning Australian picture book, Spiro, authored and illustrated by Anna McGregor, and published by Scribble. This heartwarming tale of a determined little spider is the perfect tool for teaching young children about perseverance and resilience. In this episode…

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World Cup tickets on sale with dynamic pricing; Infantino challenged in Africa over entry to United States; 2026 host city funding issues 22:34

4M ago22:34

22:34

Episode 212 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on September 9, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja: FIFA puts 2026 World Cup tickets on sale with dynamic pricing; Gianni Infantino challenged in Africa and defends United States; Host city funding issues Follow the pod⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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Power in transfer window; FA’s flawed fixing Paqueta case; Fans unite against league games overseas 41:32

4M ago41:32

41:32

Episode 211 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on September 4, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja: Lucas Paqueta's barrister, Nick De Marco, on the West Ham player being cleared of fixing and the FA's flawed case; Transfer spending & England's dominance. Analysis from football fi…

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360 Degrees of Leadership in ECEC 29:43

4M ago29:43

29:43

Join us for a special episode with the dynamic founding partners of Semann & Slattery, Colin Slattery and Anthony Semann. With over 25 years of experience, this powerful duo brings a unique blend of evidence-based research and a deep commitment to equity and social justice. They unpack what it means to be a 360-degree leader in the ECEC sector, dis…

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UEFA's Israel-Gaza challenges; Infantino's World Cup draw reveal with Trump; Moving domestic football abroad; Champions League final changes 30:21

4M ago30:21

30:21

Episode 210 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on August 30, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Graham Dunbar Can UEFA stop moving domestic football abroad; UEFA's Israel-Gaza challenges; Gianni Infantino's World Cup draw reveal with Donald Trump at the White House; Champions League final ch…

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Educator Voices from the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE) 2025 Conference 12:16

4M ago12:16

12:16

This special episode is recorded live at the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE) 2025 conference in Adelaide. The conference theme, ‘Landscapes of Collaboration: New possibilities for education in complex times’, set the stage for a discussion on an educational philosophy rooted in hope and optimism. This approach views children as…

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Little Dreamers #3: Friendship 11:09

4M ago11:09

11:09

Welcome to Learn Play Thrive's mindfulness stories for preschoolers! Settle into a gentle movement and mindfulness episode crafted for young listeners. Little Dreamers offers a simple yet effective tool for promoting relaxation, body awareness, gratitude practices, and imaginative thinking in young children. In this episode, we invite young listene…

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The Digital Child: Nurturing Future-Ready Learners 28:04

4M ago28:04

28:04

Join us for an incredibly insightful conversation with Professor Lisa Kervin AM, Director of the Early Start Institute at the University of Wollongong (UOW), whose work highlights how positive digital literacy experiences in early childhood empowers children to thrive as informed, global citizens. We dive deep into essential topics, including: - Wh…

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Encountering the Mosaic of Marks, Words, and Material: An Interactive Atelier 17:22

4M ago17:22

17:22

Join us for an inspirational episode as we delve into the heart of the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE) Exhibition, the ‘Mosaic of Marks, Words and Material’! We were incredibly fortunate to catch up with Kirsty Liljegren, an Early Learning Consultant and Educator with 30 years of extensive professional experience in the Early Y…

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Billions for players over transfer breaches?; Al Hilal fined after Club World Cup fatigue complaint rejected; Madrid v Tebas; Sheffield Wednesday turmoil; Italy pay cuts after relegation to Serie B 33:29

5M ago33:29

33:29

Episode 209 of Sport Unlocked, the podcast dissecting the week's sports news issues. On the agenda on August 7, 2025 with Rob Harris, Martyn Ziegler and Tariq Panja. Footballers seek billions in compensation over transfer rules - what's happening next? Club World Cup fallout - Saudis fine Al Hilal after rejecting fatigue concerns; Real Madrid v Jav…

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An Educator's Guide: Easing Separation Anxiety During Room Changes 45:22

5M ago45:22

45:22

Join us for an insightful episode of the Learn Play Thrive podcast, featuring educators Karin House and Emma Seyer! With decades of combined experience across all age groups, Karin and Emma bring practical wisdom and personal insights into understanding why separation anxiety often heightens during room transitions in ECEC settings. They share inva…