Play is more than just fun - it’s a key driver of creativity, problem-solving and social connection in early learning. Yet as children progress through school, opportunities for play often shrink - taking with them an essential part of how students learn, reason and make sense of the world.

In this episode, early years researcher Dr Leigh Disney, and teacher and PhD Candidate Hong Chen share practical, developmentally appropriate strategies for keeping play alive across year levels. From imaginative play corners to structured problem-solving, they explore how teachers can balance curriculum demands with creativity - and why it’s so important in supporting literacy, numeracy, identity and emotional growth.

At a time when adaptability, creativity and critical thinking are increasingly vital in our rapidly changing world, play remains one of the most powerful tools teachers can use to prepare students for the future.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why play-based learning supports academic and emotional growth.
• How play changes across developmental stages—and why it still matters.
• What imaginative learning looks like in real classrooms.
• Strategies for embedding play without compromising curriculum goals.
• Why play can help students build identity, agency and connection.

Topics we explore:

(00:00) Introduction to Play in Learning
(02:09) What Is Play?
(04:17) Imaginative Play in Early Childhood
(06:17) Linking Play to Learning
(09:06) Play to Support Learning from Kindergarten to School
(14:40) Conceptual Play Worlds and Problem Solving
(17:08) Collective Play and Building Connection
(19:07) Fostering Imagination in Play Over the Years
(21:45) Chaos and Problem Solving in Imaginative Play
(25:04) Imagination in Upper Primary
(26:55) Where Teachers Can Start with Play
(30:00) Balancing Curriculum and Play
(31:45) Final Thoughts on Purposeful Play

Resources:

• Conceptual PlayWorlds
  An evidence-based model developed by Professor Marilyn Fleer for embedding imagination and inquiry-based learning into early years education.
• Monash Education Course Options
  Learn more about postgraduate study options in early years and primary education.

Special Guests:

Dr Leigh Disney
Early Years Lecturer, School of Educational Psychology & Counselling
Faculty of Education, Monash University
Connect with Leigh on LinkedIn

Hong Chen
PhD Candidate & Early Childhood Teacher
Connect with Hong on LinkedIn, Instagram and X

If you’re enjoying Let’s Talk Teaching, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review! You can follow us on Instagram, X and Facebook, and share your thoughts on the show by using the hashtag #letstalkteachingpodcast.

If you’re interested in hearing more about the short courses, undergraduate and postgraduate study options that Monash Education offers, please visit our website.

We are grateful for the support of Monash University’s Faculty of Education in producing this podcast.

For many teachers, games have long been a classroom staple - but their impact goes far beyond surface-level engagement. When designed and used with intent, game-based learning can transform mathematical thinking, improve classroom dynamics, and create lasting connections to content.

In this episode, Dr James Russo shares what makes a truly effective maths game, unpacking six key principles from his research and the importance of 'games into investigations'. Primary school teacher Matt Hale brings the classroom perspective, highlighting the joy, depth and unexpected power of games that promote strategic thinking, collaborative dialogue and differentiated learning.

You’ll also hear how games like Fact or Fiction, Multiple Mysteries, and Choc Chip Cookies are sparking genuine mathematical thinking - and why the simplicity of cards, dice and paper often wins over digital solutions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between gamification and game-based learning - and why it matters.
• What the six principles of effective maths games are and how to apply them.
• How game mechanics support strategic thinking, reflection and investigation.
• Why low-tech games often outperform digital tools in learning and engagement.
• The role of games in assessment, student agency and classroom culture.

Topics we explore:

(00:00) Introduction to Game-Based Learning
(02:00) Game-Based Learning vs Gamification
(03:27) Games That Built Deeper Thinking
(04:33) Stickiness and Replayability
(05:51) Favourite Maths Games
(09:47) Six Principles of Effective Maths Games
(11:04) Turning Games into Investigations
(13:02) Deepening Learning by Changing Rules
(15:03) Games for Assessment
(17:12) Sneaky Learning and Student Confidence
(18:05) Managing Competition in the Classroom
(19:47) Six Key Principles Explained
(26:40) Love Maths Website and Simple Games
(27:52) Non-Digital vs. Digital Games
(31:38) New International Research into Games
(33:36) How to Start Using Games in Teaching

Resources:

• Love Maths by Michael Minas
  Free, simple maths games for use at both home and at school.
• SURF Maths
  A flexible, visual framework to support mental maths instruction. SURF helps teachers personalise strategy use, build consistency across classrooms, and strengthen students' mathematical thinking and language.
• Maths 300
  Subscription-based maths lesson library, supporting inquiry through rich tasks and games.
• Wheel of Names
  A free random selector tool that was designed for choosing winners or names.

Related research:

• Unpacking game mechanics: Five types of whole-class mathematical games
• Transforming mathematical games into investigations
• Five principles of educationally rich mathematical games

Special Guests:

Dr James Russo
Senior Lecturer, School of Curriculum, Teaching and Inclusive Education
Faculty of Education, Monash University

Matt Hale
Teacher
St Patrick’s Primary School, Mentone

If you’re enjoying Let’s Talk Teaching, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review! You can follow us on Instagram, X and Facebook, and share your thoughts on the show by using the hashtag #letstalkteachingpodcast.

If you’re interested in hearing more about the short courses, undergraduate and postgraduate study options that Monash Education offers, please visit our website.

We are grateful for the support of Monash University’s Faculty of Education in producing this podcast.