Play School poster

Play School

1966–present

Play School is an Australian Gold Logie award winning educational television show for children produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and then Southern Star Entertainment in 2014. It is the longest-running children's show in Australia, and the second longest running children's show in the world. In 2016, Play School celebrated 50 years on the air. An estimated 80% of pre-school children under six watch the programme at least once a week. It is screened twice every weekday afternoon at 3:05 pm on ABC1 every day 9:30 am and weekday 4:30 pm on ABC2's ABC4 Kids.

First aired
1 Jan 1966
Episode length
25 min
Country
Australia
Language
English
Writers
Deborah Boerne, Mark Barnard, Tammy Burnstock
Executive producer
Jan Stradling
Producer
Sophie Emtage
Elsewhere
TMDB

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Cast

Seasons · 122 episodes

  • Television

    Season 1 · 1966

  • Putting on a Show

    Season 138 · 2011

    Join Abi, Teo, Leah, Karen, Andrew and Sofya as they enjoy the fun of putting on a show! See them create costumes and props, and set up a theatre as they act out some favourite nursery rhymes and songs. There are plays with puppets, magic tricks and lots of fun and games with the Play School toys. Featuring: Teo Gebert, Sofya Gollan, Andrew McFarlane, Karen Pang, Abi Tucker, and Leah Vandenberg.

  • Dinosaurs

    Season 148 · 2008

  • Wheels

    Season 234

    This week in Play School we explore wheels and the many ways they help us in our daily lives. Children are given the opportunity to explore how wheels help us move, work and play through activities, films, stories and songs.

  • Faces

    Season 238 · 2008

    A young baby first learns to recognise the familiar faces of parents, family and friends. As the child develops self awareness, they are very aware of how they look, and how they differ from those around them. They also notice the changes in their body and face as they grow older. After the "scribbling" stage, simple faces are among the first drawings of young children. Young children also enjoy being actively involved in simple hygiene and bathing activities which help foster confidence, good health and a positive self image. This week in Play School we explore many opportunities for young children to develop their curiosity and self awareness. Each day we sing "Dancing Face", a fun action song which allows children to explore their appearance and the movement of their faces.

  • Puppets

    Season 239

    Puppets have been found in all cultures throughout history and are still enjoyed by many today. They can be used to tell stories, to entertain, to develop self confidence and expression and to explore theatrical performance. Puppets can express feelings and ideas which some children may have difficulty expressing face to face. Making and using puppets also encourages creative imagination and develops manual dexterity. This week in Play School we explore simple puppets that can be made with everyday household materials. Each day we play with puppets in various ways to present rhymes, stories and free imaginative play.

  • Nursery Rhymes

    Season 243 · 2008

    Nursery rhymes are traditional short poems and songs that have been passed down through the generations, such as "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep", "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", "Mary, Mary Quite Contrary" and "Jack and Jill". They are familiar to adults and children alike and are a way of sharing childhood traditions and social and oral history. Singing, saying and acting out nursery rhymes improves early literacy skills and encourages visualisation, imagination and play. The simple songs and rhymes included this week in Play School can be sung or said in traditional ways or modified to accompany play and the daily routines of eating, sleeping and washing. Each day nursery rhymes are used as a spring board for moving, singing, baking, making and playing. This week the Play School calendar is a large quilt with panels reflecting different nursery rhymes.

  • Music

    Season 261 · 2015

    Young children are naturally musical. From first vocalisations to singing songs in tune and time with others, from tapping on household objects to producing carefully controlled instrumental accompaniments, the young child explores, listens to and creates music. In early childhood, musical experiences include singing, listening, playing, and moving. This week, the Play School team are visited by some special musical guests. Each day, we see people playing different instruments in an orchestra. We also explore home-made instruments, body percussion and the sounds produced by string, wind and brass instruments.