Australian
Screen

Clip description

The second version of the opening titles lead into a hotly contested sack race between presenters Noni (Hazlehurst) and John (Hamblin) involving an obstacle course around Play School toys Jemima, Diddle the cat and Big Ted, with Humpty watching on.

Curator’s notes

This clip demonstrates how Play School aims to extend the child’s interest and encourage active participation during and between programs. This sequence introduces a simple activity children can do at home in the form of a sack race around an obstacle course marked out by toys. Both presenters are careful to involve the audience by talking directly to them (at one point, Noni even signals to the viewers without John seeing). The props are minimal, the instructions straightforward and John and Noni’s relaxed interactions make the game look fun and easy to play.

This sequence also demonstrates how the presenters are joined regularly by a cast of well-loved toys, including Big Ted, Little Ted, Jemima, Humpty and a single Banana in Pyjamas. Just as many children (and adults when reminiscing) have a favourite presenter, so too do they often have a favourite Play School toy. The toys are utilised in a number of ways in Play School: in dress-ups, role plays, stories, and to illustrate songs and rhymes.

The philosophy of Play School is that the toys remain passive and controlled by the presenters. They are never ‘listened to’ or given an independent voice in order to provide clarity around reality (including imaginative play) and fantasy for the young audience. An important contribution behind the scenes of Play School comes from early childhood consultants who provide script outlines and ensure throughout the production process that content is age appropriate. The Big Ted, Humpty and Banana currently seen in Play School are the original toys while the original Little Ted disappeared in 1973 and had to be replaced.

The opening titles have evolved since the original credits seen in Play School – Trains Thursday (1969), clip one. No longer in black-and-white, the images of house, bear, chair, people and storybook are now photographs. The 1980s credits also boast a new rendition of the theme song which was originally sung in a refined style and a posh accent. The 1980s song features the more Australian-sounding voices of children and Play School presenters, making it more familiar, and therefore accessible, to the program’s young audience.