Storytime with Mother Earth: Exploring Stories that Celebrate our World
Every child loves a good story.
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...
Media Release: Appointment of a new Play Matters Australia Board Chair
Play Matters Australia is excited to announce that Jane McVeigh has been appointed as the new Board...
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...
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...
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,...
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...