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EP 8 | Neuro-Affirming Practice + the Lived Experience

The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

Release Date: 07/09/2024

EP 18 | Honouring Children’s Agency show art EP 18 | Honouring Children’s Agency

The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

On today’s episode I speak with Lisa Burman - an author, speaker, professional learning facilitator and every-day researcher of childhood and learning. Lisa has strong roots in true early childhood pedagogy whose work is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and guided by honouring children’s rights. This discussion is a deep exploration of early childhood values and principles.   Lisa and I discuss: 🌸 What is meant by a ‘culture of agency.’ 🌸 Shared power and democratic classrooms. 🌸 Common misconceptions of agency (hint: it’s not something that we ‘give’...

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EP 17 | Rethinking Readiness in Early Childhood show art EP 17 | Rethinking Readiness in Early Childhood

The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

On today’s episode I speak with Nathan Wallis, a neuroscience educator on a mission to share the value of brain development in early childhood to the masses. In this discussion, Nathan challenges the concept of "readiness" and advocates for focussing on the present moment rather than preparing them for future academic demands. Earlier and faster isn’t better.   Nathan and I discuss: 🌸Readiness and developmental needs. 🌸Sequential brain development. 🌸The impact of cultural norms on education. 🌸The role of play in early childhood. 🌸Dangers of early academic pressure....

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EP 16 | Supporting Children With ADHD show art EP 16 | Supporting Children With ADHD

The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

On today’s episode I speak with Andy Hayes - an accredited ADHD coach with an epic sense of humour. Andy is a dedicated Perth dad, teacher and educational leader with lived experience of ADHD who represents the ideal mentor for children and adults everywhere.   Andy and I discuss: 🌸 The four pillars of ADHD and their impact on learning and behaviour.  🌸 Executive functions and their role in daily life.  🌸 The role of dopamine.  🌸 How labels can act as roadblocks to true support.  🌸 Why emotional intelligence is critical.  🌸 Cognitive load and...

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EP 15 | A New Lens for Challenging Behaviours show art EP 15 | A New Lens for Challenging Behaviours

The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

On today’s episode I speak with Dave Jereb - an OT and co-founder of Move About Therapy Services. Dave is a gem - he’s relatable, funny, personable and compassionate. He’s got a knack for seeing the bigger picture of behaviour and walks us through how he does this in out chat.  Dave and I discuss: 🌸What we mean when we use the term ‘challenging behaviour.’ 🌸The fundamental need for connection when working with challenging behaviours. 🌸Ideas on ways to connect and the importance of micro-moments. 🌸Why we need to remain objective when we speak about challenging...

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EP 14 | Coming Together to Support Children Experiencing Anxiety show art EP 14 | Coming Together to Support Children Experiencing Anxiety

The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

On today’s episode I speak with Kathryn Hackman, founder of the Courageous Kids app. Kathryn is a doctor but, first and foremost, a mama to two children and knows firsthand the challenge in supporting children through anxiety. Her app, Courageous Kids, is a one-stop shop for both parents and educators alike to create individualised social stories - a proven method that supports children through those trickier times.    Kathryn and I discuss: 🌸 The prevalence of anxiety for young children. 🌸 The distinction between anxiety + separation anxiety. 🌸 How caregivers and...

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EP 13 | Nature Play + Regulation in the Outdoors show art EP 13 | Nature Play + Regulation in the Outdoors

The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

On today’s episode, I speak with Cath Fitzhardinge, an OT who is a strong advocate of nature play and children spending time outdoors so much so that she is currently completing a Masters of Philosophy (Arts & Sciences) at Notre Dame University Australia where she is researching play opportunities and the utilization of an intentionally designed nature play space in a primary school to support children’s health, wellbeing and learning.   Cath and I discuss: 🌸 What nature play, messy play and sensory mean for children's well-being. 🌸 How nature play benefits sensory...

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Ep 12 | Deconstructing Childhood Anger show art Ep 12 | Deconstructing Childhood Anger

The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

On today’s episode I speak with Jacquie Ward, a psychologist and all round beautiful soul. Jacquie has such a gift in looking beneath the surface of big behaviours and moving beyond the discomfort that anger can bring to us in order to truly support children.    Jacquie and I discuss: 🌸Internalised + externalised anger and the fight + flight response. 🌸Removing the stigma surrounding anger. 🌸Anger as a secondary emotion. 🌸When we join the child in their chaos. 🌸Navigating aggressive behaviours. 🌸When to seek specialist support. 🌸When families + caregivers also...

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EP 11 | Children’s Council + Honouring Children’s Voices show art EP 11 | Children’s Council + Honouring Children’s Voices

The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

On today’s episode I speak with Renee Mitchell (Director) and Charmaine Greenwood (Assistant Director) of Goodstart Early Learning in Red Hill, Queensland. I am in awe of Renee, Charmaine and their team as their dedication to honouring children’s rights in their practice is overwhelmingly inspiring.    Renee, Charmaine and I discuss: 🌸 Respecting + advocating for children’s rights. 🌸 What is a children’s council and how have they brought it to life? 🌸 The idea of slow pedagogy. 🌸 Supporting transitions with a Children’s Handbook. 🌸 Looking at a child’s...

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EP 10 | A Conversation on Rethinking Dominant Education Practices show art EP 10 | A Conversation on Rethinking Dominant Education Practices

The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

On today’s episode I speak with Simon Airey, who you may know from instagram as Simon Inclusion Teacher (formerly known as Sassy Supply). I was really drawn to Simon as his passion for inclusion and neuro-affirming practice comes through so loudly. Not always serious, though; Simon sprinkles humour into much of what he does and is sure to bring you a smile or two. In our conversation, we tackle many big questions when it comes to rethinking traditional practices in education.   Simon and I discuss: 🌸 Reframing behaviour as something to managed or supported. 🌸 How has inclusion in...

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EP 9 | Sensory Processing + the Sensory Lens show art EP 9 | Sensory Processing + the Sensory Lens

The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

On today’s episode, I speak with Michaelene Kearney from The Teachers OT about an incredibly powerful and transformational lens that we can adopt when it comes to supporting children’s behaviour - the sensory processing lens. Michaelene shares so much of her wisdom with us around not only what sensory processing is but the many ways that it can impact behaviour.    Michaelene and I discuss: 🌸What is the role of an Occupational Therapist? 🌸The three step framework that is sensory processing. 🌸The difference between understanding versus judgement when it comes to...

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More Episodes

On today’s episode I speak with Annabel Tannenbaum from Thriving Minds Education about her advocacy of neuro-affirming practice in education. More than this, Annabel shares her lived experience of being late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD in her early 30s and how her experiences have shaped the powerful work that she does.

 

Annabel and I discuss:

🌸The difference between the terms neurodiverse, neurodivergent and neurotype.

🌸The importance of listening to people with lived experience with neurodivergence.

🌸How some practices commonly used with neurodivergent children can be causing more harm than good.

🌸Exploring the need to practice with both a neuro-inclusive and neuro-affirming lens.

🌸Some small tweaks you can make towards being more neuro-affirming in your practice (hint: it’s not as big a task as you think!).

 

Annabel is the founder of Thriving Minds Education and is a neuro-inclusion advocate who’s supporting and empowering young members of the neurodivergent community.

 

For most of her life, Annabel didn’t know why she was different. Growing up, she says she always felt like an outsider, struggling to get a grasp on learning and socialising while grappling with anxieties that couldn’t be explained. That is, until she began teaching in early education settings – and seeing similar traits show up in the children she was supporting.

 

Annabel was diagnosed with autism at 30 and ADHD at 31. But even before then, she knew there was a desperate need for more awareness and support around kids with developmental differences. A need that she was already working to meet through her business, Thriving Minds Education, where she offers workshops, resources and a vast array of books celebrating neurodivergence.

 

Connect with Annabel:

💫Send her an email: [email protected]

💫 Find her on Instagram: @thrivingmindseducation

💫 Visit her website: Thriving Minds Education

 

Join the Little Bloom community:

💫Send me an email: [email protected] 

💫Find me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

💫 Connect with me on LinkedIn: Danica See

💫 Visit my website: Little Bloom Consultancy