Blog | Phoenix Support For Educators

9 Articles

Group time × Play-based learning ×

Children’s Rights in Action: From Reflection to Everyday Practice

Childrens Rights in Action Sometimes, it’s the smallest moments that spark the biggest shifts. One morning (many years ago), it began with something simple, calling the children in for group time, exp...

Children's autonomy Play-based learning Strength-based practice The Phoenix Cups® Framework UNCRC children's rights children's voice early years supporting children

13 Oct 2025

Reframing Intentionality in Early Childhood Education:

Let’s talk about play. Not just any play, but purposeful, powerful play that’s full of curiosity, intention, and child-led exploration. The updated EYLF v2.0 (Australian Government Department of Educa...

Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Culturally safe programs Intentional teaching Neuroscience Play-based learning executive functions

7 Oct 2025

Reclaiming Play

Let’s face it: childhood today looks a bit different than it used to. When was the last time you saw a child climb a tree like it was Mount Everest or turn a pile of sticks into a pirate ship? If you ...

Barefoot Children and technology Children's development Children's wellbeing Emotional regulation in children Fine motor skills Flow in early years Group time Loose parts Nature play Physicality Play-based learning Risky play Sensory development Sensory play Sensory processing Wellbeing and exercise

12 Jan 2025

How to Explore Maths in the Early Years

Mathematics… A subject that every student either loves, or loves to hate. So how do you foster a love of, or appreciation of maths in young children? First, I want to tell you a little story. A story ...

Flow in early years Mathematics and numeracy Play-based learning School readiness

14 Mar 2024

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

Children aren't born in litters, so why teach as if they are?

Before I answer the question posed in the title of this blog,let’s remind ourselves of the purposes of group story and song sessions in early childhood settings. Purposes of group story and song sessi...

Child attention span Flow in early years Group time Language and literacy Language development Literacy development Mathematics and numeracy Music in early years Pedagogy Play-based learning Professional development Reading in early years School readiness Singing in early years Transition to school

16 July 2023

The word ‘play’ must be seen to be equal among agendas

"I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Marc and his work for many years now. Every time I hear him speak about the theory behind playwork, I get so pumped about this movement. When I read this article, the...

Emotional resilience in children Play advocacy Play-based learning Unhelpful thinking

5 June 2022

Being professional in Early Childhood Education

Being a member of a few Early Childhood Educator Facebook groups, I often see there is a lot of disagreement among these groups (and throughout the sector) about what being a professional in Early Chi...

Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Children's behaviour Children's wellbeing Critical reflection Educator advocacy Educator ethics National Quality Framework (NQF) Play-based learning Professional development Risky play

30 Oct 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