Children are growing up in a technological world, which does impact their play. Dr Jo Bird's research looks at children’s digital play as a positive for their learning and explores ways educators can engage and support this type of play, while also teaching digital literacy and social skills.
Dr Jo Bird is a Senior Lecturer, Course Coordinator, and researcher in Early Childhood at University of New England. ‌ 

This session is suitable for early years educators from the education and care sector

Wednesday 13 September

4:00pm-5:00pm MEL, SYD, CBR, HBA, BNE, (AEST)

*Attendees from times zones other than AEST will need to join the session per their respective time zone as follows: 

3:30pm-4:30pm ADL, DRW (ACST)

2:00pm-3:00pm PER (AWST)

Cost

Free! for Play Australia Members

Non-members $49 per person inc gst

This session has ended.

Members can access the recording in our Play Library. Email memberservices@playaustralia.org.au to request access.

Not a member? Click here to join

Jenny will present findings on ProjectPARK, a comprehensive 3-year project funded by the Australian Research Council that examined park features most important for encouraging children, to visit parks and be active and social during their park visits. This presentation will provide practical guidance on features to prioritise in park (re)developments to optimise park use for children.
Jenny Veitch is an Associate Professor in the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, at Deakin University. Her research aims to better understand how design of the neighbourhood built and social environment may influence physical activity across the lifespan. She has a particular research focus on understanding how parks and public open spaces can be designed to encourage people of all ages to engage in physical activity.

This session is suitable for play space developers, landscape architects, urban designers and open space planners

Thursday 12 October 2023

4:00pm-5:00pm CBR, HBA, MEL, SYD (AEDT)

*Attendees from times zones other than AEDT will need to join the session per their respective time zone as follows: 

3:30pm-4:30pm ADL (ACDT)

3:00pm-4:00pm BNE (AEST)

2:00pm-3:00pm DRW ACST)

1:00pm-2:00pm PER (AWST)

Cost

Free! for Play Australia members

Non-members $49 per person inc gst

This session has ended.

Members can access the recording in our Play Library. Email memberservices@playaustralia.org.au to request access.

Not a member? Click here to join

Presented by Professor Ruth Jeanes & Associate Professor Justen O'Connor - School of Curriculum, Teaching and Inclusive Education, Faculty of Education, Monash University, this webinar will discuss the findings of a three year project examining informal sport participation, particularly focusing on the benefits that informal sport, or play, as we may know it, provides for individuals and communities.
Ruth and Justen will discuss the social and health benefits of informal sport and the economic contribution it makes to communities. The presentation will also discuss some of the implications for supporting informal sport and recommendations for increasing participation moving forward.

Ruth and Justen will explore the social and health benefits of informal sport and the economic contribution it makes to communities.

Thursday 2 November 2023

4:00pm-5:00pm CBR, HBA, MEL, SYD (AEDT)

*Attendees from times zones other than AEDT will need to join the session per their respective time zone as follows: 

3:30pm-4:30pm ADL (ACDT)

3:00pm-4:00pm BNE (AEST)

2:00pm-3:00pm DRW (ACST)

1:00pm-2:00pm PER (AWST)

Cost

Free! for Play Australia Members

Non-members $49 per person inc gst

This session has ended.

Members can access the recording in our Play Library. Email memberservices@playaustralia.org.au to request access.

Not a member? Click here to join

A special presentation featuring Louise from Christchurch City Council (NZ) to profile her efforts in engaging council units with the purpose of helping everyone understand how their work impacts on a child’s ability to play independently - in their neighbourhoods and cities. Louise will also profile her work to activate the neighbourhood play system around schools and share her reflections/learnings along the way. Her presentation will be followed by question time with attendees. This is a session not to be missed, as Play Australia seeks to connect with our own Local Governments (nationally) who want to trial Playbourhoods with local schools.

Louise Van Tongeren is a Council Play Advocate at Christchurch City Council (Aotearoa, New Zealand) who supports teams to consider play within their work both strategically and practically, promotes the importance of play for healthy communities and provides support to grow improved play conditions within her municipality. She is a part of a pilot cohort of play advocates within the Local Play Workforce Project, funded through the play stream of the central government body, Ihi Aotearoa Sport NZ.‌ 

This session is suitable for Community Development, Placemaking, Sport & Recreation and Children & Family Services

Tuesday 14 November 2023

11:00am-12:00pm CBR, HBA, MEL, SYD (AEDT)

*Attendees from times zones other than AEDT will need to join the session per their respective time zone as follows: 

10:30am-11:30am ADL (ACDT)

10:00am-11:00am BNE (AEST)

9:30am-10:30am DRW (ACST)

8:00am-9:00am PER (AWST)

Free! for Play Australia members

Non-members $49 per person inc gst

Register for Playbourhoods: Enabling play for children and families here

Play Australia members enjoy many benefits, including discounted PD opportunities and invitations to special events. Not a member? Click here to join

Join us to hear Lisa and Alethea share their findings on physical literacy, risk and active play for children. Learn what the concept of physical literacy is and the Australian Physical Literacy Framework.
Lisa will outline the development of the Physical Literacy in Children Questionnaire and current research using the novel pictorial survey.
Alethea will discuss findings from her research investigating parent attitudes towards risk and injury in children’s physical activity and play in Australia, and the framing of risk and play in Australian primary schools. ‌ 

This session is suited to educators in the early and middle years education and care sector

Thursday 16 November 2023

4:00pm-5:00pm CBR, HBA, MEL, SYD (AEDT)

*Attendees from times zones other than AEDT will need to join the session per their respective time zone as follows: 

3:30pm-4:30pm ADL (ACDT)

3:00pm-4:00pm BNE (AEST)

2:00pm-3:00pm DRW (ACST)

1:00pm-2:00pm PER (AWST)

Free! for Play Australia members

Non-members $49 per person inc gst

This session has ended.

Not a member? Click here to join

Professor Sergio Pellis is a renowned neuroscientist whose work has focused on the role of play in brain development. Sergio is a professor at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. He has dedicated his career to studying the neurobiology of play behaviour and its effects on brain development. With his extensive research and findings, he has shed light on the importance of play for shaping cognitive, social, and emotional development in both humans and animals.

Professor Pellis' work has demonstrated that play is not merely a pastime but a fundamental aspect of brain development. Engaging in play promotes neuroplasticity, enhances cognitive abilities, and shapes social and emotional skills. By incorporating play into education and parenting practices, we can harness the transformative power of play, giving rise to well-rounded individuals with adaptable and resilient brains.

This is a special event, not to be missed by anyone with an interest in the early development of the brain.

Wednesday 29 November 2023

1:30pm-3:30pm CBR, HBA, MEL, SYD (AEDT)

*Attendees from times zones other than AEDT will need to join the session per their respective time zone as follows: 

1:00pm-3:00pm ADL (ACDT)

12:30pm-2:30pm BNE (AEST)

12:00pm-2:00pm DRW (ACST)

10:30am-12:30pm PER (AWST)

3:30pm-5:30pm NZ (NZDT)

Play Australia Members: $38 per person inc gst

Non-members: $88 per person inc gst

Register for Social Play, the Brain and the Development of Resilient Individuals here

Not a member? Click here to join

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