4 August 2023

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day

Today is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day and the theme is #LittleVoices #LoudFutures.

How are you celebrating National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day? We believe that every child's voice is important and needs to be heard. We would love to see your posts on this special day so please share on our social media pages!




Join the Conceptual PlayLab team on Saturday at Peninsula campus or Sunday at Clayton campus for Monash University Open Day 2023.




📢 This Saturday and Sunday #MonashOpenDay! Join us at our Peninsula campus on Saturday and Clayton on Sunday to learn more about studying Education at Monash University. We can't wait to see you there! Register now: bit.ly/43ZD08w



Working papers from the Conceptual PlayLab publications page.

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If you are an early childhood educator who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest and join our private Facebook group - Conceptual PlayWorlds for Educators. You can also access free resources for educators.


If you are a parent who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest. You can also access free resources for families.

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3 July 2023

Suva, Fiji 🌴 and celebrate NAIDOC week with us

In early June, the Conceptual PlayLab team and our STEM champs visited Suva, Fiji to take part in an exciting ECE symposium with University of South Pacific.

Below: subject positioning made visible - teachers in Fiji with PlayLab working in small groups to show the different pedagogical positions - to be equally present with children, to be above children, to be below children asking for help, to be in primordial we position (as one unit of teacher-child).



Sonya Nedovic ⁦@MonashEducation PlayLab wows the participants of the talanoa in Fiji as she presents a snapshot of her PhD research.






















Below: Monique says that it not so much about the resources but about being resourceful. University of the South Pacific and ⁦⁦@MonashEducation share their respective research together what a green-blue Pacific Conceptual PlayWorld could look like in Suva Fiji. We don’t buy but recycle.



Celebrate NAIDOC week with us, 2nd-9th of July



 Visit the official NAIDOC week website to find out more about celebrations in your area.


Marilyn Fleer @MarilynFleer·23h
Celebrating #NAIDOC week by walking with the NT street art 👏🏼



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If you are an early childhood educator who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest and join our private Facebook group - Conceptual PlayWorlds for Educators. You can also access free resources for educators. 

If you are a parent who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest. You can also access free resources for families.

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24 May 2023

PlayLab PhD students attend an international conference in Norway on play, design and the arts

PlayLab PhD students Yuwen and Zixi attend an international conference on play, design and the arts.

During our travel to Norway, we had the opportunity to explore the Bergen city with colleagues from the Kindknow Centre. We took the funicular to Floyen and visit the kindergarten there.


Photo: A kindergarten outdoor play area in Bergen Floyen

Photo: Bergen city

Photo: Bergen city
                                

We also visited the Kindknow Centre and the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, where we learned about their innovative research and approaches to early childhood education.

 
Photo: The University Norway University of Applied Science

Photo: A group photo in the University Norway University of Applied Science

The highlight of the trip was attending the opening of the Research School, which was founded by the Norwegian government for eight years. It was inspiring to see such a strong commitment to research and education, and we are excited to see how this school will contribute to the field in the years to come.

Photo: Professor Elin Eriksen Odegaard’s opening speech for the NORCHILD Research School

Attending the BIN-Norden conference in days 4 and 5 was also an enriching experience. We had the opportunity to listen to keynote speakers such as Associate Professor Alicja R. Sadownik, who presented on "Children's playful entanglements as a matter of sustainable economics and justice-to-come," and Professor Ditte Winther-Lindqvist, who presented on "Caring well for children and the world." We also heard from many other Nordic researchers working on important topics related to children's play, exploration, and art.

 

Photo: Professor Ditte Winther-Lindqvist gave her presentation


Photo: Associate Professor Alicja R. Sadownik gave her presentation

Photo: Maria Hrindheim gave her presentation

On the last day of our stay, we listened to Dr. Ana Marjanovic-Shane on the Emancipation of Childhood. Her insights and perspectives on play, playful practices and institutionalization early childhood upbringing and education were truly eye-opening, and we were grateful for the opportunity to hear her speak.


Photo: Listen to Ana’s presentation

Additionally, Yuwen was able to reconnect with Maria during the conference, with whom she had previously collaborated to organize the Conceptual PlayLab and the Kindknow Centre's joint PhD day in 2020 and 2021. Yuwen is grateful for these experiences and look forward to future opportunities for learning and collaboration.

Photo: Yuwen and Maria in the conference dinner

Photo: A group dinner photo for Marilyn, Glykeria, Ana, Yuwen and Zixi


Overall, it was a wonderful journey in Norway. we had the opportunity to network with many Nordic researchers and deepen my understanding of early childhood education, particularly in the areas of play and exploration. We were also delighted to network with cultural-historical researchers such as Alicja, Ditte, Maria and many other colleagues at the Kindknow Centre.
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6 April 2023

Conceptual PlayWorlds for families

Our Conceptual PlayWorlds for families are nearly here!

Coming soon!


If you would like to inspire your families, why not try out a Conceptual PlayWorld at home! Watch out for our roll out of starters for families on the ABC platform here. Below is a sneak peek of the fun that you can have at home with your own family!


We love you, Magoo by Briony Stewart.

Above is a Conceptual PlayWorld in action using We love you, Magoo by Briony Stewart and below is another Conceptual PlayWorld in action, Amira's suitcase by Vikki Conley.


Amira's suitcase by Vikki Conley.


If you've been inspired to try out our Conceptual PlayWorld starters at home, please visit our family starters page. For more details, please see our newsletter or join our mailing list to stay up-to-date with our latest research news.

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In March, we welcomed esteemed delegates from South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dr Anne Suryani and Monique Parkes introduced the group to Conceptual PlayWorlds. A wonderful day was had by all.




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Latest papers


Our latest papers are available online.




Working papers from the Conceptual PlayLab publications page.

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If you are an early childhood educator who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest and join our private Facebook group - Conceptual PlayWorlds for Educators. You can also access free resources for educators.


If you are a parent who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest. You can also access free resources for families.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Other resources
Sign up to receive our newsletters


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7 March 2023

Are you an educator that strives to foster scientific curiosity?

Are you an educator that strives to foster scientific curiosity, develop mathematical logic and instil design and engineering thinking in our children?


The Conceptual PlayWorld model is a play-based model that can help you achieve those learning outcomes. It’s based on some of the world’s best research, and inspires young children to form concepts in STEM, especially girls.

If you, or someone you know, would like to learn how to construct a Conceptual PlayWorld for STEM in your setting - We are offering free VIP professional development programs.

Whether you’re an educator in Family Day Care, Preschool or School, we’re inviting you to join us!

We want to help you pioneer Conceptual PlayWorlds in your educational environment and there’s a number of ways you can participate.

Option 1

Marilyn and her team from the Conceptual PlayLab Monash University, run 2 hour workshops via Zoom. So wherever you are in Australia, or the world, you and a group of your peers can do this Professional Development together. 

Option 2

The second option is a self-paced PD. You do this on your own, working through a series of modules at a pace that suits you.

The modules are packed with videos, prompts, and resources to support the planning and building of your very own Conceptual PlayWorld.

Marilyn and the team make sure the Professional Development is catered specifically for you - the workshop is based on the stories you and your children love.

All you have to do is have a selection of your favourite books ready and you’re good to go

Click here to sign up for your personalised PD today!

The Conceptual Playworld - where imagination in STEM and imagination in play come together.


The Conceptual PlayLab celebrates!


Congratulations to our very own Senior Research Fellow, Dr Anne Suryani who was awarded an Advancing Women's Success Grant which supports the career progression of early to mid-career high potential academic women with primary carer responsibilities and assists the university in fostering talent and progressing gender equity in senior roles within the academy.


Anne was also awarded the DFAT AII Studies and Cultural Leadership Award which recognises excellence in study or research at any level and across any discipline, or in cultural education and outreach, which has contributed to an increased understanding of Indonesia among Australians.


If you are an early childhood educator who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest and join our private Facebook group - Conceptual PlayWorlds for Educators. You can also access free resources for educators. 

If you are a parent who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest. You can also access free resources for families.

____________________________________________________________________________________________
Other resources
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24 January 2023

Are you looking for resources to kickstart 2023?

Are you looking for resources to kickstart 2023? Jump onto the ABC Kids page and download Conceptual PlayWorld starters for the stories read on Play School Story Time abc.net.au #STEM @MonashEducation 




View Play School Story Time on ABC iview

Latest papers


Our latest papers are available online.







Working papers from the Conceptual PlayLab publications page.



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If you are an early childhood educator who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest and join our private Facebook group - Conceptual PlayWorlds for Educators. You can also access free resources for educators. 

If you are a parent who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest. You can also access free resources for families.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Other resources
Sign up to receive our newsletters

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8 November 2022

We are so excited about our partnership with the ABC!

Marilyn and the PlayLab team are super excited about our partnership with the ABC’s Play School Story Time and ABC Kids Early Education. The team have been working with the ABC’s Early Childhood Education Producer, Laura Stone, behind the scenes to prepare some super innovative materials for educators and families.


Visit Play School Story Time to find out more!





Celebrating our successes

We congratulate Dr. Kulsum Chishti Yonzon and Dr. Xianyu Meng on their recent doctorate conferral.  

Kulsum’s research study focuses on infants-toddlers learning and development, specifically how Conceptual PlayWorld creates conditions for developing the imagination and science concept formation in the toddler age period. Her areas of focus include children’s learning and development in infancy and toddler age period, translating theory into practice to develop effective play pedagogy, educational psychology, STEM education, and providing mentorship and guidance to early childhood educators and teachers. Kulsum is an Early Childhood Teacher and hails from Nepal. She has experience working in the early childhood sector in Nepal and Australia.



Xianyu's thesis was entitled "A cultural-historical study of the development of emotion regulation of children in institutional care in China: A playworld approach". Her research focused on applying the playworld pedagogy to an institutional care setting in the Chinese context, in an attempt to support the children's emotion regulation. Her research found that playworlds, when implemented as part of the institutional practice, created new developmental possibilities for children in institutional care in China.  Before commencing her PhD journey, she worked as a Montessori early childhood teacher for five years, and as an educational consultant for a not-for-profit organisation specialising in the care of vulnerable children. 


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If you are an early childhood educator who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest and join our private Facebook group - Conceptual PlayWorlds for Educators. You can also access free resources for educators. 

If you are a parent who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest. You can also access free resources for families.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Other resources
Sign up to receive our newsletters
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1 August 2022

Conceptual PlayWorld PD highlights

In this post we present highlights from our latest Conceptual PlayWorlds PD. 


Conceptual PlayWorld PD highlights




In July 2022, the PlayLab team delivered four free weekly Zoom PD sessions to a group of 90 pre-service and in-service early childhood teachers studying postgraduate early childhood degrees at the Indonesia University of Education (Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, UPI). The fourth session was opened by Professor Ahmad Bukhori, Director of International Affairs; Dr Nandang Budiman, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Education; and Dr Euis Kurniati, Head of the Master of Early Childhood program. UPI has an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Monash University and thus PlayLab is pleased with this opportunity to support and strengthen our relationship with Indonesian academics and researchers in the early childhood field.

It was wonderful to see participants’ high levels of engagement with the program. They also worked together to investigate how Conceptual PlayWorld (CPW) can be adapted into the Indonesian context by using well-known local storybooks to teach STEM ideas to young children. For example, participants shared ideas on how CPW can be used to teach children about current environmental issues such as flooding, which is common in Indonesia.

According to Dr Kurniati, “CPW’s planning proforma is easy to understand and will be very helpful for our future teachers wherever they teach. Thank you to Professor Fleer, Dr Anne Suryani, Ms Oriana Ramunno, and Dr Taj Johora for organising these Zoom PD sessions for us. We look forward to further collaboration with PlayLab”.

The PlayLab team welcomes expressions of interest from early childhood educators and educational institutions around the world who would like to learn about, and implement, the CPW program in their practice. If you would like more information please contact Dr Anne Suryani at conceptualplaylab@monash.edu

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If you are an early childhood educator who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest and join our private Facebook group - Conceptual PlayWorlds for Educators. You can also access free resources for educators. 

If you are a parent who would like to have an opportunity to participate in the Conceptual PlayLab research activities in the future, you can register your interest. You can also access free resources for families.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Other resources
Sign up to receive our newsletters

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