Play Matters Australia

June is Music Month! 🎶

Our member email has landed with lots of practical, fun and engaging music play inspiration.

Check your inbox for inspiration on how to bring music into everyday play - using what’s already around you.

Whether it’s listening to the patterns in nature, using found objects to create sound, or singing in response to what we see and hear, engaging with music outside can be a playful and immersive experience.

What are some of your favourite ways to explore music play in your family? Comment below.

This National Reconciliation Week, we’re recognising the importance of relationships, respect and community.

Community-led playgroups are creating meaningful spaces for connection, cultural sharing and belonging, driven by the strengths of local communities.

We have worked in collaboration with Woorabinda State School and the Department of Education for over 10 years to make sure the Woorabinda playgroup is led by community and owned by and for everyone.

Learn more about the playgroup and how it is making a difference

https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0WL6T0

Today, we acknowledge National Sorry Day (26 May), which provides an opportunity to reflect, listen and recognise the experiences of the Stolen Generations.

National Sorry Day 2026 marks the 29th anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing them home report in 1997. The Bringing them home report shared the Stolen Generations history with the nation and made wide-ranging recommendations to address the harm caused to survivors and their families.

For families and playgroups exploring days of recognition like National Sorry Day is an important opportunity to explore themes of family, belonging, kindness and respect in ways young children can understand.

By using simple, respectful language we can ensure future generations will continue to demonstrate and model belonging, inclusiveness and understanding.

“Today we remember that in the past, some families were treated unfairly. We can show respect by being kind and making sure everyone feels they belong.”

Healing Foundation has provided a colouring in sheet that families and playgroups can use to recognise National Sorry Day here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0VJzB0

Join us for Messy Play May Lunch and Learn with Connecting The Dots Through Culture!

Join Jackie and Cecelia as they explore how messy play can deepen children's connection to the natural world - from waterways and oceans to land and sky. This session will honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood perspective, recognising the deep and enduring connection to Country.

Whether you are an educator, volunteer or parent, this session will leave you inspired to embrace the joys of messy play, while fostering a lifelong connection to our natural world.

Thursday 28 May
12 noon to 12:30pm (AEST)
Free, but register to access or attend.

Register here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0VYmc0

Supporting young people on the road to independence 🚗

Play Matters Australia upcoming free, online MyTime session is designed for parents and carers of young people with disability, developmental differences or chronic health conditions from the ages of 0 to 18 years who are beginning to explore driving.

In this session, we’ll be joined by Jenny Gribbin, Director and Occupational Therapy Driver Assessor at Driving Well Occupational Therapy.

Attendees will gain practical insights into how to support their young person in building confidence and readiness for driving.

Topics to be discussed in this session include:

🟣 Understanding research around driving and autism, including common challenges
🟣 Navigating the Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines and QLD Transport Medical Certificate (F3712) requirements
🟣 What an occupational therapy “Potential to Drive” assessment involves and how to access one
🟣 Practical ways to support your young person at home as they prepare for driving

Date: Monday, 25 May 2026
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: Online (Zoom)
Cost: Free

Join other parents and carers for a supportive, informative session and gain confidence in navigating what this looks like for your family.

👉 Share with someone you know may be interested or register now to attend: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0Tq2f0

As National Volunteer Week comes to a close, we want to celebrate the incredible community playgroup volunteers who make play possible.

Across Queensland, nearly 300 Play Matters volunteers create spaces where families can play, connect and find community.

We recently nominated four outstanding volunteers for the Queensland Volunteering Awards. Their stories are wonderful examples of how people quietly put their hand up to help but make a massive difference in the lives of many (and maybe even themselves!).

👉 Read more and get to know these inspiring volunteers: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0Tq2t0

Celebrating Under 8’s Week

This Under 8’s Week, we are celebrating the role play, connection and community have in the early years and there is still time to get involved!

Across Queensland, many of our teams have been out and about alongside local communities and early years organisations facilitating events, creating play prompts, and supporting families to come together through play.

As we mark over 70 years of Under 8’s Week, we recognise the ongoing importance of advocating for young children and the value of everyday moments that support their growth, wellbeing and sense of belonging.

Under 8's week provides a meaningful opportunity to honour children’s rights, ensuring their voices are heard, their ideas are valued, and their experiences are celebrated.

Thank you to our partners, communities and families who have helped bring these celebrations to life, you can see where our teams are bringing play to life here by using the postcode finder: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0Tkr20

Under 8's week is another wonderful way that play brings together families for connection and community.

Early Childhood Australia - Queensland
Early Childhood Australia