Playful Connection Podcast

Teri from Petit Book Corner chats all things books with us in this episode. Teri is an avid collector of picture books and explains how powerful picture books can be as a teaching and learning tool across all ages. Teri shares her top 5 invaluable tips and tools for selecting good quality picture books as well as the best resources for choosing good quality picture books, namely your local library. In sharing her passion for books and creating a foundation for literacy, Teri explains the benefits of reading with our children. She recognises that parents are in fact their children's first reading teacher and implores people to put away the 'to-do' list. She provides strategies for making the time to read and offers ways we can display a value for reading. The benefits for prioritising reading and integrating it into the family routine becomes clear when listening to Teri's practical advice and how-to tips. For more great ideas on what we can do at home to help our kids, listen in here. BIGGEST smiles! Amy xx   SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, we'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag @playfullittlelearners - we'd love to feature our listeners!   LINKS: Source amazing picture books through; Children's Book Council of Australia https://cbca.org.au/ Premiers Reading Challenge https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html   https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/events/prc/Pages/booklist.aspx  https://readingchallenge.education.qld.gov.au/  http://www.premiersreadingchallenge.sa.edu.au   https://premiersreadingchallenge.tas.gov.au/   Grab your Free Playroom ebook on labels and toy storage tips at Playtime Hub. Access the free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH AMY: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com.au Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com LOVE THESE PODCASTS? Podcast reviews are super important to iTunes - we would be so grateful if you could share the love! The more reviews we receive, the better our reach will be - which means that our content can connect more people with our experts, helping them brighten their days with young children - and of course -  help more families get PLAYFUL! If you’ve loved this podcast, never miss another one! All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE to the Play Squad Podcast on iTunes. BIG SMILES and happy playing!

In today's episode, Suze from Invitation to Play shares her personal story of her daughter's early education experience and how home schooling became the perfect solution. Suze says openly that home schooling was not on her family's radar for educating their children, but when she noticed her bubbly, social, happy little girl's spark had gone out for learning, she was determined to make a change and says " We can really only make the best decisions for our family in the season we are in for now". As a teacher herself, Suze understands the pressure put on teachers to achieve unrealistic learning outcomes in young students at the expense of play and the child's interests which results in the most comprehensive kind of learning . For more empowering tips on how to be influential in your child's learning, have a listen here. BIGGEST smiles! Amy xx   SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, we'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag @playfullittlelearners - we'd love to feature our listeners!   LINKS: Grab your Free Playroom ebook on labels and toy storage tips at Playtime Hub. Access the free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH AMY: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com.au Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com LOVE THESE PODCASTS? Podcast reviews are super important to iTunes - we would be so grateful if you could share the love! The more reviews we receive, the better our reach will be - which means that our content can connect more people with our experts, helping them brighten their days with young children - and of course -  help more families get PLAYFUL! If you’ve loved this podcast, never miss another one! All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE to the Play Squad Podcast on iTunes. BIG SMILES and happy playing!

Today, I want to share an episode of the Play Squad Podcast with you that I hope to spark conversations around Australia. In this episode of the Podcast, I chat to Dr Sandra Hesterman, a University Lecturer who is the Director of Early Childhood Education - she is responsible for teaching early childhood teachers the ins and outs of classroom life. We had a chat about the changing landscape of education, how more is expected at an earlier age and how we - as parents - have become ‘more accountable’ in these pre-school aged years. I often think how much easier life would be for me (and my family) if I just went back to the classroom two days a week, instead of pursuing my heart-centred entrepreneurial path. But the reality for me is, I am just SO PASSIONATE about how important PLAY is for our children and to help parents inject joy, playfulness and loving connection into their days with young kiddos. If this resonates with you, please let me know over on Instagram! Listen in to this week’s podcast here. BIGGEST smiles! Amy xx  SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, we'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag @playfullittlelearners - we'd love to feature our listeners!   LINKS: Grab your Free Playroom ebook on labels and toy storage tips at Playtime Hub. Access the free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH AMY: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com.au Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com LOVE THESE PODCASTS? Podcast reviews are super important to iTunes - we would be so grateful if you could share the love! The more reviews we receive, the better our reach will be - which means that our content can connect more people with our experts, helping them brighten their days with young children - and of course -  help more families get PLAYFUL! If you’ve loved this podcast, never miss another one! All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE to the Play Squad Podcast on iTunes. BIG SMILES and happy playing!

In today’s episode, I talk to Dr Kristy Goodwin all about raising children in our digital age. Perhaps you can relate to this story? When my eldest son was three, the iPad also turned three. I thought to myself: ‘I better give him some screen time, so he didn’t get left behind when he got to Kindy the following year.’ (Kindergarten in WA is 3-4 year old play-based preschool, 5 days a fortnight) I had heard talk from my teacher friends about how they all had were getting iPads and iPods and that ‘digital technology’ sessions were becoming regular parts of their classrooms (this was back in 2013). So I downloaded some apps to my new iPad and told my 3 year old son, “when the timer goes off, the iPad goes away!” Of course, when the timer DID go off 15 minutes later he had an epic meltdown for FORTY FIVE MINUTES. In today’s episode, I spoke to Dr Kristy all about WHY this happens, and how you can integrate technology into your child’s day in a loving (and healthy) way! Have a listen here. BIGGEST smiles! Amy xx   SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, we'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag @playfullittlelearners - we'd love to feature our listeners! LINKS: Grab your Free Playroom ebook on labels and toy storage tips at Playtime Hub. Access the free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH AMY: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com.au Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com LOVE THESE PODCASTS? Podcast reviews are super important to iTunes - we would be so grateful if you could share the love! The more reviews we receive, the better our reach will be - which means that our content can connect more people with our experts, helping them brighten their days with young children - and of course -  help more families get PLAYFUL! If you’ve loved this podcast, never miss another one! All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE to the Play Squad Podcast on iTunes. BIG SMILES and happy playing!

In today’s episode Amy Cox chats with Amy Cambridge who is a mum of two really active little boys. Amy talks about how she loves adapting play ideas and suggestions with them in mind. And how you can cater for the different needs of your kids in an outdoor scene in every season. And then inside the home Amy chats about how she meaningfully involves her kids in the general running of the house in a playful way. And how it plays into developing her boys independence and confidence when they can learn to do things themselves - no matter how messy it can get in the process.   SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, we'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag @playfullittlelearners - we'd love to feature our listeners!   LINKS: Connect with Amy Cambridge on Instagram @thehouseworkcanwait Grab your Free Playroom ebook on labels and toy storage tips at Playtime Hub. I’ve created a free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH AMY: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com LOVE THESE PODCASTS? Podcast reviews are super important to iTunes - we would be so grateful if you could share the love! The more reviews we receive, the better our reach will be - which means that our content can connect more people with our experts, helping them brighten their days with young children - and of course -  help more families get PLAYFUL! If you’ve loved this podcast, never miss another one! All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE to the Play Squad Podcast on iTunes. BIG SMILES and happy playing!

We are so thrilled to welcome the wonderful Maggie Dent to the show to dive into some of the things she’s written in her fabulous book, 9 Things, which is all about common sense parenting. Listen in as Maggie shares: The difference between roosters and lambs temperaments in children, the characteristics of each one and how to help them as a parent.   How it's our challenge to work out how you fill each of your children's love cups up. What is it that makes them feel that you love them - that’s what you have to work out. The Five Love Languages book and how it can help relationships between parents and with your children. How we, as parents, try and give love the way we feel love. Embrace the 80/20 parenting rule: aim for about 80% of the time getting everything pretty much okay. But 20% of the time, you might end up with a high quality cereal for dinner or toasted ham, cheese, tomato sandwiches. The difference between men and women and how they each deal with ‘imperfect parenting’. Teaching our kids about big ugly feelings, talking about them and knowing that conflict is a normal part of human relationships. That it’s not wrong or bad. Tips on how to prime our children for the refusal that’s going to come - like buying a lolly at the supermarket. Why prioritising movement of any kind, being outside and getting fresh air is a restorative thing for our children. The best playgrounds aren’t actually the ‘safe’ playgrounds themselves but nature play in parks with big trees, nooks, crannies and sticks where they can explore and engage in nature around them. The challenge for parents today is to remember that the key ingredients to raising capable, resilient children is to give them as much freedom and autonomy to move their bodies in their world around them. That it’s the simple things that make a difference like fresh air, natural light and the freedom to run and move.   SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, we'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag @playfullittlelearners - we'd love to feature our listeners!   LINKS: Connect with Maggie on her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Books mentioned in the podcast: 9 Things by Maggie Dent, The Five Love Languages of Children by Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Ross Campbell. Grab your Free Playroom ebook on labels and toy storage tips at Playtime Hub. I’ve created a free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH AMY: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com LOVE THESE PODCASTS? Podcast reviews are super important to iTunes - we would be so grateful if you could share the love! The more reviews we receive, the better our reach will be - which means that our content can connect more people with our experts, helping them brighten their days with young children - and of course -  help more families get PLAYFUL! If you’ve loved this podcast, never miss another one! All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE to the Play Squad Podcast on iTunes. BIG SMILES and happy playing!

Today Amy chats with Kirsty from Learning Blocks Australia. They speak all about everything needed for embarking on the school journey. Kirsty shares her background and how Learning Blocks Australia formed and has grown. For parents that have got little ones that are about to embark on their school journey, Kirsty and Amy discuss the tips for school readiness. Talking to your children about what they might do in the day. Explaining to your child who they can go to for help. Often little thing can sometimes upset a child. Children often pick up our attitudes, even if we are not aware of it. Kirsty has created learning tool kits to help children get ready for school. From fine motor skills to gross motor, social and emotional, oral language and listening are encouraged by parents to work on at home.   SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, I'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @playfullittlelearners. LINKS: Listeners get 10% off anything in the shop by using the code AMY10 - https://learningblockscentre.com.au/shop/ Connect with Kirsty on Instagram, Facebook and Website Kirsty’s School Readiness Kits are available here Grab your Free Playroom ebook on labels and toy storage tips at Playtime Hub. Head over to www.playfullittlelearners.com.au/ and join the Play Squad. I’ve created a free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH ME: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com

Welcome to the Play Squad Podcast's first episode for 2019! Today, Amy speaks about some top tips for creating a space to play for your kids, revealing what has worked for her family.    SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, we'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag @playfullittlelearners - we'd love to feature our listeners! LINKS: Join the free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH AMY: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com LOVE THESE PODCASTS? Podcast reviews are super important to iTunes - we would be so grateful if you could share the love! The more reviews we receive, the better our reach will be - which means that our content can connect more people with our experts, helping them brighten their days with young children - and of course -  help more families get PLAYFUL! If you’ve loved this podcast, never miss another one! All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE to the Play Squad Podcast on iTunes. BIG SMILES and happy playing!

Today, Amy chats to Anna from The Imagination Tree. Anna shares her journey as a Mum and the joy she - and her children- have discovered though play. Anna is a Mum of four, Early Childhood teacher and the amazing owner and creator of both The Imagination Tree & The Kindness Elves.   SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, we'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag @playfullittlelearners - we'd love to feature our listeners!  LINKS: Join the free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH AMY: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com LOVE THESE PODCASTS? Podcast reviews are super important to iTunes - we would be so grateful if you could share the love! The more reviews we receive, the better our reach will be - which means that our content can connect more people with our experts, helping them brighten their days with young children - and of course -  help more families get PLAYFUL! If you’ve loved this podcast, never miss another one. All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE to the Play Squad Podcast on iTunes. BIG SMILES and happy playing!

In this episode we have a fun and exciting chat with Shannon, the creative soul behind “Oh Creative Day” @ohcreativeday. Shannon is a teacher, Mum of 3 and co-creator of @get.creative.with. Amy and Shannon chat about getting creative with kids and Shannon’s top tips for play. The Play Squad Podcast is proudly sponsored by The Creative Toy Shop - creative learning for all abilities. It’s our go-to store for all of our play and creative needs. ~~~ If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, I'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @playfullittlelearners. ----- Host: Amy Cox of Playful Little Learners Join the next Play Squad Membership here. LINKS: Connect with Shannon Oh Creative Day, Facebook, Instagram @ohcreativday and Pinterest Head over to www.playfullittlelearners.com.au/ and join the Play Squad. I’ve created a free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Follow Amy on Instagram @playfullittlelearners and on Facebook @playfullittlelearners GET IN TOUCH: Email Amy at: amy@playfullittlelearners.com 

In today’s episode, Amy chats with Lauren from Teacher Types. Lauren is an Aussie teacher, Mum of two gorgeous children and a blogger. They discuss Lauren’s best top tips for helping children start and transition smoothly into school.   SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, we'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag @playfullittlelearners - we'd love to feature our listeners! LINKS: Connect with Lauren Teacher Types, Instagram @teacher_types and Facebook Letter of the Day Brand Ambassadorship with Teach Starter. Join the free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH AMY: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com LOVE THESE PODCASTS? Podcast reviews are super important to iTunes - we would be so grateful if you could share the love! The more reviews we receive, the better our reach will be - which means that our content can connect more people with our experts, helping them brighten their days with young children - and of course -  help more families get PLAYFUL! If you’ve loved this podcast, never miss another one! All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE to the Play Squad Podcast on iTunes. BIG SMILES and happy playing!

Today, Amy shares her top tips for setting up playful invitations at home. She shares how it is NOT about the 'picture perfect' image - but more importantly, creating realistic expectations. Amy shares her experiences with her own four children and the learning curves they have gone through.   SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, we'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag @playfullittlelearners - we'd love to feature our listeners! LINKS: Join the free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH AMY: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com LOVE THESE PODCASTS? Podcast reviews are super important to iTunes - we would be so grateful if you could share the love! The more reviews we receive, the better our reach will be - which means that our content can connect more people with our experts, helping them brighten their days with young children - and of course -  help more families get PLAYFUL! If you’ve loved this podcast, never miss another one! All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE to the Play Squad Podcast on iTunes. BIG SMILES and happy playing!

In this episode (recorded at the end of 2017), Amy speaks with Brianna from Notes From A Home Educator (now Teacher with a Toy Shop). Brianna is a teacher, turned at home educator to four amazing boys. Brianna’s journey searching for products that met the individual needs of the boys in her care lead her to opening The Creative Toy Shop.   SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, we'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag @playfullittlelearners - we'd love to feature our listeners! LINKS: Connect with Brianna on Facebook, Instagram @teacherwithatoyshop The Creative Toyshop, Facebook, Instagram @thecreativetoyshop The Creative Toyshop VIP Group Join the free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH AMY: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com LOVE THESE PODCASTS? Podcast reviews are super important to iTunes - we would be so grateful if you could share the love! The more reviews we receive, the better our reach will be - which means that our content can connect more people with our experts, helping them brighten their days with young children - and of course -  help more families get PLAYFUL! If you’ve loved this podcast, never miss another one. All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE to the Play Squad Podcast on iTunes. BIG SMILES and happy playing!

Welcome to the very first episode of the Play Squad Podcast! Join your host Amy Cox, Aussie Mum of four and teacher-turned-entrepreneur on a mission to champion play in the early years of children’s lives. In this episode, Amy introduces herself and we learn about how the Play Squad Podcast came to light. Amy shares her own personal journey, the three goals for the Play Squad Podcast, and starts the discussion on real and raw conversations around PLAY. SHARE THE LOVE! If you enjoyed this episode and it helped you in some way, we'd love to hear about it! Take a screenshot of you listening to this podcast and post it to your Instagram stories and tag @playfullittlelearners - we'd love to feature our listeners! LINKS: Join the free hub of play ideas, recipes, eBooks, printables, favourite stores and so much more over at Playtime Hub. Join the next Play Squad Membership here. CONNECT WITH AMY: Web: www.playfullittlelearners.com Instagram: @playfullittlelearners Facebook: @playfullittlelearners Email: amy@playfullittlelearners.com LOVE THESE PODCASTS? Podcast reviews are super important to iTunes - we would be so grateful if you could share the love! The more reviews we receive, the better our reach will be - which means that our content can connect more people with our experts, helping them brighten their days with young children - and of course -  help more families get PLAYFUL! If you’ve loved this podcast, never miss another one! All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE to the Play Squad Podcast on iTunes. BIG SMILES and happy playing!  

So what’s this conversation REALLY about?   What to do when you get that niggling feeling that your parenting journey isn’t going at all according to your plan The idea of growing yourself to grow your child How parenting four children really hit home that no two children are the same (even if you parented them the same way) The importance of cultivating a growth mindset when it comes to parenting Admitting (eeep!) that we do not have control over our child's behaviour… but we CAN control our response  Embracing self compassion and in turn TEACHING self compassion to our children How making mistakes in front of our children is showing them it’s okay that you don’t know all the answers     

Tune in for an honest conversation about: The meaning of “matrescence” What new mothers are being told The pitfalls we all face The cycle we end up in as new mums The transformation we all go through How to identify your cultural and familial ideas of what a “good mother” is How to redefine your definition of a “good mother” How to define what’s important for you, your children, and your family

‘Bucket filling’ is VERY applicable to families, once you know what it is and how to use it! ‘Bucket filling’ is about finding out what your kids actually NEED.  What they really need is not what you may think. One of the mantras on repeat in my programs is that it isn’t about DOing...it’s about how we’re BEing that makes a bigger impact. And  that's precisely what bucket filling is all about.  The good news? Bucket filling is FREE and you don’t have to create a fancy pinterest board to figure out how to do it.  Everything you need is right here! So what's this conversation REALLY about?   The secret sauce to getting your kids to play independently (HINT: this DOES NOT come from a pretty Pinterest Board) What kids *really* need What (on earth) 'bucket filling time' is and why it's so important How important you are to your child      

In this episode, we look at how we can let go of all our expectations of what play ‘should’ look like and embrace the messy, joyful and fun play that builds our kiddos brains. So what’s this conversation REALLY about? Why play needs to be part of every family's life (NOT in a 'to do' way) What PLAY is - and what it's NOT - and how it looks in action.  (HINT: this doesn't come from a pretty Pinterest board or Instagram account) Why process vs product is so essential to our kiddos  How teaching children who don’t speak the same language taught me something surprising about play  There is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to play Pretty gets in the way of play.   Often, the prettier an idea is or the more structured it is or the more outcomes based it is, the less beneficial it is for our young children and the less able they can explore and learn Play isn’t perfect - kids will get angry and frustrated - this is okay and totally normal  If you want to truly understand WHAT play is and how you can foster more of it in your home (hint: it doesn’t involve spending a fortune on hand whittled wooden toys) this episode is for you. 

Join me on a journey that starts from the inside-out in our Playful Connection Podcast. So what’s this conversation REALLY about? Introduction to Playful Families  A little about why I do what I do How Playful Families can help you find the joy and connection that exists in those messy, day to day moments