FOUNDER and director of Talk and Teach, Elizabeth Jones BA (Hons) (CPSP) has worked as a Speech Pathologist in the public education and disability sector for 20 years.
A mother of four, including a child with a disability, she lives with her family in the Glass House Mountains, where her children attend a local school.
Working in the public sector, Ms Jones often hears how families struggle to access speech therapy.
Long waitlists and high turnover mean many children miss out on crucial
early intervention. As a parent of an autistic child, she understands how difficult it can be to find the right service or support.
Her solution: Talk and Teach—speech therapy tool kits that equip parents with the knowledge and resources to begin therapy at home.
Each kit contains evidence-based, easyto-use clinical tools and fun activities that fit into busy routines. They can be used as a starting point for therapy or to supplement existing programs.
Speech therapists have long offered home
programs, but Ms Jones saw a need for more accessible, family-friendly resources. She launched Talk and Teach while travelling Australia with her family. Drawing on her education background, she selected tools to support her own children on the road.
Talk and Teach is now helping families across Australia, including those in remote areas and homeschooling communities.
“Every child deserves a chance to thrive—no matter where they live,” she said. More details at hello@ talkandteach.com.au
Values based early learning
FAMILIES in Mooloolah Valley and surrounding areas are benefiting from the Out & About values based approach to early care and education.
Opening just under 2 years ago, Out & About have quickly become a local fixture and member of the community. Out & About fields a quiz night team in support of the local school, and even has its own Oz Tag team in the local competition.
Strong family connections and long-term meaningful
relationships are being built each day at the centre as we care for and nurture our beautiful local children. Out & About engages regularly with several extracurricular providers at no cost to families, including Happy Feet dance and movement with Gemma, The Recycle Man who teaches children how to care for our world, Erika who brings the calming effect of Yoga to the children’s day and Beezotted who help children understand the delicate balance in the
natural world and how we can best support it.
Lovely Victoria from The Kindness Company assists children to be thoughtful, considerate of others and the world around them.
Out & About is busy growing future lovely and positive citizens for our community.
Out & About Care & Education offers a fullservice setting, caring for infants right through to our Approved Free Kindergarten program. We have not just one, but two experienced
teachers who have been in the centre since it opened, bringing their knowledge and skills for the best outcomes for our future Prep children.
This year has started with a bang with most rooms full. There are some spaces left in the Kindergarten Program, and a few spots left in the 3-4 year space.
If you or a friend need spaces, or extra days, call Natalie at the centre soon to ensure you pick up those final spaces. Out & About is open 51 weeks
per year, from 6.30am –6.30pm Monday to Friday, so supports all our busy working parents with the hours they need.
State-of-the-art
The Out & About Care and Education Mooloolah Valley OzTag team. Inset: Outdoor play area.
Talk and Teach director, Elizabeth Jones.
EDUCATION FEATURE
Under 8’s day in Landsborough
LANDSBOROUGH State School is hosting an Under Eights Day celebration on Friday 16 May from 8:45am until 10:40am. They are inviting all young children and their families in the local community to join them for a morning of fun-filled activities.
Local day care centres,
kindergartens and playgroups are also most welcome to come along and join in the fun.
Under Eights Day is all about celebrating and showcasing early childhood and the contributions youngsters make to our local community. The theme for 2025 is ‘Unleashing Scientific
Thinking Through Play’ and the school has planned a variety of activities that encourage playfulness, spontaneity, exploration, imagination and fun!
The event is free to attend, if you would like any further information, please contact Landsborough State School on 5436 2777.
Maleny State High open morning April 29
MALENY State High School has approximately 700 students currently enrolled from Years 7 -12.
We believe that this is the perfect number to guarantee a unique balance of individualised student care whilst offering a diverse range of curriculum programs and activities.
Our school prides itself on its rich history of outstanding academic achievements which are created through a commitment to care and compassion.
Our students are local and global citizens who thrive in a friendly, personalised educational community. They are offered a range of academic and vocational pursuits, schoolbased traineeships and apprenticeship pathways.
to Plate event. Our students learn responsibility, initiative, teamwork and the importance of caring for the environment through interaction with animals and the land.
Maleny High offers a smorgasbord of programs and initiatives that pique
It’s such a privilege to have an on-site, fully functional, agricultural farm. This offers our students opportunities for learning beyond the classroom, for example our highly successful Paddock
student interest. We are a School of Excellence in Music. There is also an ‘Altitude’ Program (Science & Mathematics Academy in Years 7 and 8), a flourishing International Student Program incorporating student “buddies” and homestay provision for international study tour groups and long term enrolments from all over the world, as well as leadership opportunities in a wide variety of interest areas.
Our thriving Student Council (alongside various other committees such as our Show Team, Environment Committee and Interact give students a voice and a platform to get involved in the decisions that shape our school. Junior students also participate regularly in interschool sporting events. We look forward to showcasing just some of the many things that make Maleny High a special place to learn. Please join us on Tuesday, 29 April from 9:30 to 11.30am for our Open Morning. You can meet and chat with our school’s Administration team, some of our exceptional teaching staff, School Captains and Junior Secondary Student leaders. There will be an Information Session followed by guided tours of the school and refreshments.
Please email your RSVP to info@malenyshs.eq.edu. au with your family name, number attending, school currently attending and a contact number. We look forward to meeting you!
EDUCATION FEATURE
Play-based learning at Guppy’s
GUPPY’S Beerwah provides a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for Early Learning and Long Daycare, positioned for convenience and easy entrance at 8-10 Greber road, Beerwah. Their vision is to provide Exceptional Childcare through Personalised Service. Their philosophy is built on a strong ethos of respect – for children, their families and our educators. Their quality childcare programs are designed to support the individual needs of each child, ranging from aged 6 weeks to school age.
Their trained childcare professionals curate and modify the programs based upon the individuals in their class each year, integrating a large focus on sustainability, recycling, indoor/outdoor play and natural playscapes. Additionally, they have a qualified Early Childhood Teacher who provides the necessary support and education a child needs before beginning school. Their Educators and Teachers work with cultural leaders and representatives to incorporate learning activities which educate children in the centre in the
aspects of other cultural groups.
Guppy’s prioritises play-based learning, expanding their Fine and Gross Motor Skills through a vast range of activities such as; sensory play, environment exploration and investigation, and creative mediums. Playbased learning encourages children to participate in a fun, confident and involved learning space. The Beerwah centre is home to wonderful educators, exciting experiences and a variety of activities for your children, who will love coming in and also meeting new friends.
to Suppor
Empowering Parents and Carers to Support their Children
At Talk & Teach, we bel communicate with confid
At Talk & Teach, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to communicate with confidence and engage in the world around them. Start your child’s speech therapy journey at home with our easy-to-use speech therapy resources; an entire home therapy program prepared for your child and delivered right to you.
Our Tool Kits
Our speech therapy tool kits are a comprehensive collection of evidenced-based activities, used in clinical practice and carefully designed to target specific communication and language goals to support every child’s communication.
emselves, ered right to you s gy
Whether your child is experiencing difficulties expressing themselves, comprehending language, or written communication skills (literacy), our tool kits provide the guidance and materials needed to unlock their full potential.
