Curious Kids at Discovery Science & Technology Centre

What is 'Curious Kids'? a program designed for children aged 3-5 to introduce them to the exciting world of science.
WHY:  young children can learn basic scientific concepts in a fun and interactive way.
WHERE: Discovery Science & Technology Centre at 7 Railway Place Bendigo, Victoria 3550.
HOW: story time, introduces the scientific concept; an activity in The Lab, where children will learn the practical application of the concept talked about during story time.
WHEN: 11:00am on the first and third Monday of each month during school terms.


Find out more 
or phone: (03) 5444 4400

Not hundreds but thousands of free play ideas

 

 

I wanted to share some great play ideas from some friend's sites.
Right here you can get so many play ideas for young children from so many great Aussie bloggers. On their sites you will find a multitude of play ideas.
Just click on the links below to get you started:

• ABC
• Australian Animal crafts
• Baby water tray
• Baking a cake
• Bath Play 
• Bush walk with the family
• Butterfly painting
• Collage: easter egg shapes
• Dinosaurs - 10 activities
• Excursion planning
• Finger plays
• Garden Journal
• Labrynth Maths
• Matching game with aboriginal theme
• Memory games
• Mud pies
• Musical Instrument Making
• Music outside
• Nature play - 18 ideas
• outdoor play 
• Papier Mache
• Parachute Games
• Peg doll craft
• Playing Libraries
• Play with conkers
• Pretend Play
• Reading Tent
• Snap painting
• Science experiment with food colouring
• Scoop ball - DIY
• Slimy spaghetti
• Spray painting
• Toy free play - 15 tips

All of these wonderful blogs are on EARLY PLAY AUSTRALIA on facebook

MORE PLAY IDEAS AND THEORY 

What is Playgroup all about and how you can find out first hand?

In 2013, National Playgroup Week will be held from 17 - 24 March. This means each state will be holding one or more events where you can come along and join in for free. For more information on what's happening in your local area, please contact your state or territory Playgroup Association on 1800 171 882.

   Playgroups are for children under school age. Unlike other early childhood programs such as kindergarten, preschool and child care, parents attend Playgroup with their children.

Playgroup offers babies, toddlers and young children a wide variety of early learning experiences and aims to provide opportunities for children to learn through play.
Playgroup also provides parents and caregivers a chance to meet to share ideas and experiences.

•  A typical Playgroup meets weekly for a two hour session and is run by the parents, grandparents and other caregivers. 
• Playgroups are not-for-profit and costs are kept low.
• Playgroups commonly meet in community and neighbourhood centres, health clinics, preschools and kindergartens, parks, church and scout halls, and in private homes.
• Community Playgroups (run by parents and caregivers) are an early-childhood development model unique to Australia, and they have been operating for 45 years.
• There more than 8,300 Playgroups in Australia that meet each week, 
• Playgroup-aged children are at a stage of rapid brain and skill development, and play is vital to healthy growth.
• Play-based learning in the formative years enhances a child’s educational potential, as well as social and psychological well-being.

CONTACT PLAYGROUP AUSTRALIA to find a playgroup near you.

Nature Benefits for Children

Dr Karen Martin from the University of Western Australia has conducted research into the benefits for children from contact with nature. She found that today’s children are spending less time outside than previous generations despite clear benefits relating to children’s health, behaviour and learning.
Read the Nature Benefits for Children information brochure.
Here are just some of our bloggers who appreciate and blog about connecting children with nature:

Baby bee's house: children learning about bees
Bowerbird Blue: all about environmental education
Caro & Co: connecting kids to the wonders of outdoors...
earth sky sea child: Learning Love of the Environment
little eco footprints: know nature
Mummy Musings and Mayhem: outdoor play ideas
playfulljoy: camping and rock stacks

But, I bet if you visited any of the blogs at left you would be hard pressed to not find posts about the fun and importance and ideas for getting kids outdoors.
Here at EARLY PLAY AUSTRALIA we love and cherish the wonderful outdoor environment we live in, do you? Let us know by leaving a comment here.

Mums, Bubs, Kids Market Days 2012

Address: Gladstone Bowls Club in Ferris Street,
Gladstone, Queensland Australia 4680

The Dirty Rascals Playgroup will be cooking breakfast and drinks, cakes, muffins and biscuits will be on sale. All proceeds go back into the playgroup to purchase new equipment and arts and craft supplies.

PHONE: 07 4972 9000 Information & Bookings for the Market Day
Gladstone Information Centre               

Don't forget National Playgroup week

National Playgroup Week: March 25 to April 1, 2012

National Playgroup Week is an annual celebration of play and playgroups enjoyed by thousands of families around Australia.

It’s theme “Serious fun! Discover Playgroup” promotes the benefits of play, in a Playgroup setting, for young children from birth to before school age, and the ways Playgroups can support parents and bring communities together.

You can host your own special event or join in what is on in your area. Darwin is hosting 'Playday at the Zoo' and Port Augusta is having a Playgroupers Beach Party!

Playgroups, community organisations, schools and companies are all invited to participate by hosting or supporting an event during the week March 25 to April 1, 2012.

Events registered with Playgroup Australia will have access to resources including an event planning kit, posters, postcards, flyers, media release templates and other promotional materials.

Playgroup NSW Celebrates 40 years

Playgroup NSW started in Birchgrove in 1972 and will be celebrating it's 40th birthday with 40 parties. Find out more details at Playgroup NSW

Steiner Schools and playgroups

NEW STEINER SCHOOL
Moreton Bay Birali Steiner School
Information morning: Sunday October 9th at 10am Beachmere Community Hall
Guest speakers- CEO of Steiner Schools Australia Tracey Puckeridge
and Founding Teacher, Education Administrator of Samford Valley Steiner School Chris Jack
(Please see flyer for more information)

Story Telling Workshops with Ebba Bodame

Auriel Steiner School, Hastings Valley 

Workshop 1 - Spinning Straw into Gold
Friday 7 October 2011 7pm at the Beechwood School of Arts

Workshop 2  - Rhythm, Story, Song and Play for the young Child
Saturday 8 October 2011 11am - 1pm at the Beechwood School of Arts

Bookings Essential: For more information please see the attached flyer or contact info@aurielsteinerschool.org.au

 

PLAYGROUP at Auriel Steiner School, Hastings Valley.

Monday mornings during school terms at the Beechwood School of the Arts.  More info or contact info@aurielsteinerschool.org.au

ALL INFO FROM Nicki Radford at Steiner Education Australia

Playgroup Australia

Playgroup Australia values the benefits of playgroups for young children and their families.
A playgroup is an informal get together where mums, dads, grand parents, caregivers, children and babies meet together in a relaxed environment.
Playgroups are set up and run by parents and caregivers, with children choosing from a range of activities set out to meet their varying needs.

To find your nearest playgroup or to start a new playgroup, call 1800 171 882, Australia wide or visit their website.