Kirsten Hancock|David Lawrence|Francis Mitrou|David Zarb|Donna Berthelsen|Jan Nicholson|Stephen R. Zubrick
The association between playgroup participation, learning competence and social-emotional wellbeing for children aged four–five years in Australia
Telethon Kids Institute|University of Western Australia|Telethon Kids Institute|University of Western Australia|Telethon Kids Institute|University of Western Australia|Queensland University of Technology|Queensland University of Technology|Murdoch Children's Research Institute|Parenting Research Centre|Telethon Kids Institute|University of Western Australia
data growing australia longitudinal study australian children used examine associations playgroup participation outcomes children aged four five years controlling range socioeconomic family characteristics playgroup participation birth three years used predict learning competence socialemotional functioning outcomes age fourfive years learning competence boys girls disadvantaged families scored threefour per cent higher attended playgroup ages birthone year twothree years compared boys girls disadvantaged families attend playgroup social emotional functioning girls disadvantaged families attended playgroup ages birthone year twothree years scored nearly five per cent higher attend demographic characteristics also showed disadvantaged families families least likely access services despite data limitations study provides evidence continued participation playgroups associated better outcomes children disadvantaged families