We are very proud to launch our national Play Today Campaign this month. 

Our NEW website www.playtoday.org.au is up and running and full of great resources to support Parents, Caregivers and Play Professionals to get every child in Australia playing freely outside every day, for better health and wellbeing.

Click the photo above and you'll hear Robyn Monro Miller, International Play Association President, speaking about an adult's role to provide TIME, SPACE & FREEDOM for our children's play. 

It's week 4 of #NaturePact 22!

It is always a great opportunity to reflect not only on the ways nature benefits all of us, but also what we can and should be doing to support nature and improve biodiversity wherever we live, work, rest and play.

The evidence is clear, spending time with nature makes us healthier humans.

So if you haven't already, make your #NaturePact now!

A little risk helps children’s coping abilities, writes Paula Goodyer in The Age.

The article includes interviews with our Play Australia Executive Director, Barb Champion and long time Play Australia member, Dr Helen Little, Senior Lecturer with Macquarie University’s School of Education. 

‘‘Emerging research is also linking adventurous play to a reduced risk of childhood anxiety. When kids have the chance to experience uncertainty, it can improve their coping skills.’’ Dr Little. 

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Wednesday 5 October
1 Day F2F Training

This program will focus on the risk management requirements and Australian Standards for the management and maintenance of outdoor play spaces in early learning services in Australia.

The outdoor program is not an optional add-on to a 'main' indoor program, but an essential key component of every service for young children. It is a requirement as detailed in the National Quality Standards and regular playspace maintenance is essential for every early years’ service.

"Outdoor education is an umbrella term that includes many approaches and settings." The Conversation

Jean-Philippe Ayotte-Beaudet and Felix Berrigan are two Canadian Professors who have recently published research about the different aspects of 'outdoor play'.

This article discusses the growing interest in outdoor education, particularly since COVID-19, in that being in the open air is seen as a way to reduce transmission. 

Tim Gill, from Rethinking Childhood, was recently interviewed for a podcast in the UK.  It is a terrific interview, with the discussion centred on the health for our children as they lose access to risky play.  

'We protect them, but we're doing that at their cost. So what sort of damage are we potentially doing to children by doing this?' The Naked Scientist. 

This is a foundational piece of work by authors Sebastian Pfautsch, Agnieszka Wujeska-Klause and Judi Walters, to inform industry, local governments, designers, and parents.  

There are significant effects on outdoor playgrounds due to climate change and reduced shading.  It has been reported that some surfaces are 'often hot enough to burn skin'. Photo by Tanishq Tiwari.

The cultural significance of Japan's leaning toward less cars is making a marked difference in reducing road fatalities. But most encouraging is that more children walk to school and run local errands far more due to the increased safety on the streets. 

This Bloomberg article cites that the Japanese road safety infrastructure and regulations play an enormous role.  Good lessons to learn here. 

Check out Play Australia's 1000 Play Streets. 

Playspace Development Training
2-Day Program 
19 & 20 October 2022

This training program is designed for people working in the government and non-government sectors, involved in the design, development and management of play equipment and playspaces.

Participants will receive level 1 & 2 certification from Play Australia.

Play Australia membership provides support for all different sectors and industry who are part of the PLAY network. 

From Landscape Architects, Early Childhood Educators, play equipment Manufacturers, Local Government playspace teams, students, or just someone who cares about children's health and wellbeing,  Play Australia membership has something for everyone.

Membership starts from as little as $22 p/yr for a student OR $66 p/yr for an individual.

View our full list of benefits here to find the Membership package that is right for you.