Play School (1966)

This television show for children aims to encourage viewers to wonder, to think, to feel and to imagine. The program shows two warm, caring presenters taking the time to be with one child. They address the child directly and personally. Into this relationship are woven the stories, songs and activities that form the fabric of Australian children's culture. Play School is successful because it satisfies our basic human need to interact with other people and to be valued by them. Play School aims to extend the child's interest and it encourages participation. Each program contains a story, some songs (both traditional and new) and a variety of play ideas with things to make and do. Each week has a theme which is developed in different ways depending on the day. The daily format usually includes the Clock and a look outside Play School via the Windows. More recently the Play School projector is also used for a mindfulness segment asking viewers to stop, look and listen. Until 2010, the calendar would display the day of the week, but was not continued as naming the weekday became confusing once children were able to watch programs any time, on demand.