Robyn Monro Miller will be a key guest speaker at the 2021 National Sports & Physical Activity Convention. Speaking on 'The Power of Play - Developing Physical Literacy and an Enquiring Mind Through Play'.  

Robyn's passion for play is inspiring, as is her knowledge and expertise. Robyn will be discussing how play is of fundamental importance for the survival of a species. 

Check out more of the impressive global and national speakers at the Convention and register now.

Here's a sprightly podcast with a great title 'Reasons to be cheerful' to give you a boost during winter!  Two UK hosts (Ed Miliband and Geoff Lloyd) developed this specific episode around the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the child's 'right to play’.

It includes Tim Gill talking about how ‘child-friendly cities’ around the world design public space to make it easier and safer for children to play.

Hint - go in about 9 minutes for the good stuff about PLAY.

(Photo by Nandhu Kumar on Unsplash)

Talking about Tim Gill, here is a terrific review of his 2021 released book Urban Playground. 

"An important message of Gill’s book is that the creation of child-friendly cities isn’t just about children. It’s about all of us. And the planet. Children are the ‘indicator species’ of a healthy habitat." Marketa Nosalova

The Children and Nature Network (CNN) in the US has released an online exhibition titled "Nature Future: Kids' visions for a just and nature-filled world."  

CNN CEO Sarah Milligan-Toffler says the inspiring voices and experiences of young people represented throughout the works, "Gives me great hope for the future". 

The shared art collection from children and teens is insightful and beautiful. 

Our next 2 Day PD is scheduled for 11 & 12 August in Victoria. If you design or manage play spaces, this is a must attend program. 

Participants will have access to expertise and knowlege to understand both best practice and Playground Standards applicable to the management, development, design and maintenance of play spaces throughout Australia today.

Hear from Professor Adrian Bauman AO on the challenges facing Australia due to our physical inactivity and the need for an integrated national physical activity strategy to move us forward. Play Australia agrees!

WHAT: PreventionWorksLive - Creating systems change for physical activity. 

WHEN: Thursday 8 July 2021, 2.00-3.00pm (AEST) 

I am CEO of The Play Projects, an Allied Health Therapy service that provides retreats, school holiday camps and programs for children with disabilities.

As our lives have become busier and there has been a move towards increasing structure in children's lives, and a plethora of entertainment options at their fingertips, we have noticed that opportunities for kids to engage in free (unstructured) play have been reducing.

I am a big believer in the need for us to advocate for, and educate families on, the importance of protecting this time in their child's day. I believe it's integral in raising happy, healthy and confident kids. 

What are the benefits of being a Play Australia member?

Kait says, "I love being a Play Australia member and having access to the wonderful resources available on the website, the newsletter updates and the generosity of sharing from Barb [Champion] and the team when I'm looking for evidence or information to assist me in my work."

Join Play Australia and become part of a professional network that values the importance of play.