Donating Duplo to community schools in Papua New Guinea

The University of Canberra academic is hosting a donation drive for Duplo and other children's mega blocks to deliver to disadvantaged classrooms in the pacific nation.

Dr Simoncini’s research through the Playground Project hopes to investigate how interaction with the play piecescan ignite youngsters interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering) study. 

"The blocks can be used not just for building, but also teaching colours, counting, basic maths and spatial awareness – which are all important skills for further learning,” she said. 

The assistant professor in early childhood primary education has has worked in PNG for several years and said few community classrooms had the resources we’ve come to expect in Australian kindergartens. 

“Teachers are members of the community with little training, the classrooms are basic, preschools don’t have desks and they really are lacking in materials and resources we see here ,” she said.

“I think Canberrans would be really excited to know that the building blocks which helped their own kids get a good start on learning would be enjoyed by other children in PNG.”

Research theories pointed to a correlation between playing with blocks and an aptitude for understanding the dimensions of shapes and applying that to problem solving. 

In late September Dr Simoncini will hand deliver either new or pre-loved Duplo sets to four recipient schools.

She will return in 2017 to compare the learning outcomes of schools with and without the resources.

So now is the time to dig deep or mine the back of the toy cupboard so help send the haul of blocks next month. 

Arrange to drop off your donations before September 5 by contacting Dr Simoncini on 0434 401 828 or Kym.Simoncini@canberra.edu.au.