Blog | Phoenix Support For Educators

8 Articles

Child-led learning ×

The Day Taylor Swift Came To Kinder

It was book week. Sophie enters the room in super star style, sprouting her bedazzling sparkly dress, her sequined handbag, tiara and… plastic pink heels. “ Hi everyone! Sophie is not here today, I’m ...

Book week Child-led learning Children's autonomy Connection Cup® Experiential learning Freedom Cup® Fun Cup® Interaction ratio Mastery Cup® Positive interactions Risk assessment Safety Cup® The Phoenix Cups® Framework

14 June 2025

The Day I "F'd Play Up"

There was a small group of children in the home corner. They had been busy there for quite some time, so I decided to sit with them and join in their play... ya know "Scaffold", "extend the play", "Ma...

Child-led learning Childhood memories Flow in early years Imaginative play Play advocacy Play-based learning

9 Feb 2024

The Loose Parts Challenge

Looking to boost curiosity and creativity in your classroom? Or maybe its collaborative problem solving, sustainability or resilience you’re prioritising for the children? Whatever your focus, it may ...

Child-led learning Children's development Educator resources Heuristic play Loose parts Schematic play Sensory development Sustainability

6 Dec 2022

The Advocate for Childhood

Let’s discuss ‘that child’ found in many education and care settings. However, let’s not label him ‘that child’, and respectfully use his real name, Jacob. Jacob is spirited, energetic and a non-confo...

Child-led learning Childhood advocacy Flow in early years Freedom Cup® Group time Intrinsic motivation Nature play Play advocacy Professional development Risky play School readiness Sensory development The Phoenix Cups® Framework The delight of childhood

30 June 2021

Taking the ego out of teaching

DOWNLOAD PDF PRINTABLE HERE >>> As we continue to evolve in our understandings of early childhood research and theory, in particular in the area of neuroscience, we are moving in directions that are i...

Child-led learning Children's autonomy Critical reflection Educational Leader Flow in early years Group time Mathematics and numeracy Neuroscience Play-based learning School readiness

24 June 2021

I need an extension - on extending children's interests

“You don’t look like you’re enjoying your job, what are you stressed about?” “I have so much paperwork”, sighs the educator with a furrowed brow as she looks up between piles of folders, and trimmed p...

Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Child engagement Child-led learning Children's wellbeing Critical reflection Group time Meaningful learning experiences National Quality Framework (NQF) National Quality Standard (NQS) Planning & programming

17 May 2018

Anything is possible

This article was first published in 2015, and still relevant today. Education and care is changing. Quality education and care is no longer rigid, inflexible and bound by Kilometres of red tape. It is...

Child-led learning Educator resources

29 Sept 2015

Get Muddy! No Sanitiser required

A few years ago, this photo would have made me squeamish. Mud. Yuck. Now, I’m an educator advocating for this kind of messy play. In fact, when I sat together with this little man, smooshing mud and s...

Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Barefoot Behaviour guidance Behaviour management Child-led learning Children's health Immune system development Nature play OSHC, OOSH & SAC Pedagogy Reggio approach Sensory development

31 Dec 2013