Play School

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,…

This series is about the many foods that children enjoy eating. Over the week, we prepare and cook a range of dishes using both everyday and not-so-common ingredients. We also look at presentation and decoration, such as making a table cloth, table napkins and other craft ideas. We visit a farm to see where milk, eggs, vegetables and fruit are grown and…

This week in Play School we look at different kinds of transport, from the everyday – such as cars, trains and bicycles – to more unusual forms of getting from a to b – such as animals carrying their young in pouches and on their backs. On Monday, we feature a special Play School concert. From Tuesday to Friday, the Play School calendar features a…

Young children love watching, playing with and learning about animals – whether they are animals in the wild, animals at a farm or zoo or a family pet. Each day Play School concentrates on a different animal – lions on Monday, elephants on Tuesday, polar bears on Wednesday, tigers on Thursday and gorillas on Friday. We show a film of this animal in the…

This week in Play School we explore the sea. We look at all the interesting and fun things that can be found on the beach, such as sand, seaweed, shells and rock pools, as well as what can be found in the water, such as fish and other colourful sea creatures. We also look at some of the fun that can be had at the seaside, whether visiting for a day's…

From an early age, children are fascinated by doors and windows, mainly because their curiosity is aroused. When a door or window is opened, the beginning of a new place or area is created; inside or outside, upstairs or downstairs, and the child is able to explore and find out more about a familiar environment, or one that is totally new. This week,…

Buses and trains are fascinating for the preschool child. Their size, colour and shape are full of interest and excitement. Buying a ticket and sitting up and watching the world go by is a wonderful experience. Join us this week for lots of action packed journeys and adventures!

This week on Play School we have fun with eggs! We look at some of the creatures that lay eggs, such as chickens and dinosaurs, as well as how eggs can be used in cooking and craft. Each day the Surprise Egg Calendar is shown.

This week we show you how television programs like Play School are made! We go "behind the scenes" and take a look at pretend TV sets, cameras, microphones and lights. During the week we make a box television, put on our own television shows and play out a news story with Jemima as a roving reporter! Each day the TV Tricks Calendar has a different chroma…

Logical sequencing is part of everybody's day. Children like to think about what’s next, whether it is getting up in the morning, dressing, washing, eating breakfast, preparing to go out on an excursion, counting or even watching a baby growing and changing. This week in Play School we look at different and fun ways of discovering "what's next?" Each day…

Rabbits are quiet animals that capture the curiosity and imagination of young children. Generations of young children have enjoyed the mischievous rabbits portrayed in the famous Beatrix Potter stories, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" and "The Tale of Benjamin Bunny" and joining in the actions of the song "Little Peter Rabbit". This week we have aimed to…

Young children love playing with and looking at animals and this week in Play School we feature one of the most popular amongst pre-schoolers - ducks! Ducks and ducklings have featured in children's nursery rhymes, games and stories for generations. The song, "Six Little Ducks", is particularly well known as a tool for teaching numbers and counting…

Fingers, toes, hands and feet are the first parts of the body recognised by young children. They are easily seen and enable children to move, explore, create and discover. This week in Play School we explore hands and feet through movement and creative, tactile experiences. We also explore animal feet through games and observation and provide children with…

Young children love the excitement of "going out"! We look at some of the places and people young children might "go out" to visit in their day-to-day lives, such as to see family or friends, to do the shopping, or to go to play group or kindergarten. We also look at some more unusual outings and adventures, such as travelling to other countries or to the…

This week in Play School we learn about the three primary colours - red, blue and yellow - and what happens when they are mixed together. We also explore all the colours in the world around us. Each day we take a look at the Rainbow Calendar.

"Hip Hip Hooray" is a phrase used by young children to express their joy, excitement and enthusiasm for celebrations. Celebrations can be big or small and young children enjoy them all. There are traditional holidays and religious celebrations, such as Christmas and New Year, as well as one of the most important celebrations for young children –…

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.

Pre-school children are continually growing and changing. They are fascinated with how they look and enjoy looking at themselves in the mirror. Caring for hair is part of a young child's routine. Brushing, cutting, decorating and gelling hair is of great interest. There are some young children who are fearful of washing their hair and need reassurance and…

This week in Play School we look at holes! Natural holes, man-made holes, holes dug by animals, holes used for play and holes of all different shapes and sizes! We also use holes in our arts & craft activities and games.

We all like to make collections of things that interest us. Collections can be simple, involving things in our everyday lives – such as collections of books, toys, plants or teapots - or they may be vast and detailed – such as exhibitions in museums or collections of antique cars, stamps or coins. There are also collections of people, such as pre-schools,…

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…

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…

This week in Play School we explore the appearance of different types of horses, their living environments and how they help us. Young children are always fascinated by the size, sound and movements of horses and enjoy trying to imitate them. The inclusion of simple horse dress-ups and craft hobby horses will extend interest and enjoyment in this week's…

Paper is an accessible and versatile material with endless possibilities for imaginative play and creativity. Young children enjoy paper art and craft activities such as collage, painting, drawing, folding and cutting. They also enjoy using paper to play games, such as pass-the-parcel, and to make dress ups, such as elephant ears, pirate hats, party hats…

Childhood is a period of enormous physical, mental and emotional development. Young children are very aware of the changes they are experiencing and can gain understanding of these changes by watching the physical development of animals and plants. The life-cycle of a frog is a great example of physical change over time. Young children can learn a lot…

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…

Children love to move about from here to there, so this week in Play School we explore the different ways people and animals move through stories, play, music and games. We look at different modes of transport, including cars, trucks, buses, boats, trains, aeroplanes, submarines, rockets, helicopters, bicycles, horses and even hot air balloons! We also…

Early childhood is characterised by change as enormous growth and development occurs within a short period of time - limbs lengthen, body shape changes, baby teeth disappear and new teeth come through. These physical and developmental changes are significant for young children and their families because they are the milestones of "growing up". Young…

The home plays a vital role in the life of every child. Families live in a diverse range of environments; however integral to each home is a sense of belonging, a sense of being loved and a sense of self. Home is where we feel safe and secure and are free to be ourselves. This week in Play School we explore this sense of home. We look at some of the…

Children enjoy the absurdity and fun in nonsense rhymes and songs, so this week in Play School we explore the fun in being silly and crazy with mixed-up songs, animals and activities. To start the week we begin with an exciting concert! Karen, Jay, Alex & Justine are joined by a live band and tell the story of Cinderella in front of a live studio…

This series of Play School explores the concept of opposites using one clear example - big and little. Throughout the week we look at lots of big and little things through craft, games, stories and music. We explore growth, size, space, dinosaurs, animals and lots more! Each day we discover something new in the Big and Little Calendar - something big is…

Choosing "what to wear" is a dilemma faced by children (and their parents) every day! Children often have very strong opinions about what they want to wear and like to choose clothes that reflect their feelings and personalities. Learning how to get clothes on and off is also a big part of a young child's life. This week in Play School we look at…

Water is essential to life on earth and this week in Play School we explore its importance through stories, songs, imaginative play and learning activities. We look at different bodies of water - such as the sea, rivers, ponds and lakes - and what kinds of animals live in and around these environments. We look at how water is used in everyday life – we…

Building is one way that young children begin to make sense of the world around them. It helps them understand the qualities of different materials and how these materials can be joined together to create something new. Children enjoy making and creating their own buildings and structures from the resources and materials they find around them. This…

This week in Play School we explore and explain the many different ways we communicate with each other! We look at body language, speech, sound, music, letters, books and signs as well as modern forms of communication, such as computers, digital cameras, emails, phones, radio and text messaging. We also take a look at the way animals and babies…

Young children are generally eager explorers, keen to investigate the world around them. They use their senses and their bodies as they encounter and play with new objects and explore familiar and unfamiliar places. Young children also like to experience the world from many different vantage points, such as under, over, beside, in front of, behind, between…

Waggy tails, swishy tails, curly tails! Tails of all different shapes, colours and sizes appear in Play School this week. We take a look at how different animals use their tails to fly, climb, balance and communicate. Looking at and talking about tails not only enables us to explore the characteristics of a wide variety of animals, it also provides many…

Current research suggests that a growing number of children are overweight and spending less time in active play and exercise. As a result, there is increasing community awareness of the need to establish healthy eating and exercise habits in early childhood. In this series, we take a playful look at fruit and vegetables. During the week we feature a…

A young child's world is filled with new and exciting things to see, hear, smell, taste and touch! The five senses allow children to experience and explore the world around them and help them to develop an understanding of safe and unsafe situations. This week in Play School we learn about the five senses through games, music, cooking and craft. Each day…

Early childhood is a period of new discoveries as children explore the world around them and the opportunities it brings. An adventure can be as simple as finding new possibilities, from playing with a cardboard box to taking a trip somewhere new, or adventuring to faraway places in stories and in the world of imagination. Young children are generally…

This week in Play School we explore the seasons! Summer, autumn, winter and spring each have a dedicated day. The essence and characteristics of each season are explored through songs, games, stories and craft activities. Each day the Play School thermometer is checked and the temperature noted. There is also a tree shown throughout the week, which…

Repetition is the key to learning and mastering new skills. This week in Play School we endeavour to provide young children with the opportunity to enjoy and learn through the repetition of activities, songs, movement and stories. We also explore daily routines and natural happenings that occur over and over again, such as day and night, getting up in the…

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…

This week in Play School we have fun retelling traditional fairy tales. A fairy tale is a story told to children concerning the adventures of mythical characters such as fairies, unicorns, mermaids, giants and elves. These stories often involve princes and princesses and modern versions normally have a happy ending. Fairy tales often begin with the stock…

The opposites "up" and "down" are first learnt by babies as they are picked up and cuddled by care givers and put down to sleep. As they grow older, many things in young children's world are "up", simply because they are small and have to look up to speak to adults or to reach objects they need. It is good to keep this in mind and to have their play things…

This week Play School is filled with barns, windmills and tractors as we visit the farm and give children a sense of the farming lifestyle! We look at the different kinds of work that needs to be done on a farm, as well as food crops, conservation of water and caring for animals. On Monday we are visited by a mother duck and her ducklings and observe them…

This week we explore things that 'go'! This includes human, animal and mechanical movement. Each day a 'go' obstacle course has been developed with a different theme to encourage creativity as well as gross motor coordination. Young children's ability to physically move and manoeuvre around their environment increases with age, practice and awareness.…

The early years are a period of rapid growth and intense learning as children discover aspects of themselves and the world around them. Young children are naturally curious. They are explorers and investigators eager to see, touch, smell and hear. In this series we explore 'what's inside?' and invite children and their families to become curious…

Join the Play School presenters and your favourite toys in creative play with squares, circles, triangles and rectangles. Explore the shapes we find all around us in our homes and gardens, our own shapes and animal shapes, with songs, stories and fun things to make.

Pets play an important role in the lives of many young children. Learning to care for pets, whether they are small animals such as goldfish, or larger animals such as cats or dogs, helps children develop a sense of responsibility. For those unable to own pets, visiting the pets of family and friends can also be a great learning experience. This week in…

Most young children enjoy digging in the dirt whether it be in a garden or in a pot of soil. Being involved in gardening can help young children develop many new skills. These include understanding, co-operation and self-confidence. Children will also learn about science, nature and the environment from growing their own flowers and plants.

Paint and paste, pour, squish and squeeze with Justine, Andrew, Jonny, Teo, Leah and Emma as they have fun exploring all sorts of ways to create pictures and sculptures. In this series Play School visits some well-known artists and watches them work, and sets up its own gallery. Theres also a special visitor to the Play School set, Matthew the Donkey, as…

Children are naturally inquisitive and want to know about the world around them. Experiences that encourage children to question how or why things happen are a science experience. This week in Play School we adopt a "finding out" attitude and explore our environment in a scientific way. Over the week we look at colours, magnets, batteries, flying,…

Many young children like to put on a show for an audience. This can be simply singing a song to a parent, or putting on a puppet show with friends. Audiences can be family, friends or even toys. This week's activities, songs, stories and films have been selected to encourage confidence and creativity in our young viewers. We also aim to extend their…

Young children love to play and have fun as they explore the world around them. Playing games is a great way to learn new skills, build physical strength and coordination, practice new words and phrases and solve problems creatively. Playing games with others also helps young children practice waiting, sharing and taking turns. In this series there are…

Leaning to count is the first mathematical concept taught to young children. By seeing, hearing and writing numbers over and over, young children learn number recognition, number order and one-to-one correspondence. This week in Play School, we explore numbers and counting through play, singing and cooking. A cardboard box house with cardboard furniture…

In this series, Play School is filled with native flora and fauna as we explore the unique Australian bush! Each day this week we take our "gumnut people", Barney Banksia and Gabriella Gumnut, for a walk through the bush where they find native animals and plants and explore exciting landforms and landscapes. "Through the windows" we observe possums at…