There’s a bear in there …

Around this time of the year I get to reflect on years gone by and look at what lies ahead. Another year will tick over for me later this week, and what a year it has been.

Interesting to see that a part of my childhood is celebrating a milestone today. ABC’s Play School, based on a British program of the same name, went to air for the first time on this day, the 18th of July, 1966. It’s turning 45 today.

I’ve got a few years head start on Play School but it was very much a part of my childhood and quite probably yours too. I don’t know about you but I was always a big fan of Big Ted, Little Ted and the round window. I wonder if you have any memories of Play School. If you’re not in Australia, or weren’t brought up here, what kids programmes did you watch when you were small?

I’d love you to share your memories of children’s television, especially Play School if you watched it. I certainly hope they’ve given Big Ted the day off to celebrate.



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About the author

Rodney Olsen

Rodney is a husband, father, cyclist, blogger and podcaster from Perth Western Australia.

He has worked in radio at Perth's media ministry Sonshine for over 25 years and has previously worked at ministries such as Compassion Australia and Bible Society.

The views he expresses here are his own.

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3 Comments

  • Growing up near Pittsburgh in the States our children’s programming was probably different than yours Rodney. I never heard of PlaySchool. But you probably never heard of Romper Room and Captain Kangaroo. Mr. Rogers was not around then (whew!). i would come home from school and the local channel showed The 3 Stooges. 🙂 I am guessing Happy Birthday is in the offing. congrats! i still say “Go Cadel!”

    • I was actually a big Romper Room fan. We had an Australian version of the show. 🙂

  • I remember making people out of milk cartons when I was five. I learnt this from Play School. They had heaps of great crafty ideas.

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