This is the last day to register for our FREE Special Event. Join Mary Jeavons and Fiona Robbe to discuss:

Nature Play - what it is and what it isn't!

This special event is the launch of our Autumn Online Learning Series. The following sessions will be open to Play Australia members only. Not a member yet? Now's a great time to join! Check out week 2 with Pierre Comis in the next article. 

A free professional development opportunity for Play Australia Members - Join a conversation with Pierre Comis who will explain how Australia is embracing a new physical literacy definition and standard nationally, which begs the question …is this “play” rebranded?

WHEN: Thursday 13 May.

Pierre Comis is the Co-Chair, Physical Literacy Special Interest Group at Australasian Society for Physical Activity. 

Not a member? You can join now and you will be invited to the  remaining Autumn Online Learning Series. 

The International Play Association (IPA) is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2021.

To commemorate and celebrate this milestone, the IPA World Board is bringing out a book titled “Children’s play as human right”.

The book will trace the significant role played by IPA in shaping and promoting children’s right to play since IPA’s inception, document the many positive outcomes ranging across policy change and local action that have secured this right for children around the world.

If your work impacts children’s right to play directly or indirectly, please help the editors of the book by taking this short survey.

UNICEF's definition of a child friendly city is: a city, town, community or any system of local governance committed to improving the lives of children within their jurisdiction by realizing their rights as articulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Two key points also relate to the importance of access to green spaces and having places to play and enjoy themselves. 

Check out the UNICEF list of the Child Friendly Cities Initiative.

In March 2021, the Scottish Parliament passed a bill incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots Law.

This is a landmark moment to celebrate for children all over the world, as we take heart from what Scotland has achieved and increase our own advocacy to make it happen in Australia too. 

Tam Baillie, the former Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland, and Board Member of the IPA speaks to us here about this great achievement. 

We have a lesson to learn from Finland!  The Guardian speaks to Finnish educational expert Pasi Sahlberg, who says kindergarten for 3 - 5yr old children is "...not to prepare children for school academically, but to make sure they are happy and responsible individuals”.

The European message is 'Let children play',  highlighting the recognition of free time to play as an increasingly important part of schooling. Not just a preoccupation with reading, writing and arithmetic. Well worth the read. 

(Photo by CDC on Unsplash)

If you're in Melbourne you have the wonderful opportunity to join the Environmental Education in Early Childhood (EEEC) Conference - Saturday 15th May. 

EEEC is a non-profit organisation that provides support, resources, and professional development in relation to Education for Sustainability in the Early Years.

Check out the program. 

We are delighted to welcome Bill Pegus onto the Play Australia Board.  Bill is from Tasmania and his work involves auditing playgrounds, advice on design and maintenance, usually within schools and councils across Tasmania. 

We asked Bill why promoting the value of play is important to him.

"Promoting the value of play is important to me from the perspective of health, fun and  happiness for us all  in in a very complex and demanding world."

Bill Pegus says, "Play Australia constantly reminds me of the importance of play and provides the tools (particularly relating to standards) for me to play a part in the development of play environments in my community. It is also important to belong to a community (Play Australia) with values similar to mine."

So join the community and play network that aims to protect the rights of children in Australia to 'play today'.