HIPPY families celebrate early learning in the Murraylands
Play-based learning can help kids get on the right track before they start school, says a local mum and tutor this Early Learning Matters Week.
When the time comes for little Leah to start school in the Murraylands, she’ll be ready.
Her mum, Jasmine Trevorrow, has been able to give her daughter the best possible start in life with help from a support program being celebrated this Early Learning Matters Week.
HIPPY – the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters – gives parents the knowledge and resources they need to help their children thrive in a home-based learning environment at the ages of three and four.
The free program is delivered by Murray Bridge-based AC Care on behalf of the Brotherhood of St Lawrence, with funding from the federal government.
Ms Trevorrow, a HIPPY tutor, aims to give local families empowering, encouraging and positive experiences during early childhood.
But she was also such a believer in the program that she enrolled her own daughter.
“Before HIPPY, I knew that Leah was going to learn from me as her mum, but I now really feel like her first teacher,” she said.
“I’ve been able to give her that little bit of extra support, so I know that when she goes off to school, she is going to be ready.
“To see her progress, like learning to count to 10 or be able to identify colours, it has been amazing to witness; and seeing the joy on her face when she learns something new makes me happy.”
Participating parents are given activity packs full of ideas for play-based learning over a two-year period.
All the HIPPY kids and their parents regularly get together to catch up, too.
“I have made friends with a lot of the other HIPPY parents,” Ms Trevorrow said.
“We all go around and talk about what activities we have done with our children, and what ways we have changed them to suit our children’s needs.”
Local children who will turn three before May 1, 2026 will be eligible to enrol in the program from next January.
Early Learning Matters Week runs from August 18-24.
- More information: Visit hippyaustralia.bsl.org.au, accare.org.au or AC Care’s office at 29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge; or contact Kayla Borchardt on 0487 561 182 or at kayla.borchardt@accare.org.au.
