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Research
Wellbeing and academic achievement paperIn this report, we explore the relationship between student wellbeing, school engagement, and academic achievement.
Research
PlaygroupsThe importance of play for a child’s development is irrefutable. Playgroups provide a safe environment for children of similar ages to play and develop prior to starting school.
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Population-referenced percentiles for total movement and energetic play at early childhood education and careChildcare services such as preschools and long day care centres have been identified as a key setting to promote physical activity in early childhood as they provide access to large numbers of children for prolonged periods. Yet, specific standards for the type and amount of physical activity children accumulate whilst attending childcare are lacking. The purpose of this study was to derive population-referenced percentile values for children's total movement and energetic play whilst attending early childhood education and care services.
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Tasmania’s child and family centres: a place-based early childhood services model for families and children from pregnancy to age fiveTasmania’s child and family centres users made more use of early childhood services than did non-users
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Playgroup participation and social support outcomes for mothers of young children: A longitudinal cohort study.This study aimed to examine friendship networks and social support outcomes for mothers according to patterns of playgroup participation.
News & Events
Playgroup program transforms early learning in TongaIn Australia, community playgroups are seen as the ‘soft touch’. But a research project in Tonga is finding the benefits can last a lifetime.
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Review of the quality of evidence for preschool and school-based programs to support social and emotional skills, perseverance and academic self-conceptThis project provides guidance to help school leaders review the evidence for different programs, as well as a review of universal, evidence-based pre-school and school-based social and emotional learning programs available in Australia.
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Randomised Controlled Trial of a Therapeutic Playgroup for Children with Developmental DelaysA single-blind randomised control trial investigated the effectiveness of the Learn, Engage and Play (LEaP) playgroup. Seventy-one children with developmental delay were randomly allocated to an 8-week LEaP playgroup or control group and followed up at 12 and 28 weeks.
Research
The Power of Playgroups: Key components of supported and therapeutic playgroups from the perspective of parentsPlaygroups are community-based programs for children and families aiming to improve child outcomes, enhance family and community networks and increase parenting capacity. Despite the prevalence of playgroups in Australian communities there is a lack of research clearly articulating the key components of playgroups, specifically from the perspective of parents attending these groups.
Research
The influence of the neighborhood physical environment on early child health and development: A review and call for researchThis review examines evidence of the association between the neighborhood built environment, green spaces and outdoor home area, and early (0-7 years) child...