The Heart of Play: How Sarah’s Dedication has Helped Nurture Generations
Sitting in the sunshine in the outdoor play area at the end of the final playgroup session for the...
Tiny Instruments, Big Hearts with “Sing & Grow”
This blog has been shared with Play Matters by the Asylum Seekers Centre and was first published on...
Building Strong Bodies and Minds Through Play
Physical play doesn't have to mean elaborate plans, or extra pressure to fit activities in, there...
Dive into Creativity at QPAC's Out of the Box Festival 2025!
This June, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is set to burst with color, laughter, and...
How Singing, Sound, and Rhythm Shape Young Minds
Music isn't just something we hear - it’s something we feel, move with, create and share.For young...
How Messy Play Shapes Children’s Minds
In today's highly structured world of childhood development, messy play stands out as a vital yet...
Nature and Music: A Perfect Harmony
Nature play is a great way to support the wellbeing of children, particularly in the first five...
Nurturing STEAM Skills in the First 1,000 Days
How to foster STEAM skills at every stage of your baby’s early years
The first 1,000 days of a...
Building connections: Play Matters in North Queensland
At Play Matters, we’re enthusiastic about making play as accessible as possible for all children,...
Healthy Habits for Healthy Children
The first five years of a child’s life are a critical time for developing the healthy habits that...
Summer Fun Camping Adventures: Exploring Nature, Culture, and Imagination
Summer brings with it a season of adventure, discovery, and boundless play. It’s a time when we...
Sprouting Sustainability: Gardening Helps Build Eco-Friendly Habits
Children are natural gardeners - and anyone who has seen their delight in watching seeds grow into...
Being a Carer in Australia | National Carers Week
Many people in caring roles don’t consider themselves a carer. Instead, they might consider...
How Imaginative Play Builds a Foundation for Reading and Literacy Skills
Imaginative play is a crucial part of childhood, offering much more than just fun. It's a powerful...
Children's Voices Matter
At Play Matters Australia we’re passionate about Children’s Rights and Children’s Voices which is...
Exploring Global Play: Enriching Children's Lives Through Cultural Diversity
Play is a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries, offering children a unique way...
Support Children's Pre-Writing Skills with Literacy Play
Long before children pick up a pencil, they are already developing the necessary skills and muscles...
Physical Play and the Physical Development Stages in Children
Physical play is an essential part of every child’s daily routine. Even as they engage in play on a...
The Benefits of Intergenerational Play: Bridging Generations Through Fun and Learning
Imagine a lively park where children and older adults play with bubbles - chasing, running, and...
We Were Reaching Mothers —Interview with Gayle Spranklin
Gayle Spranklin has a long association with Play Matters Australia. In 1974 when her eldest...
The Benefit of Music and Movement in Ageless Play Playgroups
Intergenerational play bridges the gap between generations, fostering meaningful connections...
Messy Play: Every Way, Any Day
Children are natural instigators of mess! During the early stages of development, they are...
Playgroup Matters — Interview with Michelle Poole
Michelle Poole first attended Peachester playgroup in 2004 when her eldest daughter was five months...
Nature Play and Sensory Exploration go Hand in Hand
There are a number of fantastic benefits to nature play. It supports sustainable and ethical...
All about the HOW: Play as a tool for building STEAM skills
Exploring and investigating are children's natural endeavors. Encouraging children's curiosity, and...
The People Would Come Because It Was Needed - Interview with Karen O'Brien
Karen O’Brien has an infectious passion for the value of playgroups. With fifteen years of...
Nurturing Creativity: Creative Play for Different Ages
Creative play is all about inspiring and encouraging creativity, and letting children explore and...
Summer Survival Guide for Parents: How to Keep Your Kids Healthy and Hydrated in the Heat
Guest written by Dr Kimberley Baxter, Accredited Practicing Dietitian & Research Fellow at the...
On the Cusp of Change — Interview with Elissa Howieson
Leadership opportunities and being on the cusp of change were not what young mother Elissa Howieson...
Sing&Grow – to Every State and Territory — Interview with Kate Williams
Dr Kate Williams has a broad view of the organisation and an inspired vision for its future in the...
Fifty Years on and Still Running a Playgroup — Interview with Cheryl Sutherland
It was 1973 when Cheryl Sutherland moved with her family from Victoria to Queensland. That same...
Play is the Golden Thread —Interview with Julia Oreopoulos
Julia Oreopoulos regards working in her role at Play Matters to be a privilege. First joining the...
Storytime with Mother Earth: Exploring Stories that Celebrate our World
Every child loves a good story.
I Simply Loved Playgroup — Interview with Alison Huth
Relocating from Victoria to Queensland when her eldest child was just six weeks old, Alison Huth...
Nurturing Creativity and Innovation: The Power of Pretend Play
Ever wondered why children love to pretend they're pirates, princesses, or superheroes?
National Child Protection Week 2023
This year, National Child Protection Week continued to champion the important message that 'Every...
Media Release: Appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer
The Play Matters Australia Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Penny...
Navigating Fussy Eating: Insights and Strategies for Parents
Dr Kimberley Baxter & Dr Rebecca Byrne, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of...
Engaging Children in Around the World Play
Children are absorbing culture, customs and practices from birth, and incorporating this into their...
Science Matters: Bringing Science into Children's Play
Scientific reasoning starts in early childhood (STEM Teaching Tools). Child-led play,...
Unlocking the Power of Physical Play
When we’re busy – it’s tempting to sit children down with quiet activities that will keep them...
Promoting Literacy Development in Babies and Toddlers
This is a guest post by Janine Mergler from Families Magazine, the clever resource for thinking...
That’s a Wrap on Messy Play Matters 2023
This May became a month of messy, mucky, mad fun, as Play Matters Australia hosted seven signature...
Inclusive Learning Environments
Guest written by Hannah McCarten, Bachelor of Education (Early Years) Student from the University...
Play School Live in Concert
Kids Promotions is thrilled to announce the return of Play School Live in Concert, coming to QLD!...
The Power of Music Play: Enhancing Language Development in Early Childhood
The first 1000 days of a child's life present a critical window for development, shaping their...
Nature Play - the best tool for calmer, happier children
Playing in nature is a great way to help toddlers and preschoolers explore the environment, get...
Messy Play 101: Sensory Activities for Creative and Curious Children
Children and mess – every parent and carer knows you can’t have one without the other. Some days...
50 Grants for 50 Years!
LOCAL PLAYGROUPS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR GRANTS THIS NATIONAL PLAYGROUP WEEKThis week is National...
Media Release: Play Matters launches a new hub in Ipswich for families
Due to record numbers of families wanting to attend playgroups and access additional support, a new...
Media Release: CEO Resignation
Play Matters Australia announced today that Kirsty Dixon has resigned as Chief Executive Officer....
STEAM - Building blocks for future-smart children
In today's fast-paced world, it's becoming increasingly important for children to develop STEAM...
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Update
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF): Belonging, Being and Becoming, is Australia’s early...
The Role of Creative Play in Childhood Development
Along with exploring their imagination, creative play is vital for healthy brain development in...
Happy Graduation to our HIPPY Graduates
Wednesday the 8th of November, 2022, made for a very special day for HIPPY Goodna Parents and...
Staying Safe in the Sun
Playing outside is the perfect way to keep children engaged and encourage exploration throughout...
Bringing Sustainability into Play
Children enjoy discovering different ways of using egg cartons and boxes without a thought for the...
Why Imaginative Play Matters
Inspiring Children to Discover the Magic of Make-believe
Why 'Around the World Play' Month?
If you were familiar with Playgroup Queensland’s monthly themes you might have noticed that ‘Around...
Children’s Voices Matter: 5 Ways to Support Young Children’s Agency
Early childhood theories, research, and practice depict children as active constructors of meaning...
More Than a Playgroup: How a Group of Families Support Their Community
Named after the Ugarapul word meaning 'pretty hill beside the water', Karalee is bordered by the...
The Importance of Reading to Children Everyday
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places...
Making Physical Play Accessible for All Abilities
Physical play is a key part of a child’s journey throughout their childhood as they grow, learn,...
Move and Play Every Day: Children's Physical Activity Guidelines
The Australian Government Department of Health has developed the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for...
Play Matters Australia Launches its First RAP
Play Matters Australia launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) on Friday, 20 May 2022.
Play Matters for Parents too!
Play Matters Australia is excited to announce that we have been selected as one of seven partner...
Fostering Cultural Connection Through Play
How a group of parents are passing on language, culture, and traditions to their children.
Transitioning from 'Plastic Fantastic' to Nature-Based Play Spaces
‘Plastic fantastic’ is a colloquial term commonly used in the early childhood sector to refer to...
Incorporating Music into Calming and Sleeping Routines
Using gentle music and songs can be a great way to help children relax. You can use lullabies,...
Dress-Up Play: A Portal to an Alternate Universe!
Dress-up play creates the opportunity for a child to design their own story and become anything...
Music Play for Early Literacy and Numeracy
Music is a great way to provide young children with opportunities to develop their literacy and...
The Benefits of Messy Play
Children naturally use their senses to explore their environment. While the five senses – taste,...
9 Reasons to Involve Children in Household Chores
Research has shown that assigning household chores to your children helps them build critical life...
Introducing Messy Play to Children with Sensory Difficulties
Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development (1983) outlines four stages of intellectual development:
Music as a Form of Sensory Play
Sensory play often targets children's senses of touch, smell, taste, and sight, but less so with...
Learning Dressing Skills Through Play
Promoting independence with dressing skills builds your child’s self-esteem, confidence, and...
Mastering Social Skills Through Play
Young children are naturally egocentric, so it’s hard for them to understand others’ intentions and...