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Kids who attend playgroup do better at school

New research by The Kids Research Institute Australia has found children who attend playgroups achieve better early primary school outcomes.

News & Events

Playgroup program transforms early learning in Tonga

In Australia, community playgroups are seen as the ‘soft touch’. But a research project in Tonga is finding the benefits can last a lifetime.

Research

Developmental trends in young children’s device-measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour

Knowledge of developmental trends in meeting age-specific 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines is lacking. This study describes developmental trends in device-measured physical activity and sedentary time over a three-year period among Western Australian children aged two to seven years, including differences between boys and girls.

Research

Population-referenced percentiles for total movement and energetic play at early childhood education and care

Childcare services such as preschools and long day care centres have been identified as a key setting to promote physical activity in early childhood as they provide access to large numbers of children for prolonged periods. Yet, specific standards for the type and amount of physical activity children accumulate whilst attending childcare are lacking. The purpose of this study was to derive population-referenced percentile values for children's total movement and energetic play whilst attending early childhood education and care services.

Research

A great way to bring up health behaviour topics at playgroup: a qualitative evaluation of the Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup program

The early years is a critical stage to establish optimal nutrition and movement behaviours. Community playgroups are a relaxed environment for parents with a focus on social connection and supporting parents in their role as 'First Teachers'. Playgroups are therefore an opportunistic setting to promote health behaviours in the early years.

Research

The Wellbeing and Engagement Collection (WEC): Promoting the importance of students’ wellbeing and mental health in schools

o help raise the profile of student wellbeing in the education system in Australia, The Kids Research Institute Australia and SA Department for Education through the Fraser Mustard Centre, set out to adapt and trial a population-level student wellbeing measure that could be used across the entire public and p

Research

Participation in the Wellbeing and Engagement collection in South Australian schools

In South Australian schools, students in Grade 4 to 12 are invited to participate in an annual survey about their wellbeing and engagement in school, referred to as the Wellbeing and Engagement Collection.

Research

Wellbeing and academic achievement paper

In this report, we explore the relationship between student wellbeing, school engagement, and academic achievement.

Research

Wellbeing and Engagement Collection (WEC) in the South Australian school system

The aim of the WEC is to help teachers, school leaders and policy makers better understand and support the wellbeing and engagement of their students.