“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”- Albert Einstein

Cast the mind back, discovering a secret world as a child. A land, full of possibilities and wonder. Remember enchanted gardens beneath trees, a shop where you were making (mud) pies, or when you tumbled into a story with a friend, they were the narrator, then you took the lead, exchanging dreams, ideas and meaningful things. This acquaintance with wonder in the early years of life shapes so many parts of the human condition, what our sense of belonging and safety are- and become. 

As we all do, our early experiences guide us, even the unpleasant ones. Larissa Taylor had dreamed of being a teacher. She loved learning, she loved being creative.

It is said that there are three C’s in life: Choice, Chance, Change. Larissa met those cornerstones of life and embraced them.

Larissa has been running playgroups for 27 years. Over that time, her superpower has been her understanding and her unique way of creating spaces that promote connection, freedom and learning through play. 

“When I say playgroup changed my life, it genuinely did. I was a single mum of one when I first started at 22 and all I ever dreamed of was being a teacher, but bullying got me out of school, undiagnosed autistic, diagnosed with dyslexia, so I just never thought I was ever going to be able to teach so this is the best of both worlds- my creative output and my teaching skills.”

“It’s like having a play school that you can attend,” said long-term friend Charlene.

“It’s her energy, her charisma.”

Even those who are new to the group have felt the positive impact of Larissa’s playgroup.

“We’ve just moved here,” said Phil. “It is a bit of normality for James and he loves coming. It’s different every week.”

“I think the effort that Larissa puts into it, I think she does it every day. I think it’s mind blowing really. She does a marvellous job, honestly.”

Larissa’s reputation for vibrancy proceeds her, with families talking about her “amazing shows and performances”. Hailey, a mother of two, said that Larissa has hired and packed out huge local halls.

“It’s like having your own Emma Wiggle, as well as a playgroup.”

Larissa invites families to dress up, sing, dance, move and in doing so, many shake their uncertainties away. They have fun.

Larissa is clearly very creative, with a great eye for detail. The Imaginarium Playgroup she now runs stirs at the play proponent of our brains.

Children move through the variety of play landscapes, each of its own terrain and season. Australian animals perch in one corner alongside storybooks. Families sit on soft mellow mats, with colouful backdrops behind them. There is play dough, dress-ups, craft tables, ride-on animals, a cubby with sparkling lights falling from the ceiling, an area for vehicles, an area for farm animals, an area to explore nature. It is a wonderland of imaginary possibilities.

“We have loved it,” said Father Tom. “It is our first term. We have come every week. I would highly rate it for anyone- the value, it is incredibly good value for what we get for an hour and a half. Fully recommend it to anyone.”

Storytime begins with an Acknowledgement of Country song, one that the kids have come to know by heart. It is a grounding moment, of which this group has several.

The next part of the session is high energy: drums, shakers, clapping sticks, all the while a colourful sound speaker flashes in the background.

“You come for Larissa,” said Charlene with a smile as Larissa can be seen jumping up and down in the background with a gaggle of children following her every move like ducklings follow their mother duck.

There are subtle nuances here that shift the interaction from light to meaningful, perhaps barely perceptible to a passer-by, but felt by the individual. The Maya Angelou quote comes to mind, “You won’t remember what people said, but you will remember how they made you feel.”

Larissa takes the time to welcome everyone. Upon arrival, she is sitting on the floor talking to several parents. When another family arrives, she jumps up to greet them. At the beginning of their group time, as they sit together in a circle, each and every child is welcomed by name.

“We have 130 family members now,” said Larissa. “We will bump to 200 as of next term so that is a lot of people to love and care for.”

Larissa reflects on how enriching it is to support others and finds it a privilege. The reality is, people got through all sorts of challenges and seasons in their lives, regardless of class, wealth, education and age. Larissa recently supported a parent going through a sobriety journey. The parent said:

“You know you changed my life when I walked in the door that day.”

The quiet reinforcement and encouragement that the playgroup space offers has helped many parents and carers.

Milestones are acknowledged and the parents and carers gain one-on-one time, comfortable knowing their children are safe here.

“When I first started, I thought it was a kids program. It’s not,” said Larissa.

“I took three years and I remember looking up once and seeing all the parents just smiling, and I thought, Ahh I’ve got this wrong, this isn’t just about kids, it is about the family unit and them finding friends and I can see it. This group is fairly new families, so to see them all gel so well is really great.”

The steady base here, the parents, provide stability as the children grow.

“He knows she is here,” said Larissa, as she stands beside one mum, watching her young son. “That is the key. He is learning and strengthening because she is here supporting him.”

“How exciting to see how much he has grown!”

“That’s the beauty of it- they are safe, they feel safe, they feel loved and they know I love them, too. This is not fake, this is not a job for me, this is- they are all my little people,” laughs Larissa.”

Early on, Larissa started learning sign language to better communicate with Charlene’s son. Larissa said she cared for him so much and wanted to connect. 

“The fact that it is inclusive, we don’t turn people away, come as you are,” said Larissa.

There is an awareness that Larissa has extracted through lived experience, which has helped her tune into what the needs of others are. The basic premise at this playgroup is built on both play and relationships that are real. Come as you are.

Families feel that, as people intuitively feel an atmosphere when they enter a room.

Several parents, without prompting, remark that it is a non-judgmental space- within that, they can loosen up.

“To me, it feels like I get a break, said Hailey who attends with her two children. “It’s nice to even come and chill and relax. It’s very non-judgmental.”

“It’s nice to relax and let the kids just be kids.”

Throughout her playgroup sessions Larissa creates a routine and offers audio cues to the group: “10 minutes until storytime. 10 minutes!”

“Clean up time in five minutes!”

While the playgroup is vibrant and visually stimulating, Larissa has incorporated space- space to move, space to create familiarity, space to develop a routine, space to seek out areas of interest.  

“Larissa provides a safe and welcoming space for all families from all backgrounds to gather and feel supported,” said Rheanna Goeschl. “Children of all ages are drawn to her bright personality and parents feel supported and seen.”

Renee, who runs family day care, has been attending Larissa’s playgroup sessions for nine years.

“The kids just love it, they come in and they are straight to it. The wealth of knowledge that Larissa has with her set-ups is just amazing.”

“This is by far the best playgroup ever.”

As part of Playgroup Victoria’s 50 year anniversary, Larissa has been named a Lifetime Playgroup Champion runner-up, after nearly three decades of playgroup engagement and contribution. Larissa. received nominations from local community members- including those who have attended her group in the past- and those who attend today.

“She personally had a big impact in my life,” said parent Ella Margaret.

“I think back and I know that anyone who experienced Larissa Taylor’s playgroup fun has grown up in a place of love and fun no matter what their home life was like. Playgroup with her was the best and I am so glad I, and many others, experienced it.”

Early experiences. Larissa is compelled to make the early years enriching here at her Imaginariam Project playgroup. She is eager to rewrite stories about difference and ability, forging pathways towards acceptance, light, fun, hope, safety- where families are always welcome and are always encouraged to come as they are- to enjoy and to be free. 

Join the Imaginarium Project Playgroup here

Article by Sinead Halliday