Blog Posts | Phoenix Support For Educators

Bringing Back Box Construction

Box construction has long been a core feature of my early childhood practice. It's open-ended, creative, supports so many vital aspects of learning and development, and let's be real - the best part i...

Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Play advocacy Play-based learning The Phoenix Cups® Framework australian early childhood box construction child led creative play

22 Oct 2026 Blog

Risky Play Part 2: From Planning to Practice

Risky Play: Part Two Note: This is part 2 of a 2-part series. Want to know more about the basics of adult supported adventurous play (AKA risky play), read part 1. In this blog, we get into the nuts a...

Basic human needs Play-based learning Risk assessment Risky play The Phoenix Cups® Framework adventure emotional development movement

11 Jan 2026 Blog

Risky Play Part One: Why Challenge Matters More Than Safety

Risky Play Part One It goes without saying keeping children safe is a core priority of our work. Many of us care so deeply about children’s safety that, without meaning to, we sometimes soften the wor...

Basic human needs Emotional resilience in children Fun Cup® Play advocacy Play-based learning Risky play adventure

2 Dec 2025 Blog

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 Blog

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 Blog

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 Blog

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 Blog

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 Blog

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 Blog

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 Blog

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 Blog

Schematic Play

Written by Louise Porter, PhD, Child psychologist Compiled by Phoenix Support for Educators Pty Ltd © 2021 TYPES OF PLAY There are many types of play: 1 ※ Schematic play: in which children have a stro...

Children's development Craft activities in early years Educator resources Flow in early years Music in early years Play-based learning Rotation schema Schematic play Sensory play Trajectory schema

29 Oct 2021 Blog

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