Play Matters Australia

22/06/2026

Today is International Father's Mental Health Day.

1 in 10 dads will experience depression or anxiety during the perinatal period, yet fathers' mental health is often overlooked. Dads can find it tough to reach out, but early support makes a real difference.

ForWhen
Gidget Foundation
Dads Group
SMS4dads
PANDA
Lifeline
Parentline Qld + NT

Find resources made for dads or reach out to one of the listed organisations at https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0-fns0

19/06/2026

Here is the Beehive | An action song to share at home together

Singing is a great way to capture your child’s attention. Babies love to hear your voice and watch your face as you sing. Young babies may show their interest by becoming still and staring at you (and they aren't judging whether you can sing in tune or not!).

Sharing and singing action songs together helps children to develop lots of skills: memory, motor planning, sequencing, and muscle coordination. They are learning to remember all the words of the songs, the order of the words as well as the order of the actions. They also learn to plan and coordinate these actions.

You can view Sing&Grow's Songs for Rhythm and Movement playlist on Spotify here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0-fqr0

And Here is the Beehive here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0-fpz0

18/06/2026

Did you know we have a host of playgroups in different languages, celebrating culture, connection and bi-lingual connections?

We have a range of amazing volunteers who dedicate their time and energies to bringing together families who speak languages and celebrate cultures such as Japanese, Korean, German, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Pasifika, Cantonese, Filipino and Chinese (Mandarin).

Some of these playgroups are located at The Corner, State Library of Queensland, with others in communities around Queensland (Cairns, Gold Coast, Greater Brisbane areas).

Many of our other playgroups are spaces for sharing of cultures and language, and celebrate the wonderful multiculturalism in our communities, creating connections across cultures.

Use the postcode finder on the website to find a group near you or reach out to our Customer Experience Team who can help find your perfect place to play!

Pictured: Families at the Sing n Tell in Spanish at the State Library of Queensland.

17/06/2026

Today is Autistic Pride Day | June 18

It's a call to action to:
1. Listen to and amplify autistic voices
2. Challenge stigma and misconceptions
3. Advocate for inclusive spaces in your community
4. Support programs like PlayConnect+ that make a real difference in the lives of families and children
5. Choose acceptance, understanding, and respect

We are so lucky each and every week to be able to facilitate and deliver a range of inclusive services across Queensland, including our PlayConnect+ playgroups and Sing&Grow in partnership with PlayConnect+ with group music therapy. PlayConnect+ Playgroups

These services support families and children with developmental concern or disability and ensure the creation of welcoming, safe spaces where children and families can come together through play and connection.

You can find a playgroup near you here: https://playmatters.org.au/playconnect

17/06/2026

QPAC Ticket Giveaway - 4 Tickets Up for Grabs!

We are giving you the chance to win 4 free tickets to a family-friendly, school holiday adventure at QPAC, in Southbank, Brisbane.

Choose from 360 All Stars or A Bee Story.

✔️Free to enter
✔️4 tickets to the show of your choice
✔️Drawn 24 June

It's free to enter, all you have to do is tell us what show you want to go to and who you would bring with you!

Enter here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0ZKxK0

Thank you to the Community Support Program at QPAC

16/06/2026

DIY Paper Plate Tambourine

Music helps the body and the mind work together, and helps children to express themselves while strengthening the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words, memory, oral language, and motor skills.

What you need:
2 paper plates for each tambourine
Stapler and spare staples (children may need assistance with this part)
Something to decorate (crepe paper, glitter, crayons, pens, collage)
Noise maker for the inside such as uncooked pasta, dried lentils, rice etc (have a look at what is in the cupboard)

What to do:
1. Decorate the plates
2. Place noise maker filler inside one of the paper plates, then join the other on top and staple to join together (if using rice, make sure there aren't any little holes)
3. Shake along to your favourite song - try this playlist from our Sing&Grow team on Spotify (Sing&Grow Spotify)

Adaptation: for children with diverse learning needs, it may be best to provide the tambourine ready made to participate in the music activity first, then provide the materials to create their own following the activity.

15/06/2026

Nature Instruments | Music & Nature Play in One!

This activity supports Musical Play by introducing children to:
- Exploration of natural sounds and rhythms
- Creative expression using everyday materials
- Listening and responding to different tones and textures

What you need:
- Collected natural items (sticks, leaves, seed pods, shells, stones)
- Small containers or baskets
- String or wool (optional)
- Empty bottles or containers (for shakers – optional)
- Tape (optional)
What you need to do:
1. Take children on a short nature walk (or use pre-collected items) to explore and gather natural materials.
2. Invite children to investigate the different sounds the items make (tapping sticks, crunching leaves, shaking seed pods).
3. Encourage children to create their own instruments, such as:
4. Stick tapping instruments
5. Leaf shakers in containers
6. Shell or seed pod rattles (secured with tape or string)
7. Explore making music together—tap, shake, scrape, and listen to the variety of sounds.
8. Create simple rhythms as a group or follow along with songs.
9. Encourage children to experiment with loud/soft and fast/slow sounds.
- Stick tapping instruments
- Leaf shakers in containers
- Shell or seed pod rattles (secured with tape or string)

Nature instruments also connect children to their environment while supporting mindfulness, creativity, and self-regulation in a fun, hands-on way.

This activity is also featured on our free online Play Hub portal, giving members access to a range of creative play ideas that support children’s learning and development.
Explore more activities here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0Yt_N0

12/06/2026

Connect Through Music: Tools for Early Communication & Care

Join in this music month for our free, monthly webinar series - Lunch&Learn. In June we shift focus to using music as a communication tool and as a protective factor in perinatal care.

Join Anne Flood, Director Musicability as she introduces MusicTalk, a creative communication tool using music, even pre-speaking or for non-speaking children.

Lou from our Sing&Grow team then turns the focus to matrescence, sharing how music in the prenatal and perinatal period can support emotional regulation, bonding, and wellbeing for parents and infants alike.

When: Thursday 25 June
Time: 12 noon to 1pm (there will be a live Q&A after each presenter)
Where: Online, free, registrations are essential (recording will be sent post-webinar).

Register here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0YDF10

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

12/06/2026

Meet the Team | Sing&Grow NSW & ACT

It's music month at Play Matters and as part of the focus on music for the month of June, we want to introduce you to our Sing&Grow team in NSW and ACT.

Our national Sing&Grow team delivers evidence-based music therapy programs across community and organisational partnerships, supporting social, emotional and developmental foundations through music and connection. Communities for Children partnerships, working alongside local neighbourhood and health centres all form part of the important work our NSW and ACT team does.

Using songs, movement, and musical instruments, each session is thoughtfully planned to support skills like self-regulation, communication, school readiness and emotional wellbeing, while strengthening relationships between children and their families.

Be, Elisha, Ivy, Kim, Sam L.S., Louise are all Registered Music Therapists providing services across the state and territory.

Sam http://S.J. is a Senior Registered Music Therapist and Greer is Acting State Manger and Tina is State Manager for the areas.

You can read more about Sing&Grow here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0YBJm0