Our Blog

Nature play is a great way to support the wellbeing of children, particularly in the first five...

How to foster STEAM skills at every stage of your baby’s early years

The first 1,000 days of a...

At Play Matters, we’re enthusiastic about making play as accessible as possible for all children,...

The first five years of a child’s life are a critical time for developing the healthy habits that...

Summer brings with it a season of adventure, discovery, and boundless play. It’s a time when we...

Children are natural gardeners - and anyone who has seen their delight in watching seeds grow into...

Many people in caring roles don’t consider themselves a carer. Instead, they might consider...

Imaginative play is a crucial part of childhood, offering much more than just fun. It's a powerful...

At Play Matters Australia we’re passionate about Children’s Rights and Children’s Voices which is...

Play is a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries, offering children a unique way...

Long before children pick up a pencil, they are already developing the necessary skills and muscles...

Physical play is an essential part of every child’s daily routine. Even as they engage in play on a...

Imagine a lively park where children and older adults play with bubbles - chasing, running, and...

Gayle Spranklin has a long association with Play Matters Australia. In 1974 when her eldest...

Children are natural instigators of mess! During the early stages of development, they are...

Michelle Poole first attended Peachester playgroup in 2004 when her eldest daughter was five months...

There are a number of fantastic benefits to nature play. It supports sustainable and ethical...

Exploring and investigating are children's natural endeavors. Encouraging children's curiosity, and...

Karen O’Brien has an infectious passion for the value of playgroups. With fifteen years of...

Creative play is all about inspiring and encouraging creativity, and letting children explore and...

Guest written by Dr Kimberley Baxter, Accredited Practicing Dietitian & Research Fellow at the...

Leadership opportunities and being on the cusp of change were not what young mother Elissa Howieson...

Dr Kate Williams has a broad view of the organisation and an inspired vision for its future in the...

It was 1973 when Cheryl Sutherland moved with her family from Victoria to Queensland. That same...

Julia Oreopoulos regards working in her role at Play Matters to be a privilege. First joining the...

Every child loves a good story.

Relocating from Victoria to Queensland when her eldest child was just six weeks old, Alison Huth...

Ever wondered why children love to pretend they're pirates, princesses, or superheroes?

This year, National Child Protection Week continued to champion the important message that 'Every...

The Play Matters Australia Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Penny...

Dr Kimberley Baxter & Dr Rebecca Byrne, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of...

Children are absorbing culture, customs and practices from birth, and incorporating this into their...

Scientific reasoning starts in early childhood (STEM Teaching Tools). Child-led play,...

When we’re busy – it’s tempting to sit children down with quiet activities that will keep them...

This is a guest post by Janine Mergler from Families Magazine, the clever resource for thinking...

This May became a month of messy, mucky, mad fun, as Play Matters Australia hosted seven signature...

Guest written by Hannah McCarten, Bachelor of Education (Early Years) Student from the University...

Kids Promotions is thrilled to announce the return of Play School Live in Concert, coming to QLD!...

The first 1000 days of a child's life present a critical window for development, shaping their...

Playing in nature is a great way to help toddlers and preschoolers explore the environment, get...

Children and mess – every parent and carer knows you can’t have one without the other. Some days...

LOCAL PLAYGROUPS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR GRANTS THIS NATIONAL PLAYGROUP WEEKThis week is National...

Due to record numbers of families wanting to attend playgroups and access additional support, a new...

Play Matters Australia announced today that Kirsty Dixon has resigned as Chief Executive Officer....

In today's fast-paced world, it's becoming increasingly important for children to develop STEAM...

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF): Belonging, Being and Becoming, is Australia’s early...

Along with exploring their imagination, creative play is vital for healthy brain development in...

Wednesday the 8^th of November, 2022, made for a very special day for HIPPY Goodna Parents and...

Playing outside is the perfect way to keep children engaged and encourage exploration throughout...

Children enjoy discovering different ways of using egg cartons and boxes without a thought for the...

Inspiring Children to Discover the Magic of Make-believe

If you were familiar with Playgroup Queensland’s monthly themes you might have noticed that ‘Around...

Early childhood theories, research, and practice depict children as active constructors of meaning...

Named after the Ugarapul word meaning 'pretty hill beside the water', Karalee is bordered by the...

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places...

Physical play is a key part of a child’s journey throughout their childhood as they grow, learn,...

The Australian Government Department of Health has developed the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for...

Play Matters Australia launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) on Friday, 20 May 2022.

Play Matters Australia is excited to announce that we have been selected as one of seven partner...

How a group of parents are passing on language, culture, and traditions to their children.

‘Plastic fantastic’ is a colloquial term commonly used in the early childhood sector to refer to...

Using gentle music and songs can be a great way to help children relax. You can use lullabies,...

Dress-up play creates the opportunity for a child to design their own story and become anything...

Music is a great way to provide young children with opportunities to develop their literacy and...

Children naturally use their senses to explore their environment. While the five senses – taste,...

Research has shown that assigning household chores to your children helps them build critical life...

Sensory play often targets children's senses of touch, smell, taste, and sight, but less so with...

Promoting independence with dressing skills builds your child’s self-esteem, confidence, and...

Young children are naturally egocentric, so it’s hard for them to understand others’ intentions and...