This episode explores the power of play in early childhood education. Learn how play supports brain development, enriches learning, and connects generations through new innovative projects. Learn practical strategies to enhance play in the educational setting without disrupting children's motivation, as well as how to navigate the challenges of new policy reforms and the rollout of universal funded three and four-year-old kindergarten in Victoria. Dr Sarah Young is a Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Research in Effective Education in Early Childhood (REEaCh) Centre in the Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne. Nicole Pilsworth is the Executive Manager, Early Learning at Gowrie Victoria and the Chair of the Victorian committee of Early Childhood Australia. More information and useful links are available via this link . We’d love to hear your feedback on the series, send your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to foe-news@unimelb.edu.au. This podcast is produced by the Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne.