EP 49 | Belonging is More Than Inclusion: What Children Tell us Matters Most to Them

Just because a child is included doesn’t mean they feel they belong. In this powerful episode, I dig into what belonging actually looks and feels like for children - beyond the buzzword, the policies, and the Pinterest-perfect classroom. Drawing on compelling Australian research and real-world reflection, I unpack the difference between showing up and feeling held, and how our beliefs and biases shape belonging more than we realise. You’ll hear: 🤝 How children define belonging - and what helps them feel like they belong 🤝 The everyday language, routines and rituals that quietly send the message “you matter here” 🤝 How to navigate a child’s sense of belonging when you’re not feeling connected to them 🤝 How your inner stories about “challenging” behaviour can shape who feels worthy of belonging 🤝 6 tangible ways to bring belonging to life through environment, identity, rituals, and relationship If you’re someone who wants to move from saying belonging matters to making it matter, this one’s for you.

Articles Belonging in their words: Exploring early childhood perspectives using the draw, write, tell method Starting school in Australia: What gives young children a sense of school belonging?

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