At the University of Wollongong, lecture halls and research laboratories give way to a world-first facility where academic child psychology merges directly with interactive, self-directed play. Overseeing this unique ecosystem is Josef English, Manager of Early Start Operations at UOW. A former local Illawarra primary school teacher with an honours background in educational research, Josef transitioned into his leadership role at Early Start during the peak of COVID-19 in 2021. Today, he helps bridge high-level university research with real-world community impact, supporting the life trajectories of children, their families, and surrounding networks across the region.
On the latest episode of the Current Conversations Podcast, host Kurtis Ocean sat down with Josef to unpack the cognitive science behind play, the design of university-embedded children's museums, and how local initiatives are reshaping modern parenting.
Research in Action: The Interdisciplinary C.H.I.L.D. Framework
Early Start operates as an interdisciplinary hub within UOW's Faculty of the Arts, Society and Business (ASB), bringing together psychologists, social work academics, education specialists, and public health experts. Whilst academic findings being published in journals is a part of our their research agenda, Early Start' prioritises translating research directly to physical public-facing environments, and influencing policy and societal discourse.
Their overarching mission is framed around the C.H.I.L.D. acronym:
Country, communities, and cultures
Healthy minds and bodies
Interactions and relationships
Learning and development
Development and assessment
Through this framework, researchers directly engage with visiting families. For instance, public health academics regularly utilise the space to test non-invasive tools like the “veggie meter"—which measures fruit and vegetable intake—and study how front-of-pack Health Star Ratings influence parental choices around sugar content.
Recommended Local Spot: Families visiting the UOW campus for Early Start can extend their day outdoors by exploring the peaceful walking trails of the adjacent UOW Duck Pond Lawn in Keiraville or enjoying a picnic in the Wollongong Botanic Garden.
Deconstructing the Discovery Space: Measured Risk and Agency in Play
Inside the Early Start Discovery Space, every Experience is purposefully engineered based on child development:
The Cave: Designed to offer children an opportunity for measured risk and emotional self-regulation. Navigating a dark, unknown space helps children process fear and build confidence at their own pace.
The Marketplace: Incorporates public health star ratings alongside opportunities for sorting, basic mathematics, turn-taking, and conflict resolution.
Crawlers Beach: Specially tailored for infants from birth to two years, featuring one-way glass and peekaboo mirrors to support early sensory and cognitive milestones.
The Emergency Experience: Developed using trauma-informed frameworks following the 2019 bushfires to help young children process environmental crises through roleplay.
The Construction Site: Features foam bricks, hard hats, and conveyor belts to demonstrate cause-and-effect while encouraging cooperative teamwork.
Josef emphasises that 90% of brain development occurs within the first five years of life—the critical first 2,000 days—as children form millions of neural connections. Giving children "agency" in their play, whether they are building open-ended structures out of Lego or transforming a simple cardboard box, allows them to make sense of the world on their own terms.
Recommended Local Spot: To continue fostering outdoor motor skills and self-directed risk play, local parents can head to the all-abilities play setups at Boongaree Nature Play Park in Berry or the dedicated skills tracks at Cringila Hills Mountain Bike Park.
Community Connection: The Friday Dad Space & Digital Play
Recognising shifting parental leave policies and a growing need to combat male social isolation, Early Start established the dedicated Friday Dad Space initiative. Running every Friday morning, it provides fathers and male guardians with an informal, non-judgmental environment to bond with their children, connect with peers, and learn practical early-literacy strategies like daily shared reading.
Additionally, in partnership with the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Early Start hosts Thursday digital playgroups in the Children’s Technology Play Space. Rather than treating screens purely as a hazard, researchers work directly with parents to navigate persuasive app design, set healthy boundaries, and encourage quality "joint media engagement"—such as co-playing educational or interactive video games together.
Recommended Local Spot: Fathers looking for low-pressure ways to connect with other local parents can check out morning weekend catch-ups along the Blue Mile foreshore or set up a casual playdate at Stuart Park in North Wollongong.
Catch the Conversation
To hear Josef English discuss his transition from primary school teaching to university operations, how children process cause-and-effect, and upcoming experience expansions, listen to the full episode, “The Psychology of Child Play // Josef English," on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform.
For more information on memberships, research projects, and community playgroups, visit the official Early Start UOW digital hub online or follow them on Instagram.