Importance of play highlighted at Forum

Encouraging young Indigenous children to play more to help with their education was one of the messages from speakers at the 2008 Moving Forward Together Forum held at USQ Fraser Coast, in Hervey Bay, on July 23.

Former Palm Island teacher and USQ Masters of Education graduate Auntie Irene McBride pleaded with the young members of the audience which included many high school students to let their children play because it was vital to childhood development.

'When you have children remember that there are two really important things in the children's lives – their families and the next important thing is allowing the children to play,' Auntie Irene said.

'Too many children these days spend too much time in front of the TV and playing video games.

'Literacy and numeracy levels are going down. So it makes you wonder.

'When we went to school we'd play. We'd organise rounders or skipping. We did a lot of play as children.

'It's general knowledge that Indigenous children are two years behind non-Indigenous children when they start school. And it's play that is going to help them mature.'

As part of the studies for her doctorate Auntie Irene will be investigating what children do with play, especially symbolic play such as make-believe.

'Not many indigenous children do that (pretend),' she said.

'Research has shown that children who can role play usually go on to have good literacy and numeracy skills.

'It's also important to read to children every day.'

The forum also heard from several other speakers who told of their educational struggles and triumphs.

Sandra Armstrong, a PhD student working on the history of the Bogimbah Mission on Fraser Island, started tertiary studies when she was 49.

The mother of four received her first tertiary qualification, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, in 2000.

Sixteen-year-old Urangan High School student Anthony Bean, of Hervey Bay, spoke about the people who had guided him, but were not necessarily role models.

He named his parents, a number of teachers, his friends, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and singer John Williamson.

A number of his art works were displayed during the forum.

'You know I hate it when people ask me what my inspiration is, or why I do something,' he said.

'I paint for two reasons. One: I feel like it. And because I was bored and there was nothing else to do.

'But one day I hope to be able to sell my paintings or have them in a gallery.'

And Anthony said he wouldn't have been able to produce the admired works without the help and guidance of two other people – his grandparents.

Media contact: Katrina Corcoran USQ Fraser Coast Media  +61 7 41206167