Queensland's unique playgroup reopens Monday

Children at play!

Queensland's only purpose built observational playgroup reopens to parents and their children on Monday 13th February at USQ.

The Child and Family unit was established in the mid-1980s to provide practical placement for first year Early Childhood students studying child development and observational skills.

Playgroup Co-ordinator and Associate Lecturer in Early Childhood at USQ, Wyverne Smith, says the playgroup is an instrumental component in the Early Childhood degree.

"Sometimes this is the first contact students have with children. It's a real experience and it happens in their first year of study, so before they go into a school situation they have an understanding of how children think and how children learn through play."

As part of this strategy, students spend their day behind a reflective glass wall, so they can observe and analyse how children play with their peers and interact with their parents.

The playgroup is visited by around one hundred children (and their parents) per week and, over the years, has assisted children from different social and socioeconomic backgrounds.

"At different stages we've hosted children with disabilities and children from overseas who learnt English through their interaction with other children in playgroup,"

"As part of the playgroup we also provide a support system for parents, where we offer them advice and resources on subjects ranging from toilet training, behaviour management and sibling rivalry,"

"Our playgroup is also very unique in that we have a full-time co-ordinator and a wide range of resources, including a library with over 800 books." Mrs Smith said.

USQ invites the media to attend the USQ Child and Family Unit during the week of the 13th February. At the playgroup the media can observe students, teachers, parents and children partaking in various activities.

Playgroup Co-ordinator, Wyverne Smith, is also available to comment on positive parenting strategies.

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, W: 07 4631 2092, M: 0412 097 326

Please advise USQ Media if you intend to visit the facility.