Volunteer‑led community playgroups often emerge where a need arises and the Auslan (Australian Sign Language) playgroup lead by Kym and Chloe is an evolution of small gatherings that have grown, shifted and evolved as children grow and new families join over time.
Today’s Auslan playgroup located in inner-western Brisbane, continues this strong thread of community connection, providing a welcoming space where language, culture and relationships are celebrated and people come together naturally through play.
The playgroup was inspired by firsthand experience, with facilitator Kym having attended and previously been a facilitator at Signee Tots in Victoria prior to moving back to Brisbane. While there were other programs supporting parents of Deaf children, Kym could not find an inclusive play opportunity where members of the deaf community and anyone connected to it could meet.
Kym and co‑facilitator Chloe established and began facilitating the Auslan Playgroup in October 2025.
The playgroup is a welcoming space for Deaf, hard of hearing, CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults), family, friends or families wanting children to be exposed to Auslan in a natural and organic way to come and connect.
“To anyone curious or interested we would say come along and see how it feels! You don’t need to know Auslan, little children pick it up naturally, and adults join in at their own pace. It’s a space for families who want Auslan as part of daily life and most people find it’s a great way to meet others who share the language and culture.”
“The playgroup is a place where Auslan is everyday language. Children meet others who share the language and culture, and adults connect with people who understand the Deaf experience. Families build friendships, share experiences, and feel part of a community where Auslan is natural and fun,” Kym said.
The playgroup meets monthly, primarily on weekends to allow families to work around their many varied commitments but still make time to connect and often will go on excursions to parks and other locations together.
Having seen the impact of Auslan‑rich environments both as a parent and then as a facilitator, Kym said volunteering became a way to offer that same experience to families in Brisbane.
“We do activities where Auslan happens naturally, such as messy play, art and craft, exploration, play-based games, and outdoor play. Sometimes we bring in Deaf adults to show different ways Auslan is used. Occasionally, we do pop-up playgroups or excursions, giving kids real-life experiences while developing Auslan through everyday activities.”
Celebrating Auslan and Deaf Culture
The Auslan Playgroup also connects families to important celebrations in the Deaf community. Auslan Day (13 April) marks the publication of the first Auslan dictionary in 1989 by Professor Trevor Johnson and this officially gave the Australian Deaf community a name for their language and established a linguistic framework for its visual-gestural grammar and lexicon. You can find out more about Auslan Day here.
Later in the year, National Week of Deaf People in September celebrates Deaf culture, pride, and achievements. These celebrations help children and families deepen their connection with Auslan and the wider Deaf community.
At its heart, the Auslan Playgroup is about families immersing and being part of Auslan life and culture. The playgroup is a vibrant example of the power of playgroup to create inclusive spaces where language, culture, and connection can thrive.
Want to join in Auslan playgroup? You can get in touch with Kym via auslanplaygroupbne@gmail.com or visit Auslan playgroup for information and session times.
The Auslan playgroup is a Play Matters affiliated playgroup, you can find out more about how Play Matters can support here.