Hayley Anna Christian Bird HC AB BSc (1st Class Hons), PhD W.Aust. BSc(Nutr), MDiet Senior Research Fellow, National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow Research Assistant 08 6319 1040 6319 1037 hayley.christian@telethonkids.org.au Anna.bird@ ...

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Alanna Tess Yasmin Sincovich Gregory Harman-Smith AS TG YHS BPsych(Hons), PhD BSc (Hons), PhD (Psychology) BA, BHlthSc(Hons), PhD Senior Research Officer Senior Research Fellow Head, Early Years Systems Evidence and Tenders Support Unit 08 6375 ...

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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. ...

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• 2024
• March 2024

A 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. ...

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• 2021
• April 2021

This study aimed to examine friendship networks and social support outcomes for mothers according to patterns of playgroup participation. ...

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• 2015
• June 2015

Playgroups are widely used throughout the Australian community yet understanding of their efficacy is hindered by inconsistent playgroup definitions and practice principles. This study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate the feasibility of a manualised therapeutic playgroup for children with developmental delay and their families using a three step process. ...

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• 2021
• January 2021

This study provides evidence that continued participation in playgroups is associated with better outcomes for children from disadvantaged families. ...

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• 2012
• January 2012

Children who attended playgroup had better development at school entry relative to those who had not attended playgroup ...

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• 2020
• May 2020

Early childhood is a critical window for preventing obesity and chronic disease. Yet, 1 in 4 Australian children aged 5 years and under are affected by overweight or obesity; and significant proportions of children under 5 years fail to meet guidelines for diet quality, physical activity (PA), screen time, and sleep. ...

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• 2021
• September 2021

This paper documents that children in rural Indonesia participate in a great variety of early childhood education pathways ...

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• 2019
• September 2019

Comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of Community Playgroups across Australia ...

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• 2016
• January 2016

Alanna Sincovich AS BPsych(Hons), PhD Senior Research Officer 08 6375 6108 Alanna.sincovich@telethonkids.org.au Senior Research Officer @AlannaSincovich Alanna is a Senior Research Officer at the Telethon Kids Institute. Her research takes a ...

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