Play It Forward, A Wearthy Podcast

In Episode 19 of Play it Forward, Lukas invites Brent Stokes into the studio for an informed and passionate conversation about the early education sector in Australia. Brent is the GM of the Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland, a not-for-profit member funded organisation that acts as the voice for over 850 early learning services, employing approximately 14,000 early childhood educators. Lukas and Brent talk a bit about policy and childcare subsidies during Covid, the sense of community and support in early education, ‘schoolifying’ early learning, the extraordinary value of early educators and a whole lot more. https://qld.childcarealliance.org.au/ https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/filling-emotional-cups-feat-sandi-phoenix/id1489276838?i=1000472744057 https://www.maggiedent.com/

In Episode 18 of Play it Forward, Lukas welcomes a familiar face into the studio, sustainability expert and children’s advocate Heather Kerr. Heather has over four decades of early childhood education experience and wears many hats at Melbourne community-run family and children’s centre Bubup Womindjeka. Heather is a proactive driving force in bringing more sustainability to children’s and educator’s lives. Bubup Womindjeka means ‘Welcome Children’ in the language of the traditional custodians of the land, which quite perfectly reflects Heather’s philosophy and her life’s work in early childhood development. In another engaging episode, Lukas and Heather discuss the stillness we can learn from being with children, authentic connections in sustainability, selfless acts of community, sensory experiences in nature and the limitless magic of loose parts play. Heather + Lukas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3YR-9eE34 Bubup Womindjeka - http://www.bwfcc.org.au/ To contact Heather - heatherkerrhome@yahoo.com.au

In Episode 17 of Play it Forward, Lukas welcomes nature play hero and lovely human Daniel Burton into the studio for an inspiring chat about children in nature. Daniel is the Co-Founder of Educated by Nature and he lives and breathes being a nature connection mentor to children, parents and educators across WA and the globe. They delve into rites of passage, nature/community/self connection, choosing the bush over a playground, adult barriers to play, climbing trees, and trusting the competence of children. https://educatedbynature.com/ https://www.facebook.com/EducatedbyNature https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/educated-by-nature/id1451467921

In Episode 16 of Play it Forward, the delightful Angela Hanscom joins Lukas in a discussion about rich sensory outdoor play. Angela is the Founder of Timbernook, a global outdoor play organisation that inspires and challenges children through meaningful play. She has a background in Paediatric Occupational Therapy, is the author of Balanced and Barefoot and her TedTalk is a must-see for anyone passionate about getting more kids outdoors. Lukas and Angela discuss the important reasons for getting children outside, how engaging the senses help lay the foundation for learning and challenges, the outdoors offering endless opportunities for play, loose parts, and exposing children to the sensory experience. https://www.booktopia.com.au/balanced-and-barefoot-angela-j-hanscom/book/9781626253735.html https://www.timbernook.com/ Angela’s Ted Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_hanscom_the_real_reason_children_fidget_and_what_we_can_do_about_it

In Episode 15 of Play it Forward, Lukas connects with childhood risk advocate Griffin Longley. Griff is the CEO of Nature Play Australia, an award-winning journalist and has graced many local and international stages including TEDxPerth. Lukas and Griff dive into the importance of childhood risk, the primitive brain, cortisol in a digital world, parental objectives and the fear response, actively shaping our community and how nature breaks down our stressors and helps with mental health outcomes. https://www.natureplaywa.org.au/about/staff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyO2UOFXhcI https://outdoorclassroomday.com.au/about/

In Episode 14 of Play it Forward, Lukas chats to the incredible Teacher Tom over in Seattle. Teacher Tom is one of the world’s leading early educators and his advocacy for children’s right to play and take ownership of their own childhood experience, is admired and inspired by so many in the sector. In an episode you could listen to over and over again, Lukas and Teacher Tom talk about cooperative preschools, transparency between teachers, parents and children, “crunchy granola hippie schools”, the junkyard play experience and risk in high value play environments. http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TheTeacherTom/ https://parenttv.com/experts/teacher-tom/ https://fairydustteaching.com/

In a slightly different episode of Play it Forward, Lukas welcomes our youngest guest into the studio – 11-year-old Miss Violet Reed. In our 13th episode, Lukas wanted to hear from a child instead of talking on their behalf. Violet and Lukas discuss the fixed mindsets of children versus using imagination, learning by mistakes, creativity in the playground, loose parts and how adults can give children more freedom to play. https://www.facebook.com/CampHillOSHC/ Violet’s speech at the Childhood Summit 2019 by Nature Play QLD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxdgAqDXGpI&t=871s

In episode 12 of Play it Forward, Lukas invites the charismatic Nathan Wallis into the studio to chat about early childhood development and answer some questions from parents and educators. Nathan is a renowned neuroscience educator from New Zealand with an amazing ability to translate language heavily influenced by science into a conversational, simple context. Lukas and Nathan delve into the first 1000 days of life and the first born child, how free play and emotional intelligence encourages creativity, innovation and leadership, and how meaningful relationships and certain parenting styles affect our children. https://www.nathanwallis.com/ https://www.facebook.com/nathanwallisxfactoreducation/

In Episode 11 of Play it Forward, Sandi Phoenix joins Lukas in a discussion about behaviour. Sandi’s originality and passion for the ground-breaking work she does in the early education sector has revolutionised how educators work with children and each other. Sandi is a behavioural specialist and the founding company Director at Phoenix Support. Her framework, The Phoenix Cups, explores how to understand and respond positively to differences and conflict, which ultimately leads to finding harmony in the workplace. Lukas and Sandi have shared the stage many times over the years at various early childhood conferences. In this podcast episode, they discuss children’s rights to freedom and play, behaviour managing, unmet needs and connection seeking. Sandi also delves into Choice Theory and filling cups to meet children’s needs of connection, belonging, love and acceptance. They also chat about the responsibility of children’s needs and rights in an early childcare setting and the importance of well-being and fulfilment for educators. https://phoenix-support.com.au/ https://www.phoenixcups.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/PhoenixSFE/ https://wglasser.com/what-is-choice-theory/ https://www.5lovelanguages.com/ https://parenttv.com/experts/sandi-phoenix/

In our 10th episode of Play it Forward, Lukas chats to behavioural expert and counsellor, Jason Gibson. Originally from Florida, Jason is a father of four and based in Nashville where he is director of the BabbCenter, providing guidance to families from a faith-based perspective. Jason has worked with schools and treatments facilities across the US supporting children with social, emotional and behavioural issues and has a few degrees under his belt! Lukas and Jason discuss how we can maximise our involvement in children’s lives by equipping ourselves with the tools for children to feel fulfilled and thrive. Jason believes in encouraging parents, stepping back and identifying problems, not dropping shame bombs, and speaking truth into children’s hearts. https://parenttv.com/experts/jason-gibson/ https://www.parentingandtechnology.com/ https://www.babbcenter.org/ https://www.facebook.com/lunchwithjason/