HIPPY prepares kids for school

There will be craft activities galore for children as well as morning tea and an Easter egg hunt.

HIPPY coordinator Heather Dingle, said she is keen to get more families on board this year and showcase the brand new curriculum . 

“At the moment we have 12 (families involved) and we have a capacity for 32 families in the program,” she said.

“This free community event for the HIPPY program allows us to get some information out about what we do and hopefully recruit some more families to our service,” she said.

HIPPY focuses on every day learning, with activities like painting, playing with shapes and play-dough to build skills for success at school.  

“We visit families in their homes, weekly during school terms and work with parents, showing them how to implement early learning activities as part of their everyday life,” Heather said.  

“The program builds core foundational skills that last you for life. 

“It’s a beautiful program that supports parents and families at home.”

Tamara Blunn and her little boy Cohen, three, have been in the program for five weeks and are thoroughly enjoying HIPPY.

“It’s helped (Cohen) develop skills and create new ones,” Tamara said. 

“We’re connecting on a different level, he sees me as mum and teacher now.”

 Alison Hayward and her boy Banjo say the best part of HIPPY is spending quality time together doing fun activities. 

“HIPPY has really given Banjo a solid foundation, both academically and socially, for starting school. It has been a fantastic accompaniment to his preschool attendance in readying him for transition,” Alison said.  

“Doing the HIPPY activities has also given Banjo a much greater awareness of the world around him, (he is) interpreting signs, noticing sounds,” she said. 

“We are looking forward to another HIPPY year.”

HIPPY is a free service teaching kids skills for their school journey. 

The Easter event will be held at the Lower Level park on Tuesday from 10am-11.30am.