Podcasts About Play
Tune in to the great benefits of play with these listening recommendations from Wearthy founder, Lukas Ritson.
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
In early childhood, play means much more than just fun and games.
Play is how young children learn best, and although playful moments come naturally to little kids (and doting parents), it’s worth delving a bit deeper into the how and why of play.
After all, play has the power to boost your child’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development, setting them up for a wonderful life, and there are plenty of people who can help you understand the great power of play.
The educators at your child’s early learning service will be happy to take you through the play-based curriculum and answer any specific questions you have.
You’ll also find that there are some amazing play experts sharing their insights aurally, and to help you connect with the best of these podcasters, we’ve asked for some recommendations from Lukas Ritson.
Lukas is a parent, educator and play advocate who creates incredible nature-inspired playgrounds with his team at Wearthy, and as a podcaster himself, Lukas knows a quality episode when he hears one!
So, here are three play-based series Lukas recommends:
1. Parental as Anything with Maggie Dent
Maggie Dent is a parenting author and educator who’s famous for her common sense approach, and this ABC podcast is hugely helpful for us parents.
With her co-host, Bec Sparrow, Maggie shares practical, supportive parenting advice, and although this podcast isn’t just about play, there are lots of on point episodes, including:
- How to raise boys, which talks about rough play
2. Parent Society with Savanna Nursery School
Savanna is an innovative early childhood education centre in Texas that merges play- and nature-based learning, so Lukas is following their new podcast with interest!
Savanna’s interview with Dr Kathryn Murray is definitely a great place to start.
Kathryn talks about the brain science of how children learn, and the benefits of giving littlies time to explore and play in their own way, with a focus on unhurried calm.
She also has some practical tips to help you create interesting, defined play spaces at home, based on your child’s interests.
And if your life feels like all work and no play at the moment, then it’s interesting to learn about Savanna’s on-site parent coworking lounge, which is enabling parents to find a real balance between work and childcare.
3. Early Years TV with Kathy Brodie
Strictly speaking, this is a video series, rather than a podcast, and you will have to subscribe if you want access to all of the eps.
However, Early Years TV is a wealth of information (especially if you’re an educator as well as a parent), and the episodes cover lots of different kinds of play, including:
And here at KindiCare, we’d like to recommend Play It Forward, A Wearthy Podcast!
This educational podcast is hosted by Lukas Ritson, and it’s all about the importance of play.
Lukas has interviewed lots of early education experts and play advocates since he started the Wearthy podcast back in 2019.
Along the way, he’s explored indoor, outdoor and online play, with science and personal experiences woven in.
And with guests like Maggie Dent, parenting expert, Dr Justin Coulson, author and actor, Andrew Daddo, child psychiatrist, Dr Kaylene Henderson and Bluey genius, Joe Brumm, Play It Forward is definitely worth a listen.
Enjoy! And if you’re looking for childcare…
Make sure you read this article about play-rich early learning environments, and this one about how to spot a great playground at a childcare centre.
Both articles contain top tips from Lukas, and the KindiCare App and Childcare Comparison Website make it easy to find great childcare options in your area.
