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8 Ways to Exercise with Kids when Lockdown Restrictions
Handball Championships – Back for Second Year Running
Material Encounters: Ideas for Mark-making and Drawing
Connecting with Your Kids Through Art
How to Make a Pompom Decoration
Artforms to Inspire Children
How to Encourage Creativity in Children
8 Ways to Exercise with Kids when Lockdown Restrictions
If your children normally get their exercise through their participation with organised sport clubs, it can be challenging to find ways to keep up their fitness at home while the restrictions during COVID-19 are easing and sports clubs have not reopened yet. Heading outside and giving your children room to
How to Boost Your Child’s Sense of Belonging in Primary School
Thinking back to when you were in primary school, was there ever a time when you felt that you didn’t belong? That dreaded feeling when you walked into the school gate hoping that the day will be better than the day before. As a parent, you want your child to
Handball Championships – Back for Second Year Running
After a roaring success in 2021 with over 12,000 children competing, we are back! Get ready for the Handball Championships. Whether you call it Handball, Downball or 4-Square, we’re back for round 2 of the Handball Championships. Serve, Slice and Smash your way to glory – exclusive to Camp Australia
Material Encounters: Ideas for Mark-making and Drawing
By Dr. Gai Lindsay, University of Wollongong When we value children as citizens with the right to experience “cultural and artistic life,” (Article 31, UNCRC) we will intentionally support them to engage in playful meaning-making, communication and self-expression through the arts. This requires that we provide children with quality visual arts materials
Learning, Connecting and Communicating Through Art: The Radical Idea of Art as a Visual Language
By Dr. Gai Lindsay – University of Wollongong “All people – and I mean scholars, researchers and teachers, who in any place have set themselves to study children seriously – have ended up by discovering not so much the limits and weaknesses of children but rather their surprising and extraordinary
Connecting with Your Kids Through Art
Minnie Zammit is a Creative Arts Therapist and Counsellor working with primary and high school aged children. She writes about how to connect with children through art. As a Creative Art Therapist and Counsellor at Creative Kids Therapy and a Mum of two primary aged kids, one in Prep and
How to Make a Pompom Decoration
Who doesn’t love a pompom, right? Check out Pip Lincolne’s Pompom Decoration video and download the project sheet here. You will need … a few balls of wool thick cardboard scissors a stick from the garden some ribbon or string How To Make It Cut your cardboard into a rectangle shape as shown.
Connecting with The Arts is Good for Children and Important for Us All
“Children see before they speak, make marks before they write, build before they walk. But their ability to appreciate and interpret what they observe, communicate what they think and feel, or make what they imagine and invent, is influenced by the quality of their art, craft and design education.” (The
Artforms to Inspire Children
Minnie Zammit is a Creative Arts Therapist and Counsellor working with primary and high school aged children. She writes about various artforms to inspire children below. I’ve seen how art is an opportunity to play, create, find an inner awareness, deepen the process, with expressing and learning things about themselves.
How to Encourage Creativity in Children
This article has been written by Dr. Gai Lindsay, School of Education, University of Wollongong It goes without saying that creativity is considered to be important and desirable – in life, art, engineering and architecture and, of course, in education. In fact, taking part in playful and creative activities is
8 Ways to Exercise with Kids when Lockdown Restrictions
If your children normally get their exercise through their participation with organised sport clubs, it can be challenging to find ways to keep up their fitness at home while the restrictions during COVID-19 are easing and sports clubs have not reopened yet. Heading outside and giving your children room to burn off their extra energy is great when you’re free. However, if you’re trying to keep up full-time hours by still working from home or , you’ll need some indoor ideas too. Luckily, we’re used to finding ways to entertain even the most active of children in all sorts of indoor spaces. Here are our top tips for keeping kids
How to Boost Your Child’s Sense of Belonging in Primary School
Thinking back to when you were in primary school, was there ever a time when you felt that you didn’t belong? That dreaded feeling when you walked into the school gate hoping that the day will be better than the day before. As a parent, you want your child to fit in. You want them to feel like they belong. You want them to be happy. So, how can you help to boost your child’s sense of belonging in primary school? Know that Every Child is Different Being aware that every child had varying needs ensures that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is not adopted. School culture comes into play when looking
Handball Championships – Back for Second Year Running
After a roaring success in 2021 with over 12,000 children competing, we are back! Get ready for the Handball Championships. Whether you call it Handball, Downball or 4-Square, we’re back for round 2 of the Handball Championships. Serve, Slice and Smash your way to glory – exclusive to Camp Australia families. Towards the end of last year, we surveyed families to find out a bit more about how lockdowns and the pandemic affected your children and two thirds of families stated a decrease in physical wellbeing and loss of participation in sporting activities. Families indicated that they wanted to see more sport in OSHC. The Handball Championships are a great
Material Encounters: Ideas for Mark-making and Drawing
By Dr. Gai Lindsay, University of Wollongong When we value children as citizens with the right to experience “cultural and artistic life,” (Article 31, UNCRC) we will intentionally support them to engage in playful meaning-making, communication and self-expression through the arts. This requires that we provide children with quality visual arts materials that will make expressive and rich marks. Before expecting children to communicate and express their ideas through drawing, it is important to first provide them with repeated opportunities to ‘get to know’ the materials; to become familiar with the many expressive capacities of the materials and learn how to use them through experimentation, play, trial and error. The processes children
Learning, Connecting and Communicating Through Art: The Radical Idea of Art as a Visual Language
By Dr. Gai Lindsay – University of Wollongong “All people – and I mean scholars, researchers and teachers, who in any place have set themselves to study children seriously – have ended up by discovering not so much the limits and weaknesses of children but rather their surprising and extraordinary strengths and capabilities linked with an inexhaustible need for expression and realisation” (Malaguzzi, 1998, p.78). The quote above, written by one of the foundational teachers from the world-renowned educational project in Reggio Emilia in Italy, has inspired my 30+ year career as a teacher, researcher and academic and my passion for arts education. My research focuses on the visual arts skills,
Connecting with Your Kids Through Art
Minnie Zammit is a Creative Arts Therapist and Counsellor working with primary and high school aged children. She writes about how to connect with children through art. As a Creative Art Therapist and Counsellor at Creative Kids Therapy and a Mum of two primary aged kids, one in Prep and one in Year 6; I can understand the juggle and at times overwhelm with being a parent who works, manages the home, kids sports, homework and appointments. Introducing art into the home may not be the priority; I often hear parents don’t want to deal with the mess and think they can do it at school. What many don’t realise
How to Make a Pompom Decoration
Who doesn’t love a pompom, right? Check out Pip Lincolne’s Pompom Decoration video and download the project sheet here. You will need … a few balls of wool thick cardboard scissors a stick from the garden some ribbon or string How To Make It Cut your cardboard into a rectangle shape as shown. Tie your wool around the cardboard. Wrap the wool around and around the cardboard until you have a very thick layer. Tie a long length of yarn around the middle, very tightly. Tie it a couple more times to secure the middle of your pompom. Slide the unfinished pompom off the cardboard carefully. Knot once more in the middle to
Connecting with The Arts is Good for Children and Important for Us All
“Children see before they speak, make marks before they write, build before they walk. But their ability to appreciate and interpret what they observe, communicate what they think and feel, or make what they imagine and invent, is influenced by the quality of their art, craft and design education.” (The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted), 2008, p.1) When I walk into an art gallery, I feel a sense of wonder, anticipation, and an almost inexplicable calm. I breathe in the atmosphere of aesthetic beauty, revel in the space, delight in the colours and prepare myself to experience the joy of engaging with the visual stories,
Artforms to Inspire Children
Minnie Zammit is a Creative Arts Therapist and Counsellor working with primary and high school aged children. She writes about various artforms to inspire children below. I’ve seen how art is an opportunity to play, create, find an inner awareness, deepen the process, with expressing and learning things about themselves. Reflecting on the way I work with art in my practice, there is a range of tools, from creating, sensory play through playdoh, sandplay therapy, creating their own world with miniatures symbols in the sand, music, movement, painting, journaling, drawing, building with LEGO and role play. Having all these resources available allows them to engage more easily and have a
How to Encourage Creativity in Children
This article has been written by Dr. Gai Lindsay, School of Education, University of Wollongong It goes without saying that creativity is considered to be important and desirable – in life, art, engineering and architecture and, of course, in education. In fact, taking part in playful and creative activities is a human right (Article 31, Convention on the Rights of the Child). The words ‘creative’ and ‘creativity’ are used to describe all sorts of actions and you often hear people say, “that’s so creative!” or “you’re so creative!” And yet, lots of people emphatically state that they are not creative, mistakenly believing expertise with drawing or art-making defines creativity. Some people even
This World Play Day; We’re Doing Something We’ve Never Done Before
This Wednesday, when the school bell rings, something a little different is happening at Camp Australia After School Care services across the country. Children will
Around the World Art Adventures – Creating, Connecting and Celebrating Together
There is something truly magical about exploring the world even without leaving the room. As an artist I often say that creativity is our passport.
Navigating a New School Year: Supporting Both Kids and Parents through change
As the holidays come to an end and school bags come back out of hiding, families everywhere prepare for a brand-new school year. There’s excitement,
Back to school 2026: What child safety reform looks like in practice
Back to school 2026: What child safety reform looks like in practice As schools return for a new year, conversations about child safety and quality are
Top 5 Tips for Starting Term 1
It’s almost here. Summer fun and holidays are winding down, and the reality of heading back to school is kicking in fast for families. For
How to establish a great drop-off routine when starting before school care
Starting before school care is a big step, for children and parents. The right drop-off routine helps children feel safe, confident and ready to start
Teaching with Screens Throughout the Years
There is no doubt the experiences of the last couple of years have culminated in a far greater uptake of screentime and online activities for our young people. Along with an increased amount of time tethered to a device, we
Managing Screentime Throughout the Years
Martine Oglethorpe from The Modern Parent is an expert in online safety and has written her top tips in a comprehensive guide for parents to help with managing screentime for children of any age. A video introduction by Martine Oglethorpe.
Australia’s Biggest Handball Competition Returns
On Sunday 19 June, Camp Australia hosted Australia’s biggest handball competition, also known regionally as downball and four-square, for the second year in a row. The Regional Handball Championships saw over 350 children, between the ages of 5-12, come together
How to Encourage Positive Thinking in Kids
In reality, we all experience challenging times at various stages throughout life. Helping kids with positive thinking involves developing in them a resilient mindset. This is the ability to rebound after times of anxiety or avoidance and to refocus on
8 Ways to Exercise with Kids when Lockdown Restrictions
If your children normally get their exercise through their participation with organised sport clubs, it can be challenging to find ways to keep up their fitness at home while the restrictions during COVID-19 are easing and sports clubs have not
How to Boost Your Child’s Sense of Belonging in Primary School
Thinking back to when you were in primary school, was there ever a time when you felt that you didn’t belong? That dreaded feeling when you walked into the school gate hoping that the day will be better than the
Handball Championships – Back for Second Year Running
After a roaring success in 2021 with over 12,000 children competing, we are back! Get ready for the Handball Championships. Whether you call it Handball, Downball or 4-Square, we’re back for round 2 of the Handball Championships. Serve, Slice and
Material Encounters: Ideas for Mark-making and Drawing
By Dr. Gai Lindsay, University of Wollongong When we value children as citizens with the right to experience “cultural and artistic life,” (Article 31, UNCRC) we will intentionally support them to engage in playful meaning-making, communication and self-expression through the arts. This
Learning, Connecting and Communicating Through Art: The Radical Idea of Art as a Visual Language
By Dr. Gai Lindsay – University of Wollongong “All people – and I mean scholars, researchers and teachers, who in any place have set themselves to study children seriously – have ended up by discovering not so much the limits
Connecting with Your Kids Through Art
Minnie Zammit is a Creative Arts Therapist and Counsellor working with primary and high school aged children. She writes about how to connect with children through art. As a Creative Art Therapist and Counsellor at Creative Kids Therapy and a