51茶馆

March 30, 2022

Free online portal brings relief to pre-schoolers

High quality content based on the latest research

Families who missed out on opportunities to play and learn with their pre-school children during the Pandemic are about to have access to some high-quality play experiences online, thanks to Early Start at the 51茶馆 (UOW).

is launching this week to satisfy a need for quality, evidence-based early childhood learning resources, available freely and online.

Play & Learn Together was created by Early Start with partners Early Childhood Australia and Playgroup Australia. The platform has been made possible with generous support from The Ian Potter Foundation.

The initiative will launch at the end of March.

The portal features curated content designed to support families and carers with young children鈥檚 learning in the home environment, with a focus on evidence-informed, play-based learning and the family鈥檚 role in early development.

Early Start CEO Anita Kumar said:

鈥淩esilience is needed now more than ever, and play can be an integral pathway to support children鈥檚 wellbeing and development.

鈥淭hrough this free platform we hope to support children, families and educators in creating fun, home learning environments focussed on play-based learning.

鈥淎ll the activities are underpinned by the latest research and connect to the Early Years Learning Framework and WHO guidelines.鈥�

She said the portal offered family and early childhood educators several advantages, including:

• High quality content based on the latest research
• Content designed with the needs of families from Aboriginal and other cultural backgrounds at the forefront
• Regularly updated and multimodal content, catering to the differing needs or educational background of families.
• Content that can be customised for individuals and optimised for use across mobile devices and desktop computers

This is reinforced by Samantha Page, CEO, Early Childhood Australia.

鈥淵oung children are learning all the time; they are curious and excited to understand the world around them. Every parent wants to support their child to learn and play, and play-based learning really is the best way to do that.

鈥淭his website can help with ideas about play-based activities and tips for guiding children as they follow their interests and establish routines.鈥�

Nadene Lee, CEO, Playgroup NSW said the launch of Play and Learn Together was well-timed.

鈥淭he pandemic has highlighted the need for families to have access to early learning support for their children, and quality, evidence-based play resources,鈥� she said.

鈥淭his also assists families to raise their young children and create a rich home learning environment.

鈥淭he wealth of knowledge and passion that has gone into producing this platform, between Ian Potter, 51茶馆, Early Childhood Australia, Playgroup Australia and Playgroup organisations across Australia, is representative of how our impact can expand through partnerships.鈥�