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Research
Child development at school entry and student wellbeing six years laterIt has been well established that children's development at school entry is associated with their later academic achievement, but less is known about whether there is also an association with other measures of school success, such as students' social and emotional wellbeing.
Research
Wellbeing and academic achievement paperIn this report, we explore the relationship between student wellbeing, school engagement, and academic achievement.
Research
PlaygroupsThe importance of play for a child’s development is irrefutable. Playgroups provide a safe environment for children of similar ages to play and develop prior to starting school.
News & Events
Playgroup program transforms early learning in TongaIn Australia, community playgroups are seen as the ‘soft touch’. But a research project in Tonga is finding the benefits can last a lifetime.
Research
The Power of Playgroups: Key components of supported and therapeutic playgroups from the perspective of parentsPlaygroups are community-based programs for children and families aiming to improve child outcomes, enhance family and community networks and increase parenting capacity. Despite the prevalence of playgroups in Australian communities there is a lack of research clearly articulating the key components of playgroups, specifically from the perspective of parents attending these groups.
Research
Randomised Controlled Trial of a Therapeutic Playgroup for Children with Developmental DelaysA single-blind randomised control trial investigated the effectiveness of the Learn, Engage and Play (LEaP) playgroup. Seventy-one children with developmental delay were randomly allocated to an 8-week LEaP playgroup or control group and followed up at 12 and 28 weeks.
Research
Playgroup participation and social support outcomes for mothers of young children: A longitudinal cohort study.This study aimed to examine friendship networks and social support outcomes for mothers according to patterns of playgroup participation.
Research
Tasmania’s child and family centres: a place-based early childhood services model for families and children from pregnancy to age fiveTasmania’s child and family centres users made more use of early childhood services than did non-users
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Review of the quality of evidence for preschool and school-based programs to support social and emotional skills, perseverance and academic self-conceptThis project provides guidance to help school leaders review the evidence for different programs, as well as a review of universal, evidence-based pre-school and school-based social and emotional learning programs available in Australia.
Research
Language in Little Ones (LiLO)The Language in Little Ones (LiLO) study is a five-year longitudinal study (2017-2021), funded through the National Health and Medical Research Council. The study investigates the quantity and quality of language exposure in the home environment during the first five years of a child’s life.