EP 13 | Nature Play + Regulation in the Outdoors
The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
Release Date: 08/12/2024
EP 20 | Fostering Children’s Resilience
The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
On today’s episode, I speak with Jess, founder of Raising Resilience. Jess brings a wealth of insight and compassion as we explore what resilience really means for young children. Together, we dive into how educators and parents can support children through adversity, build emotional strength, and foster a growth mindset. Jess’s expertise is a gift for anyone passionate about nurturing resilience in little ones. Jess and I discuss: 🌸What resilience truly means and how misconceptions about "toughening up" can harm children. 🌸The role of the window of tolerance in resilience....
info_outline
EP 19 | Exploring the PDA Profile
The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast
On today’s episode I speak with Claire Britton, a neuro-affirming occupational therapist and Director of Neuroinclusion. Claire brings incredible insight into PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) and how a neuro-affirming lens can help us support neurodivergent children better. She explains why PDA often requires a different approach to typical behaviour strategies and shares practical ways to help children feel safe and understood. Claire and I discuss: 🌸 What the PDA profile (Pathological Demand Avoidance) is. 🌸 The significance of understanding...
info_outline
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’...
info_outline
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....
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineOn 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 integration and regulation.
🌸 Low-cost options for providing nature play experiences.
🌸 Is there a difference in play quality on traditional playgrounds compared to nature play settings?
🌸 Moving past perceived constraints for getting outside and looking for those pockets of opportunity.
🌸 Considering the critical role of accessibility for play spaces.
Here are the resources shared in our discussion:
Take a peak at the amazing play space Cath has created in her front yard.
Download her booklet - How Nature Play Spaces Promote Positive Child Development
Cath is an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of experience working in rural, remote, and urban settings. She understands that meaningful access to nature is essential for humans to thrive and critical to health and well-being. Cath supports children, families, and organizations to embrace nature connection, health, and well-being through meaningful occupation (e.g. nature play) to foster resilience, confidence, curiosity, and kindness.
Having grown up in small West Australian country towns, Cath deeply values the richness and connection that being, and playing outdoors brings to children, particularly to those living in busy urban environments. Cath shares this passion with her children, their friends, and all the children and families she works with, and is so grateful to be living, playing, and learning on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja (Perth, WA).
Connect with Cath:
💫 Send her an email: [email protected]
💫 Find her on Instagram: @cathfitz_ot
💫 Visit her website: Cath Fitz OT
Join the Little Bloom community:
💫 Download my free (yep, free!) video series exploring emotional competence in early childhood.
💫 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