Play School

This is basically the low budget, Australian version of Sesame Street, less the furry animals - instructional, educational entertainment for younger children - a latter day haven for parents.

Play School first appeared on our TV sets in 1967. I remember watching it as a child myself (some 30 odd years ago). Today, in 1999, my children sit and enjoy the daily reruns. Well done Play School and ABC TV, 32 years later and still being shown every day at 3:30 pm.

There's a bear in there, and a chair as well. There are people with games! And stories to tell! Open wide! Come inside! It's Play School!

Ah, yes, "Play School". I had long forgotten this excellent children's show until I recently read Merridy Eastman's book (who was a "Play School" presenter in the '80's) "There's a Bear in There (And he wants Swedish)", and it all came flooding back to me.

Anyhoo, "Play School" is definitely one of the more better children's shows in terms of its educational value, sense of fun and memorable theme songs. Unlike many other educational children's television shows, "Play School" is bearable for older people (That is, parents and older siblings) to watch with youngsters. Granted that "Play School" could be just another hyperactive, over-the-top and God awful children's show (That is, "Barney"), "Play School is simple, good, clean fun and it isn't migraine inducing.

I'd also like to note that I'm pretty amazed that "Play School" has been still going for almost a century now, but still manages to stay fresh. Well done to "Play School".

So, to conclude, "Play School" is a great, clean and fun show that I'd highly recommend for parents to let their youngsters watch.

This show is beautiful in its repetitive simplicity and its understanding of the importance of imagination. The ABC deserves credit for sticking with the same, proved formula for decades, while keeping the content up to date.

(Since I'm a musician, this review focuses on the sound and music. The visual and educational elements are also worthy of comment, but I'm not the guy for that.)

The live sound is clear and the dynamic range is uncompressed, so it doesn't always sound like people are shouting. (Some of this must also be due to the ABC's compressor/limiter settings on their transmitter audio feed, which is not pumped up, aurally excited, and hard limited like the commercial stations like to do.) As a result, viewers have to be quiet to hear the small sounds, like sticky tape being torn off or scissors cutting, and this encourages paying attention. The presenters don't talk all the time. Sometimes the only sound is the shuffle of feet or paper or whatever activity is in progress. The pace of speaking and the progression of activities in general is gentle and unhurried. There is a lot of repetition, but often subtle, so it doesn't seem repetitive.

The principal musical component is a simple, off-screen, improvised piano accompaniment, like from the silent movie days, but reassuring, not dramatic. Other music is the songs (always with actions) sung by the presenters, and the background music chosen for the "through the window" segment, which is usually either more improvised piano or some classical music. There are also canned bits of music like the one used for the "clock" or "through the window" segments, and their familiarity no doubt contributes to a feeling of comfort and helps children orient themselves.

All this makes Play School is a welcome antidote for the hyped up, overstimulating shows found on the commercial channels (and most of TV in general).

Kids at the age there after (1-8) are constantly learning, and a brainless TV show like this, ware the presenters have only one emotion (in this case happy) and they keep singing all the time. Cannot be any good for the poor kids (even if them may like it).

This is a terrible show and I rate it a 0/10

There seems to be quite a consensus that this doesn't have any educational value. Such a stance presumes that kids need explicit teaching and preaching. Either you need to include an alphabet in your song or have some obvious life lesson like sharing, trying new foods, and keep trying. How silly.

The late Fred Rogers says that TV can be very bad for young kids, so why waste the little time that a kid can have, with such a pointless show. Especially when there are much better shows, like ZOOM, Yo Gabba Gabba, the Good Night Show

Play School, an Australian institution, is a great way for children to sit and watch Australian based learning. Each episode follows a time-tested formula, that, even the old episodes are as watchable now as they were 50 years ago.

Play School has had many famous Australian faces present it over the years, as well as many well-loved Play School presenters that children remember into their adulthood, who become almost an institution themselves.

Each episode has songs, dancing, a story, the name of the day, and usually feature a short video clip through the window. Those who grew up with Play School will have their favourite window (arch, circle, square, diamond), and the children will always want their favourite one to be used as Play School presents clip from outside.

The presenters are entirely real, and their enthusiasm is clearly shown through in each episode. Children respond well, as the presenters talk straight down the camera, and lead the kids through crafts, songs, and dance, and using their imagination.

My children still play games they learned from Play School, and I've taught them songs I learned from my time watching Play School growing up. This is Australian talent at it's absolute finest. Each episode is raw, and presented as real. Indeed, the filming for each episode is done in pretty much one take, which just adds to the overall ambiance of the episode.

Play School is the most Australian show. Perfect for the kids to watch, anytime!