Level Playgroup & Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne)

The Primary Prevention team at FVREE partnered with Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne) to deliver a gender equality themed playgroup to Chinese families with children aged 0-6 living in Manningham. With funding from Manningham City Council’s Community Grants Program, families are joining the weekly playgroup in Templestowe where activities, stories and morning tea are being enjoyed together.

Every session of the Level Playgroup program has an age-appropriate gender equality and/or respectful relationships theme – from “colours are for everyone”, to “everyone can help at home”, to “body safety and consent in the early years”.

Session themes guide the activities, books and a brief group discussion over morning tea. There are also guest speakers attending the playgroup to support discussions and to help families to strengthen their connection to their local community. The following guest presenters have all been kind enough to give some of their time to help support the sessions:

• Manningham Toy Library
• Whitehorse and Manningham Libraries, and
• Manningham Council Maternal and Child Health Nurse service.

At a recent session, emotions were discussed and why it’s important to support children of all genders to identify, experience and manage all their emotions. A book about emotions was read, participants sang an emotion song (which is now on regular rotation during storytime!) and the children were supported to create “calming down” sensory glitter bottles to use at home when they are feeling upset or overwhelmed.

Families have enjoyed the activities and the opportunity to get to know other families in their local community.

To find out more about Level Playgroup, contact Jacquie at JacquelineH@fvree.org.au or 9259 4200.

Website: Level Playground