About Platypus Playhouse

Check out the range of Platypus Playhouse resources.

The range is chock full of both tactile and visually splendid language building tools, including two unique and fun platypuses (yep, it’s the plural of platypus) Pip, who has a hearing aid and Annie, who has a cochlear implant.

Along with other helpful items in the range, you’ll find cute, handmade finger puppets of Pip and Annie Puggles that can pop over tiny fingers. Our finger puppets also include Pip and Annie’s animal friends – sheep, pig, puppy, kangaroo, koala, and owl.

The Range includes:

• ‘Platypus Matcharoo’ Auslan Cards (24 x double set) – Auslan, pictures and English to complement the vocabulary in the story books
• Six felt finger puppets – ‘Pip’s Besties’. These are characters that appear in the story books and include a sheep, dog, pig, owl, kangaroo and koala. The soft, tactile feel of the felt puppets will appeal to kids with the Auslan Cards to help you learn the Auslan sign (remember to go to the platypusplayhouse.org.au to see the videos of these signs).
• Froopies and Weggies (a calico bag with five soft, felt fruit and five veggies), in a soft calico bag plus English/Auslan Cards.
• Pip OR Annie character – hand crafted, stuffed soft toys
• Two Tiny Platypus finger puppets of ‘Pip and Annie Puggles’ (baby platypus) to support Auslan Card and Story Books in a soft calico bag
• ‘Platypus Munchies’ recipes – simple and engaging recipes to cook with your child –from how to make playdough through to Platypus characters Pip and Annie Platypus gingerbreads
• Fridge Magnet set of alphabet Auslan finger spelling plus additional magnets of fruit and everyday items
• Small, soft cotton and very colourful kids backpack
• Sticker sheets of Pip and Annie’s Besties (tiny stickers on each sheet)
• Additional sets of Auslan Cards with more words from the books (7 sets will be available)
• Five more Pip and Annie’s story books (to come).
• Pip and Annie posters
• Online video of every Auslan word used in the books and Auslan Cards to help parents learn to sign – just scan the QR code in each book to take you straight to the right spot on the platypusplayhouse.org.au website.
• Online video of Pip’s Great Adventure and Pip and Annie Go to the Country. Full Auslan translation of each story with visuals from the books. (to come)

Learning through play is a great way for your child to develop communication skills. You may observe that, as your child plays with you, they will start to imitate your actions, your signs and even expressions. Research shows that a child’s English and Auslan vocabulary may develop at the same pace as a hearing child provided parents develop these bilingual skills to use when communicating with their child.