We’ve introduced art therapy at Early Connections Port Macquarie / Hastings and would love families to take part in two exciting craft projects.
The arts project involves Worry Doll kits for children and Wishing Tree tags for parents/carers with a display of completed dolls and wish tags to be showcased as a collaborative art work.
Get creative during home learning and support our art therapist student Joanne. Download infokits below.
Worry Dolls Project
Join our Worry Dolls Project download the information kit today
Wishing Tree Project
Join our Wishing Tree Project download the information kit today
If you would like us to send you a craft kit please email joanne@earlyconnections-pmh.org.au with your postal details or call reception. (02) 6583 8238

Joanne Middlebrook
Art Therapy Student and Early Childhood Intervention Teacher
Joanne Middlebrook is completing an art therapy practicum at Early Connections in 2021 to finalise studies for her Masters in Therapeutic Arts Practice.
Jo is employed at Early Connections as an EC Teacher/Keyworker and has been studying art therapy for the past 3 years with the practicum being the final requirement for her studies.
Some of the art therapy opportunities Jo has been offering at Early Connections this year include:
- individual art therapy sessions for children aged 3-12 years on a Friday afternoon during the school term.
- an art journaling group for parents/carers once a week on a Friday morning during school terms as a way to provide a creative outlet and the opportunity to build connections with and between families.
- art therapy groups for 3-4 children during school holidays periods focusing on social skills, self awareness, self expression and awareness of emotions.
- Individual staff wellbeing sessions and group art therapy activities during quarterly staff meetings.
*All art therapy services are provided free-of-charge as they are part of Jo’s practicum requirements with services available to existing families of Early Connections Port Macquarie.