Playgroup at Home Enriches Family Time in Remote Central Australia
Parents Mariana and Breanna split their time between Central Australia and Warragul, south east of Melbourne. Living in Central Australia provides many an adventure for the young family and brings with it many rewards, yet it can be an isolated experience living in such a remote location. Things became harder still with their baby, Charlie, during a once in a century pandemic.
During their time in Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in South Australia, the family discovered Playgroup at Home.
“I was searching online for playgroups when I realised there were none available in the community here. I was initially watching YouTube playgroup videos, but found these less engaging for myself and Charlie,” said Mariana.
“Everything Charlie and I do is 100 per cent at home or online. It can make it very isolating and difficult. Playgroup at Home really helps me feel connected to the world.”
Mariana and her wife Breanna have been living part of the year in Central Australia for 11 years. Breanna is a program manager and midwife for an aboriginal organisation and Mariana works in a variety of roles as a community advocate and social worker in aboriginal communities.
“As we are seasoned ‘Territorians’ so to speak, it has its ups and downs. We were initially based in Alice Springs, and my wife travelled remotely to do her occupation, travelling through APY lands, whilst my own roles required me to work in Alice Springs.”
The family return to Warragul as it is mandatory to take leave every 12 weeks due to the nature of the environment in which they work and live.
“What I recall from this past year, is that our son really missed out on the ‘face to face’ engagement with other humans due to the COVID situation, and the restrictions that were enforced in Victoria. Charlie was attending a ‘local’ playgroup with Breanna online and I suppose this is how he became accustomed to seeing others, through a virtual reality platform.”
Charlie has Global Development Delay, making it challenging without having any other peers his age. The pandemic also made it difficult for Mariana and Breanna to share their experiences, without the natural exchange that unfurls during real life interaction. Opportunities to meet with other parents reduced, there were seldom ways to find common ground.
“I feel honoured to be a part of the Playgroup Victoria family. It makes me feel, for half an hour each time we connect, that I have others out there in the same place.”
“It normalises our situation, and I enjoy watching my son grow with others, even in this type of space.”
The interactive nature of Playgroup at Home has helped to ease the disconnection for the family during this long period of uncertainty. Each session is hosted by playgroup facilitators on Zoom. Each session features an Acknowledgement of Country, a storytime, songs and an activity. Over time, regular attendees get to know the facilitators and develop a rapport, just like at a local playgroup.
“Charlie absolutely loves playgroup,” said Mariana.
“As he is currently teething and with sleeping issues, sometimes we don’t make it to the sessions booked, which I wish he could stay awake for! I would attend on my own!”
Mariana said that she has observed Charlie’s enthusiasm for music and connection shine through during the Playgroup at Home sessions.
“I have noticed his thirst for others has grown. He recognises when we are doing playgroup and the activities, stories, and people who are on the screen.”
Mariana said that these early childhood years are paramount for a developing child like Charlie.
“Understanding that the ‘work’ you put in- nourishing, engaging, loving, supporting- the list goes on, can genuinely help develop a young, healthy baby to grow into an important human being that is part of this world and community in which they live.”
“Providing positive play, coping mechanisms and teaching alternative options and methods to achieve the same goals really assists in developing neural pathways and changing the plasticity of a child’s brain.”
14-month-old Charlie has learnt to sit and use his hands and Mariana soon hopes this time and space will help him learn to crawl.
Over the years Mariana and her wife have had many enjoyable moments in the sunny north. A lot of time is spent biking and swimming or camping. Mariana says if you know where to go.
“When it first ‘rained’ down in Alice Springs, it must have been around 2012, and it was so amazing to witness. The local Todd River runs and overflows.”
“The local saying is that if you get to view the Todd River running, you will stay at least 7 years. Well, we stayed right up until recently where we sold our home and purchased in Warragul, 11 years later!”
Mariana is enjoying sharing her life experiences with Charlie. She said she is discovering learning tools and skills that she tries out and applies during their family time.
“It was great when restrictions did ‘relax’ a little bit. Family were able to come over and visit and we were able to go out and about. Charlie got to see more humans, and the world.”
“It was a really hard time, and in some ways, still is.”
“The gift that I take away is: learning never stops, and music always helps. I love the ideas the playgroups offer, and the different sessions for children of all ages.”
Article by Sinead Halliday