Teddy Bear Competition

It is almost that time again, when we grab our bears and head to the parks!!!

In preparation for our Teddy bear's Picnic we want to see your bears!!!!

Send us a photo or drawing of your favourite teddy and go into the draw to win a fantastic book package donated by Scholastica Books to the value of $30.00. We will choose a bear from the Southern, Northern and North Western regions during Children's Week (25th-31st October 2009).

You can email your entries to info@playgrouptas.org.au

or post them to:

Teddy Bear Competition

Playgroup Tasmania

PO Box 799

Launceston 7250

Sheffield H.I.P.P.Y

Playgroup Tasmania manages the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters in beautiful Sheffield, Northern Tasmania.

The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) is a home-based parenting and early childhood enrichment program targeting families with young children. HIPPY develops foundations for learning in the home and empowers parents to be their children's first teacher. The program is suitable for children from 3 1/2 to 4 ½ years in the first year and 5 + in the second year.

HIPPY began as a research project in 1969, 40 years ago at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and was spread on a country-wide scale in 1975, 34 years ago.

Since then, it has been operating in many other countries, including Australia, where it first began in Melbourne in 1998, 11 years ago. Currently, HIPPY is helping over 400 Australian families per year.


HIPPY Sheffield is funded by the Australian Government of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, owned by the Brotherhood of St Laurence and administered by Playgroup Tasmania.

How did Sheffield attract the program and why did Playgroup Tasmania get involved?

The Sheffield community through Corralanne Walker, municipal councillor and community advocate made an initial request to have Sheffield considered as a site for the program. Following a success outcome, two years later, Playgroup Tasmania tendered for and achieved the management of HIIPY in Sheffield. With play and learning through play as our core business we are delighted to be assisting families in the beautiful regional rural Kentish district to benefit from this fantastic, fun and free early childhood program.

The Benefits of HIPPY for children

• Encourages a love of learning
  
• Prepares for school by teaching early numeracy and literacy through play
  
• Maximises chances of enjoyment and doing well at school
  
• Promotes language and listening skills and develop concentration
  
• Builds self esteem and confidence in learning
  
• Provides opportunities for parents and children to enjoy time together
  

Benefits of HIPPY for parents

• Helps create a learning environment at home – 1 hour/week
  
• Increases knowledge of child development and the way children learn
  
• Provides opportunities to enjoy positive time with their children
  
• Enables parents to be actively involved in their children’s education
  
• Creates employment and training opportunities – two tutors from the Sheffield community help to deliver the program.
  

Playgroup Tasmania works in association with the following community partners and acknowledges the valuable contribution made by them in supporting HIPPY Sheffield: Kentish Family Support Services, Kentish Municipal Council, CORES, Kentish regional Clinic and Child Health.

The HIPPY Sheffield office is located at :

Town Hall, 66 High St. Sheffield.
Program coordinator and contact person is Valda Jennings
Phone: 03 64911965
Mobile: 0408160084

This is our wonderful team of staff for H.I.P.P.Y. , Valda who coordinates the program and Kelley and Lara who are the tutors.