Nature Play in Everyday

Presented by: Sarah McGowan | Nature Play WA & Dr. Kylie Dankiw | Adelaide University

April is Nature Play Month at Play Matters join Sarah from Nature Play WA and Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Kylie from Adelaide University as they provide evidence-rich, practical strategies to do nature play everyday! 

Messy Play: Mother Earth and Her Gifts

Thursday 28 May
12:00pm to 12:30pm (AEST)

Presented by: Cecelia See Kee and Jackie Bennett | Connecting The Dots Through Culture

Join Cecelia and Jackie as they explore how messy play can nurture children’s connection to the natural world through waterways, the oceans, the land, and the sky. This session will also honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood perspectives.

Creative Communication & Matrescence and Music

Thursday 25 June
12:00pm to 12:30pm (AEST)

Presented by: Anne Flood | Musicability
Lou MacLachlan | Sing&Grow

Discover how music can deepen communication, connection, and care across early childhood and parenthood. In this webinar, Anne Flood from Musicability will explore how rhythm, melody, movement, and visual supports can ignite creative communication and early literacy - especially for children who communicate in diverse ways. Lou from Sing&Grow then turns the focus to matrescence, sharing how music in the prenatal and perinatal period can support emotional regulation, bonding, and wellbeing for parents and infants alike.

Foundations of Physical Play in the Early Years

Thursday 23 July
12:00pm to 12:30pm (AEST)

Presented by: Christopher Davis, CEO Little Athletics Queensland

Sport and physical activity shapes numerous physical, mental, social and societal benefits in our lives; and sport has long been a cornerstone of the Australian way of life. But what happens when kids don’t have the foundational skills to succeed in local, community sport? Or, have never built a love of movement? This presentation will explore the importance oi developing foundational movement skills in children, and the lifetime benefits that occur through participation in community sport.

Intentional Allyship as a Protective Factor

Tuesday 30 July
12:00pm to 12:30pm (AEST)

Presented by: Jenae Tien, Director Expand Today

This webinar explores allyship as a practical safeguarding approach to creating safer, more equitable early childhood environments. Drawing on lived experience and collaborative work with ABC Kids Early Education, Jenae Tien (Expand Your Library) shares how allyship can be activated through everyday interactions, reflective practice and thoughtful resource selection.

Practical Early Literacy Tools & Words Grow Minds

Thursday 27 August
12:00 noon to 12:30pm (AEST)

Presented by: Bec Hughes, Senior Executive of Program Development & Learning, Raising Literacy Australia

Protecting Children is Everybody's Business

Wednesday 9 September
1:00pm to 2:00pm (AEST)

Presented by: Sarah Lim, Founder and CEO BBSafe

This webinar will explore how protecting children is a shared responsibility, empowering families and communities to play an active role in safeguarding young children. Led by child safety expert Sarah Lim, it will build confidence and practical skills in recognising risks, using age-appropriate language, responding to concerns and accessing support. Participants will gain clear, actionable strategies to help keep children safe in everyday settings.

Around The World Play Month

Thursday 24 September
12:00pm to 12:30pm (AEST)

Presented by: TBC

Growing Deadly Brains

Thursday 22 October
12:00 noon to 12:30pm (AEST)

Presented by: Aunty Sheryl Batchelor, Founder and CEO Yiliyapinya
Rhi Parsons, Growing Deadly Brains Project Manager Yiliyapinya

The Role of Adults in Children's Play

Presented by: Dr Melinda Miller

Dr Melinda Miller is a registered teacher, education researcher, and consultant. Over a 20-year career, Melinda has worked with early childhood services, schools, in higher education, and with government. 

Building Strong Families and Community: The Transformative Power of Play

Presented by: Nairn Walker

Educator Nairn Walker has spent over 30 years working across Australia, NZ, the US and the UK.

Playing with Wellbeing: The Protective Power of Play

Presented by: Dr Geraldine Harris

Geraldine brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood leadership and management of place-based approaches, integrated service provision both in Australia and in England.